National Parks

La Marta Wildlife Refuge Costa Rica

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Location: 1.6 km east from Pejibaye, about a 30 minute drive from Turrialba, district: Pejibaye, canton: Jimenez, province: Cartago, Costa Rica. Zone postal code: 30403.
GPS Coordinates: 9.7830802, -83.6887918 (9°46’59.09″N, 83°41’19.65″W)
Size: 1,500 ha (3,200 acres)
Altitude: from 750 m to 1.950 m (6,400′) above sea level
Schedule: from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
La Marta Wildlife Refuge Phone: +506 8913-8691
UMCA Phone: +506 2542-0350 / +506 2542-0300 ext. 507
Central Volcanic Cordillera Conservation Area (ACCVC) Telephone: +506 2268-1587 / +506 2268-8091
INFOTUR Tourist Information: 1192
Website: www.lamarta.org

Address map: Click here to view directions from Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO), Alajuela, Costa Rica TO Pejibaye, Cartago, Costa Rica.

WAZE location La Marta Wildlife Refuge Costa RicaGoogle maps location La Marta Wildlife Refuge Costa Rica

La Marta Wildlife Refuge Costa Rica was created on October 25th, 1993, in order to protect the river basins of La Marta, Gato and Atirro just northwest of the Rio Macho Forest Reserve, near Pejibaye town in Cartago. With an average annual temperature between 20ºC and 30ºC (65ºF and 85ºF) and rainfall of 180 inches, the reserve has a very abrupt mountainous topography with lots of rivers, waterfalls, caves and primary forests, and it’s elevation ranges from 750 to 1,950 meters above sea level.

La Marta National Wildlife Refuge is one of the major fronts of contention in the progress of agricultural settlement on the western slopes of the Talamanca Mountain Range, and is the gateway to the Tapanti and La Amistad National Parks, it was designated by UNESCO as a Natural Heritage site of Humanity, in 1983, due to its rich biodiversity.

Historically, La Marta began as an important agricultural development center in the 1800s, where the infrastructure to grow and process coffee and sugarcane, a small sawmill, dairy and hydroelectric plant, can still be seen near the park’s entrance.

During the late 1920s, the site was abandoned by the owners, which caused a migration of inhabitants and workers to settle in Pejibaye town. For the next 60 years, the forest regenerated. During the 1980s, squatters moved in and destroyed portions of the forest for housing and the cultivation of banana, coffee, and cattle. By 1991, the squatters were expelled and Latin American University of Science and Technology (ULACIT) was responsible for defining the area as a protected site, a wildlife refuge where visitors are welcome to walk and explore the many available trails in La Marta.

La Marta National Wildlife Refuge is also characterized by its rich flora, due to its abundance of epiphytes, mosses, lichens, orchids, bromeliads, with several layers of forests with palms and timber species such as Terminalias, Cedrela tubiflora, Licanias Arborea.

Today, La Marta is a wildlife refuge managed by the Universidad Metropolitana Castro Carazo (UMCA), which has a research station where scientists and students in the fields of biology, history, land forestry, and traditional medicine live and work.

At La Marta National Wildlife Refuge visitors will find many and varied attractions, to enjoy in a healthy and different way the wonders of the rainforest. The refuge has indoor areas for camping and a lodge. Other nearby Costa Rica Parks includes Rio Macho and Rio Pacuare Forest Reserves, Tapanti National Park and La Amistad International Park.

Getting to La Marta National Wildlife Refuge:

From San Jose take the highway to Cartago. Then take the road to Paraiso and Cervantes. Just before Juan Viñas, take the exit to Pejibaye. From there are another 1.6 km to the east on the main road to the Olas River intersection.

BY BUS

Take a bus from the route San Jose – Cartago, which takes about 1 hour (Lumaca, +506 2537- 2320 / +506 2537-0347) and then you have to take another bus Cartago – Pejibaye – El Humo, making the stop at Pejibaye downtown (Coopepar R.L, +506 2574-6127). From here you can take a taxi to La Marta Wildlife Refuge, which is about 10 minutes.

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La Marta Refugio de Vida Silvestre

Tapantí National Park Costa Rica

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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

Address map: Click here to view directions from Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO), Alajuela, Costa Rica TO Tapantí National Park in Cartago, Costa Rica at Google Maps

WAZE location Tapantí National Park Costa RicaGoogle Maps location Tapantí National Park Costa Rica

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.

Pacuare River Forest Reserve Costa Rica

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Haga click en el siguiente enlace para leer está página en Español: Reserva Forestal Río Pacuare Costa Rica

Location:

32km (20 miles) from Siquirres or 35km (22 miles) from Turrialba in Cartago, Costa Rica.
Linda Vista GPS Coordinates: 10.025942,-83.556594 (10°01’33.39″N, 83°33’23.74″W)
Size: 13,178 hectares (32,550 acres)

Telephone:

Caribbean La Amistad Conservation Area (ACLA-C) +506 2795-1446
INFOTUR Tourist Information: 1192

Address map: Click here to view directions from Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO), Alajuela, Costa Rica TO Pavones, Cartago, Costa Rica at Google Maps

Pacuare River Forest Reserve Costa Rica was created on December 26, 1985, in order to protect forests and river basins of the Talamanca Mountain Range on the Caribbean slopes.

