Main entrance location: 27km (16 miles) southeast of Cartago, Tapanti, district: Orosi, canton: Paraiso, province: Cartago. Zone postal code: 30203.
Rio Macho GPS Coordinates: 9.783258,-83.844753 (9°46’59.73″N, 83°50’41.11″O)
Size: 6080ha (15,023 acres)
Altitude: from 1220m (4000ft) rising to 2560m (8,400ft)
Schedule: the ranger station at Tapanti is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Tapanti National Park Telephone: +506 2206-5615
Pacific La Amistad Conservation Area (ACLA-P) Telephone: +506 2771-4836 / +506 2771-3155
INFOTUR Tourist Information: 1192
Tapantí National Park Costa Rica also called Orosi National Park, is located in the Pacific La Amistad Conservation Area of Costa Rica, on the edge of the Talamanca mountain range, tucked away to the south of the Orosi Valley and north of Cerro de la Muerte, near Cartago. It protects the watershed’s forest, the forests to the north of Chirripó National Park and also part of the Orosi River.
Costa Rica has a tremendous potential for hydroelectric power production because of the combination of its topography and numerous areas of high annual rainfall, which in fact is the source of more than 90% of the country’s electricity. The upper Orosi River watershed is located in one of the rainiest parts of the country, receiving as much as 7m (330in) of rain per year. Given the relatively close proximity to the Central Valley it was only normal that the Costa Rican Electrical Institute (I.C.E.) should decide to develop a hydroelectric project in this forested region. And to be able to do so, meant first constructing a road into this previously inaccessible area. That’s why in 1982, in addition to protecting the watershed’s forest cover and preserving its wildlife from the destruction that would accompany colonization beside the new road, Tapantí was created as a National Wildlife Refuge, and in 1994 it gained the National Park status.
The park is crossed by the Rio Grande de Orosi, with nearly 150 rivers with fast-flowing streams and creeks joining the main river. Tapantí has two life zones – lower montane rainforest (lower mountain slopes) and premontane rainforest (lowlands skirting the lower slopes). This region of excessively damp climate, which ranges from hot to cool with average temperatures between 12°C and 19°C, provides shelter to innumerable forms of life.
Although originally created as a National Wildlife Refuge, Tapantí National Park is not an easy place to see mammals, even though many species inhabit the area. Observation of birds, butterflies and plant life will surely prove to be more rewarding. Birds are more obvious and over 260 species have been recorded, including the Resplendent Quetzal, Three-striped Warbler, the Common Bush-Tanager, goldfinch, sparrow hawks, toucans, doves, falcons, hawks, hummingbirds, parrots, etc. From the ranger’s cabin, a quetzal nesting site can be seen. Others include both types of oropendolas, various woodpeckers and rarities such as Spotted Woodcreeper, Spangle-cheeked Tanager, the gaudy Redheaded Barbet, Spangledcheeked Tanager and Spotted Barbtail. Numerous varieties of hummingbird can be seen feeding on the flowering epiphytes.
The forest areas are characterized for their abundance of the epiphytes (plants growing on the trunks and branches of trees) found in this humid environment, with particularly abundant orchids at any time of year, these will provide the plant enthusiast with endless surprises. You can also see tree ferns, winter bark’s tree, weetwood, lancewood, poro, oaks, magnolia, ira, poor man’s umbrella, Gunnera, “lluvia de oro” (golden tear), Panama tree, cafecillo, lichens, lianas, palms, bamboo stands, bromeliads and mosses – which grow above 1,500 meters – to complete the biomass. In such a steep and rainy environment, the trees do not need to have deep roots to get water. As a result, they are easy victims of landslides and tremors, which are frequent in this river basin. If trees do not have deep roots, they cannot support thick branches and large crowns and therefore these forests are only of medium height.
Many mammals inhabit the park although, as usual, they are difficult to spot. Amongst the 45 species are Baird’s Tapir, river otters, brocket deers, band-tailed pigeons, pacas, eastern cottontail, kinkajous, raccoons, mountain hare, agouties, jaguars, tiger cats, ocelots, jaguarundi, howler monkeys, white-nosed coaties, collared peccaries, tamanduas, three-toed Sloths, Silky Anteaters. There are over 20 species of reptiles in the park like basilisks, lizards and snakes, and over 28 species of amphibians, including toads, frogs and salamanders. The park is also home to a large variety of insects, many of which have never been properly registered. Keep your eyes open, because you might catch a glimpse of the thysania agripina, the largest butterfly found on the American continent.
The best time to visit is from February to the end of April. When visiting Tapantí, remember that mornings are pleasant and sunny, but soon clouds arrive and by midday the rain comes, so rainy-weather gear is advisable; a sweater or jacket will also be useful when the temperatures start to drop once the sun goes behind clouds. A number of well-marked trails start at the ranger station, which also has a small nature display and gift shop. The Oropendula and Pantanoso trails lead to a swimming area with picnic tables and grills, while La Parva trail takes you to a couple of waterfalls, the Salto and Palmitas. There is also the “Arboles Caidos Trail” which is a heavily forested nature hike. The La Esperanza de El Guarco Biological Station, operated by InBio is in Tapantí National Park. It has lodging for up to 15 people with water, restrooms, showers and electricity.
