Guachipelin Zip Code: 10203
District: San Rafael, canton: Escazu, province: San Jose.
San José
Cacyra Wildlife Refuge Costa Rica
Haga click en el siguiente enlace para leer está página en Español: Refugio de Vida Silvestre Cacyra Costa Rica
Location: southeast from Carara National Park, canton: Turrubares, in San Jose province, Costa Rica.
GPS Coordinates: 9.769392, -84.5277 (9°46’09.81″N, 84°31’39.72″W)
Size: 37ha (91 acres)
Central Pacific Conservation Area (ACOPAC) Telephoe: +506 2416-7068
INFOTUR Tourist Information: 1192
Cacyra Wildlife Refuge Costa Rica: created on 1995 as a private refuge to protect tropical forest areas near the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica. Also, this refuge was created in order to serve as a biological corridor between the Carara Biological Reserve, now the Carara National Park, and the Turrubares Hills Protected Area. That is why its biodiversity is very similar that the one you can find in Carara National Park.
Almost the entire area of the refuge is covered by secondary growth rain forests, so they are very common pioneer species such as balsa (Ochroma pyramidale), the guarumo (Cecropia sp), the guácimo (Guazuma ulmifolia) and buzzard (Schyzolobium parahyba), among others, as the life zone is tropical wet forest, with transition to premontane forest. The climate is humid, very hot, with a long dry season. The grounds are covered in tacotales and secondary forests that were transferred by IDA to be devoted to shaping the biological corridor.
Other nearby Costa Rica National Parks includes the Fernando Castro Cervantes Wildlife Refuge and the Carara National Park. There are no public park facilities at this wildlife refuge.
Getting to Cacyra Wildlife Refuge:
From downtown San Jose takes about 1 hour, take the Prospero Fernandez Highway, which starts at the National Gymnasium in La Sabana. From there continue directly through the towns of Escazu, Santa Ana, Ciudad Colon and Puriscal. From Puriscal is about 40 minutes to reach San Juan de Mata de Turrubares. Turrubares also has other alternative routes such as the canton of Orotina southwest and the canton of Atenas southeast.
From Puntarenas downtown, Caldera or Jaco, you should reach Orotina. Of there are 7 km, approximately 15 minutes.
By bus
Take a bus from the route San Jose – Quepos by Puriscal which takes about 2 hours, (Transportes Delio Morales, +506 2223-5567). From here you can take taxi to Cacyra Wildlife Refuge.
You can also take a bus from the route San Jose – Puriscal which takes about 1 hour, (Comtrasuli, +506 2258-3903). From here you can take taxi or take another bus Puriscal – San Juan de Mata, to Cacyra Wildlife Refuge.
For any of the routes we recommend consulting the respective schedules to make connections. Similarly, it is advisable to arrive early to be sure you get a seat.
La Cangreja National Park Costa Rica
Location: district: Chires, canton: Puriscal, province: San José, Costa Rica. Zone postal code: 10409.
Puriscal GPS Coordinates: 9.847961,-84.309414 (9°50’52.66″N, 84°18’33.89″W)
Size: 2240ha (5533 acres)
Altitude: 350m (1050ft) to 1305m (3915ft)
Entropica Foundation telephone: +506 2416-6359
Central Pacific Conservation Area (ACOPAC) Telephone: +506 2416-7878
INFOTUR Tourist Information: 1192
La Cangreja National Park Costa Rica: virgin forest declared protected area in 1984 (Protected Areas in Costa Rica are areas with special regulation to protect the hydrographic and terrestrial resources and are meant to keep the environment). On June 5th, 2002, the World-Environment-Day, the government declared La Cangreja as a National Park, to protect the last stronghold of primary forest areas in Puriscal, Costa Rica. The preservation of La Cangreja was inspected by the Ecotropica Foundation with a special meaning, not only for the protection of the biodiversity, but also for the profit it involves for the inhabitants of the surrounding villages. Thanks to this, the government also enlarged the area up to 2240 hectares; mainly to prize the realized efforts of the Ecotropica Foundation and a big amount of coworkers who helped.
The name La Cangreja refers to the caracteristic shape of the “La Cangreja Hill”, with 1305m high. If you look at this hill from above, it gives the impression of an enormous crab (“cangrejo” in Spanish) of which the ridges leaving from the top seem to be the animal paws.
On the other hand, the Indian history talks about a giant crab, which placed itself on the top of the hill during earthquakes and blocked passage for the villagers who wanted to go to the nearby hamlets. At a certain moment, a brave warrior stood up against the crab and managed to cut off one of the animal paws. For this reason the crab got furious, but finally it surrendered by changing itself into a rock. This is why the highest part of the hill still is rocky.
