Carara National Park

Visit Hours
December to April 0700-1800 hrs
May to November 0800-1800 hrs

Total Size
5242 Hectares

Location
Central Pacific Conservation Area
Between the margins of the river Grande de Tárcoles

Founded June 1st 1978 on what previously was the Gran Hacienda Coyolar

Last Transition Forest between Dry Forest and Humid Forest in Costa Rica. It is considered a living laboratory of the structure and interaction between two different types of forests

During the Pre-Columbian Era the area was occupied and used by indigenous people for agriculture. The park has various references to these occupations

The park is an ornithological destination as it has at least 360 different species of birds. The most famous species is the Lapa Roja (Ara Macao), which is currently in danger of extinction

Some of the main Plant Species are the Guanacaste (Enterolobium cyclocarpum), Guarumo (Cecropia sp), Cornizuelo (Acacia costarricense), Espavel (Anacardium excelsum), Ojoche (Brosimu costaricanum), Cristobal (Platymiscium pinnatum), Ajillo (Carocar costarricense), and Arbusto de Cafecillo (Erytrochiton gymantum)

Some of the main Animal Species are the Oso Caballo (Myrmecophaga tridactyla), Tepezcuintle (Agouti paca), Saino (Tayassu pecari), Pizote (Nasua narica), Terciopelo (Bothrops asper), and Crocodile (Cocodrilus acutus)

Manuel Antonio National Park

Visit Hours 0700-1600 hrs

Total Area
682.7 Land Hectares
55,000 Marine Hectares

Location
Town of Manuel Antonio
7 kilometers south of Quepos

Founded November 23rd 1972

The park is located in a humid tropical forest that protects primary and secondary forest, mangroves, and beach and marine environments

Manuel Antonio is one of the most visited parks because of its scenic beauty, including its beaches and Punta Catedral

It also is home of endangered species of flora and fauna including the three species of monkeys: squirrel, howler, and white face monkey

The park hosts 109 species of mammals and 184 species of birds

Some of the main Plan Species are the Guacimo Colorado (Luehea seemanii), Pilon, Sura (Terminalia oblonga), Guapinol Negro (Hymenaea courbaril), Cenizaro (Pithecelobium saman), Lechoso (Brosimum utile), and Ceiba (Ceiba pentandra)

Some of the main Animal Species are the Racoon (Procyon cancrivorus), Agouti (Dasyprocta punctata), Sloth (Bradypus variegatus), Pizote (Nasua narica), Squirrel Monkey (Saimiri oesrstedii), Howler Monkey (Alouatta palliata), and White Face Monkey (Cebus capuchinus)

National Park Rules

Park Rules:

1. Enter only by the Park's main entrance

2. Pay the appropriate entrance fees

3. Use only the marked paths

4. Obey the plates, signs and boards

5. Obey any orders given by the Park Rangers

6. Deposit the garbage in the garbage bins

7. The tour guides must pick up all the garbage produced

It is not allowed to:

1. Smoke inside the park

2. Transit outside of the marked paths

3. Carry radios and other sound equipment

4. Bring pets, domestic or any type of animal

5. Bring or consume alcoholic beverages and/or unauthorized drugs

6. Cause any damage to the infrastructure, flora and fauna of the park

7. Make noise or morally disrespectful acts

8. Park the car on the side of the main road

9. Keep the car engine on inside the park

10. Enter the paths without paying the entrance fee

11. Take out wood or make fire

12. Extract plants, animals or rocks, except previously authorized

13. Carry firearms, fishing equipment, knifes, or any other type of weapon

14. Hunt, harass, or feed any wild animals

15. Post signs or any type of advertisement inside the park

16. Have any commercial activity or service inside the park

17. Visit the park outside of visiting hours

18. Use bicycles, motorcycles, ATVs or any other type of transportation