Costa Rica National Park Carara

The biological reserve Carara, a tropical forest at the central coast of the pacific with 2100 hectares, got seperated 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 lagunes 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.