Now La Cangreja National Park forms a precious heritage for the canton of Puriscal and the entire region. Its administration and protection is by the authority of the MINAE. This obviously doesn’t mean that the local community 
and municipality not longer take part in the development and protection of the park.
The study of a young American student, Ann-Marie Parsons, and other formal studies, confirmed that La Cangreja contains the last virgin natural areas that exist in the region of Puriscal. The forest is also the most important water supply for nearby communities and serves as well as climate stabilization. The presence of two different life zones, Tropical Humid Forest and Pre-Montane Humid Forest, a varied topography, heavy humidity and more than 160 inches annual precipitation, create an area with extremely diverse flora and fauna.
This area of Costa Rica is of particular interest to biologists. Researchers have already found several new species unique to the area. The site bears a striking resemblance to the forests of the Osa Peninsula, with a marked predominantly South American species. The climate is very humid and hot with a moderate dry season. The dry season runs from December to April and the rainy season from May to November. The precipitation and temperature annual average is 3435 mm and 27°C, respectively.
Preliminary studies until 1993 were identified approximately 800 plant species. However, some of the most diverse groups as ferns, orchids, aroids and bromeliads have been little studied. Several species have been identified endemic or restricted in the country, Plinia puriscalensis Myrtaceae family and Mastatalensis Ayenia Sterculiaceae family, have only has been collected at this site. Some other species like Unonopsis theobromifolia a Anonaceae and Ternstroemia multiovulata, family Theaceae were described for the flora of the country in this area protective, although subsequently been collected in other areas including the Osa Peninsula. In a study on the floristic composition done in 1998 (Acosta, 1998) was achieved identify 193 species of trees, which are distributed in 126 genera and 56 families. Of identified species 84 are new records for this protected area.
It also presents 17 species of timber widely used commercially in Costa Rica, some of which are in danger of extinction like the hide of a bull (Tachigalia versicolor), garlic (Caryocar costaricense), the quira (Caryodaphnopsis burgeri), the IPE (Tabebuia guayacan) rum rum (Astronium graveolens), Nazarene (Peltogyne purpurea), cachimbo (Couratari guianensis), Christopher (Platymiscium pinnatum) and balsam (Myroxylon balsamum).
Among the highlights fauna, white-faced monkey (Cebus capucinus), sloth (Choloepus hoffmanii), armadillo (Dasypus novemcintus), coyote (Canis latrans), raccoon (Procyon lotor), paca (Agouti paca), coati (Nasua narica), hairless fox (Didelphis marsupialis), lion jaguarundi (Herpailuris yaguaroundi) Caucel (Leopardus felis), ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) and a large number of bat species. The birds that have reported the gallina de monte (Tinamou), the bell 
bird (Procne tricarunculata), the quióro or Curre black (Ramphastos swainsonii), the Toucanet (Pteroglosus frantzii) and several species of owls.
La Cangreja can be retained by means of a plan of preservation, protection and sustained use, of which the task is the protection of La Cangreja and its buffer zone, by means of long term plans, to preserve the forest and to inspire to a sense of understanding, connection and responsibility with regards to the forest, to the people and to the adjoining communities. Other nearby Costa Rica parks include Fernando Castro Cervantes Wildlife Refuge, Carara National Park and Cacyra Wildlife Refuge.
Getting to La Cangreja National Park
Take the highway out of San Jose, Costa Rica towards Ciudad Colón and Puriscal (Santiago). From Santiago de Puriscal, you need to follow the old road to Parrita. Turn left, where signposting is indicated. The park is situated in the village of Mastatal, 45 kilometers southeast of Santiago de Puriscal. During the rainseason, this road is only accesible for 4×4 cars. In the dry season you can also reach La Cangreja with other vehicles.
By bus
Take a bus from the route San Jose – Quepos by Puriscal which takes about 2 hours, (Transportes Delio Morales, Phone: +506 2223-5567). From here you can take taxi to La Cangreja National Park.
You can also take a bus from the route San Jose – Puriscal which takes about 1 hour, (Comtrasuli, Phone: +506 2258-3903). From here you can take taxi or take another bus Puriscal – Mastatal, which takes about 2 hours to La Cangreja National Park.
From Quepos, you can bus from the route San Jose – Quepos by Puriscal which takes about 2 hours, making the stop at Santa Rosa (Transportes Delio Morales, Phone: +506 2223-5567). Be sure to tell the driver you will get off there, and make sure you are on the bus that goes through Puriscal. From here you can take taxi or take another bus Santa Rosa – Mastatal which takes about 45 minutes to La Cangreja National Park.
For any of the three routes we recommend consulting the respective schedules to make connections. Similarly, it is advisable to arrive early to be sure you get a seat.
Los Quetzales National Park Costa Rica
Location: in Cerro de la Muerte, near the exit to San Gerardo de Dota, in San José, Costa Rica.
