Cocos Island National Park, Costa Rica

Cocos Island, Costa Rica
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cocos_Island_NOAA.jpg
Author: Shannon Rankin


Cocos Island National Park is the only island in the eastern Pacific Ocean with a tropical rainforest. It is located 550 km off the coast of Costa Rica. The island of Isla del Coco, or Cocos Island, is on the contact point of the northern equatorial counter-current creating a rich marine ecosystem.

The waters off Cocos Island is a major diving destination. It is one of the best sites to view pelagic species including sharks, rays, tuna and dolphins.

Cocos Island National Park was inscribed as a World Heritage Site during the 21st session of the World Heritage Committee which was held in Naples, Italy, on 1-6 December, 1997.

Isla del Coco, Costa Rica
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bah%C3%ADa_Waffer._Isla_del_Coco._Costa_Rica_(3)_640x480.jpg
Author: Rodtico21

World Heritage Site Inscription Details

Location: N5 31 60 W87 4 0 in the Province of Puntarenas, in the southeastern tropical Pacific Ocean
Inscription Year: 1997
Type of Site: Natural
Inscription Criteria: IX, X

Visiting Cocos Island National Park

Most people visit Cocos Island National Park between March and May. You can go there by boats from the port of Puntarenas. The journey will take you 36 hours one way. You can anchor off Wafer Bay or Chatham Bay, which has dining huts and shower area. There are park offices at both beaches. Contact number is 0087-468712-0010.

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