- You need a 4x4, as of 5 Oct 2026.
- There is a river crossing. A low car is the wrong car, as of 5 Oct 2026.
Diriá National Park
Costa Rica
Hill forest inland from Tamarindo, above Santa Cruz. A 4x4 and a river crossing.
Check before you go
Facts
Road: A 4x4 and a river crossing.
Place: Inland from Tamarindo, above Santa Cruz.
Fee: Fees differ for foreigners and for residents. SINAC posts the figure, and it usually includes IVA, as of Oct 2026.
Contact
Phone: +506 8358-4742
Email (Tempisque Conservation Area): act.info@sinac.go.cr
Official page: SINAC park page
Checked with SINAC and ICT, as of 13 Oct 2026.
Map
- The forest: Hill forest. The river crossing is part of arriving, not a detail.
Hill forest. You came for the trees, after the river.
By 4x4, across a river, inland from Tamarindo.
When the river is crossable. In the wet months, ask before you drive.
Above Santa Cruz, inland from Tamarindo.
Take a 4x4. Ask about the river before you leave the pavement.
Fees differ for foreigners and for residents. SINAC posts the figure, and it usually includes IVA, as of Oct 2026.
Go in the morning. You still have to come back across the river.
No. The 4x4 is the requirement, and the river is the limit.
Do not cross a river that is up. Do not take a low car.
Parks near
Barra Honda
Caves under the dry hills near Nicoya. You go down on a rope with a guide, in the morning.
Palo Verde
Wetlands on the Tempisque, full of birds from September to March. Gravel from Bagaces.
Las Baulas
The leatherback beach north of Tamarindo, at night, with a guide, October to February.
Rincón de la Vieja Volcano
Mud pots, fumaroles, and waterfalls an hour from Liberia. Las Pailas closes Mondays.
Santa Rosa
Dry forest, a battle museum, and a far surf beach north of Liberia. Closed Tuesdays.
San Lucas Island
The old prison island off Puntarenas. A boat, a guided walk through the cells, and back.