A park for all, in a transition forest. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. If you want to take pictures of a rare species or want to see as much as possible, we recommend hiring a guide who will be very helpful. Our visit left me with mixed feelings. Dining in Jaco is as diverse as it is affordable. Scarlet macaws are one of the chief attractions in Carara National Park. El Parque Nacional Carara protege la cuenca hidrogrfica del Ro Grande de Trcoles, cerca de Orotina, en la costa del Pacfico de Costa Rica. How many trails are in Carara National Park? Still a fun experience walking through a beautiful area of Costa Rica. www.arenalmundoaventura.com Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld. Here are some essential things you should pack with you for a day trip to Carara National Park. it's an immersive experience and rather wonderful. The guide I did have was very good, first took us to the town of Tarcoles to look for scarlet macaws, and then took us to the separate section of Carara a few km down the road from the main park for a 1.5 hour walk where we spotted a few birds, lizard, variety of plants, and a macaw nest. It has bathrooms and a drinking water system. This trail is closed in the heart of the rainy season (about late August to mid November) because its often covered by several feet of water when the river floods. En la confluencia de dos importantes ecosistemas costarricenses: la selva tropical hmeda y salvaje del Pacfico que caracteriza la costa sur y la selva tropical seca por la que se conoce a Guanacaste, este pequeo y popular parque nacional rene una gran cantidad de vida silvestre en 5240 hectreas ( Paquete de 12,950 acres). Carara is one of Costa Ricas most popular National Parks, in large part due to its proximity to San Jos. Do you want to see as many animal species as possible? La entrada principal se ubica a 2 km al Sur del puente . Finally, 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. If you decide to explore the country by car, getting to Carara National Park will be only a matter of about approximately 30 minutes. La naturaleza abunda en Carara. Seriously so impressive! Copyright 2004-2021 todos los derechos reservados. I hired him and he was very helpful. Not only because Carara National Park lies only 20 kilometers from Jaco, but Jaco is a popular beach city and a great place for doing many activities such as ATV tours, waterfall tours or windsurfing. While catching a glimpse of this tropical wonder is a rare proposition in most of the country, macaw sightings are virtually guaranteed at Carara. This is also where many cruise ships passengers are bused for a day trip when the liners dock just up the coast at Puerto Caldera, and a common destination for field trips by school children. www.aventuracanopytour.com Half a mile (1 km) south of the bridge on your left as you head towards the rangers station there is parking for a 2.7 mile (4.5 km) Laguna Meandrica trail that parallels the Ro Grande de Trcoles and has short branches to the laguna and marshes. I was under the impression based upon the other reviews and the price he wanted to charge that he would be a private guide, not simply arranging a part of a group tour ($60 USD for 1 person). La entrada principal se ubica a 2 km al Sur del puente Ro Grande de Trcoles. Read our travel guide on how to visit Carara National Park independently from Jaco, tips on the best things to do, how much things cost, and how to get from the park to the . Even during the drier season from late December through April when there is significantly less rain, transpiration keeps the humidity under the canopy near saturation. He also speaks fluent German (he did his masters in biology there). The park protects the river basin of the River Trcoles, near Orotina and includes the second-largest remaining populations of wild scarlet macaws in the country.[2]. He was very proficient at mimicking many bird calls and as I had told him that I had not seen a Trogon so far on my holiday, he was determined to spot one for me. Maurice Vasquez has an INCREDIBLE eye and knows every corner of the rainforest. The entrance fee is $7. Though it used to be a biological reserve, the immense popularity made the government change its status to a national park. Find traditional Costa Rican cuisine, delectable sushi, exotic fish tacos and more! Tourism is suffering, as are the guides so bare this in mind. Carara National Park - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go. Carara National Park is located near the Tarcoles River in the Central Pacific. They like the tourist Dollar of course but basically once you've paid it & paid over the top 'go away' & this mentality is very evident at Carara National Park. The array of wildlife on display here in Carara National Park is fantastic, and you don't even have to be a wildlife enthusiast to appreciate the exceptionality of the place. This route runs through 3 park trails in 3 circles. Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information. Inquire for information with the Quebrada Bonita Ranger Station, which sits along Hwy 34 just minutes south of the Tarcoles River. Carara National Park is located two hours from San Jos. El Parque Nacional Carara es tambin uno de los pocos lugares donde los visitantes pueden llegar a ver la Guacamaya Escarlata y trogones. All rights reserved. The main entrance is located 2 kilometers south of the Ro Grande de Trcoles bridge. In the forest you can see many birds and in particular the beautiful scarlet macaws. Once inside the park, you will find here several well-maintained trails worth exploring. It took us approximately three hours to walk around the park, but probably 45 minutes we spent watching monkeys jumping from one tree to another. A reasonable price for 1-2 hours. Est situado justo al lado de la carretera principal y tiene ms que suficientes lugares para alojarse mientras lo hace. Acceso Universal, Quebrada Bonita, Las Arceas Trails. Parque Nacional Carara Visit on Sat Jul 20, 2019 It was established in 1978 as a national wildlife reserve to protect the many animal species that live within its protective borders. Every aspect of our trip was well designed to make travel easy and fun. Best regards, For scarlet macaws a beach up the road was mentioned, can someone tell me which that was for us to go and see if we can spot any? If you're looking for elevation gain, Carara National Park has you covered. #1 - Acceso Universal, Quebrada Bonita, Las Arceas Trails. Se estableci en 1978 como una reserva nacional de vid Home Parques Nacionales Costa Rica Carara National Park. If you're planning on visiting Carara, find out what you need to know about it before you go in our post. Carara National Park contains more primary rainforest than the relatively close Manuel Antonio National Park. The Quebrada Bonita ranger station, visitors center & park headquarters is 3 km further south. He is extremely knowledgeable (25+ years of being a guide! The park entrance fee is about $10.50US/pp. Named after the Huetar word for crocodile or river of alligators, the park is covered in lagoons and marshes that make it a prime location to see and experience a variety of wildlife. Travel time: One hour and thirty minutes approximately. Most of what we saw was solely due to Maurice knowing where to look. Hmm! If you plan on traveling along Costa Rica's Pacific Coast and want to combine bird watching, wildlife watching, adrenaline sports, and lazing on the beach, make sure to include Carara National Park as it offers the first two activities mentioned above, and you will find the other two in the nearby Jaco and its surroundings. It boasts of a large population of breeding scarlet macaws, capuchin monkeys, anteaters, parrots, aracaris, kingfishers old growth forest and is a transistional forest supporting both Amazonian and Mesoamerican habitats. Boat tours are available to see them, as they can be up to several meters in length! more. Want to find the best trails in Carara National Park for an adventurous hike or a family trip? In the rainy season, Carara is open from 8 AM to 4 PM. Costa Rica - Carara National Park - Parque Nacional Carara During the dry season, from December to April the opening hours of the park are from 7 a.m to 4 p.m but Laguna Meandrica is closed in the months of September and . It extends through 5,242 ha of dry and humid forests. Costa Rica - Visite du parc national de Carara | Just a new trip Does the park completely close at 4:00 or just no new entries by 4:00? Freddie knew his stuff and we spent just over 2 hrs walking 3.5 km in this beautiful park. Its located just off the main highway and it will take you only 2 hours to reach from San Jose. Carara National Park is open from 7 AM to 4 PM in the dry season. Parque Nacional Carara - reas Protegidas y Parques Nacionales de Costa To get the highest chance to spot wildlife, it is best to visit Carara National Park as early as you can, before it starts to be too hot and animals will go into hiding. It is just 70 km (44 miles) from San Jose and about 22 km (14 miles) from the popular town of Jaco. It contains an even larger area of rain forest than the closebyManuel Antonio National Park. Carara est ubicada en la zona transicional entre los bosques seco y hmedo de la regin del Pacfico. Jaco realidad es mucho ms que slo una playa, esta ciudad costera est llena de vida da y noche. Despite the souvenir stands, t-shirt hawkers and police cars prominently displayed to deter thieves from removing everything from the tourists cars while they peer over the railings at the monsters fifty feet below its a National Park. Along the way you will be able to observe a great variety of fauna and flora. Carara National Park: A Birdwatcher's Paradise - MytanFeet Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour. mauvr19@gmail.com, Aerial Tours Green and black poison arrow frogs are among the amphibians present. Lo que sola ser un pueblo grande residente, junto con la otra vista una base vieja que une al perodo Cartago 800 1500 DC. Carara National Park (Parque Nacional Carara) - Viator sales@flyadventureair.com, Recreative Activities Carara is known for wildlife watching, especially birding, and fewer crowds. El Parque Nacional Carara se encuentra en cerca del ro Trcoles del Pacfico Central. and some plants grow on trees, including the Mano de tigre. After passing the last toll in Pozn, exit toward Trcoles-Jac (Route 