San Lucas Island National Park

island

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.

Main dock and old administrative building on Isla San Lucas

Understand

History

The 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. The archaeological sites date from about 1000 AD to 1500 AD.

The island's prison operated from 1873 to 1991. It was established by President Tomas Guardia in 1873 and had a reputation for harsh, inhumane treatment of prisoners. Stories from the late 19th century told of prisoners being dropped into sewage pits (and worse). The facilities sat abandoned for a decade before the island was established as a protected wildlife refuge in 2002. In 2020, the Costa Rican legislature voted to make Isla San Lucas the 30th park in the Costa Rica national parks system.

The island was made famous by writer José León Sánchez who was imprisoned on the island for 19 years. His best-selling novel, La Isla de los Hombres Solos, was based on his years as an unwilling resident.

Landscape

The island covers an area of 468 hectares. It has at 19 small, sandy beaches, though most of the shoreline is rocky with areas of sheer cliffs dropping to the waters below.

Flora and fauna

The island became a protected wildlife refuge in 2002 because of its value as a unique habitat that provided natural protection from mainland predators. The island is home to more than 100 species of birds including a large number of waterbirds and flocks of pheasant and wild turkeys living in the wooded and grassy areas of the island. Mammals include deer, anteaters, and howler monkeys. Crocodiles live along the shores and the offshore waters are home to numerous species of fish, sharks, Sea turtles and rays.

Climate

Get in

Take a boat from Puntarenas. It is a short 6 km (30 minutes) boat ride to the island. Boats can be independently hired from the Puntarenas waterfront, though a number of tour companies offer guided trips to the island that include your boat transportation as well as guide services (often available in either English or Spanish) as well as food and drink. Some tours may also include a snorkeling stop on the way back. A typical tour leaves the Puntarenas docks around 9 in the morning and returns about 6 hours later. Most tours cost US$80 to US$100 per person.

Fees and permits

Get around

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

See

  • prison cells - decorated with the fading and peeling graffiti from decades past
  • torture chamber - speaks of unimaginable pain and suffering
  • chapel - beautifully maintained, ready for Sunday mass

Do

Buy

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

Eat

There 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.

Drink

Bring 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.

Sleep

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

Stay safe

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

Go next

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