Park or nature areaOutline guide

San Lucas Island National Park

National Park on an island off the Pacific coast of Costa Rica in the Gulf of Nicoya

Photo: Rodtico21, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Overview

San Lucas Island National Park is a former prison island in the Gulf of Nicoya on the Central Pacific coast of Costa Rica. Visitors can see the former prison facilities including cells where notorious criminals were once imprisoned. The island also provides protected natural habitat for a number of birds and other animals and it has several nice beaches to enjoy the sun and sand.

Getting there and around

Getting there

Take a boat from Puntarenas. It is a short 6 km (30 minutes) boat ride to the island.

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Getting around

Walk if you're on the island, use a boat if you're cruising around it.

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Airports and nearby hotels

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Juan Santamaría International Airport

San José (Alajuela) · International · SJO

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Read before you go to San Lucas Island National Park

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UnderstandThe island was inhabited by Indigenous cultures for centuries before Costa Rica was claimed as territory of the Spanish Empire. Eight small archaeological sites are on the island.

Get inTake a boat from Puntarenas. It is a short 6 km (30 minutes) boat ride to the island.

Get aroundWalk if you're on the island, use a boat if you're cruising around it.

See

BuyThere are no stores on the island but several in Puntarenas.

EatThere are no food vendors on the island. Tour guides usually provide meals and snacks for their clients. Bring a lunch if you are doing a trip on your own, but remember to pack out any trash.

DrinkBring plenty of water if you're making the trip on your own. Tour guides will usually provide bottled water and other drinks for their clients.

SleepThere is no lodge or camping facilities on the island. Hotels are available in the port city of Puntarenas.

Stay safeBring sun protection though remember that reef-safe brands of sunblock are often preferred. Wear a hat.

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Sources and licences

Guide text adapted from the Wikivoyage article "San Lucas Island National Park" by its contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read on Wikivoyage · Contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Summary from the Wikipedia article "San Lucas Island", available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Wikipedia
Photo: Rodtico21, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

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