National Parks
Marine National Park Ballena
The young national park Ballena is located between Manuel Antonio and peninsula Osa at the coast of the pacific. It was found in 1990 and covers an area of 4500 hectares. The reason to found a national park was the thought to protect the mouths of the rivers, the mangroves and the longest coral reef known at Central American pacific. "Ballena" means whale, because between December and April of each year, you can see them passing on their way from Alaska to the south. Many species of birds live there and different kind of turtles come to the beach to place their eggs. There are 5 species of mangroves in Costa Rica and you can see all of them there. Under water, you see corals, sea anemones and more. Unfortunately, a big part of the coral reef got destroyed during the construction of the street and one can only hope that people get smarter and protect
irreplaceable nature.
National Park Barra Honda
What makes this national park so special are the many limestone caves located in the 2300 hectares big area.
Bizarre stalactites and stalagmites can be seen, which developed during millions of years. Their different colors give the caves kind of a mystic flair. Many
pre-Columbian items with religious character have been found there, which shows us that even the people in before had this impression. The sound of the bats even amplifies it. Most caves go vertical and therefore can not be visited without extensive equipment. Only "Cuevita" (small cave) goes horizontal and can be visited without any technique, if you bring sufficient lamps. Only about 20 caves have been explored so far and you should have a course in spealogy and the necessary experience, before you decide to explore them, what is prohibited by the park administration anyway. On the way to the caves, you walk through dry forest, in which different animals like for example monkeys, trunk bears and stags live. If you want to visit the park, drive from Nicoya to Santa Ana. The rest of the distance has to be walked. Park is open from 8 am to 4 pm. The Entrance fee is US$ 6 per person. There are guides available asking for another US$ 6, but it is worth to take them. There is also a camping place.
Advise: Our information to the parks get actualized frequently. If you find no answer on your question here, just email us, we like to help. Have fun in Costa Rica !
National Park Braulio Carrillio
In 1978, the street through Braulio Carrillo opened, which connects San José in the central valley with port Limon in the Caribbean. In the same year, a big part of he Central Cordillere Mountains got declared to be National Park Braulio Carrillio. For economical reasons, It was very important to construct this road, winding through the dense tropical rain forest. Even if the street is used much, destruction of this untouched region could be prevented by making it become a National Park. The whole park has a very dense vegetation, green hills, steep canyons and a very original flora and fauna.
The park covers about 44.000 hectares and reaches from volcano Barva until down to the beginning of the Caribbean platform. The park is very important for the water system of the country. You will find cloud forest as well as tropical rain forest because of the different heights. The park is home of a large variety of animal species, for example sloths, howler monkeys, the famous quetzal, eagles, jaguars, ocelots and much more.
Scientists have found more than 6000 species of plants, for example many orchids and bromelias, mosses and mushrooms, which seem to look like in an unreal fairytale because of the trees. Do not forget a good binocular, since animals are shy and do not often show up to visitors. The sound of the singing birds will even increase the feeling of nature and freedom during your walks.
Park is open daily from 8 am to 4 pm. Before you come to the tunnel, you find the first entrance to the park on the right side of the street. From the ranger station there is a trail leading to an outlook point.
The trail is only about 1 mile long, but takes 2 hours because the big height difference. The next entrance to the park is about 1 mile behind the tunnel. There is a sign at the street. From there you can go for walks of many miles, but it is more like climbing or a combination of both. The trails lead down to Rio Sucio as well as to Rio Hondura, which has to be crossed several times. A last entrance is about 12 miles after the tunnel on the right side of the street. From there, you can walk along 2 different trails that need between one and a half to two hours each.
