Back

Visit the national parks and private reserves in Savegre and Chirripo

COS _OsaPeninsula_ChestnutBilledToucan_MN_free

Visit the famous national parks and lesser-known private nature reserves of Costa Rica. 

With over 25% of Costa Rica’s territory occupied by national parks and with a population of under 5 million, you might be forgiven for thinking the whole country is a conservation nature reserve with a volcanic divide through the centre.

On the ground however, the differences between the biological, wildlife and marine reserves become more defined.  Many of the national parks are well known and popular, with high visitor figures.  But among the more secluded reserves are many privately owned properties, open to visitors.

These allow you to experience Costa Rica’s great wealth of flora and fauna at close quarters with expert guides, often in solitude. These habitats range from lush primary rainforests  - where paths have been forged so you can immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of the jungle - to wispy, ethereal  cloud forests, where epiphytes such as bromeliads and heliconias are dive bombed by brightly coloured hummingbirds.

Many of the parks and reserves have remote or isolated but well located accommodation, ranging from rustic eco-lodges, often family-run with their own farm attached, through to top-of-the-range properties with spas or wellness facilities.  All offer sensitively operated guided activities on land and water so that you can get the most out of your experience in the wild.

Costa Rica
Savegre valley and Chirripo foothills

Papagaio

Your edit for Latin American inspiration

Our exciting range of articles on Latin America explore everything from iconic destinations and lesser-known cultural gems to delicious traditional recipes. You’ll also find exclusive travel tips, first-hand client reviews and the chance to get your personal questions answered by our travel experts.

View Extraordinary Inspiration
Bartolome, Galápagos

Meet our team

Real Latin american experts

  • Hannah
    Hannah Donaldson - Travel Expert

    Having spent part of her childhood in Colombia and worked in Brazil and Costa Rica, Hannah's ties to Latin America run deep. Hannah is a much valued Travel Expert in our Tailor-made Holidays and Group Tours sales team.

  • Kathryn
    Kathryn Rhodes - Travel Expert

    Kathryn backpacked across Argentina, Chile, Bolivia and Peru before joining us. She has a degree in Philosophy and French and is a keen netball player.

  • Mary
    Mary Anne Nelson - Travel Expert

    Born in the Atacama Desert in northern Chile, Mary’s insider knowledge and dry sense of humour make her a highly valued member of the Tailor-made Holidays and Group Tour sales team.

  • Hannah
    Hannah Waterhouse - Travel Expert

    Hannah had an early introduction to Latin America when her family moved to Ecuador and she returned to study in Buenos Aires for a year before backpacking across the continent.

  • Heloise
    Heloise Buxton - Travel Expert

    Heloise started her Latin American journey as an exchange student in Santiago, Chile. With extended summer holidays this was the perfect opportunity to backpack through Bolivia, Peru, Argentina and Brazil.

  • Maggie
    Maggie Wilson - Travel Expert

    Maggie visited Latin America on her first backpacking trip when she was 19. Since then, she has taken every opportunity to travel, and has managed to explore a lot of the region in subsequent trips.

0 1 2 3 4 5