Available Guides and Planning Resources for La Amistad International Park, Costa Rica

Central America's largest protected wilderness, spanning the Costa Rica-Panama border

La Amistad International Park

La Amistad International Park represents one of the most significant conservation achievements in Central America, established as a transboundary protected area that transcends national borders to protect a shared natural heritage. The park protects the southernmost extent of the Cordillera de Talamanca, a mountain range that forms the backbone of Costa Rica and extends into western Panama. This strategic position places the park at a critical juncture between North and South American ecosystems, creating unique ecological conditions that support extraordinary biodiversity. The park's designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site recognizes its outstanding universal value, while its inclusion in the Mesoamerican Biological Corridor underscores its importance as a connective pathway for wildlife movement across the region. Beyond its ecological significance, the park encompasses territories inhabited by three indigenous peoples—the Naso, Bribri, and Ngöbe-Buglé—who maintain traditional lifestyles and cultural practices tied to the land. The surrounding buffer zone includes coffee producers, beef farmers, and indigenous subsistence agriculture, creating a complex landscape where conservation and human settlement intersect.