If you continue driving to Limon, you pass a butterfly farm (on right side) and then you come to one of the biggest attractions, the so-called "Rainforest Aerial Tram". This is a cable railway leading through the top of the jungle trees, which gives you the possibility to watch the life in the tree-tops. Once constructed for scientists, it is a big tourist attraction today. Try not to go during rainfall, since you will not see any animals. From the entrance they bring you with a tractor to the visitors center, where you watch a video about the story of the tram. After that you enter the cage with a guide in your language, who explains and shows you plants and animals. At the end of the trip (about 1 hour) you can have a coffee in the jungle restaurant and they bring you back to the car parking at the entrance. You can book this tour in various tour offices in San José or directly in the tram office: phone 257-5961 - fax 257-6053
National Park Cahuita
National Park Cahuita consists out of 1100 hectares large area of swamp forest, wet forest and mangroves and is home for many tropical birds. You find toucans, green parrots as well as humming birds whose sound mixes with the roaring of the monkeys every morning. When you come to Cahuita, you might have the impression to be at the end of the world. A small, sleepy village at the end of a paved road waits for its visitors. People do not know about stress and live day by day and enjoy life. You will find accommodation of
everybody's taste, sometimes a little too expensive maybe.
There are several small restaurants. Unfortunately, the small cabins directly at the sea have been destroyed fast. Salt water and wetness form extreme weather conditions. If you follow the street that goes through the center to the south, you come directly to the entrance of the national park at the end of the village.
You pay an entrance fee (the amount is up to your choice) and sign the guestbook. Than you can follow a trail of about 4 miles. Take a binocular, it is hard to leave the trail because of itīs dense vegetation. From the entrance until the rocks you see Playa Cahuita, a nice white shell sand beach. Behind the rocks is Playa Puerto Vargas, which is good for diving and
snorkeling. The coral reef at the park is home of many colorful tropical fishes. If you are in the area, make a trip to Puerto Viejo, the next village south of Cahuita. A beautiful black sand and quietness waits for you. Park is opened daily from 8 am to 4 pm.
Important: Crimes seems to be a serious matter not only in Cahuita. Be always careful with your belongings and do not walk alone in the dark.
Reserve Caņo Negro
This park is very interesting for bird lovers since many species of them live in the quiet and secluded 10.000 hectares large area, which is visited by many tourists in the last time. Even tapirs, pumas and jaguars live there. Tours to the park are offered from La Fortuna at volcano Arenal (we recommend Sunset-Tours) as well as from San José. From Cano Negro near the border to Nicaragua, you can continue on a bad road until the border in Los Chiles and visit Nicaragua. In Los Chiles, you will also find a small national airport, which connects the area with the capital.
In reality, Cano Negro is only a lake, which is being formed out of many side arms of the Rio Frio. During the rain period, the swamp gets extended to about 800 hectares because water level increases about 3 yards.
There is no entrance fee because it is secluded and people and equipment is missing and there is no accommodation available.
National Park Carara
The biological reserve Carara, a tropical forest at the central coast of the pacific with 2100 hectares, got
separated from a big agricultural project in 1978 by the government, to protect nature. The climate in the park south of Puntarenas is dry and hot. The vegetation is different because of the various altitudes in the park. There are rivers and
lagoons and the original forest is not so dense at the ground like in other national parks, why observation of plants and animals is easier there.
You mainly see vultures, ducks and toucans, but also groups of green parrots, different monkeys, sloths, crocodiles, boas and ants. Also jaguars and ozelots are seen from time to time.
From San Jose, you take the street to Atenas and Orotina until Jaco. About 10 miles after Jaco is the entrance on the left side. Watch out, since the signs are not so great.
Guides offer there service at the entrance. For US$ 10 they walk with you and tell you about animals and plants. If you do not have any knowledge, is can be useful. Animals are shy and it needs the eye of an experienced person to watch them. However, make sure that the guide speaks your language or that you understand each other well.
Accommodations are in Jaco, but also Villas Lapas, a beautiful place in the jungle, is worth one night or more. There is a sign at the street near the national park that shows the way to Villas Lapas, which also leads to a large waterfall. It is in private hands and you have to pay a high entrance fee of US$ 10. After paying, you are allowed to walk down a small trail to the waterfall, what takes about 1 hour. However, you get rewarded by a very nice natural attraction.