34). We really enjoyed the peaceful rainforest without crowds; it was a nice change from the Manuel Antonio National Park. The rewards will be well worth the effort, and you will feel better after a little exercise. Hay WiFi gratuita. Another important site is Hills Burial, which is a large residential village and burial area located on a hill facing the "Trcoles River". Reserva Biolgica Isla del Cao. The Central Pacific Travel Guide | What to do in the Even though I was not on his tour, he immediately asked if I had seen the Manakin lek and led me and his party of two down a path to the lek. The park is uniquely situated between Amazonian and Mesoamerican habitats in a transition zone which harbors distinct flora and fauna from each respective habitat. Carara is the famed home of one of Costa Ricas most charismatic bird species, the scarlet macaw. We recommend booking Carara National Park tours ahead of time to secure your spot. Como el protector principal de la cuenca del ro Trcoles, esto es una parte muy importante de los parques nacionales de Costa Rica . Suddenly I didnt hear back from him and instead turns out he had arranged for his friend to act as the guide, along with 3 other couples, some of who were also confused that it was supposed to be Maurice. Several miles of hiking trails are open for visitors. Which trail has the most elevation gain in Carara National Park? Stay away please, many better places to go, total waste of time & money. These include the anhinga, several species of heron, egret and kingfishers. www.adventureflightscostarica.com According to users from AllTrails.com, the best place to hike in Carara National Park is. El Parque Nacional Carara se encuentra en cerca del ro Trcoles del Pacfico Central. Maurice Vasquez Explore different ways to experience this place. Quera preguntar sobre el parque nacional de Carara. Puntarenas Shore Excursion, Guided visit to Carara National Park (Ticket included), Wildlife Odyssey: Hike in Carara Park & Tarcoles River Adventure, Jungle & River Wagon Expedition. The Laguna Mendrica Trail gets its name from the meander formed in the Trcoles River with a lagoon that forms in this area. Designed by architect Ibo Bonilla and built by popular contribution, the park has facilitative features such as animal sculptures, haptic maps, Braille signs, etc. Con una de las mayores diversidades de rboles en el mundo, este parque nacional cuenta con 10 de las maderas ms raras y poco comunes del pas. Parque Nacional Corcovado: Sector San Pedrillo y Sector La Leona. The wettest months are August to October when the trails near the river may at times be impassable because of flooding. johana@sarapiqui.com, Recreative Activities It was obvious that Maurice is passionate about wildlife, as he was excited to show us all of the beautiful birds and animals along the way. Parque nacional Carara - Wikipedia, la enciclopedia libre Opening hours and entrance fee to Parque Nacional Carara. 100% of travelers recommend this experience. Maurice was obviously pleased that we had seen the bird and was so enthusiastic that I immediately arranged a tour with him for a few days later. Located north of Jaco along the Pacific coast, Carara National Park is at the confluence of two important ecosystemsthe steamy jungle of the southern coast and the dry tropical forest of Guanacaste. Carara is the famed home of one of Costa Rica's most charismatic bird species, the scarlet macaw. Parque Nacional de Carara - Cerca del ro Tarcoles y Playa Jaco According to AllTrails.com, the longest trail in Carara National Park is Acceso Universal, Quebrada Bonita, Las Arceas Trails. Bring insect repellent: Since it is both dry and wet rain forest, you can encounter a pretty large variety of insects! If you want to enjoy your time in the park on your own and try to look for animals by yourself, and you do not mind if it won't work out, go on your own. This is also a good spot to watch for the 150-200 scarlet macaws that nest and feed throughout the reserve and can usually be seen around dusk flying west down the Ro Trcoles towards the coastal mangroves where they roost for the night. Carara National Park, which means river of lizards in the Huetar indigenous language, has the only transitional forest in the Central Pacific, resulting in a diversity of flora and fauna where native species of both dry forests and rain forests converge. If you are looking for some great dining options, you can visit either Jaco or San Jose. The main entrance is located 2 . Ask for Maurice he is amazing. Whatever you have planned for the day, you can find the perfect trail for your next trip to Carara National Park. Este exuberante parque cuenta con bosques tropicales primarios y secundarios, lagos, ros y cascadas. If I could give 100 stars, I would wholeheartedly. At only 2 hours or less from San Jose, this park is very easy to reach. According to users from AllTrails.com, the best place to hike in Carara National Park is Acceso Universal, Quebrada Bonita, Las Arceas Trails, which has a 4.5 star rating from 58 reviews. Se puede ver un poco de esta historia en los sitios precolombinos que se encuentran aqu. This national park is a world-renowned ornithological destination and has extremely