The Pacuare River is considered one of the top five rafting rivers in the world for its scenery and rapids, considered one of the best whitewater throughout Central America. Its waterfalls, magnificent forests and wildlife make this trip an ideal combination to meet the tropical rainforest of Costa Rica, which was named “one of the most beautiful rivers in the world” by National Geographic. Located on the Atlantic slope, the Pacuare River borders the Talamanca mountain range, home to native Cabécar and unique wildlife in the world.

Rio Pacuare Forest Reserve is a virgin forest that is far better known for the river that bears its name than for the forest part, since it is the most popular river for Whitewater rafters and kayakers enthusiasts from all over the world in Costa Rica, with spectacular 20 miles of rapids class III, IV, and sometimes even class V, where there are sections of the river dropping 100’ per mile

The Pacuare River is a tropical river, which offers over its course, magnificent scenery and several ravines with dense 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.

There are no public facilities at the Rio Pacuare national forest reserve, however, there are several companies that arrange tours to this area. Other nearby Costa Rica park include the Barbilla National Park and the Turrialba Volcano National Park.

Getting to Pacuare River Forest Reserve:

From San Jose take the Guapiles-Limon road (nr. 32), passing through the Zurqui bridge and the Braulio Carrillo mountains. It is likely that you will encounter fog and rain. Please drive with your lights on. After the mountains the road to Limon is practically straight with no hills. Take the Siquirres turn-off. After turning off the highway, follow a rough dirt road until you get to Pacuare River Forest Reserve. A 4 wheel drive is recommended. The reserve has very few services, with limited navigational road signs, and it is advised to bring a local guide with you.

Please note that if you have not left San Jose by 2 pm you will be driving part of the way at night. We do not recommend this for first time travelers driving in Costa Rica. Roads do not have lines, and rain can be bad and there are potholes and people walking/cycling that you can not see very well.

By bus

Take a bus from the route San Jose – Siquirres, which takes about 1.5 hours (Transportes Caribeños, +506 2222-0610 / +506 2221-7990 / +506 2768-9484). From here you can rent a car and drive or take taxi to Pacuare River Forest Reserve, which is about 20 minutes.

By plane:

You can also take a flight from the Juan Santamaria Airport to the Siquirres or Barra del Parismina airports, either with Sansa, TravelAir or Aerobell Airlines, both with daily flights. From here you can rent a car and drive or take taxi to Pacuare River Forest Reserve, which is about 15 minutes.

Chirripó National Park Costa Rica

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Location: 20km (12 miles) northeast of San Isidro. Covers parts of San José, Cartago and Limón provinces.

WAZE location Chirripó National Park Costa Rica  Google Maps location Chirripó National Park Costa Rica

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

WAZE location Crestones Base Shelter Chirripo National Park  Google Maps location Crestones Base Shelter Chirripo National Park

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.

La Amistad International Park in Costa Rica

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Haga click en el siguiente enlace para leer está página en Español: Parque Internacional La Amistad en Costa Rica

La Amistad International Park in Costa Rica is the largest and most remote National Park in Costa Rica. This 194000ha (479000 acre) park area represents a dual effort from Costa Rica and Panama, which is equally split between them. Is the largest nature reserve in Central America and together with a 15 km buffer zone, it represents a major biodiversity resource at 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.

Because of the remote and virgin landscape, the wildlife statistics (mostly “estimated”) are incredible. In fact it is thought that up to two-thirds of all Costa Rica’s species are found at La Amistad, including a large number of its endangered species and many endemics. This makes for hikers and backpackers a hugely rewarded experience with all six neotropical cats, like the Jaguar, Jaguarundi, Ocelot, Puma, Oncilla and Margay, along with the rare Baird’s Tapir, monkeys, Giant Anteaters and Coatis.

More than 600 species of birds have been identified, including the country’s largest number of Resplendent Quetzals, the amazing Three-wattled Bellbird and the rare Umbrellabird. This may also be the last stronghold of the Harpy Eagle, although many ornithologists consider that it may extinct in Costa Rica. There are also 115 species of fish, 300 reptiles and amphibians and over 900 flowering plant species – and more are being discovered all the time. In La Amistad you can find approximately 1,000 fern species, 500 tree species and 130 different types of orchids. Compared to other parks and reserves of similar size around the world, the diversity found here is unequaled.

The park covers much of the Talamanca mountain range, rising from 150m (490ft) on the Caribbean side to 3550m (11,660ft) at the highest point. There are a few trails, but they are often overgrown and poorly marked. It would be foolhardy to venture far into the park without a guide.

Tres Colinas Sector

Visitors require excellent physical condition, as the travel time is 6 days with cold and rainy weather. There are local guides, private transportation services and camping areas. The community of Tres Colinas offers cabins to stay.

Getting to Tres Colinas Sector:

From Buenos Aires, follow the route to San Vito, take the exit in Paso Real and continue for 6 km. Take the exit to the community of Potrero Grande, where you take the road to Tres Colinas, approximately at 23km. Travelers will need a four-wheel drive vehicle, because it is a gravel path to Coto Brus. From Buenos Aires the whole trip takes about 2 hours.