Warning: In the area of the national park Carara, especially near the bridge over the river Tarcoles, where cars stop to watch crocodiles, many cars got robbed already. Do not leave values in the car and always keep an eye on it! Looking the doors is important, but does not provide enough security.
National Park Chirripo
Located north east of San Isidro in the Talamanca mountains, the park with itīs 50.000 hectares contains the highest mountain of Costa Rica called "Cerro Chirripo" with about 11.500 feet. The scenery in the park changes depending on the altitude from rocks to oak forest until green forest and cloud forest. You will not see as many animals as in the other parks, besides goats, rabbits and Tapirs also a puma and the famous Quetzal bird.
Park entrance is located 9 miles from San Isidro. From San Isidro a bus leaves twice a day (5 am and 2 pm) to San Gerardo de Rivas on about 3900 feet, where the park entrance is. Accommodation and food can be found in simple cabins, but they can be occupied.
There are several ways to the top. After 5 miles of walking up, which takes about 5 hours, you get to a cabin on about 7800 feet where you can spend the night. From there you continue to Refugio Natural on 9900 feet, where 5 people can sleep. This 3 miles long part takes about 5 hours. After that, you continue on a 2 miles long trail until 10200 feet, which is a comfortable one and a half hour walk. There is the base camp for climbing up in the morning. Yet you have to pass 2 miles more. Start very early, because the clouds cover the view and can bring rain. In about 2 hours you should be on top of Cerro Chirripo.
If the weather is nice, you can walk on other trails near the top, which lead to:
· top of Cerro Terbi - (11.300 feet)
· to Cerro Ventisqueros - (view down to peninsula Osa and Isla Caņo)
· to lagune Chirripo - (well of Rio Chirripo)
· to lagune Ditkebi - (bigger lagune on the atlantic side)
· to Valley Las Morrenas - (has some smalls lakes with clear water)
As an alternative you can take the way back passing "Sabana de los Leones", where many birds and cold rivers exist. The park is not suitable for only a short visit. You should come good prepared with water, food, sleeping bag, rain protection and warm clothes, because it can get freezing cold on top.
National Park Corcovado
Corcovado National Park in the south of peninsula Osa has the only original low land rain forest of Costa Rica. Since 1975, the 42.000 hectares large area is protected. Besides more than 500 different trees there are many endangered mammals like jaguars, ozelotes, eagles, monkeys, snakes, tapirs and more.
Vegetation is different, from rain forest to swamps. Waterfalls go directly into the ocean, lonely bays invite to dream. A visit of the park needs some preparation and organization. Either you book the tour with one of the travel agencies in San José or you de it by yourself.
A good starting point for a walk in the park is the village of Sirena. From there to Los Patos leads a 7 miles long trail, which takes about 8 hours. From there you have to walk another 7 miles to La Palma, where you have to cross the river several times. During rain season, when water level is about 3 feet, sharks are swimming up the rivers. There are several other routes through the park, which take 2 to 3 days and are extremely exhausting.
Beautiful Drake Bay is also a part of the park. It has itīs name from the pirate Sir Francis Drake and offers a real dream like scenery. The sand beach with itīs many palm trees is good to relax. Drake bay is accessible from Sierpe by boat.
Hint: If you want to explore the park by yourself, take a first aid kit in case of a snake bite and make sure you know what to do in case of wild and maybe aggressive animals. We recommend to take a guide that the tour stays an unforgettable experience.
Park is open from 8 am to 4 pm. Entrance fee is US$ 6 per person.
National Park Guanacaste
National Park Guanacaste is located in the very north of the country almost at the border to Nicaragua, just like Santa Rosa National Park. Both parks are separated by the highway Interamericana. The park got declared to a protected area in 1989 because of the migration of wild animals between the dry forest on peninsula Nicoya and the cloud forest of the volcano Orosi. It consists out of farm land and cloud forest.
The park offers little attractions. You will find cheap places to stay, not far away. You could go for a walk to volcano Orosi, reached within 4 hours. Or you can visit Cano Negro Reserve, if you are in the area.