Getting to Tapanti National Park:
Take the road from San Jose to Cartago. Continue to Paraiso, Orosi and Rio Macho until you get to Tapanti. The road is passable all year round and is suitable for all types of vehicle.
To reach the La Esperanza station, take the road from San Jose to Cartago, and then take the exit for the Cerro de la Muerte, until you get to Tapanti National Park. This sector is not always open, so calling previously is recommended.
By bus
Take a bus from the route San Jose – Cartago, which takes about 1.5 hours (Lumaca S.A., +506 2537-0347) and then take another bus Cartago – Orosi – Río Macho, which takes about 1 hour (Auto Transportes Mata, +506 2533-1916). From here you can take a taxi to Tapanti National Park, which takes about 10 minutes.
You can also take a bus from the route San Jose – San Isidro de El General – Perez Zeledon which takes about 2 hours, making the stop at Macho Gaf Restaurant (MUSOC, +506 2222-2422 / TRACOPA, +506 2222-26-66). From here you can take a taxi to Tapanti National Park. We recommend buying the ticket a day earlier to be sure your seat is saved.
vegetation, with an average temperature of 25°C (70°F) and high humidity, where you might jaguars, ocelots, sloths, monkeys and an incredible variety of birds, butterflies and reptiles.
contact the National Park Service to book a place and have to do some advance planning, as only a certain number of people are allowed on the trail each day and the climb is very popular in the dry season, so it’s a possibility that you may be told that there is a long waiting list. You should register with the ranger station arrival. Although the climb is straightforward and does not require any rock-climbing skills, it is a long uphill drag and the complete hike there and back normally takes two or three days. Camping is not allowed in the park and fires are banned. The hike begins at around 1229m (4000ft), passing through pastureland and then thick cloud forest. About halfway to the huts is an open-sided rest station, which should only be used for accommodation in an emergency. After 14km (8.7 miles) the accommodation huts are reached, surrounded by a swampy, treeless grassland. Accommodation needs also to be booked at the simple refuge huts. Bear in mind the climate and adopt a layered approach to clothing. It can be quite hot at lower levels and rain can be expected anywhere, even in the dry season.
the Caribbean.
a regional (20% of the regions species diversity) and global level. The name of this vast area translates as the International Friendship Park and derives from the fact that it extends into Panama. Together with a number of other parks, reserves and Indian reservations, it forms the 600,000ha (1,482,000 acres) La Amistad Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Much of the park is unexplored, and has more virgin forest than all of the other parks. La Amistad International Park has eight different life zones from tropical lowland rainforest to cloud forest and the tundra-like páramo. The park is surrounded by other parks and reserves for the indigenous peoples like Chirripó, Talamanca, Tayni, Ujarrás, Telire, Abagra and Salitre.
the park without a guide.
use a four wheel drive vehicle due to the characteristics of the access road to the Altamira Biological Station. From Perez Zeledon it takes about 3 hours.
Carrillo National Park, Poas Volcano National Park, Turrialba Volcano National Park and Tapiria National Wildlife Refuge.
protect important ecological systems in the country.
accustomed to hiking under this conditions and should be led by local guides. Other nearby parks include Pacuare River Forest Reserve and La Amistad International Park.
unexplored area of rain forest. This area belongs to La Amistad Caribbean Conservation Area of the Minister of Environment and Energy, which was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1993.
incognitum and trees full of the colonial nests of Montezuma and Chestnut-headed Oropendolas, large members of the oriole family with bright yellow tails, can be found nesting in the valley from January to August. Nest trees are easy to spot since they sport dozens of meter-long hanging pouch nests that the birds so expertly weave. Also there are big forest trees which make the canopy function. These trees are javillos, espavels, aguacatillos, ojoches and guayabones. More than 380 species of plants are known but this number grows more each day.
established to protect the flora and fauna of the area, especially those in danger of extinction, such as the spectacular manatee. It consists of 65% rainforest habitat, with the remainder being marine habitat, making it one of the most beautiful areas in Costa Rica.
National Park, Hitoy Cerere Biological Reserve and Aviarios del Caribe National Wildlife Refuge.
reefs against sedimentation which deteriorates gradually and various marine ecosystems, which no doubt are true natural Costa Rican jewels.
joining the two ranger stations. Animal life abounds, with the possibility of seeing Raccoons, Sloths, Coatis, Armadillos, Agoutis and both Howler and White-faced Monkeys. The bird-watching is excellent, with Rufous, Green Ibis, Kingfisher, parrots and spectacular toucans amongst many others. The small rivers running into the reserve are home to a variety of herons. The vegetation is also interesting and includes the Breadfruit tree or Artocarpus altilis, believed to have been introduced to the area in 1793 by Captain Bligh. It can reach 20m (60ft) in height and its glossy leaves are often over a meter in length. The tree gets its name from its fruit, which can be cooked to give a bread-like substance that is rich in carbohydrate. All parts of the tree yield latex, which is used for boat caulking. Another tree found in the area is the cawi or sangregao. The Miskito word gave its name to Cahuita, which translates as “the headland of cawi trees”.
area, as other beaches of the park have strong currents or are protected turtle nesting areas. Other nearby parks include Hitoy Cerere Biological Reserve, Aviarios del Caribe National Wildlife Refuge and Gandoca-Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge.
palm forests of the central Caribbean coastal region. It is located at the mouth of the Limoncito River, just south of the Limon port in Costa Rica.
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