Pittier Sector

It has natural trails for adventure hiking and wildlife watching, as well as camping areas. The travel time is approximately 4 hours. This sector has research facilities.

Getting to Pittier Sector:

Take the Pan-American Highway south to Paso Real, where you must be diverted to San Vito and then continue 45 km to the Pittier Biological Station. At the end of the path you will need a four wheel drive vehicle becuase of the road conditions. There is no bus service to here so it is necessary that visitors bring their own vehicle, or take a taxi for your transportation.

Biolley Sector

It has guides for entrance to Sabanas Esperanza and Valle del Silencio. For Valle del Silencio travel a good physycal condition is required as it takes about 8 hours to get (13 km). This site features a rustic lodge equipped with a living room, kitchen area, bathroom and beds. It is an excellent place for bird watching as well as tapir and jaguar tracks. This site provides facilities for research.

To enter to Sabanas Esperanza visitors requires the accompaniment of a local guide. The Los Gigantes del Bosque trail is located near the Altamira Biological Station, PILA administrative campus.

Getting to Biolley Sector:

Take the Pan-American South road and take the exit at km #221, in a place called Paso Real, and then continue for 15 km on the road to San Vito, up to the community of Las Tablas de Potrero Grande, where you take another turn and continue along a gravel path for 20 km. This road is passable all year round in four-wheel drive vehicle and in dry season any vehicle can make it. From the community of Altamira, you can only 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.

Santa Maria Sector

Visitors will need the company of a local guide to enter this sector of the park, which leads to a hill covered by moors over 3000m in elevation. The way from Santa Maria takes about 5 hours, but the Chamber of Tourism of the community has a very rustic lodge near the boundaries of the park where you can stay. During the tour you can observe the Caño Island, the middle basin of the Térraba River and a wide variety of birds, among which highlights the quetzal.

Getting to Santa Maria Sector:

Take the Pan-American Highway South from San Isidro de Perez Zeledon to Buenos Aires until you reach the town of Santa Marta de Brunka located in km #184, then turn north on a gravel road until you reach the community of Santa Maria, located 15 km from Santa Marta. Access can be done in four-wheel drive vehicle all year.

Getting to La Amistad International Park in Costa Rica:

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 La Amistad is on your left 15 miles (25 km) southeast away until you reach the Panamanian border. 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). Altimira Station is the park headquarters, and is located 12 miles (20 km) north of Guácimo. Other entrances are from Tres Colinas Station at Helechales, and in the Las Tablas region, Pittier Station at Progresso, and La Escuadra Station northeast of Santa Elena.

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, 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, 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 La Amistad International Park, passing through Dominical and San Isidro del Genereal, which is about 1.5 hours.

Location: Talamanca Cordillera, extending over the border into Panama.
GPS Coordinates: 9.324061-83.21025 (9°19’26.62″N, 83°12’36.90″W)
Size: 194000 ha (479,000 acres)
Altitude: 150m (430ft) rising to 3554m (11,660ft)
La Amistad International Park Telephone: +(506) 2200-5355 / 2730-0846 / 2742-8090
Caribbean La Amistad Conservation Area (ACLA-C) Telephone: +(506) 2795-1446
Pacific La Amistad Conservation Area (ACLA-P) Telephone: +(506) 2771-4836 / 2771-3155
INFOTUR Tourist Information: 1192

Address map: Click here to view directions from Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO), Alajuela, Costa Rica TO Guacimo, Puntarenas, Costa Rica at Google Maps

Central Volcanic Cordillera Forest Reserve Costa Rica

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Haga click en el siguiente enlace para leer está página en Español: Reserva Forestal Cordillera Volcánica Central Costa Rica

Central Volcanic Cordillera Forest Reserve Costa Rica was created on June 26th, 1975, by Executive Decree No. 4961-A, in order to conserve and manage the hydrological and ecological potential that surrounds the National Parks Braulio Carrillo, Poas Volcano, Irazu Volcano and Turrialba Volcano, in the Central Volcanic Cordillera.

The objectives of its creation were based on the need to protect watersheds, to maintain hydropower production and to ensure safe handling and use of forest resources. In general, it should be noted that the Central Volcanic Cordillera Forest Reserve has an important hydrological network, as with the Braulio Carrillo National Park are the main recharge area that supplies water to the Central Valley and a considerable drainage network, which flows into the plains of the North Atlantic region of the country.

Originally the Central Volcanic Cordillera Forest Reserve comprising an area of 104.300 hectares, however, in the course of time was segregated and giving land to the Braulio Carrillo National Park among others, so that today covers 60.100 hectares. In fact, nowadays, this reserve is distributed by sectors surrounding the areas of Varablanca and Sacramento in Heredia, and the areas of Turrialba and Guápiles in Cartago and Limon.

Forests in this forest reserve are of extraordinary importance, not only for the protection they provide to the vast system of river basins that exists here, but also because it is a biological corridor that connects the Braulio Carrillo, Poas Volcano, Irazu Volcano and Turrialba Volcano National Parks. Two species characteristic of these forests are tree ferns (Cyathea fulva) and Poor Man Umbrellas (Gunnera insignis), with enormous size leaves. Some roads from Sacramento and Rancho Redondo let in a little bit in the southern part of this reserve.

