San Lucas Island has recently been designated Costa Rica's 30th national park. Located off the Pacific coast of the Gulf of Nicoya, the beautiful island once housed one of the most notorious prisons in Latin America and was also a wildlife refuge.

 

San Lucas Island National Park is made up of both land and coastal areas and covers 1.8 square miles. It features new trails, toilets, water and electricity systems and 24-hour surveillance. The island is reached via a 40-minute boat ride from the city of Puntarenas, located 60 miles from San José. The purpose of the new park is to encourage visitors to discover the country’s hidden gems, develop sustainable tourism and contribute to the socioeconomic development of the area.