GPS Coordinates: 9.615685,-83.818289 (9°36’56.46″N, 83°49’05.84″W)
Size: 5000 ha (12,355 acres)
Altitude: from 2000 up to 3000 meters.
Central Pacific Conservation Area (ACOPAC) Telephone: +506 2416-7878
INFOTUR Tourist Information: 1192
The park encompasses what was previously the Los Santos Forest Biological Reserve, which, after the adoption of the constitution, is now the Los Quetzales National Park, which name is precisely because of the quetzal abundance found there. The park was created in July 2005, to promote the conservation of these birds and to protect critical habitat for a number of plants and animals that also inhabit the area. It also has the distinction of being the most recent park included in the extensive system of National Parks of Costa Rica. It is a sanctuary of biodiversity in the massif of Cerro de la Muerte, a whole green treasure located at high altitude along the Talamanca Cordillera.
Most of the park straddles by the Savegre River, which originates in the Cerro de la Muerte and empties into the Pacific Ocean near Manuel Antonio. With an average rainfall ranging between 79cm and 188cm, makes the topography of the park beautiful and full of life.
This new conservation area has seven different heights, so its biological variety is wide. With three tropical forest types and fourteen different ecosystems that form in accordance with elevation, have an enormous wealth of flora, fauna and water resources. That is why Los Quetzales National Park has a lot of oaks, cypress, “aguacatillo”, ferns and plants, such as the well-known Poor man umbrella, besides all kinds of exotic flowers that mark the landscape, adding a little color to the immense green field. There, multicolored moss living with lichen, fungi 
and small vegetation of moor forest on Cerro las Vueltas, about 3000 meters high. Also, the park has the presence of wetlands and seasonal lakes of glacial origin, which has a filtration of water function into the underground parts, so they are purifying and kind of “sponges” that protect natural flooding.
This rich area has about 25 endemic species and some 116 species of mammals such as tapirs, raccoons, armadillos, sloths, peccaries, pumas, coatis, coyotes, porcupines, foxes and cacomistle (relative of the raccoon), among others . In rivers you can find otters and trout. Visitors can also find snakes like the Costa Rican Coralsnake, the Fer-de-lance and the Side-striped Palm-pitviper.
It also has more than 14 endemic birds, so it’s no wonder that bird watching is very popular here, offering visitors the chance to say “I’m sure to see one”-referring to any bird belonging to the ecosystem, including species that are as ostentatious as the quetzal, which is abundant in this area. The quetzal (Pharomachrus moccino) lives in wet montane forests where large amount of epiphytes can be found. It breeds in the cloud forests and feeds of “Aguacatillo”, among others. In Costa Rica is located in the mountains of Tilarán, Central Volcanic and Talamanca, from 1200 meters to 3000 meters. Although the bird is known to be difficult to observe and capricious, park officials say that the quetzal is easier to find here than in the cloud forests of Monteverde and Santa Elena, which are located to the north, since in the park communities come to be seen up to 
seven individuals together, a very special show, because their behavior is solitary or in pairs. Other bird species that reside in the park include trogones, tanagers, and hummingbirds.
Los Quetzales National Park, located 47 southeast of San Jose, is easily accessible from Manuel Antonio. From Jaco it takes about two hours. The park entrance is on the Cerro de la Muerte, just before the turnoff to San Gerardo de Dota. It is located between Providence and San Gerardo de Dota, on the Talamanca Cordillera and Savegre River Basin.
Getting to Los Quetzales National Park:
From San José take the road to Cartago and take the exit for the Cerro de la Muerte, on the Interamerican Highway, until you reach kilometer 80 or so. Los Quetzales National Park entrance is on your right on the main road.
By bus
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 2222-2666). From here you can take taxi to Los Quetzales National Park.
Paramo Wildlife Refuge Costa Rica
Haga click en el siguiente enlace para leer está página en Español: Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Páramo Costa Rica
Paramo Wildlife Refuge Costa Rica: created on December 7th, 1999 to protect tropical forest areas and part of the moors in the high elevations of the Talamanca Mountains in Costa Rica. It is located within the Los Santos Forest Reserve in San José province, near the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica.
The rainfall ranges between 2000 and 3000mm per year, with a temperature ranges between 12°C and 28°C. Because of its location in the area of Los Santos its biodiversity is very similar that the one you can find
in Cerro Las Vueltas Biological Reserve and Los Quetzales National Park (Former Los Santos Forest Reserve), with tropical wet forest, transition to montane, rainy montane and lower rainy montane. Plant species found in the area are: oaks, Post Oak, Guettarda comata, Ruscus aculeatus, magnolia, Vantanea babourii, Alder, Hirtella racemosa, Mexican Elm, Inga alba, Ladenbergi brenesii, Prunus cornifolia, Palm hearts, Sapium glandulosum, Tree ferns, Clusia major (Copey, Autograph Tree, Pitch-apple), Mosquitoxylum jamaicense, Weinmannia, Cojoba arborea, Humiriastrum diguense, Poor man umbrella, Brunellia, “Arrayancillo” and Clethra costaricensis.