The Central Volcanic Cordillera Forest Reserve has several life zones that correspond to tropical wet forest, montane rain forest, lower montane rain forest and montane rain forest. Thanks to this variety of life zones, the Central Volcanic Cordillera Forest Reserve has a vast collection of flora and fauna. It can be determine that 62% of the reserve is covered by forests, with a 3% in the process of recovery, while the area occupied by crops, grasses and trees covers approximately 14% of the reserve, such as the Aguacatillo (Persea caerulea), Oak (Quercus seemannii), Cedar (Cedrela salvadorensis), Cabbage Tree or Carne Asada (Andira inermis) and Cristobal (Guatteria oliviformis), Lengua de Diablo (Anthurium scherzerianum), Cacho de venado (Oreopanax standleyi) and Quina (Ladenbergia brenesii), among others. Similarly, the reserve has a variety of bromeliads, orchids, ferns, epiphytes and mosses.

Among the mammals that abound the reserve are the howler and white faced monkeys, tapirs, raccoons, sloths, porcupines, coatis, pacas, coyotes, peccaries, rabbits, foxes, squirrels, pocket gophers, juaguars, pumas, ocelots, margays and the jaguarundi. In addition, the Central Volcanic Cordillera Forest Reserve has some 500 species of resident and migratory birds, among which highlights the Resplendent Quetzal (Pharomachrus mocinno), Bare-necked Umbrellabird (Cephalopterus glabricollis), Black-crowned Antpitta (Pittasoma michleri), Golden-browed Chlorophonia (Chlorophonia callophrys), Long-tailed Silky-flycatcher (Ptilogonys caudatus), Flame-throated Warbler (Oreothlypis gutturalis), as well as variety of hummingbirds, toucans, eagles and parrots.

There are no public facilities at the Central Volcanic Cordillera Forest Reserve. Other nearby Costa Rica parks includes the Braulio Carrillo National Park, Poas Volcano National Park, Turrialba Volcano National Park and Tapiria National Wildlife Refuge.

Getting to Central Volcanic Cordillera Forest Reserve:

To get to the Varablanca surrounds Sector, from San Jose, take the Pan-American Highway towards the Juan Santamaria International Airport and then take the Alajuela exit. Continue straight on this road for 19km (12 miles) following the signs for Poás Volcano. At the dead end three-way intersection, where you see Jaulares Restaurant, take a right. Proceed for 1 mile to the town of Poasito and make another right at the intersection where it says Heredia – Varablanca – Sarapiqui. Make a left at the gas station in Varablanca and proceed for 5km (3 miles). Driving time from San José is about 1.5 hours.

To get to the Sacramento surrounds Sector, from San Jose, drive through Heredia, then turn north and drive through Barva, San José de la Montaña, and Sacramento. Driving time from San José is about 1.5 hours.

To get to the Guapiles surrounds Sector, from the Juan Santamaria International Airport drive for about 8 km in direction to San Jose. On your right hand the Hospital Mexico will appear.After the Hospital Mexico, you must take the exit to La Uruca (on the rotonda, the third exit). Turn right at the traffic lights and follow to San José (keep the middle lane as much as possible) until you get to Shell gas station at a Y-junction, keep left. Take the exit Guapiles-Limon and follow the road (nr. 32) to Limón, passing through the Zurqui bridge and the Braulio Carrillo mountains. It is likely that you will encounter fog and rain. Please drive with your lights on. After the mountains the road to Limon is practically straight with no hills.. Driving time from San José is about 3 hours.

To get to the Turrialba surrounds Sector, from San Jose, drive to Cartago and continue on Highway 10 following signs to Turrialba, which is about 40 km west of Cartago. Pass through the towns of Paraiso, Cervantes and Juan Viñas. Driving time from San José is about 3 hours.

Location: in Heredia, Cartago and Limon provinces, Costa Rica.
Varablanca GPS Coordinates: 10.168117, -84.156164 (10°10’5.22″N, 84°09’22.19″O)
Sacramento GPS Coordinates: 10.109086, -84.123036 (10°06’32.71″N, 84°07’22.93″O)
Guapiles GPS Coordinates: 10.202261, -83.795883 (10°12’8.14″N, 83°47’45.18″O)
Turrialba GPS Coordinates: 9.905747, -83.683928 (9°54’20.69″N, 83°41’2.14″O)
Size: 60,100 ha (150,000 acres)
Altitude: from 450m to 1,800m (1,480ft to 5,900ft) above sea level
Central Volcanic Cordillera Conservation Area (ACCVC) Telephone: +(506) 2268-8087/2268-9150
INFOTUR Tourist Information: 1192

Address map: Click here to view directions from Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO), Alajuela, Costa Rica TO Central Volcanic Cordillera Forest Reserve in Heredia, Cartago and Limon, Costa Rica at Google Maps

Barbilla National Park Costa Rica

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Location: 20 km (13 miles) from the city of Siquirres, in Brisas de Pacuarito town, in the limit between the provinces of Cartago and Limón, Costa Rica.
Siquirres GPS Coordinates: 10.09475,-83.510267 (10°05’41.10″N, 83°30’36.96″W)
Size: 11,994 ha (29,500 acres)
Altitude: from 110 m to 1,617 m (5,300in) at Cerro Tigre
Schedule: from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Subregional office of the Area of Conservation in Siquirres Telephone: +506 2768-8603
Caribbean La Amistad Conservation Area (ACLA-C) Telephone: +506 2795-1446
INFOTUR Tourist Information: 1192

Address map: Click here to view directions from Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO), Alajuela, Costa Rica TO Brisas de Pacuarito (limit between Cartago and Limón), Costa Rica at Google Maps

Barbilla National Park Costa Rica was created first as a biological reserve on March 16th 1982, to protect forests and wet tropical lowland rainforests of the Caribbean slope of the Talamanca Mountain Range, declared a national park on January 14th, 1998. Its part of the Talamanca – La Amistad Biosphere Reserve declared by UNESCO in 1982 in order to protect important ecological systems in the country.

