11 Jurassic Park Spots That You Can Actually Visit

Most of us have seen every Jurassic Park movie (or at least the original), which was a childhood fantasy, a nightmare, and the adventure of a lifetime being realized on the big screen in 1993. Aside from the highly realistic dinosaurs and easy-to-imagine-happening-in-real-life plot line, the landscape and scenery in Jurassic Park is spectacularly stunning and it’s even more amazing that you can actually visit many of the spots where the movies were shot.

Isla del Coco, Costa Rica

It’s a popularly held belief that the inspiration for Isla Nublar in Jurassic Park came from Isla del Coco in Costa Rica. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is located 550 kilometers (340 miles) off the coast of Costa Rica and the only way to reach this mystical place is by boat. The journey takes upwards of 36 hours but the dramatic landscape and verdant vegetation makes it easy to see why this place might have inspired one of the greatest dinosaur movies of all times.

Red Rock Canyon, Mojave Desert, California

Kualoa Ranch, Oahu

The heart-pumping scene where Dr. Alan and the kids are caught in the midst of a Gallimimus stampede and duck behind a massive fallen tree to avoid being trampled and spotted by the T-Rex that’s chasing the herd was filmed on the Kualoa Ranch in Oahu. The infamous fallen tree is actually still on the ranch and is marked by a Jurassic Park sign.

Nā Pali Coast, Kauai

When the cast first approaches Isla Nublar in the movie, you are actually seeing the Nā Pali Coast in Kauai.

Olokele Valley, Kauai

In the first movie, once the cast is inside the park, the electric fence that the T-Rex eventually breaks through when the power fails was constructed near the Olokele Valley in the northwest part of Waimea.

Ho’opi’i Falls on Kapa’a Stream

Set in the Dominican Republic in the movie, the scene where the lawyer, who is later eaten off the toilet, goes to inspect the amber mine was actually filmed on the Kapa’a Stream in Kauai. These beautiful falls are relatively unknown to tourists but you can hike to the falls by following the Kapa’a Stream. There isn’t a well-marked path, so expect this hike to be challenging even though it isn’t very long. This is definitely an off-the-beaten-path adventure and will make you feel like you’re right alongside Dr. Alan.

It’s a treacherous hike to this Jurassic gem

Hanapepe Valley, Kauai

When the Jurassic Park cast is in the helicopter flying into Isla Nublar, the shots of the densely forested valley were filmed in the Hanapepe Valley. You can actually take a helicopter tour while you are in Kauai on which you’ll be able to recognize the spectacular Manawaiopuna Falls.

Surely you remember this iconic waterfall

Puu Ka Ele Reservoir, Kauai

The legendary moment when Dr. Alan, Dr. Ellie, and the rest of the original cast members encounter the dinosaurs on Isla Nublar takes place on the Puu Ka Ele Reservoir. This is one of the only truly peaceful dinosaur encounters for the rest of the movie.

Valley House Plantation Estate, Kauai

The iconic Visitor’s Center facade is actually the front of the Valley House Plantation Estate on 6191 Hauaala Road in Kealia, Kauai. The estate is priced at $24 million dollars and features three residences, two waterfalls, mountain and ocean views, and 102 private acres of land. The interior shots of the Visitor’s Center took place in the studio in Los Angeles, California.

Mount Wai’ale’ale, Kauai

The infamous Jurassic Park main gates were constructed at the base of Mount Wai’ale’ale deep in the middle of Kauai. The gates have since been removed but there are two poles that were left standing to mark the famous entrance. You can hike the Waikoko Forest Management Road (which is approximately 12.8 kilometers/8 miles long) to walk right to the spot where Jurassic Park was almost opened to the world.

Kuhio Highway, Kapaa, Kauai

The outdoor cafe were Dennis Nedry agrees to smuggle out dinosaur embryos from Jurassic Park, set in San Jose, Costa Rica, in the movie, was actually filmed on the waterfront in Kapaa, Kauai. San Jose, Costa Rica, is actually a landlocked city in Costa Rica and is nowhere near the coast.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.