The fauna is rich and varied, where tapirs, peccaries, squirrels, goats, coaties, coyotes, porcupines, armadillos, partridges, raccoons, weasels, jaguarundies, margays, foxes, pigeons been observed. There are also a lot of snakes like the the Side-striped Palm-pitviper, the Fer-de-lance and the Costa Rican Coralsnake.
Other nearby Costa Rica National Parks includes the Cerro Las Vueltas Biological Reserve and Los Quetzales National Park (Former Los Santos Forest Reserve), Tapanti National Park and Chirripo National Park. There are no public park facilities at this biological reserve.
Getting to Paramo Wildlife Refuge:
Take the road from San Jose to Cartago, on the Interamerican Highway, and take the exit for the Cerro de la Muerte until you reach km. 51, El Empalme, turn right to Santa Maria de Dota.
By bus
Take a bus from the route San Jose – Los Santos (Santa Maria de Dota, San Marcos de Tarrazu y San Pablo de Leon Cortes), which takes about 2 hours (Tranasportes Los Santos, 2546-7248 / 2227-3597). From here you can take taxi to Paramo National Wildlife Refuge.
Location: within the Los Santos Forest Reserve, in San José province.
Santa Maria de Dota GPS coordinates: 9.653131,-83.969856 (9°39’11.27″N, 83°58’11.48″W)
Size: 802ha (1,405 acres)
Central Pacific Conservation Area (ACOPAC) Telephone: +506 2416-7878
INFOTUR Tourist Information: 1192
Cerro las Vueltas Biological Reserve Costa Rica
Location: within the Los Santos Forest Reserve, district: Copey, canton: Dota, province: San Jose, Costa Rica. Zone postal code: 11703.
Santa Maria de Dota GPS coordinates: 9.653131,-83.969856 (9°39’11.27″N, 83°58’11.48″W)
Size: 802ha (1,980 acres)
Central Pacific Conservation Area (ACOPAC) Telephone: +506 2416-7878
INFOTUR Tourist Information: 1192
Cerro las Vueltas Biological Reserve Costa Rica was created since 1994, but it was decreed as one on July 26th, 1995. It is located within the Los Santos Forest Reserve in the district of the canton Copey de Dota in San José province, near the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica. It protects part of the moors that are in the highest parts of the Cordillera de Talamanca and 
oak forests, composed mainly of huge oak trees (Quercus spp), which surrounding them.
With its high biodiversity in this region are the following types of forests: tropical wet, transition to montane, rainy montane and lower rainy montane. Plant species found in the area are: oak, Post Oak, Guettarda comata, Ruscus aculeatus, magnolia, Vantanea babourii, Alder, Hirtella racemosa, Mexican Elm, Inga alba, Ladenbergi brenesii, “Horquetilla”, “Papayillo”, “Cucaracho”, “Quizarrá”, Prunus cornifolia, “Picarillo”, Palm hearts, Sapium glandulosum, “Yas”, “Palo de paja”, Tree ferns, Clusia major (Copey, Autograph Tree, Pitch-apple), Mosquitoxylum jamaicense, Weinmannia, Cojoba arborea, Humiriastrum diguense,, “Ciprecillo”, Poor man umbrella, Brunellia, “Arrayancillo”, “Candelillo” and Clethra costaricensis.
The fauna is rich and varied. It have been observed tapirs, peccaries, jaguarundies, margays, goats, coaties, foxes, coyotes, armadillos, raccoons, weasels, porcupines, squirrels, turkeys, partridges, pigeons. The Sooty Thrush (Turdus nigrescens,) a resident bird of high elevations, is very common. In rivers you can find otters and trout. There are also some snakes like the Fer-de-lance, the Side-striped Palm-pitviper and the Costa Rican 
Coralsnake.
The rainfall ranges between 2000 and 3000mm per year. The temperature ranges between 12°C and 28°C. Because of its location in the area of Los Santos, the region has evidence of sedimentary rocks, mainly shale, limestone and sandstone.
The Rounds Hill has 3156 m altitude, is located next to the Pan American Highway (km 74) and is an excellent vantage point Laps it covers a large area of the country. An interesting fact is that the historic road that connected the Central Valley to San Isidro de El General, passes through the reserve. Other nearby Costa Rica National Parks includes the Los Quetzales National Park (formerly Los Santos Biological Reserve), Paramo Wildlife Refuge, Tapanti National Park and Chirripo National Park. There are no public park facilities at this biological reserve.