National Monument Guayabo
Monument Guayabo with about 220 hectares is the most important archeological site in Costa Rica.
The area located at the hills of volcano Turrialba, is still covered with big parts of jungle and remains unexplored. It was discovered at the end of the 19th century by a nature scientist under the thick jungle. The government declared it to a monument in 1973. They found figures, vases, sacrifice stones and boards out of volcanic stone.
The monument got plundered because of missing money to take care of it. In 1968, the archeologist Aguilar Piedra started with excavations, which still go on today.
It is still unclear, where the people of Guayabo came from and which meaning the monument had. We know that the monument must have had a big religious meaning, how items from the time between 800 before christus to 1400 after christus show us. Many people must have lived there before, how buildings tell. They have constructed sinks, stairs and a water system that still work today.
Fascinating are the many stone engravements (petroglyphes), which have been discovered during the excavations. Their meaning is still not known. Maybe the future will clear up a chapter of mystic in Costa Rica.
An exhibition at the entrance informs about finds and their meaning. Walk along the 1 mile long trail and get enchanted by the mysterious atmosphere. You can also see a lush vegetation as well as toucans,
lagoons, frogs, armadillos and bears.
If you want to visit the park, take a bus from San José to Turrialba and from there with the bus to Guayabo. Entrance fee is US$ 6 per person - open daily from 9 am to 4 pm.
National Park Volcano Irazu
Near the city of Cartago, you find the highest active volcano of Costa Rica named Irazu, which means "point of thunder". The first eruption was seen in 1723. When US president Kennedy visited Costa Rica in 1963, the volcano did spit out ash and smoke after 20 years sleeping. The event lasted for 2 years. The sad result was an area of 300 square kilometers covered with ash as well as 100 square kilometers of ruined landscape.
In this moment, 4 craters can be seen. The main crater has a diameter of about 1100 yards and a depth of about 300 yards. At itīs bottom, there is a yellow-green steaming sulfur lake. The small neighbor called "Diego de la Haya" has a diameter of about 700 yards and a depth of 100 yards. The other two craters are
extinct already.
Just follow the signs from Cartago, the street leads about 20 miles up the hill and offers very nice views down to the valley of Cartago. It ends almost at the edge of the crater, where you have to pay the entrance fee of US$ 6 per person. The surrounding is impressive. Next to the main crater, there is a giant lava platform. A fast food trailer sells food and drinks. Try to be there in the early morning and bring some warm clothes, because sometimes it can get very cold. On your way back down, you will find several restaurants with a view. In one of them you find the largest business card collection of the country.
Wouldn't you like to ad yours too?
National Park Caņo Island
An island of about 300 hectares surrounded by a biological reserve of about 6100 hectares, located 12 miles west of Drake Bay. It has a rock platform, steep cliffs and smaller beaches. The vegetation is wild tropical and the coral reefs offer a good opportunity for snorkling. The island is uninhabited and has archeological meaning. On the 110 yards high top, we can find round stone with a diameter of 1 yard or mores, which have been produced in an unclear way by the indians a very long time ago. Scientists found many graves on the island and think that it was a religious place to burry higher personalities of the people. The finds give some hints on that, but scientists still argue. There is a ranger station, where only they are allowed to stay. One says that the pirate Sir Francis Drake would have buried a treasure on the island, but people say the same about Drake Bay, from which the trip to Caņo Island starts. There are also offers visiting the island from Quepos, Dominical, Sierpe and Puntarenas, but prices are high because of a long boat trip.
Read more.
Cocos Island is said to be the true treasure island. Many engraved rocks let us think about hidden pirate treasures and several stories tell us, that the traces of some giant pirate lots lead to Cocos Island.
However, the biggest treasure the island has to offer, is the untouched nature. The impressing world of plants and animals on the island and under water give the island the right to be called "treasure island".
