Expertly Curated Guides for Exploring Piedras Blancas National Park in Costa Rica

Rainforest refuge on Costa Rica's Pacific Gulf coast

Piedras Blancas National Park

Piedras Blancas National Park occupies a significant position within Costa Rica's renowned system of protected areas, forming part of the Osa Conservation Area in the country's southern Pacific region. The park is located near the town of La Gamba in Puntarenas Province, protecting a landscape of exceptional ecological importance that encompasses both primary rainforest and coastal ecosystems along the Golfo Dulce. Thepark's establishment as a separate protected entity in 1999, after operating for eight years as the Esquinas Sector of Corcovado National Park, reflected the growing recognition of its distinct conservation value. The mountain forests within the park receive significant rainfall, supporting lush evergreen vegetation that represents some of the most intact forest cover in the region. The park's location adjacent to the Golfo Dulce places it within a biogeographically important zone where Pacific marine environments interface with terrestrial rainforest ecosystems. Conservation challenges in the decades following establishment included significant hunting pressure and habitat fragmentation, though increased ranger presence and land acquisition programs have substantially strengthened protection.