The park is also home to the Cabécar, the second largest indigenous group in Costa Rica, which has a rich culture and history. Their main livelihood is hunting and fishing, along with the planting of bananas, yucca and grains. In fact, it is located next to the Chirripo Indigenous Reservation, which continues to give the traditional modest existence.

The main objective of the Barbilla National Park is to provide protection for a large area of Tropical Rain Forest in pristine condition, where there is a great diversity, due to its physiographic and climatic characteristics, as well as suitable conditions for the establishment of a wide number of flora and fauna such as pumas, jaguars, ocelots, tolomucos (Eira barbara), tapirs, monkeys and lots of bird species, many of them endangered. Rare species of birds like the heron can also be observed here, making the park popular for birdwatchers.

The park also protects Dantas River Basin, the Dos Ramas Sector, Ayil Lagoon and Cerro Tigre, being its highest point. The Barbilla National Park is almost entirely covered in lowland tropical rainforest comprising species such as the banak (Virola sebifera) and the palm (Astrocaryum alatum).

The area is very wet with a large number of rivers which rise there and flow into the Pacuare River, sheltering a large primary tropical wet forest and tropical very wet forest, making the park’s territory an important water resource of vital interest to supply potable water to neighboring communities and animals.

This is one of the least visited of Costa Rica’s national parks, therefore, has the distinction of being both relatively intact and ecologically rich. Rugged hiking trails roughly following the Dantas and Barbilla rivers are the main attraction in the park. The area is very ravine with rain fall averages of 3,500 mm to 4,00 mm anually (140in to 180in), which makes it necessary to maintain the forest cover to prevent the rapid erosion caused by heavy rains.

The Park has the Barbilla Biological Station administered by the National Biodiversity Institute, as well as an administrative building with potable water, sanitary services, electricity and a system of radio communication, located in Brisas de Pacuarito town, which research efforts are focused on classification of species and insect parataxonomy.

Located some 20 kilometers from the city of Siquirres, the park is difficult to access. For this reason, and because necessary facilities are not available, visits are only recommended for those 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.

Getting to Barbilla National Park:

From San Jose take the Guapiles-Limon road (road #32), passing through the Zurqui tunnel and the Braulio Carrillo mountains. It is likely that you will encounter fog and rain. Please drive with your lights on. After the mountains the road to Limon is practically straight with no hills. Take the Siquirres turn-off. The main entrance is located 3 km (2 miles) from the city of Siquirres. After turning off the highway, follow a rough dirt road for 17 km (10 miles) to the town of Brisas de Pacuarito. A 4 wheel drive vehicle is recommended. The park has very few services, with limited navigational road signs, and it is advised to bring a local guide with you.

Please note that if you have not left San Jose by 2 pm you will be driving part of the way at night. We do not recommend this for first time travelers driving in Costa Rica. Roads do not have lines, and rain can be bad and there are potholes and people walking/cycling that you might not see very well.

By bus

Take a bus from the route San Jose – Siquirres, which takes about 1.5 hours (Transportes Caribeños, +506 2222-0610 / +506 2221-7990 / +506 2768-9484). From here you can rent a car and drive or take a taxi to Barbilla National Park, which is about 20 minutes.

By plane:

You can also take a flight from the Juan Santamaria Airport to the Siquirres or Barra del Parismina airports, either with Sansa, TravelAir or Aerobell Airlines, all with daily flights. From here you can rent a car and drive or take a taxi to Barbilla National Park, which takes about 15 minutes.

Hitoy Cerere Biological Reserve Costa Rica

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Haga click en el siguiente enlace para leer está página en Español: Reserva Biológica Hitoy-Cerere de Costa Rica

Hitoy Cerere Biological Reserve Costa Rica was created on April 27th, 1978 and since then protects more than 40 species, including endangered species between the hills of the Talamanca mountain range on the Caribbean Brunca region, such as the silk anteater, ocelots and peccaries. Approximately 60km (37 miles) south of Limón in the Estrella Valley, between the Estrella and Telire Rivers is located in the Talamanca mountain range the Hitoy-Cerere Biological Reserve, surrounded by many indigenous reserves like Tayni, Telire and Talamanca, one of the least visited parks in Costa Rica, largely due to its extreme inaccessibility. This reserve protects a remote and pretty 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.