National Park La Amistad
La Amistad means "the friendship", what maybe is a hint to the friendship with the great flora and fauna of the park. This international park with big parts located in Panama, has about 193.000 hectares in Costa Rica and 440.000 hectares in Panama. It is located in the south of the country, the so called "Cordillera de Talamanca", the most undeveloped area of Costa Rica.
Until today, only a small part of the park is explored, which consists out of rainforest and cloud forest and is the home of several indian reservations. Even if only a part of it got explored, people found more than 1000 kind of orchids and more than 10.000 tropical plants already. Scientists found 120 species of fishes and 220 different reptiles and
amphybias.
Highest point in the park is "Cerro Kamuk" near the border of Panama with about 10700 feet. Approximately 30 % of all existing animals in the park are endemic, which means they only exist in the park. If you hire an experienced guide, you may see tapires, ant bears, jaguars, jaguarundis, tiger cats, pumas, margays and ozelots during your walk.
There are more than 50 endemic species of birds living in the trees besides the other 450 species. Also the famous Quetzal with itīs long multicolored feathers still lives in the park.
Because of the endangered nature, the park got declared to a special protected zone in 1982 by UNESCO. The infra structure is undeveloped and this is the way it shall stay. Mainly scientists from all countries come to visit the park to study animals and plants.
If you are interested in nature and want to visit the park, you can choose one out of four entrances with ranger stations. Station Tres Colinas, 20 miles north east of San Vito - La Escuadra, 10 miles north east of Agua Caliente - Las Colinas, 8 miles north east of Portrero Grande - and La Amistad, 16 miles north east of Guacimo. The streets to the entrances are unpaved and in bad condition.
Park is open daily from 8 am to 4 pm, entrance fee is US$ 6 per person. Ask for the weather before you visit, bring rain clothes and hire a guide. You will see that it is worth, even if he speaks Spanish only. At least he will show you some plants and animals which you would have passed for sure without even realizing. If you are down there, visit Indian Reserve Boruca with itīs friendly people.
National Park Manuel Antonio
National Park Manuel Antonio is one of the most popular of the country, because of itīs beautiful white beaches. It is located about 4 miles south of Quepos at the Pacific. The street leading from San José to Quepos got finally fixed now. Drive from San José to Alajuela (airport), Orotina and Jaco or take the other way passing Santa Ana, Ciudad Colon and Puriscal. The first street goes along the pacific coast after passing Orotina. You will need about 3 hours.
If you take the other way via Puriscal, you will see a beautiful scenery with jungle, canyons, mountains and valleys. A big part behind Puriscal is unpaved, but sometimes gravel is better than one whole after the next in the asphalt. You save about 20 miles but will need the same time to get to Quepos. Take your time, make breaks and enjoy the scenery.
In Quepos, you will find many hotels, which are listed under accommodations in the province of Puntarenas. Many of them are owned and operated by US citizens and you will find something for your taste. The better hotels are located at the street between Quepos and Manuel Antonio, crossing the hill. If you go during the main season, make your reservation early, because hotels are often booked out during christmass and new year as well as eastern.
You will not find hotels directly at the beach, because the hill is steep and the first 50 yards can not be used to construct. The only place directly at the water is offered by Natures Beachfront Aparthotel. An oasis of peace and quietness with only 4 apartments.
The long public beach in Manuel Antonio can be used free, but the nicer beaches inside the park can be enjoyed only after paying the entrance fee of US$ 6 per person. You ask, if it is worth? I would say yes, if you are here the first time. The park is closed on
Monday, try to go between Wednesday and Friday. At the weekends, there are many locals and on
Tuesday visit the one's who couldn't get in on Monday.
The entrance to the park is at the end of the street to Manuel Antonio, where the street makes a loop. You will find people selling souvenirs, coconuts and drinks along the beach, as well as small local restaurants (sodas), where you can get a good breakfast. Prices vary much. Always compare, even if it is not easy when you are on vacation. Locals, as well as foreigners with residency in Costa Rica pay only about US$ 1 in all the parks, but have to bring their "Cedula de Residencia" or a similar document. Try to visit the park in the early morning. You have to pass a river, which has about 10 inches of water during low tide. If you should leave the park during high tide, a small boat waits for you to make the transfer. However, do not think it is free. For the small distance of 100 yards, they charge about US$ 1. If you have suitable clothes, walk through without having doubts, the water will reach until your belt or maybe up to your chest.
