CARARA NATIONAL PARK
Carara National Park is located within Turrubares and Garabito cantons from San Jose and Puntarenas Provinces, 90 kilometers from San José – Costanera South Road. The main entrance is located 2 kilometers south of Rio Grande de Tárcoles Bridge River.
The Carara National Park, which in indigenous Huetar language means “River of lizards”, has the only transition forest in Central Pacific, resulting in diversity of flora and fauna, here converge typical species of dry and humid forests.
This National Park is a worldwide known birding destination as it has very diverse birdlife, where stands out the Scarlet Macaw (Lapa Roja – Ara macao), a species that is in danger of extinction, being the second largest species of Psittacidae of Costa Rica.
It is certainly one of the major sites in the country for birdwatching.
Due to its location and ease of access on Route 34, this park is also ideal for one-day visit, visitors can easily move from the capital city, using their own car, rented or by public transport.
It is the first national park having a universal access trail, where the visitor can experience being in the forest, known endemic species like the Cafecillo (erythrochiton gymnanthus), large trees, and see the relationship between some of the species.