Getting to Cerro las Vueltas Biological Reserve:
Take the road from San Jose to Cartago, on the Interamerican Highway, and take the exit for the Cerro de la Muerte until you reach km. 51, El Empalme, turn right to Santa Maria de Dota. At the park, turn left for 7 km to Copey. Shortly after you pass the turnoff to Copey de Dota, the road to the Station will be on your left.
By bus
Take a bus from the route San Jose – Los Santos (Santa Maria de Dota, San Marcos de Tarrazú y San Pablo de Leon Cortes), which takes about 2 hours (Transportes Los Santos, +506 2546-7248 / +506 2227-3597). From here you can take taxi to Cerro las Vueltas Biological Reserve, which takes about 10 minutes.
Fernando Castro Cervantes Wildlife Refuge Costa Rica
Location: west from Carara National Park, canton: Turrubares, in San Jose province, Costa Rica.
San Juan de Mata de Turrubares GPS Coordinates: 9.8767117, -84.5201269 (9°52’36.16″N, 84°31’12.45″W)
Size: 1613ha (3985 acres)
The Central Pacific Conservation Area of Costa Rica is characterized by a variety of landscapes and micro-climates, which help to give a high biodiversity. That’s why on February 16th 1994 the Fernando Castro Cervantes Wildlife Refuge was created.
The Fernando Castro Cervantes Wildlife Refuge is located in the Turrubares Canton, Province of San Jose and directly adjacent to the Turrubares Hills Protected Area. This refuge was created in order to serve as a biological corridor between the Carara Biological Reserve, now the Carara National Park, and the Turrubares Hills Protected Area. Since the recovery of this refuge, which soils have no agricultural potential, it is necessary to realize the project of a biological corridor between Carara and the complex of La Amistad, which promotes the Green Iguana Foundation. Some roads that start from Tárcoles, in the Orotina-Jacó road, allow access to some parts of this refuge.
Almost the entire area of the refuge is covered by secondary growth forests, so they are very common pioneer species such as balsa (Ochroma pyramidale), the guarumo (Cecropia sp), the guácimo (Guazuma ulmifolia) and buzzard (Schyzolobium parahyba), among others, as the life zone is tropical wet forest, with transition to premontane forest.
Among the fauna, highlighting are the white tailed deers (Odocoileus virginianus), peccaries (Tayassu tajacu), the common armadillos (Dasypus novemcintus), coaties (Nasua narica), raccoons (Procyon lotor), white-faced or capuchin monkeys (Cebus capucinus), among others. It is common to see the Scarlet Macaws (Ara macao), the Crested Guan (Penelope purpurascens), the Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus), the Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) and several species of hawks. Among the reptiles are common green iguanas (Iguana iguana), the fer-de-lance or terciopelo
(velvet) snake (Bothrops asper), the Boa constrictor and the Clelia Clelia.
The climate is humid, very hot, with a long dry season. The grounds are covered in tacotales and secondary forests that were transferred by IDA to be devoted to shaping the biological corridor. The soils are red associated with very little development, suitable for permanent crops such livestock or forest use. The higher parts are not suitable for agriculture or livestock, because they are shallow soils on steep slopes, with high susceptibility to erosion. The Turrubares Hill is a volcanic focus probably contemporary with El monte del Aguacate (Avocado mount), which preserves barely changed outcrops of lava in the cone (andesite), proof of its relative youth.
Getting there
From downtown San Jose takes about 1 hour, take the Prospero Fernandez Highway, which starts at the National Gymnasium in La Sabana. From there continue directly to the west through the towns of Escazu, Santa Ana, Ciudad Colon and Puriscal. From Puriscal takes about 40 minutes to reach San Juan de Mata de Turrubares. Turrubares also has other alternative routes such as the canton of Orotina and the canton of Atenas.
From Puntarenas downtown, Caldera or Jaco, you should first get to Orotina. From there the distance is about 7 km, approximately 15 minutes. Buses to Jacó or Quepos, pass through Orotina. They has daily express departures from San José, at the Coca Cola Terminal. Transportes Morales S.A., Tel: +506 2223-5567.
Surtubal Wildlife Refuge Costa Rica
Haga click en el siguiente enlace para leer está página en Español: Refugio Nacional de vida silvestre Surtubal Costa Rica
Surtubal Wildlife Refuge Costa Rica was declared on January 27th 1997, to protect tropical forest areas on the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica. This refuge is located west of Carara National Park, just next to the Fernando Castro 
Cervantes Wildlife Refuge, among the dry forests of northern and the southern rainforests, which results in its wide diversity, as it is at the beginning of the transition zone into the tropical dry forests of the northwest zone.