Walk along the trails very quiet and try to see some animals. Iguanas and monkeys are always at the beach. They try to steel bananas from the tourists. Please do not feed them since it disturbs their natural scence of surviving and even can get aggressive. Maybe you even see a sloth or an armadillo. The biggest attraction are the secluded beaches. Especially beach number 3 is suitable for swimming and
snorkeling.
Private Reserve Monteverde
The private reserve with a size of about 10.000 hectares is often described as the most popular destination of travelers. Monteverde means "green mountain", which says much about the area.
The forest in Monteverde is original and has a fascinating dense tropical flora and fauna. The average yearly rainfall is 120 inches, why several rivers originate there. The high humidity is responsible for the existence of 2500 plants. Orchids, bromelias, bamboo - and many other plant species can be found.
Even if 100 species of mammals shall exist in the park, you will hardly have contact with them because of the dense vegetation. With birds, it is different. You can watch many species of the more than 400 existing there.
Also the floor is full of life. Many frogs, toads and salamanders can be seen. The most interesting frog, the golden toad, exists world wide only in Monteverde. Unfortunately, it has not been seen since a long time and we have to be afraid of
it's die out.
In the north west of the reserve, you find the most developed trails. You will also find several cabins on your way. The impressions are wonderful and you should have a sleeping bag with you just in case. We recommend good hiking boots (water prove), rain clothes and something warm. Temperature during day is about 64 Fahrenheit, but it can get very cold at night.
From Santa Elena, you get to the park entrance, where you have to pay US$ 6 per person. There are several English or Spanish speaking guides waiting at the entrance cabin, which you should hire. If you spend several days in the area, we recommend Arco Iris Lodge, which has reasonable prices and you can enjoy house made marmalade, bread and cheese.
National Park Palo Verde
It covers an area of about 10.000 hectares and is located on a lowland between the rivers Rio Tempisque and Rio Bebedero. The vegetation consists out of dry forest and rainforest. In the rain season, the parks turns into swamps. There are several limestone hills up to 720 feet high. Fossils have been found there, which means that the area was under water, millions of years ago.
The park has it's name from a tree that can be found often. It is easy to watch animals in the dry forest. There are howler monkeys and other kind, bears, crocodiles and more. However, main attraction are the birds, which can be found nowhere else in Central America as concentrated as here. Especially in the dry season, ten thousands of ducks, storks, herons and more can be watched. Even the seldom Light Red Ara lives there.
There are many insects and mosquitoes because of the high temperature with an average of 77 Fahrenheit. Take something to protect yourself. Park is open from 8 am to 4 pm, entrance fee is US$ 6 per person. During dry season, there is often water shortage. The ranger station in the park offers accommodation only to scientists.
You will need a car to visit, since there is no bus connection. The entrance of the park is 13 miles away from the Interamerican Highway. There are some organized tours offered from Liberia. You can also visit the park by boat from
Pensinsula Nicoya.
National Park Volcano Poas
National Park Poas includes volcano Poas and itīs enchanting cloud forest on about 6000 feet above sea level. From San José you drive to Alajuela and see a sign behind the airport, which shows you the way. During your drive, always watch traffic signs, since there are too less. If you took the wrong way, ask for "Volcan Poas". Do not forget to fill up gasoline, because you will have a hard time to find one, after you leave Alajuela. There is one on the hill of Poas, but it is closed many times. Cars need more gasoline climbing up and more than one tourist had to return because of this. The street climbs up the hill for about 20 miles and offers some excellent views down to central valley. You pass coffee fields as well as ornamental plantations and you will see sales people at the street offering fresh strawberries and other delicacies.
