# Orchids of Costa Rica: where and when to see them > Costa Rica has more than 1,000 orchid species, most of them growing on trees in its wet mountain forests. The easiest place to see a lot of them is Lankester Botanical Garden near Cartago, where the most species flower between February and April. Look out for the guaria morada, the purple orchid that's been the national flower since 1939. Source: https://www.travelincostarica.net/orchids-of-costa-rica/ Last checked: 2026-10-21 National flower: the guaria morada (Guarianthe skinneri), since 1939 Best garden: Lankester Botanical Garden, Cartago, run by the University of Costa Rica Peak bloom: February to April at Lankester; the guaria morada flowers mainly January to March Where they grow: mostly on trees, in humid mid- and high-elevation forest Good wild areas: cloud forests such as Monteverde We first wrote about Costa Rica's orchids in 2014. This version is a short field guide for travelers: what to look for, where to see the most orchids in one place, and when to go. ## Why Costa Rica has so many orchids Orchids are one of the largest plant families in the world, and Costa Rica has well over 1,000 species. Most of them are epiphytes: they grow on the branches and trunks of trees, holding on with their roots and taking water from rain and mist. They aren't parasites, and they don't harm the tree. The country's mountains are the reason for the variety. Wet, misty forests at middle and high elevations, like the cloud forests around Monteverde, give orchids exactly what they need, and each band of altitude has its own species. Many orchids are tiny, with flowers smaller than a fingernail, so you'll see more if you go slowly and look closely at mossy branches. ## The guaria morada The guaria morada (Guarianthe skinneri) has been Costa Rica's national flower since 1939. Its flowers are a rosy lilac purple, and pale and white forms exist too. It grows on trees in mountain forests, roughly from 700 m to about 1,400 m, and its main flowering season runs from January to March. Its range reaches from southern Mexico through Central America, and international trade in it is regulated under CITES. ## Where to see orchids ### Lankester Botanical Garden, Cartago If you only make one orchid stop, make it this one. The garden began in the 1920s as the collection of Charles Lankester, an English-born collector who grew orchids on his coffee farm near Cartago. The University of Costa Rica bought the property in 1973 on condition that it stay a botanical garden, and it's now also a research center. The garden covers about 11 hectares in Dulce Nombre, outside Cartago, and holds around 15,000 catalogued orchid specimens from about 1,000 species. The most species flower at the same time between February and April. There's also a Japanese garden, bamboo, cacti, heliconias, palms and bromeliads, and a patch of forest that's been left to regrow since 1973. The garden's site lists it as open every day from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, with guided visits available. It's an easy half day from San José, and it fits well on the way to Turrialba or the Orosi Valley. ### Monteverde The cloud forests of [Monteverde](/monteverde-cloud-forest-reserve/) are one of the best places to see orchids growing wild. Walk slowly, look at the moss-covered branches, and ask your guide to point them out, since many are small and easy to miss. There's also an orchid garden in the Santa Elena area, and lodges such as [Cloud Forest Lodge](/monteverde-cloud-forest-lodge/) can arrange a visit. Our [Monteverde guide](/monteverde/) covers the rest of the area. ### The southern Nicoya Peninsula You don't have to be in the mountains to spot orchids. Orchids grow in the forests along the coast too, and Montezuma Beach, a local guide to the southern Nicoya Peninsula, keeps a page on [Costa Rica's orchids](https://montezumabeach.com/costa-rica-orchids) worth reading before you go. See our [Nicoya Peninsula guide](/nicoya-peninsula/) for the area. ## Seeing orchids responsibly - **Don't pick or collect them.** Many species are rare, and international trade in orchids is regulated. - **Don't buy wild-collected plants.** If you want to take an orchid home, buy from a licensed nursery and check your home country's import rules first. - **Stay on trails.** Orchids often grow low on trunks and fallen branches, and they're easily trampled. ## Frequently asked questions ### What is Costa Rica's national flower? The guaria morada (Guarianthe skinneri), a purple orchid, declared the national flower in 1939. ### When is the best time to see orchids in bloom? At Lankester Botanical Garden, the most species flower between February and April. The guaria morada flowers mainly from January to March. ### Where is the best place to see a lot of orchids? Lankester Botanical Garden near Cartago, run by the University of Costa Rica, with about 1,000 orchid species in its collection. ### Can I see orchids in the wild? Yes. Cloud forests such as Monteverde are full of them. Go with a guide, since many species are small and easy to overlook. ### Can I bring an orchid home? Only from a licensed nursery, with the right paperwork. Never take plants from the wild.