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Carara National Park
This is the northernmost region of Pacific rainforest remaining in Costa Rica, and is the beginning of the transition zone into the tropical dry forests of the northwest. It lies on the road from Orotina - Jacó - Quepos 66 kms from San José and 22 kms from Orotina.
Carara is one of Costa Rica's most popular National Parks, in large part due to its proximity to San José. This is also where many cruise ship's passengers are bused for a day trip when the liners dock up at Puerto Caldera and a common destination for field trips by school children, which makes it a safe trip.
Primary forests cover the largest portion of the reserve. They grow on slopes with a 20%-60% incline and they have a wide espave, silk cotton, wild fig, cotonron, quamwood, etc. An Indian cemetery that is almost 6 hectares is located in the park.
The word Carara is an indigenous term, reputedly meaning "river of crocodiles." The area in which the reserve is located was occupied by an indigenous culture that is thought to have been allied with groups located in the Central Valley from 300 B.C. to A.D. 1500. Extensive tomb sites have been excavated here, and the burial places of people of high status are remarkably complex. They contain all that the occupants would need for a long journey, including wives, slaves, armaments, and large vessels of food, because it was believed that the person might need his or her belongings from this world to the next one.
Carara is a favorite with bird watchers for several reasons besides its ease of access. Its position in a transition zone means that residents of both habitats are likely to appear. And, because it is slightly dryer, and not all of the trees are evergreen, Carara is more open than the rainforests further south, making wildlife spotting easier.
Carara is a region of mountain ranges, marshes, meanders, forests, swamps, rivers and ravines, of crocodiles and macaws, of archeological sites, and very hot and humid climate. This small reserve of 4,700 hectares is located 4 kms. southwest of Orotina.
These tropical dry forests of Carara are highly susceptible to forest fires, an occurrence that takes place almost every year during the season of strong winds from January to April. It houses a very diverse wildlife. Over 100 pairs of scarlet macaws, perhaps the most beautiful birds on the Pacific side of Costa Rica live and nest in the forests.
The coastal highway crosses the Rio Tárcoles at the northern edge of the park. If you stop you can nearly always spot crocodiles basking on the banks of the river from a safe vantage point 50 feet above them on the bridge.
Carara is a great place to stop off for a quick hike on a trip up or down the pacific coast any time of the year. If you are headed either from slothful beach bumming, or for a tropical biology trip, take a few hours to explore a trail. You will feel better after a little exercise, and the rewards will be well worth the effort.
Carara is one of Costa Rica's most popular National Parks, in large part due to its proximity to San José. This is also where many cruise ship's passengers are bused for a day trip when the liners dock up at Puerto Caldera and a common destination for field trips by school children, which makes it a safe trip.
Primary forests cover the largest portion of the reserve. They grow on slopes with a 20%-60% incline and they have a wide espave, silk cotton, wild fig, cotonron, quamwood, etc. An Indian cemetery that is almost 6 hectares is located in the park.
The word Carara is an indigenous term, reputedly meaning "river of crocodiles." The area in which the reserve is located was occupied by an indigenous culture that is thought to have been allied with groups located in the Central Valley from 300 B.C. to A.D. 1500. Extensive tomb sites have been excavated here, and the burial places of people of high status are remarkably complex. They contain all that the occupants would need for a long journey, including wives, slaves, armaments, and large vessels of food, because it was believed that the person might need his or her belongings from this world to the next one.
Carara is a favorite with bird watchers for several reasons besides its ease of access. Its position in a transition zone means that residents of both habitats are likely to appear. And, because it is slightly dryer, and not all of the trees are evergreen, Carara is more open than the rainforests further south, making wildlife spotting easier.
Carara is a region of mountain ranges, marshes, meanders, forests, swamps, rivers and ravines, of crocodiles and macaws, of archeological sites, and very hot and humid climate. This small reserve of 4,700 hectares is located 4 kms. southwest of Orotina.
These tropical dry forests of Carara are highly susceptible to forest fires, an occurrence that takes place almost every year during the season of strong winds from January to April. It houses a very diverse wildlife. Over 100 pairs of scarlet macaws, perhaps the most beautiful birds on the Pacific side of Costa Rica live and nest in the forests.
The coastal highway crosses the Rio Tárcoles at the northern edge of the park. If you stop you can nearly always spot crocodiles basking on the banks of the river from a safe vantage point 50 feet above them on the bridge.
Carara is a great place to stop off for a quick hike on a trip up or down the pacific coast any time of the year. If you are headed either from slothful beach bumming, or for a tropical biology trip, take a few hours to explore a trail. You will feel better after a little exercise, and the rewards will be well worth the effort.
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