When you reach the entrance, you will have to pay the fee of US$ 6 per person. The lady in the small cabin tells you at least, if the view down to the crater is possible or not. Then you decide if you still want to go in. You continue until the parking places. There is a guide showing you where to park. Follow his instructions and do not leave any values in your car, since the guide is absolutely no guarantee.
From the parking place, you walk to the first building. In the lower floor you find an exhibition about volcanoes and the restrooms and upstairs there is a Cafe and a souvenir shop and an insect exhibition.
Do not go too late. The earlier you start your trip, the more chances you have on an undisturbed view to the crater. Later on, it is often foggy and you will see nothing but white clouds. However, also the vegetation is very interesting. From the main crater, there is another trail leading to a smaller crater with a
lagoon. On your way back, choose the trail leading through the forest instead of the paved way and enjoy the awesome vegetation
National Park Volcano Rincon de la Vieja
National Park Rincon de la Vieja has a size of about 14.000 hectares. It is located on the hills of the two volcanoes Rincon de la Vieja and Santa Maria in the so called "Cordillera de Guanacaste". Rincon de la Vieja has a height of about 5900 feet above sea level and belongs to the sleeping volcanoes. Itīs neighbor Santa Maria has a height of 5000 feet and is extincted since a long time.
Drive to Liberia and from there 3 miles more until Guadelupe, where the street has a turn to the right leading to the park. From there you need to drive 7 miles more until Curubande and from there another 4 miles until Guachepelin. The last 3 miles of the way, you have to walk, if you do not come with a 4-wheel car. From the ranger station, you follow the trail to Rincon de la Vieja. After 10 minutes, you pass a turn to waterfall Rio Blanco, where you can take a bath. If you follow the trail, you come to the area of "Las Hornillas", famous for itīs steam fountains. It is an area of about 50 hectares, where many hot springs originate. The water of about 104 Fahrenheit collects in small natural pools.
If you walk on the trail from the ranger station to the west, you reach another area called "Las Pailas" with mud wholes as well as steaming and stinking clefts. If you continue, you reach a nice outlook point called Mirador Santa Maria.
Volcano Rincon de la Vieja with the beautiful lagune "Jilgueros" and itīs island in the middle, is not easy to climb. Watch the strong winds and be very careful walking up.
Park is open daily from 8 am to 4 pm, entrance fee is US$ 6 per person.
National Park Santa Rosa
National Park Santa Rosa protects one of the last dry forests at the Central American Pacific coast. With an area of about 50.000 hectares, the whole peninsula is protected today. Even if you get the impression of a barren land, more than 250 species of plants grow here. In the evergreen wet forest in the north part, many tree species can be found.
100 species of mammals, 200 species of birds and many reptiles can be watched. With a little good luck you can see a Boa and many other animals. Turtles visit the beaches of the park during September and October. The sand beaches invite to go swimming, but do not offer shadow.
From the park office, there is a trail with some miles leading to Playa Naranjo and to an outlook point. Park is open from 8 am to 4 pm, entrance fee is US$ 6 per person. At the park entrance, about 4 miles from the Interamerican Highway, you will also find a small village for scientists and students.
National Park Tortuguero
National Park Tortuguero is one of the favorite tourist places in Costa Rica. With an area of 20.000 hectares and itīs many channels and lagunes, it offers room to live for a large variety of plants and animals. Driving through the park in a wooden boat is an unforgettable adventure. You get to the park by boat through the "Boca de las Lagunas del Tortuguero", a channel parallel to the sea with lush vegetation. The average yearly rainfall is 200 inches at an average Temperature of 79 Fahrenheit.
The park is most important to protect the turtles, what gave him itīs name. Several species, also the seldom carett turtle, come between July and October to place their eggs. There is also a scientific station in the park, which tests the behaviors of the turtles. However, also caimans and crocodiles live in the park and can be watched during day and night. Do not miss a walk to "Cerro del Tortuguero", the highest spot in the park with about 360 feet above sea level, from where you can enjoy the view on the whole park. The entrance fee is US$ 6 per person.