The reserve has a humid tropical and a premountain pluvial forest. Just getting to the Hitoy-Cerere Reserve can make for an interesting all-day adventure, its rugged terrain and the uneven terrain combined with the heavy rainfall – an outstanding 4000mm (158in) a year with no dry season – make this park somewhat difficult to deal and will deter all but the most enthusiastic naturalist. One of the best ways of getting into the reserve is to walk the river beds upstream. This is also a good way to be able to sight the prominently patterned Sunbittern, a bird that frequents the tropical streams.

The name refers to the primary river basins, the Hitoy and the Cerere Rivers, which comes from the Bribrí language, hitoy meaning “moss-covered” and cerere referring to “clear waters”. The habitat is dense tropical rainforest, with all trees, dripping with epiphytes, bromeliads, orchids and lianas.

This is one of the best areas of Costa Rica to see large wild cats, as there is a great abundance of mammalian fauna including white-faced and howler monkeys, jaguars, tapirs, peccaries, rabbits, anteaters, sloths, pacas, deers, agoutis and armadillos. Also, there are over 300 species of birds and more than 30 species of amphibians and 30 reptiles. A big attractive of this reserve are the frogs and toads, which include the poison dark frog colored like the Dendrobates species. Other species are the cherepos, gallegos, chirbalas and many snakes. The invertebrates that live in this reserve are the bullet and leaf-cut army ants, huge dragonflies, red butterflies, metal colored bees and beetles. Also you can find spiders in every hide corner, but must be prepared to work for it; here the trails are poorly maintained and the uphills are difficult. The road to the reserve reveals vegetation like herpetecanthus stenophyllus, ticodendron 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.

In the forest you are able to see the outstanding Squirrel Cuckoo, toucans and parrots. This is also one of the last strongholds of the extremely endangered Harpy Eagle. There are few facilities at the reserve, but there are a few trails; these, however, are very challenging and only for the experienced tropical hiker. North of Hitoy-Cerere is Selva Bananito, a 2,350 acre (950 ha) reserve adjacent to a neighboring cattle ranch. A four-wheel drive vehicle is necessary to navigate the dirt roads that lead to the reserve, but the park can also be reached by foot and horseback.

If you’re an intrepid trekker and know how to take care of yourself in the jungle, this is an exceptional opportunity to experience uncharted territory filled with pristine waterfalls, lush vegetation and hundreds of species of animals that haven’t even been recorded by biologists yet.

Undeveloped and virtually unexplored, the Hitoy Cerere is only for the most adventurous and fit hikers, this biological reserve is one of the most remote territories in the eastern portion of the country. In fact, there are several unexplored portions along the upper Talamanca Mountains. There is a ranger station at the entrance, but no other facilities exist. Other nearby parks include Cahuita National Park, Gandoca Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge and Aviarios del Caribe National Wildlife Refuge.

Getting to Hitoy-Cerere Biological Reserve:

From the Juan Santamaria International Airport drive for about 8 km in direction to San Jose. On your right hand the Hospital Mexico will appear. After the Hospital Mexico, you must take the exit to La Uruca (on the rotonda, the third exit). Turn right at the traffic lights and follow signs to San José (keep in the middle lane as much as possible) until you get to a Shell gas station at a Y-junction, where you will turn left. Take the exit Guapiles-Limon and follow the road (route #32) to Limón, passing through the Zurqui bridge and the Braulio Carrillo mountains. It is likely that you will encounter fog and rain. Please drive with your lights on. After the mountains the road to Limon is practically straight with no hills.

When you reach Puerto Limon, just before you enter the city you will see a sign (at the Texaco Station) where you turn right and go to Cahuita and Puerto Viejo and then turn right to La Estrella Valley. The reserve is about 40 miles southwest of Limón, and about an hour and a half from Cahuita. This route requires a total of six hours from San Jose.

Please note that if you have not left San Jose by 2 pm you will be driving part of the way at night. We do not recommend this for first time travelers driving in Costa Rica. Roads may not be well marked, and rain can be bad and there are potholes and people walking/cycling that you may not be able to see very well.

By bus

Take a bus from the route San Jose – Cahuita National Park – Puerto Viejo, which takes 3.5 hours (Transportes Caribeños, 2257-8129). We recommend buying the ticket a day earlier to be sure your seat is saved.

By plane:

You can also take a flight between the Juan Santamaria and the Limon airports, either with Sansa, TravelAir or Aerobell Airlines, all with daily flights. From here you can rent a car and drive or take a taxi to Hitoy-Cerere Biological Reserve, which is about 1.5 hours.

Location: 60km (37 miles) south of Puerto Limón, Valle La Estrella, Limon, Costa Rica. Zone postal code: 70102
GPS Coordinates: 9.667625,-83.003381 (9°40’03.45″N, 83°00’12.17″W)
Size: 9154 ha (22,620 acres)
Altitude: 150m (430ft) rising to 1000m (3280ft)
Caribbean La Amistad Conservation Area (ACLA-C) Telephone: +(506) 2795-1446
INFOTUR Tourist Information: 1192

Address map: Click here to view directions from Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO), Alajuela, Costa Rica TO La Estrella Valley, Limon, Costa Rica at Google Maps

Gandoca Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge Costa Rica

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Haga click en el siguiente enlace para leer está página en Español: Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Gandoca-Manzanillo en Costa Rica

Gandoca Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge Costa Rica is located at the Costa Rica Caribbean coast in Talamanca, canton from Limón. This recent addition to the Costa Rican national wildlife refuge system is located from the Manzanillo town to the Sixaola River, which forms the border with Panamá. The refuge was 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.