The Surtubal Wildlife Refuge has a biodiversity comparable to the one of Carara, due to its proximity, so that macaws, herons, toucans, anteaters, pacas, sloths, tayras, coaties, raccoons, armadillos, monkeys and other species also live here. There are no public park facilities at the Surtubal national wildlife refuge.
Getting there:
From downtown San Jose takes about 1 hour, take the Prospero Fernandez Highway, which starts at the National Gymnasium in La Sabana. From there continue directly through the towns of Escazu, Santa Ana, Ciudad Colon and Puriscal. From Puriscal takes about 40 minutes to reach San Juan de Mata de Turrubares. Turrubares also has other alternative routes such as the canton of Orotina southwest and the canton of Atenas southeast. Now you can also take the new Caldera Highway (route 27), taking the Orotina exit.
From Puntarenas downtown, Caldera or Jaco, you should reach Orotina. From there the distance is 7 km, approximately 15 minutes.
Buses to Jacó or Quepos, pass through Orotina. They has daily express departures from San José, at the Coca Cola Terminal. Transportes Morales S.A., Tel: +506 2223-5567.
Location: west from Fernando Castro Cervantes Wildlife Refuge, district: San Juan de Mata, canton: Turrubares, in San Jose province, Costa Rica. Zone postal code: 11603.
San Juan de Mata de Turrubares GPS Coordinates: 9.8767117, -84.5201269 (9°52’36.16″N, 84°31’12.45″W)
Size: 136ha (336 acres)
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Braulio Carrillo National Park Costa Rica
Quebrada Gonzalez Sector Location: 20km (12 miles) northeast of San José, going through the San José-Guápiles Highway.
Barva Volcano Sector Location: 21 km (13 miles) Northeast of San Jose, between Irazu and Poas Volcanoes in Heredia, Costa Rica.
Quebrada Gonzalez Sector GPS Coordinates: 10.066692,-84.005939 (10°04’00.09″N, 84°00’21.38″W)
Barva Volcano Sector GPS Coordinates: 10.119942,-84.122278 (10°07’11.79″N, 84°07’20.20″W)
Size: 46,000ha (113,666 acres)
Altitude: 36m (118ft) to 2906m (9535ft) at the summit of the Barva Volcano
Schedule: from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Braulio Carrillo National Park Ranger station telephone: +506 2268-1038 / +506 2268-1039
Central Volcanic Cordillera Conservation Area (ACCVC) Telephone: +506 2268-1587 / +506 2268-8091
INFOTUR Tourist Information: 1192
When it was decided to build a new highway from San José to Puerto Limón on the Caribbean coast via Guápiles, environmentalists were concerned that the virgin rain- and cloud-forest on the eastern watershed of the Central Valley would be under threat. It would be easy to imagine ribbon development of motels, sodas (similar like American diners), filling stations and settlement lining the road and running the environment. In 1978 it was therefore decided to set up the Braulio Carrillo National Park, named after one of the country’s 
19th-century presidents.
The park includes a range of five altitudinal life zones and holds a tremendous variety of fauna and flora. The new highway effectively cuts the park in two, but gives an excellent opportunity to get a flavor of the area, with luxuriant vegetation draped with epiphytes and lianas visible through the mist, along with foaming waterfalls and vast tracts of Gunnera, which, with its massive leaves, is known as “the poor man’s umbrella.” As the road nears the Caribbean coastal plain, look out for the Rio Sucio Bridge (Dirty River Bridge). The view upstream shows the confluence of the Rio Sucio and the Rio Hondura, which is a crystal clear mountain stream. The Sucio, on the other hand, has its headwaters on the ash-covered slopes of the Irazú Volcano, turning the water a reddish brown.
Braulio Carrillo National Park contains 84% of primary forest and altitude-wise it ranges from 36m (118ft) at La Selva to 2906m (9535ft) at the summit of the Barva Volcano, the greatest altitudinal range of any Costa Rican national park. Rainfall and temperature correspondingly vary greatly. The range of wildlife is staggering. It is estimated that the forest contains around 6000 species of plants, with 600 trees, providing a habitat for more than 500 species of birds, including rarities such as the Resplendent Quetzal, King Vulture, most of the toucan family, the Bare-necked Umbrellabird, Flame-throated Warbler, Black-crowned Antpitta, Long-tailed Silky-flycatcher, (Ptilogonys caudatus), Golden-browed Chlorophonia (Chlorophonia callophrys) and a vast range of hummingbirds, trogons, eagles and parrots. Among the common mammals there are numerous felines such as Jaguar, Ocelot and Puma, and there are also Baird’s Tapir, Pacas, Raccoons, Peccaries and three types of monkeys. Butterflies abound inside the park and you would be unlucky not to see a Blue Morpho, a Magnificent Owl, a Zebra Longwings (Heliconius charithonia) and the Swallowtails. Hikers should beware of snakes because the park contains two of the most venomous: the Bushmaster or “Matabuey” (Lachesis) and the feared Fer-de-lance or Terciopelo snake (Bothrops asper).