diverse birdlife, specifically the scarlet macaw (Ara macao), an endangered species that is the second largest Psittacidae species in Costa Rica. A few of the local animals include Opossum, Two-toed Sloth, Agouti, Armadillo, Pacas, Great Anteater, Kinkajou, Tayra, Margay cat, Collared Peccary, White-tailed Deer, Poison-arrow Frogs, and the omnipresent monkeys. Read our Privacy Policy. The protected area is 4700 hectares and elevations range from 100 to 500 meters (328 to 1640 feet). No car is needed inside the park. Where is the best place to hike in Carara National Park? Although this park is a bit cheaper, the entry fee to Carara National Park is still $10 or 6050 CRC per person (the price is valid for international travelers) without a guide. At first, when we were planning our Costa Rica itinerary, the coastal city of Jaco was not on the list. One advantage of the relatively large numbers of people that visit Carara is that if you just stop by, you are likely have several quite competent amateur guides at your disposal. It is truly a special place. Contrary to my normal modus operandi, where I would usually convince my wife to tour the park ourselves at our own pace, on the morning of our excursion we Whats Appd Maurice ( clearly the most popular local guide based on TA reviews) to see if he could include us. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Length: 1.2 Km. In other words, it is 90 kilometers from San Jos on the Costanera Sur (southern coastal) highway. This trail is estimated to be 2.8 mi long. www.flyadventureair.com Several miles of hiking trails are open for visitors. Best Places to See Wildlife in Costa Rica, no obligation custom trip plan & price quote, transition zone into the tropical dry forests, see more photos from Carara National Park Costa Rica, Pos Volcano Tickets & Visitor Information, Jac Beach daily express departures from San Jos, Terminal 710, 7:30, 10:30, 15:30; returning at 5:00, 11:00, 15:00, 102 km, 2 1/2 hours, Transportes Morales S.A., Telephone (506) 2223-5567, Quepos daily express departures from San Jos, Terminal 710, 6:00, 12:00, 18:00; returning at 6:00, 12:00, 17:00, 145 km, 3 1/2 hours, Transportes Morales S.A., Telephone (506) 2223-5567. 90% of travelers recommend this experience. Walk along easy trails to spot outstanding wildlife including 400 bird species, sloths, capuchin monkeys, anteaters, parrots, and most notably . Queramos saber si hay guas locales que se puedan contratar en el parque, o si por el contrario tiene que hacerse todo a travs de empresas de turismo con sus propios guas. A nice earthy 'dance floor' but no birds. Other reptiles include the iguana a large lizard that love hanging out in the trees and sunbathing. Plan ahead. We care about the protection of your data. It was nice he was able to loan us a pair of binoculars and a bird guide book, as we didnt come as well prepared as we should have. Another great alternative is Viator. Or perhaps you could stay atClub Del Mar, they have 9 luxury rooms, 22 condos, and a penthouse. You can either take the tour we mentioned above or hire a guide in the park. Along the way you will be able to see very large trees and with a little patience, beautiful scarlet macaws. Is this national park on a dirt track? Ce parc est une transition entre le sud et le nord du pays, il abrite des espces varies. Working with the Anywhere team was the best experience I have ever had with a travel agency. Carara Nationalpark - In der Nhe des Tarcoles River und Jaco Beach Parque Nacional Carara es un Parque Nacional en el rea de Conservacin Pacfico Central que se encuentra cerca de la costa del Pacfico de Costa Rica, entre los cantones de Turrubares y Garabito . This trail is very short and accessible to everyone. I didn't regret it! Sadly certain types of Costa Rican's really hate non Costa Rican's & in particular what they term 'Gringo's, suffering from xenophobia. It extends through 5,242 ha of dry and humid forests. info@anhingatours.com, Thematic Activities Se estableci en 1978 como una reserva nacional de vida silvestre para proteger las muchas especies de animales que viven en sus fronteras de proteccin. The more important part is to arrive there early. The short (0.6 mile, 1 km) Araceas Nature trail is a loop that starts and ends at the main Quebrada Bonita ranger station. When he finally heard one, deep in the jungle, he struck up a 'conversation' with it and proceeded to stalk it through the trees and foliage. For us, it was a bit terrifying to watch so many crocodiles in the wild, but if you stay on the bridge, nothing can happen as you keep a safe distance. While catching a glimpse of this tropical wonder is a rare proposition in most of the country, macaw sightings are virtually guaranteed at Carara. Inquire for information with the Quebrada Bonita Ranger Station, which sits along Hwy 34 just minutes south of the Tarcoles River. This area is also rather popular amongst the two-toed sloths. It was established in 1978 as a national wildlife reserve to protect the many animal species that live within its protective borders. We had a very enjoyable 4 hour experience in Carara National Park. 8491-A del 27 de abril de 1978, sin embargo, por los trminos de manejo que este