Santa Rosa National Park (Parque Nacional Santa Rosa) is a large national park in the Guanacaste province of western Costa Rica. It preserves a large area of dry tropical forest and together with Guanacaste National Park and other neighboring national parks, provides a large contiguous protected natural area as suitable habitat with sufficient space for large cats, such as the jaguar and puma (as well as myriad other species).

Understand

The park was designated as a national park in 1970 and expanded in 1977.

History

Costa Rica's only significant military event was a battle on March 20, 1856, when American trouble-maker William Walker landed with a ragtag army of American mercenaries. Walker's goal was to foment a fake rebellion that would enable him to take over the country and set himself up as a dictator who could align with the southern U.S. confederacy. Most Latin American countries had banned slavery by this time, but Walker was a firm believer in the evil of human bondage.

A 9,000-troop Costa Rican army soundly defeated Walker, who fled north into Nicaragua where he stirred up more trouble before getting driven into Honduras, whose government captured Walker, tried him, and executed him.

The historic Hacienda La Casona (also known as Hacienda Santa Rosa) was damaged by a fire in 1999 but has since been re-built and restored.

Landscape

It is a large park that spans 49,515 hectares. Habitats include beach, mangrove estuary, marine, grasslands, and tropical dry forest.

Two of the park's Pacific coast beaches are important sea turtle nesting beaches. The beaches are Playa Naranjo and Playa Nancite. Nancite is particularly known as a nesting area for Pacific Ridley sea turtles, which come ashore en masse on a new moon night in late summer to lay their eggs. These mass arrivals are referred to as arribadas and typically include thousands of turtles arriving together.

Climate

There's really two seasons in Guanacaste: wet and dry. Foreign visitors sometimes see little difference between the two since "wet" is relative. Long, drenching rains are not common in this region. Instead, during the wet season you might encounter short cloudbursts with rain for 30 minutes or less, and then sunshine for the remainder of the day.

The "dry season" is roughly December to April and the "wet season" is roughly May to November. During late July and early August there is often a short dry spell of a couple weeks that Ticos refer to as veranillo de San Juan. During that time, conditions resemble the dry season.

Get in

By plane

The nearest airport with commercial flights is in Liberia (LIR ^IATA). Renting a car in the airport is a good way to get to the park and other destinations in the region (a 4WD truck may be recommended for many destinations).

By bus

Regional buses frequently go between Liberia and the Nicaragua border (La Cruz). You can ask the driver to drop you off at the turnoff to the national park, but be aware that it may not be easy to get back to town and it's about a 7-km walk to the park entrance from the main highway, and then you'll be doing a lot more walking once you're in the park.

By car

From Liberia, drive north on the Pan-American highway (CA 1) for about 40 km and you will see the sign for the park turnoff to the left. The highway is a modern paved surface in good condition, but you will likely encounter dirt roads in the park with places where you need to ford streams.

Fees and permits

The park entrance is open daily from 8am to 3:30pm.

Entry fees are ¢ 1,100 for Costa Rican citizens or US$15 for foreign visitors.

Camping permits cost US$4 per person, per night, plus the cost of a park entry ticket.

Credit cards are accepted.

See

Surf's up at Witch's Rock in Santa Rosa National Park!

• La Casona - the colonial-era hacienda was the site of the historic 1856 battle. It now houses a museum with historical exhibits about the battle, military paraphernalia, and natural exhibits that explain the park's modern role in conserving plant and animal life

Do

• Surfing - Playa Naranjo is famous for its excellent surfing conditions, particularly the area near Witch's Rock (Peña Bruja).
• Scuba diving - dive shops in Guanacaste offer trips to dive sites in the park's waters, one of the most popular trips is to dive around the Islas Murcielago.
• Hiking - a number of marked trails cross the park, including several multi-day routes that require backcountry camping
• Fishing and snorkeling can be done in the park's Marine Sector which protects a variety of coastal ecosystems, including reefs where snorkelers can see a variety of colorful fish

Drink

Bring at least 4 liters of water per day per person. Filtration or chemical treatment of local water may also work. Water is available at the park entrance and other locations within the park, but foreign visitors might feel safer with bottled water.

Sleep

Camping

Camping in the park is allowed. A popular spot is the campground area on Playa Naranjo.

Backcountry

Backcountry camping is allowed and there are several long-distance trails appropriate for backpackers. Remember to practice Leave-no-trace camping.

Go next

• Liberia
• Guanacaste National Park
• Rincón de la Vieja Volcano National Park