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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.
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 just up the coast at
Puerto Caldera, and a common destination for
field trips by school children.
Attractions
Carara is a favorite with bird watchers for
several reasons besides its ease of access.
First, its position in a transition zone
means that residents of both habitats are
likely to appear. Second, the Río Grande de
Tárcoles has free flowing sections and its
waters seep into seasonal marshlands and a
shallow oxbow lake covered with hyacinths
further expanding number of local habitats.
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
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. Birders are
a friendly lot, and they generally like
interest from novices (as long as you don't
interfere with their spotting. Walk quietly
and slowly
We made a spontaneous stop here, and found
that one of the best ways to see wildlife
was to look for people with their necks
craned, peering into the brush or
canopy.
We would then stop at a respectful distance,
and look where they were looking. More often
than not the guide, or one of the birders
would invite us over to look through their
binoculars or telescope while they described
the habits of the bird or animal we were
seeing.
About 150 scarlet macaws nest and feed
throughout the reserve and can usually be
seen around dusk flying west down the
Río Tárcoles
towards the coastal mangroves
where they roost for the night.
Departs 7am and 2:30pm, Returns 11:30am and
6:00pm
| What’s
Included |
Tour
Highlights |
What to Bring |
Cost Per
Person |
· Transportation to and from your lodge
· Naturalist Guide
· Visit the lake
· Entrance fees
· Light breakfast
· H2O |
·
Unique
opportunity to view the Pacific
rainforest and Tropical Dry Forest
in a half day
·
Abundance of
wildlife including 2 types of
monkeys, toucans, scarlet macaws |
·
Sunscreen and
bug repellent
·
Hat and
sunglasses
·
Hiking boots
·
Water
·
Camera and
binoculars |
From Jaco: $79
From
Esterillos: $95
From Parrita:
$99
From
Puntarenas :$105
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