lugar tiene, el 29 de . Do not be bait for mosquitos; use mosquito repellent. Es wurde 1978 als nationales Naturschutzgebiet gegrndet, um die vielen Tierarten zu schtzen, die innerhalb seiner Schutzgrenzen leben. info@arenalrafting.com, Thematic Activities Carara National Park in Costa Rica is an easily accessible natural attraction near Jaco. Carara National Park - Solicitar Informacin. If you are lucky, you will also be able to spot other species too like monkeys. Explore one of 1 easy hiking trails in Carara National Park that are great for the whole family. In case you are not interested in wildlife but still want to spend a couple of hours outdoor, Carara National Park has several hiking trails which will take you through the primary rain forest and introduce you to some of the most typical plants in the area. Carara National Park or Parque Nacional Carara is located in the Central Pacific region of Costa Rica. All the booked activities were excellent and pricing was unbeatable. Carara National Park - Near the Tarcoles River and Jaco Beach ), has a talent at finding even the smallest birds, which one can see very clearly through his telescope. Ready for your next hike or bike ride? You have several nearbyCentral Pacific Beachesto choose to stay near, firstly Jaco Beach, Playa Hermosa, Esterillos, or Herradura. Parque Nacional Carara. Carara National Park is a top attraction in Costa Rica, only 20 kilometers from a popular coastal town of Jaco. He met us there and we spent 3-3 1/2 hours walking through the park. If you want to take photos of the wildlife, you should consider bringing a camera such as Canon EOS R6 with a telephoto lens such as Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1 because the animals are often too far from you, and the regular zoom lens you use on your trip will not be enough. Carara National Park (Parque Nacional Carara) is located off the Costanera Highway, about 14 miles (22 kilometers) north of Jaco. www.arenalvida.com Si usted es un grupo o slo algunos de los senderos estn espaciados lo suficiente como para estar cmodo. I agree. Either way, still better than exploring on your own and missing out on the wildlife! The park is only 11 miles from Jaco (where we are staying) and we taxied to the park. At only 2 hours or less from San Jose, this park is very easy to reach. Are you interested in one particular bird which is hard to spot, or did you arrive only to enjoy nature, and spotting monkeys, sloths, and some birds is only a nice bonus? It was established on 27 April 1978 as a biological reserve, but its growing popularity after 1990 forced the government to upgrade its category to national park in November 1998. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. Parque Nacional Carara When visiting Carara National Park during shoulder season or during the offseason, pack a rain poncho to stay nice and dry, though you will still sweat from the humidity. Dress appropriately: Wear long pants, a shirt and hiking shoes. You can watch birds during a day and go to look for frogs in the . Birders are a friendly lot, and they generally like interest from novices (as long as you dont interfere with their spotting. The task was to plan an exceptional experience for my complete family to celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary. Simply put, if you travel on a budget, the bus is your best option. Open to the public from Monday to Sunday, with two varying times per year: from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. during the dry season (December to April) and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. during the rainy season (May to November). They are popular among Ticos on day trips, About 8km south of Puntarenas is Playa San Isidro, the first real beach on the central Pacific coast. Everything on our itinerary went according to plan. My Costa Rica (CostaRica.Org) is a Travel Agency that offers Custom Costa Rica Vacations & Packages Including Hotels, All-Inclusive Resorts and Tours. Parque Nacional Carara | Visite Costa Rica | Sitio web oficial del Thanks, Freddie, Carara National Park Tour - with Maurice Vasquez 506-8889-6061 (English/Spanish/German). Birds- Collared Aracari, Fiery-billed Aracari, American Egret, Great Tinamou, Turkey vulture, Long-billed Gnatwren, Chestnut-backed Antbird, Black-hooded Antshrike, Keel-billed Toucans, Anhinga, Jacanas, Pied-billed Grebes, Mexican Tiger-bitterns and Boat-billed Herons. Definitely recommend. We had an enjoyable and productive wildlife tour of Carara with guide Santi (Santiago). We had a party of 10 and tour guide Maurice Vasquez 506-8889-6061 took us day of!!! 25 km south is Playa Hermosa Punta Mala Wildlife refuge which encompasses two amazing habitats that perfectly compliment a visit to Carara. We visited Carara National Park independently by public transport, but we will outline other options to get to the park, so every type of traveler can choose the best alternative. It ranks among the most popular due to its close proximity to the capital city, however, if you can beat the crowds, the experience and wildlife which runs rampant throughout the park will impress any nature enthusiast.
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