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)