Its coral reef is in better shape than the one in Cahuita, although the corals have not yet developed formations so large. There are more than 10 endemic species of sponge recorded. Naturally, there are excellent snorkeling possibilities. The terrestrial part of the reserve includes a number of habitats, such as the marine and including the best preserved coral reef of the entire Caribbean coast of Costa Rica, so naturally, there are excellent opportunities for diving and snorkeling. Similarly includes the beach habitat boasting four types of nesting turtle such as the Green, Leatherback, Loggerhead and Hawksbill. This peaceful Gandoca estuary backed by red mangroves with the country’s only population of oysters and 400ha (752 acres) of swamp forest in which the most common tree is the raphia palm, which claims to be plant with the largest leaves in the world – its fronds can reach 12m (39ft) or more. The rainforest section has recovered over 350 species of birds, while the estuary is a good spot to see endangered manatee. The refuge also has over 500 species of marine and freshwater fish have been recorded, as also has three resident species of dolphin like the Bottlenose, the Atlantic spotted and the extremely rare Tucuxi. Clearly Gandoca-Manzanillo is an absolute natural gem for Costa Rica, which makes it very attractive for both tourists and scientists.

The refuge has an information station, restrooms, drinking water and picnic area. Other nearby parks include Cahuita National Park, Hitoy Cerere Biological Reserve and Aviarios del Caribe National Wildlife Refuge.

Getting to Gandoca-Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge:

From the Juan Santamaria International Airport drive for about 8 km in direction to San Jose. On your right hand the Hospital Mexico will appear.After the Hospital Mexico, you must take the exit to La Uruca (on the rotonda, the third exit). Turn right at the traffic lights and follow to San José (keep the middle lane as much as possible) until you get to Shell gas station at a Y-junction, keep left. Take the exit Guapiles-Limon and follow the road (nr. 32) to Limón, passing through the Zurqui bridge and the Braulio Carrillo mountains. It is likely that you will encounter fog and rain. Please drive with your lights on. After the mountains the road to Limon is practically straight with no hills.

When you reach Puerto Limon, just before you enter to the city you will see a sign (at the Texaco Station) where you turn right and go to Cahuita and Puerto Viejo and just follow the coast all the way down. To reach the northern Manzanillo sector, drive through Puerto Viejo, and take the road through Punta Cocles and Punta Uva. To reach the Gandoca sector, take the highway south of Cahuita through Hone Creek, then BriBri. Shortly before you reach the town of Sixaola (at the Panama border), you will turn coastward to Gandoca. This route requires a total of five hours from San Jose.

Please note that if you have not left San Jose by 2 pm you will be driving part of the way at night. We do not recommend this for first time travelers driving in Costa Rica. Roads do not have lines, and rain can be bad and there are potholes and people walking/cycling that you can not see very well.

By bus

Take a bus from the route San Jose – Manzanillo, which takes 5.5 hours (Autotransportes MEPE S.A., 2257-8129 / 2758-1572). We recommend buying the ticket a day earlier to be sure your seat is saved.

By plane:

You can also take a flight from the Juan Santamaria Airport to the Limon, either with Sansa, TravelAir or Aerobell Airlines, both with daily flights. From here you can rent a car and drive or take taxi to Gandoca-Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge, which is about 50 minutes.

Location: Between Manzanillo town and the Panamá border, district: Cahuita and Sixaola, canton: Talamanca, province: Limon, Costa Rica. Zone postal code: 70402 and 70403.
Manzanillo Sector GPS Coordinates: 9.631571,-82.661211 (9°37’53.655″N, 82°39’40.359″W)
Gandoca Sector GPS Coordinates: 9.5973621, -82.6054206 (9°35’50.50″N, 82°36’19.51″W)
Size: 5013 ha (12,387 acres)
Altitude: above sea level
Caribbean La Amistad Conservation Area (ACLA-C) Telephone: +(506) 2795-1446
INFOTUR Tourist Information: 1192

Address map: Click here to view directions from Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO), Alajuela, Costa Rica TO Gandoca-Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge in Limon, Costa Rica.

Cahuita National Park Costa Rica

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Location: South Caribbean coast, district: Cahuita, canton: Talamanca, province: Limon, Costa Rica. Zone postal code: 70403.
GPS Coordinates: 9.736603,-82.839292 (9°44’11.77″N, 82°50’21.45″W)
Size: 1067 ha (2636 acres)
Altitude: above sea level
Schedule: from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Cahuita National Park Telephone: +506 2755 0302
Caribbean La Amistad Conservation Area (ACLA-C) Telephone: +506 2795-1446
INFOTUR Tourist Information: 1192

WAZE location Cahuita National Park Costa Rica, Talamanca, Limon  Google Maps location Cahuita National Park Costa Rica, Talamanca, Limon

Address map: Click here to view directions from Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO), Alajuela, Costa Rica TO Cahuita National Park in Limon, Costa Rica.

