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Tepanti National Park

Tepanti National Park is a barely known and much smaller National Park than many others in Costa Rica but it is STUNNING.  It is located in the “rainiest place in Costa Rica” (Orosi Valley) so it is just SO GREEN!  

One thing I also love about this place is that it is really accessible (you are not required to drive over boulders or through rivers) and you are able to see a LOT on in  short time without any killer hikes.  

It is also really common to see animals here, including the Tapir!!  

Important Info:

  • Province: Cartago 
  • Cost: 800 CRC for residents and $10 for non-residents
  • Hours: 8 AM-4 PM (last entrance at 3 PM) 
  • Age: This is a family-friendly trip for all ages!  
  • Time Needed: It is a small park and we did it in an hour because we only had one hour, but I would allow at least 2.  Three is probably perfect! 
  • Best Time of Year to Go: Any time!  This is known for being the rainiest part of Costa Rica, so if you choose to come in the rainy season, try to go in the morning or bring rain gear!
  • What to Bring: Sunscreen (though it is mostly shaded), bug spray, rain gear, hiking shoes, snacks 
  • How far from San Jose: 2 hours southeast from San Jose (50 km/30 miles) 
  • Other things in the Area: Hacienda Orosi Thermal Pools, Orosi Mirador, Monte Sky Park, Cachi Lake, Ruinnas de Ujarras
  • Pro tip: There are a lot of animals in this park, including the Tapir!  Come early for your best chance of seeing them!  Also make sure you arrive before 3 PM because they are strict on not letting you in after that! 
Hiking the 1.2 km Sendero Oropendola trail. It took us about 20 minutes.
There are only 3 small trails and one lookout (mirador)!

Something I don’t love about Costa Rica (that I understand, but still don’t love) is that non-residents are often 10x the price of entrance.  It’s ridiculous!  Luckily Dan is a resident now so we get in cheaper. 

When you arrive in the park there is a 2.5 km drive to the end of the park, where there is an awesome lookout.  We drove this in about 10 minutes, and then circled back and did the Sendero Oropendola because we wanted to see the river and only had time for one hike!

That weird looking animal on the sign is a tapir and they are famous in this park! We didn't see one but I hope to next time! They look like a Dr. Seuss animal!!
We set my phone up on count down while Beckham watched a movie on the Ipad. Desperate times call for desperate measures. I can't wait for the day that he can take our picture. He will love that hahaha.
The mirador at the end of the park. 2.5 km drive and then 100 meters up the stairs to arrive here. It was so misty and eerie. I loved it!
Sendero Oropendola takes you to the river. It was dry because it was the end of dry season (May) but I imagine the river to get REALLY full by September!
We had to book it back to the entrance because the guy had given us the stank eye for coming into the park at 2:55 and it closes at 4. At this point it was 3:58.
Obviously rushing. Hadn't seen the time yet.
We saw a coatimundi! It is often mistaken as a racoon. It lives in the rainforest and is a mammal. Beckham loved him and cried "mapacheeeeeee" (raccoon) for about an hour as we left the park haha.

We really loved our time in Tapanti National Park.  I love how we were literally the only people in there and it was so completely alive with animals and sounds.  It is an eerie place at night because it’s super misty and your ears buzz with all of the jungle sounds. 

Beckham fell asleep in his backpack the last 5 minutes of our hike and stayed asleep as we put him in the car seat.  He never does that!  Ever since we took his pacifier away a month ago he has started to be able to fall asleep different places! 

It would be fun to spend a few hours hiking here and then head to Hacienda Orosi a little farther north.  Hike and then relax in the steamy hot thermal water.  Oooh la laaaaa. 

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