Americas
UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Costa Rica
World Heritage Costa Rica · UNESCO sites in Costa Rica map · historical landmarks in Costa Rica
Costa Rica has 4 sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List — 1 cultural and 3 natural inscriptions, inscribed between 1983 and 2014. This map of UNESCO sites in Costa Rica covers every listing, with a short description, the inscription year and the nearest airports — the fastest way to see the country's most important historical sites and landmarks in one place.
Talamanca Range-La Amistad Reserves / La Amistad National Park was the country's first inscription, added in 1983; Precolumbian Chiefdom Settlements with Stone Spheres of the Diquís is the most recent, listed in 2014; recurring threads across the list include ancient civilizations and wild places.
One inscription is transnational, shared with neighbouring countries: Talamanca Range-La Amistad Reserves / La Amistad National Park. Start with Area de Conservación Guanacaste, Cocos Island National Park and Precolumbian Chiefdom Settlements with Stone Spheres of the Diquís, then use the map above to plan a route between the rest.
- Sites
- 4
- Cultural
- 1
- Natural
- 3
- First inscribed
- 1983
Sites on the map
Flying in
Airports closest to the most sites in this country.
- LIRLiberia1 site
- NOBNicoya1 site
- GLFGolfito1 site
- CHXChanguinola1 site
Keep exploring
All 4 sites in Costa Rica
List of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Costa Rica
Every inscription with its year and category. Open a site for its story, map location and nearest airports.
| Site | Year | Type | What it is |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area de Conservación GuanacasteThe Area de Conservación Guanacaste (inscribed in 1999), was extended with the addition of a 15,000 ha private… | 1999 | Natural | The Area de Conservación Guanacaste (inscribed in 1999), was extended with the addition of a 15,000 ha private property, St Elena. |
| Cocos Island National ParkCocos Island National Park, located 550 km off the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, is the only island in the trop. | 1997 | Natural | Cocos Island National Park, located 550 km off the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, is the only island in the trop. |
| Precolumbian Chiefdom Settlements with Stone Spheres of the DiquísThe property includes four archaeological sites located in the Diquís Delta in southern Costa Rica, which are. | 2014 | Cultural | The property includes four archaeological sites located in the Diquís Delta in southern Costa Rica, which are. |
| Talamanca Range-La Amistad Reserves / La Amistad National ParkThe location of this unique site in Central America, where Quaternary glaciers have left their mark, has allowed the… | 1983 | Natural | The location of this unique site in Central America, where Quaternary glaciers have left their mark, has allowed the fauna and flora of North and… |
Frequently asked questions about World Heritage in Costa Rica
- How many UNESCO World Heritage Sites are there in Costa Rica?
- Costa Rica has 4 UNESCO World Heritage Sites: 1 cultural and 3 natural.
- What was the first World Heritage Site in Costa Rica?
- Talamanca Range-La Amistad Reserves / La Amistad National Park was inscribed in 1983. The location of this unique site in Central America, where Quaternary glaciers have left their mark, has allowed the fauna and flora of North and South America.
- What is the newest World Heritage Site in Costa Rica?
- Precolumbian Chiefdom Settlements with Stone Spheres of the Diquís, inscribed in 2014. The property includes four archaeological sites located in the Diquís Delta in southern Costa Rica, which are.
- Which sites in Costa Rica are natural World Heritage Sites?
- 3 of the 4 listings are natural: Area de Conservación Guanacaste, Cocos Island National Park and Talamanca Range-La Amistad Reserves / La Amistad National Park.
- Which UNESCO sites in Costa Rica are easiest to reach?
- Each site page lists the closest airports with distance, so you can pick the gateway city first and work outwards. The "Flying in" panel on this page shows the main gateways for Costa Rica.
- What are the main historical sites and landmarks in Costa Rica?
- The 4 UNESCO-listed sites above are Costa Rica's internationally recognised historical sites and landmarks, starting with Talamanca Range-La Amistad Reserves / La Amistad National Park (1983). Each entry links to a full page with a map, photos and travel notes.