For administrative purpose and because of its size, the Braulio Carrillo National Park is divided into two sections: the Quebrada González Sector and the Barva Volcano Sector (explaining that while many think that the Barva Volcano is an 
independent National Park, this belongs to the Braulio Carrillo National Park).
The Quebrada González sector is the part of the park that is bisected by the Guápiles Highway. There are two ranger stations, the Zurquí station – just past the road tunnel of the same name – with an information center and three short trails, varying from 1 to 3km (0.6 to 1.9 miles) in length; and the Carrillo ranger station that is further 22km (14 miles) along the road, close to the toll booth in the center of the road. Here there are two further trails. One, named La Botella (the bottle) leads to waterfalls and a view down the Patria Canyon.
In the other hand, the Barva Volcano sector has to be approached from a different direction. The road from San José winds through coffee plantations and dairy farms to the village of Sacramento, where paved roads ends. From here there is a rough track to the station. A 3km (1.9 mile) trail leads up through deciduous forest and cloud forest to the summit of the Barva Volcano, which is extinct, but there is an impressive crater filled with a blue-green lake. Unlike the Poás and the Irazú volcanoes, the crater rim has epiphyte-laden cloud forest trees, with a range of highland forest birds, including those named above. For the really intrepid hiker there is a 30km (19 miles) trail from the top of the Barva Volcano to La Selva Biological Station, involving a descent of some 3000m (9843ft). This could take about four days and hiring a guide is strongly recommended.
Last but not least, if you’re already in the Braulio Carrillo National Park, it’s definitely worth visiting the Aerial Tram, located at the end of the protected area (towards Guápiles). This unique tram lets visitors travel in one of its twenty cable cars and to go through the forests’ canopy in order to spot flora and fauna that would otherwise be hidden from view. Visitors must realize that it isn’t a zoo, where animals will be spotted at all times, but even if tourists don’t see many creatures, the visit is still worth it. The Aerial Tram also offers a restaurant and a visitor’s center. (Tel. +506 2257-59-61 or fax 2257-60-53).
The Braulio Carrillo is one of the easiest parks to access from San José, but its tropical splendor and magnificence set it apart from the rest of the country. After only a thirty or forty minute drive from San José, you will encounter this amazing place, which reminds people of what ¾ of the country used to be like, only fifty years ago. Whenever you go to this park you will find that the vast majority of people are just passing through. Weather is not a major consideration (March and April are slightly drier). You can expect afternoon shower year round and should always be ready for a downpour.
Getting to the Quebrada González Sector:
To the Quebrada González sector take the Guápiles Highway toward Limón from San José. This highway winds through the Park, and passes by two ranger stations; the Zurquí sector and the Carrillo (Quebrada Gonzalez).
By bus
Take a bus from the route San Jose – Guápiles – Parque Nacional Braulio Carrillo, which takes about 1.5 hours (Empresarios Guapileños, +506 2222-2727 / +506 2222-0610). It is important to note that you must warn the driver that you are going to the park, because otherwise it will not stop. Visitors who don’t want to travel by bus, might take a cab (the approximate cost from San José is $40)
Getting to the Barva Volcano Sector:
To the Barva Volcano sector, drive through Heredia, then turn north and drive through Barva, San José de la Montaña, and Sacramento. The last 4 km to the ranger station is generally only accessible by hiking. The station is two miles (3 km) northeast of Sacramento on a jeep trail.
By bus
Take a bus from the route San Jose – Heredia, which takes about 45 minutes (Rapiditos Heredianos, +506 2233-8392 / Busetas Heredianas, +506 2261-7171 / Transportes Unidos La 400, +506 2222-8986) and then take another bus Heredia – Sacramento – Volcán Barva , which takes about 2 hours.
Chirripó National Park Costa Rica
Location: 20km (12 miles) northeast of San Isidro. Covers parts of San José, Cartago and Limón provinces.