Cahuita National Park Costa Rica: the small village of Cahuita is located on the Caribbean coast some 42km (26 miles) south of Puerto Limón. The Park, established in 1970, is one of the most beautiful parks in Costa Rica consisting of a platform of coral reef and a beach surrounded by rainforests and mangroves. Its attractiveness is due to its white sandy beaches with lush coral reefs and palm trees surrounded by a magnificent forest vegetation and extensive mangrove swamps. Cahuita National Park was established to protect not only the terrestrial flora and fauna, but also coral reefs against sedimentation which deteriorates gradually and various marine ecosystems, which no doubt are true natural Costa Rican jewels.

Its sand and gravel streets hold up a population of mainly English-speaking, descendants of the Afro-Caribbean fishermen who settled here in the 50’s. Tourism has developed significantly with new hotels and restaurants located and gradually spreading along at Playa Negra, a black sand beach north of town, while the south is more of a white sand beach surrounded by the rainforest. This makes that the town become very popular with young backpackers. Between the two is a “peninsula”, with coral reef offshore, making up the Cahuita National Park, which covers a mere 1067 ha (2636 acres). However the park contains a wide variety of species, both on the land and in the sea. The coral reef is just offshore and it is possible to wade out to it, although local boatman can take you out. Snorkeling is excellent thanks to the extraordinary spectacle that offer a variety of multicolored fish and corals, especially during the drier parts of the year that are between February and April and between September and October, as in other times of the year heavy rains that fall in the Talamanca mountains rise sediments of the local rivers, causing the water visibility very poor.

Inside the coral reef are a variety of attractive corals, such as the massive brain corals, the sea fans, the blue staghorn, the elkhorn, the tubipora and frondlike gorgonias. Although, more than 500 species of fish have been identified around the reef, which also congregate around two old wrecks, which guns can be easily viewed, including the famous angel fish, the amazing rock beauty and the blue parrotfish. Equally Cahuita National Park has over 40 species of crustaceans, 120 species of algae and around 140 species of molluscs. Both swimmers and snorkelers should be aware of the local black sea urchins, which are characterized for having large and vicious black spines.

Although Cahuita is basically a marine park, just under half comprises beach and coastal strip of rainforest and mangroves. The park covers an area of approximately 1106ha of land, and the part of the reef consists of about 600ha, of which 240 acres belong to the only coral reef in Costa Rica well developed around Punta Cahuita. The beach is inhabited by red landcrabs and bright blue fiddler crabs with their huge claws. A trail runs in and out of the forest behind the beach, 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”.

A few kilometers north of Cahuita is the Estrella River estuary, where a small wildlife sanctuary named “Aviarios del Caribe” is based on an island in the estuary. There are   numerous birds and animals at the sanctuary and popular guided kayak tours of the estuary will turn up a wide range of wildlife, including caimans, river otters and many types of heron.

Just 13km (8 miles) south Cahuita is the laid-back town of Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, which has become very popular in recent years with surfing and backpacking crowd. The main attraction without doubt is the surf, which is the best between December and March. A local organization called ATEC (Asociacion Talamanqueña de Ecoturismo y Conservación), which is devoted to ecologically sustainable development, runs tours including guided walks through the rainforest, snorkeling trips to the reef and fishing trips dugout canoes. The road from Puerto Viejo has recently been paved, making it easier to reach the villages of Punta Uva and Manzanillo, with superb beaches backed by coconut palms.

There is a scenic trail from the Kelly Creek Station along the coast to the beach camping area, then to the Puerto Vargas Station. Both ranger stations are open for visitor attention and have potable water and restrooms. Also, the beach camping area has restrooms, showers and picnic tables. Swimming is allowed only in this 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.

Getting to Cahuita National Park:

From the Juan Santamaria International Airport drive for about 8 km in direction to San Jose. On your right hand the Hospital Mexico will appear.After the Hospital Mexico, you must take the exit to La Uruca (on the rotonda, the third exit). Turn right at the traffic lights and follow to San José (keep the middle lane as much as possible) until you get to Shell gas station at a Y-junction, keep left. Take the exit Guapiles-Limon and follow the road (nr. 32) to Limón, passing through the Zurqui bridge and the Braulio Carrillo mountains. It is likely that you will encounter fog and rain. Please drive with your lights on. After the mountains the road to Limon is practically straight with no hills.

When you reach Puerto Limon, just before you enter to the city you will see a sign (at the Texaco Station) where you turn right and go to Cahuita and Puerto Viejo and just follow the coast all the way down. The Kelly Creek Station is found on the south side of town by walking across a foot bridge. To get to the Puerto Vargas Station, drive 4 miles past Cahuita and the station will be on your left. This route requires a total of five hours from San Jose.

Please note that if you have not left San Jose by 2 pm you will be driving part of the way at night. We do not recommend this for first time travelers driving in Costa Rica. Roads do not have lines, and rain can be bad and there are potholes and people walking/cycling that you can not see very well.

BY BUS

Take a bus from the route San Jose – Cahuita National Park – Puerto Viejo, which takes 4 hours (Autotransportes MEPE S.A., +506 2257-8129 / +506 2758-1572). We recommend buying the ticket a day earlier to be sure your seat is saved.

BY PLANE

You can also take a flight from the Juan Santamaria Airport to the Limon, either with Sansa, TravelAir or Aerobell Airlines, both with daily flights. From here you can rent a car and drive or take taxi to Cahuita National Park, which is about 40 minutes.