Costa Rica 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 mosquitos 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.