GPS Coordinates: 9.325236,-83.608769 (9°19’30.85″N, 83°36’31.57″W)
Size: 50,150 ha (123,918 acres)
Altitude: from 900m (3000ft) rising to 3820m (12,533ft)
Schedule: the ranger station just south of San Gerardo de Rivas in Canáan is open 5:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Crestones Base Camp
Chirripó National Park Telephone: 905-244-7747 (905-Chirripo) / +506 2742-5348
Pacific La Amistad Conservation Area (ACLA-P) Telephone: +506 2771-4836 / +506 2771-3155
INFOTUR Tourist Information: 1192
Address map: Click here to view directions from Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO), Alajuela, Costa Rica TO San Isidro del General, San Jose, Costa Rica at Google Maps
Chirripó National Park Costa Rica is one of the Costa Rica’s wilder parks which protect a number of important ecosystems. Chirripó refers to both the name of the highest mountain in Costa Rica, which reaches 3820m (12,533ft), and the name of one of the National Parks. Chirripó takes its name from the Talamanca Indian word meaning “Place of Enchanted Waters”. The park is located approximately 30 km northeast from the city of San Isidro del General, which covers 50150ha (123,918acres). This park include parts of San Jose, Limón and Cartago, three provinces in Costa Rica, and contains miles of trails that wind through more ecological zones than you will find in most entire countries, in fact, five different ecosystems are differentiated largely by altitude like the lowland tropical wet forest, premontane tropical wet forest, lower montane wet forest, montane wet forest and subalpine wet forest (páramo, a strange area of high moorland with clumpy grassland and stunted dwarf trees, a habitat that is vulnerable to fire caused by the drying winds). At lower levels, there are oak, mixed and cloud forest sections, with an understorey of ferns and bamboo, which are rich in flora and fauna. The park climate has only two seasons, a dry one approximately from December to April and a wet one from May to November.
Chirripó was considered a sacred mountain by the pre-Colombian Indians, although it is believed that only the tribal leaders and shamans were allowed to the summit. In fact, some curious rock formations known as Los Crestones were treated as a shrine. Some 25000 years ago the summit was covered with glacial ice and the highest levels today are marked by bare rock with glacial features such as U-shaped valleys, ribbon lakes and moraine deposits, with biting winds and temperatures that frequently drop to minus 10°C, belying the fact that this is a mere 9° north of the Equator. Some of the oak trees are magnificent specimens reaching 30m (100ft). There are thought to be healthy numbers of Baird’s Tapirs and Jaguars in the forests, although they are rarely seen, in fact there is one extremely remote part of the park that is known as the “Savannah of the Lions” – a reference to the large number of Pumas known to exist here. Over 400 species of bird have been recorded and there are good numbers of woodpeckers, woodcreepers and trogons. As well Spider Monkeys are more obvious.
The number one attraction in Chirripó National Park is climbing the Cerro Chirripó, the highest peak in Costa Rica. Although it is a very wild park is relatively accessible by foot. If you wish to climb Cerro Chirripó, you will need to 
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 summit can be extremely cold, so a good sleeping bag is needed (it snowed lightly on New Years Eve on the peak). But with the clear air, a sun block is indispensable because the park is close to the equator, and at this altitude, you can get badly burned and end up in the hospital. Also take sunglasses, first-aid kit, insect repellent and a torch – the refuges have no lights, so sufficient food and water must be taken too. The following morning, it is a 90 minute walk to the summit of Cerro Chirripó. You will have a chance to see the epiphytic ecosystem up close and personal, an even better experience than a canopy tour, because your feet are planted firmly on the ground and you can spend as much time as you want for free. There is a choice of spending the day around the summit area and returning to the huts for the night or making the descent on the same day. There are some times that you may want to avoid Chirripó National Park because there are a large number of national hikers, and the refuges can fill up. These can be on the dry season weekends, especially Easter weekend, which can be very crowded. Otherwise whenever is a good time to go, even in the rainy season, it rarely rains before early afternoon, so if you are up with the sun you can be pretty exhausted before you have to duck for cover.
Considering that Chirripó is the 38th most prominent peak in the world, this journey is a once in lifetime experience for most tourists and with luck there will be clear visibility and views of both the Pacific and 
the Caribbean.
Getting to Chirripó National Park:
Take the Pan American Highway East out of San José to Cartago, go over Cerro de la Muerte until you reach San Isidro del General after a total of 153 km (92 miles) approx. 3 1/2 hours. From here on Chirripó National Park is some 20km (12 miles) northeast of San Isidro. There are several entrance stations.
There are no paved roads into the park. Access is generally by horse or foot from one of the four entrance stations (4WD required to reach each of them).
By bus
Take a bus from the route San Jose – San Isidro de El General and Chirripó National Park, which takes 3.5 hours (MUSOC, +506 2222-2422). We recommend buying the ticket a day earlier to be sure your seat is saved.
You can also take a bus San Jose – Quepos which takes 3.5 hours (Transportes Delio Morales, +506 2223-5567) and then take another bus Quepos – Buenos Aires (Gafeso).
By plane:
You can also take a flight from the Juan Santamaria Airport to the Quepos airport, either with Sansa, TravelAir or Aerobell Airlines, both with daily flights. From here you can rent a car and drive or take taxi to Chirripó National Park, passing through Dominical and San Isidro del Genereal, which is about 1.5 hours.
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