Costa Rica’s Tenorio Volcano Park Gets New Visitor Center

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Published on Tuesday, May 20, 2025

By the A.M. Costa Rica staff

Tenorio Volcano National Park, located between the provinces of Alajuela and Guanacaste, will welcome visitors with a new Visitor Center beginning in June, the Tourism Institute (ICT) announced.

The center, designed to enhance the tourist experience, covers more than 600 square meters (approximately 6,450 square feet) and represents an investment of nearly $876,000. The project was jointly funded by ICT and the Ministry of Environment and Energy.

“Costa Rica bases a significant part of its tourism appeal on nature, and from that perspective, we must make the most of what we have,” said William Rodríguez, president of ICT. “It’s critically important that tourists have access to basic services so they can fully enjoy the experience.”

The new facility will include a visitor reception area, rest areas, restrooms, a souvenir shop, a first aid station, and additional amenities to better serve the growing number of park guests.

This year, from January to March, the park had received more than 75,000 visitors, making it the third most visited protected area in Costa Rica, according to ICT data.

Officials emphasize the importance of responsible tourism development in environmentally protected areas. The goal is to position Costa Rica as a global leader in sustainable tourism, which requires investing in infrastructure that enhances the visitor experience while safeguarding natural resources for future generations.

The national park is home to some of the country’s most iconic natural attractions, including the striking Río Celeste waterfalls, famous for their turquoise hue caused by volcanic sulfur and calcium carbonate precipitation, thermal springs, lagoons, small geysers, and scenic viewpoints.

The park also preserves vast expanses of untouched rainforest, where limited human interference has allowed ecosystems to flourish. Visitors may encounter wildlife such as the lowland paca (tepezcuintle), Baird’s tapir (danta), pumas, jaguars, coyotes, ocelots, and white-faced capuchin monkeys, among many others.

Tickets to visit the park can be purchased online through the website of the National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC), which oversees Costa Rica’s national parks and protected areas.

Tourism remains one of Costa Rica’s most important economic sectors. In 2024, the country welcomed more than 2.6 million visitors by air, a 7% increase compared to the previous year.

Tourism also generated more than $5.4 billion in foreign exchange revenue in 2024, according to data from the Central Bank of Costa Rica.

The Tourism Institute (ICT), the government agency responsible for promoting tourism, continues to support infrastructure improvements to accommodate growing international interest.

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Which other national park in Costa Rica do you think is most in need of improvements? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com