Costa Rica National Parks Open Doors for Holy Week to Bolster Regional Economies

Costa Rica opens all 29 national parks for Holy Week 2026. Learn about mandatory reservations, volcanic alerts, and new conservation enforcement operations.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 3, 2026, 11:19 AM EDT

Source: The Tico Times

Strategic Opening to Support Local Tourism Hubs

In a bid to maximize the economic impact of one of the busiest travel weeks of the year, Costa Rican authorities have confirmed that the nation’s entire network of protected wildlife areas will remain open under regular schedules. The initiative, supported by the Ministry of Environment and Energy (MINAE) and the National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC), is specifically designed to channel tourist spending into the communities surrounding these natural landmarks. Hotels, restaurants, and local tour operators in these rural zones rely heavily on the influx of visitors during the Holy Week period to sustain their annual operations.

Minister of Environment and Energy Franz Tattenbach emphasized that the parks serve a dual purpose: providing high quality recreational spaces for the public and acting as vital economic engines for the regions they inhabit. From the rugged terrain of Chirripó to the coastal ecosystems of Tortuguero, the government is positioning the country’s biodiversity as a primary asset for sustainable national growth during the 2026 holiday season.

Mandatory Digital Reservations and Entry Protocols

A critical logistical update for travelers this year is the expansion of the mandatory online reservation system. Currently, 11 of the most frequented national parks, including Manuel Antonio and Irazú Volcano, require visitors to secure tickets in advance through the SINAC SICORE digital platform. Entry at these locations is restricted to those holding a valid QR code, as physical ticket sales at the gates have been phased out to manage visitor capacity and reduce environmental impact.

For the protected areas not yet integrated into the SICORE system, visitors may still purchase tickets at the entrance. However, park officials strongly recommend early arrivals due to the high volume of domestic and international traffic expected throughout the week. This digital shift represents a broader effort by SINAC to modernize park management and ensure that the delicate balance between tourism and conservation is maintained through controlled foot traffic.