Penas Blancas National Park
Located along the southeastern slopes of the Tilaran Mountain Range, this rugged protected zone was recently added to the Costa Rica park system. Expect to find uneven trails throughout the 5,900 acres (2400 ha) of Penas Blancas National Park (Parque Nacional Penas Blancas).
Not necessarily known for its biodiversity, explorers might find it a bit more challenging to uncover wildlife although many of the country's mammal species, as well as a huge number of bird species, populate the various levels of habitat located within these borders.
The altitude varies significantly within the park, rising up from around 2,000 feet (600 m) to 4,600 ft (1400 m). This means you can expect to see several different habitats. In the lower sections of the park, tropical dry forest dominates the landscape. In the middle elevations, the forest changes into tropical moist forest and at higher altitudes into premontane forest this is characterized by a wealth of live oaks. The creation of the park was to protect these habitats which suffered greatly when logging was dominant in the area.
The park's name, Penas Blancas, means "white cliffs' and refers to the diatomaceous earth deposits found all over the park. This white-colored sedimentary rock is as breakable as chalk and can found in the walls of the river valleys. Its main components are diatoms, which primarily consist of silicon and have a texture similar to that of pumice. Diatomaceous earth is commonly used for filtration, as a mild abrasive, an absorbent or for its heat-resistant properties.
The national park sits 3.7 miles (6 km) to the northeast of Miramar (5 miles, 8 km northeast of the Inter-Americana Highway), which serves as a great place to grab a meal or stock up on supplies. From here you can hike the distance into the park or head 9 miles (14 km) to the town of Penas Blancas to access the national park. Hikers will need to be self sufficient as there are no facilities once inside the protected zone. Camping is allowed. The best time to visit is during the dry season which is from January to April.
Where to stay in Penas Blancas National Park
From boutique lodges to luxury resorts, every Penas Blancas National Park accommodation is hand-picked by our local insiders for location, comfort, and character.
Chayote Lodge
Chayote Lodge is a boutique hotel set in the midst of coffee farms and verdant mountains. This lodge is on the road from San José to Arenal Volcano National Park, which is one of Costa Rica’s most popular parks for hiking and sightseeing.
Villa Blanca Hotel and Nature Reserve
Located in the foothills of the central highlands, an hour from the San Jose International Airport, is the Villa Blanca Hotel and Nature Reserve. Here you'll be surrounded by pristine cloud forest and a private biological reserve. Medicinal plants, hundreds of bird species, insects and amazing fauna are just part of the area's attractions. A short distance away lays the nearby town of San Ramon, offering excellent restaurants, bars, and museums.
Trapp Family Lodge
Trapp Family Lodge sits amid the mist‑shrouded cloud forests of Monteverde, Costa Rica, just a short drive from the town’s main thoroughfare and the famous Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. The property occupies a former dairy farm that once belonged to the von Trapp family, and the historic barns and wooden structures have been adapted to create a modest, family‑run resort that blends rustic charm with modern conveniences.
Hotel Fonda Vela
Hotel Fonda Vela is situated in the gorgeous Tilarán Mountains Range, in the community of Monteverde. Monteverde is renowned for its stunning cloud forests and extreme bio-diversity. Scientists, bird watchers and nature lovers from around the world flock to this enchanted oasis to observe the splendid wildlife and primary cloud forests found amongst the areas exuberant natural beauty.
Belmar Hotel
Hotel Belmar is located in the luscious green mountains of Monteverde. Find yourself surrounded by the beauty of the cloud forest and its variety of wildlife and dense vegetation famous to this area. It is a place unlike no other, attracting eco-travelers and birders from around the world. Monteverde is a multicultural community with a mixture of Ticos, Quakers and foreigners, all contributing to this rich and cultural place.
Cabañas y Jardines Los Pinos
Hotel Cabanas Los Pinos is situated just down the road from the world renowned Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. Monteverde is home to hundreds of plants, mammals, insects and birds such as the Resplendent Quetzal and the Emerald Toucanet. This is an amazing eco-tourism destination for those seeking solitude in the beauty of nature. Though tucked away in the mountains, visitors can find all the modern conveniences in Santa Elena such as restaurants, cafes, shops, a supermarket and bank.
Hotel Montana Monteverde
Hotel Montana Monteverde is found in the Central Highlands of Costa Rica amidst the mountain community of Monteverde. Monteverde is a biological masterpiece, home to an incredible primary cloud forest, a rich and diverse plant system as well as an abundance of bird and animal species. This is certainly an ideal destination for nature lovers, biologists and bird watchers longing to be surrounded by pristine beauty and serenity.
Hotel El Establo
Hotel El Establo is a small boutique property set on a quiet hilltop just outside the village of Santa Elena, the gateway to Monteverde’s cloud‑forest reserves in Costa Rica. The hotel occupies a former coffee plantation, and its location offers unobstructed views of the mist‑shrouded mountains that define the region. From the moment guests arrive, the setting conveys a sense of retreat without being isolated; the main road to Monteverde is only a short walk away, and the town’s shops and restaurants are within easy reach.
Hotel Heliconia
Located conveniently in Costa Rica's eco-tourism hub, Hotel Heliconia is a home away from home. The Monteverde area has several charming communities spread out along a rugged dirt road that features endless breathtaking views. Visitors will find a unique mixture of Ticos, Quakers, and foreigners living side by side. The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve has earned its fame as one of the most outstanding wildlife sanctuaries in the New World tropics and is a must see.
Hotel Cala Lodge Monteverde
The Cala Lodge is located in Monteverde. Set within Costa Rica’s rich central highlands, this area is replete with bountiful rainforests, rolling hills, and a spectacular amount of biodiversity.
Monteverde Country Lodge
Monteverde Country Lodge is situated on the outskirts of the town of Santa Elena, the central hub of the Monteverde region in Costa Rica. The property lies on a gently sloping hill that borders the well‑known Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, placing it within easy reach of the area’s most frequented nature trails and wildlife‑watching sites. The lodge’s address is easily found on local maps, and the main road that leads into town passes directly by the entrance, making arrival straightforward for guests traveling by car or shuttle.
Hotel Los Jardines
Hotel Los Jardines is situated in the mountain town of Monteverde, a charming community connected by a series of dirt roads that contribute to its rustic charm. Monteverde, meaning "Green Mountain', will draw you in with its lush rainforest, rolling green pastures and rich flora and fauna.
Flora & fauna in Penas Blancas National Park
The wildlife and plant life you might encounter in Penas Blancas National Park, from iconic species to the rare finds our local insiders know where to look for.
Insider-led Costa Rica Design & Concierge
Your insider team designs the trip around what you care about, then supports you in-country with private logistics, vetted partners, and concierge help when plans change.
Get StartedPrivate drivers; English-speaking available.
Avoid the crowds in private day tours.
Better stays, better pacing, better reservations.
Insider-only experiences and exclusive local partners.
24/7 in-country support by phone, text, and WhatsApp.
Insider-led Costa Rica Design & Concierge
Your insider team designs the trip around what you care about, then supports you in-country with private logistics, vetted partners, and concierge help when plans change.
