Beach in Manuel Antonio National Park, Costa Rica

Playa Dominical, South Pacific, Costa Rica, courtesy David Thompson

Playa Esterillos Este, Central Pacific, Costa Rica, courtesy David Thompson

My First View of Costa Rica, courtesy David Thompson

Playa Herradura, Central Pacific, Costa Rica, courtesy David Thompson

Manuel Antonio Beach, Central Pacific, Costa Rica, courtesy David Thompson

Central Valley Biodiversity

TAPANTI-MACIZO DE LA MUERTE NATIONAL PARK

The Tapanti-Macizo de la Muerte National Park protects 58,500 hectares of oak and pine trees and a river in the Talamanca mountain range. Its altitude ranges between 1220 and 2560 meters above sea level and is one of the rainiest parts of the country. The abundant rainfall feeds the tributaries that flow into the Rio Grande de Orosi, which runs through the region. Its waters are utilized in the production of hydroelectric energy that makes up the power supply for a large part of the population in the San Jose metropolitan area. Tapanti is home to 45 animal species, 260 bird species and 30 species of reptiles. Macizo de la Muerte is home to a historical heritage site, a trail called “La Picada de Calderon” which is still used for horseback rides during part of the year. Fishing is allowed between April and October. Park services in the Tapanti section include an information office, warden post, trails, restrooms, drinking water, signs and observation points.

TURRIALBA VOLCANO NATIONAL PARK

The Turrialba Volcano, at approximately 3340 meters above sea level, is the most important landmark within this 1577-hectare of densely forested park. Because this volcano is near the Irazu Volcano, they are often called the twin volcanoes. The volcano has three well-defined craters and others that were disfigured by previous volcanic activity. The central crater is the deepest at approximately 50 meters. There are two possible cones on the flanks of this strata volcano: Tiendilla (2791 meters) and Armado (2750 meters). The last major eruption took place here between 1864 and 1868. Currently the only volcanic activities are emissions of gas, sulfuric steam and vapors. The average temperature is 16 degree Celsius and the rainfall ranges between 3000 and 4000 millimeters a year. There are many trails and several observation points in the park.

GUAYABO NATIONAL MONUMENT

Guayabo Monument is a very significant archeological site that represents the high level of cultural sophistication achieved by the Pre-Hispanic people in Costa Rica between 1000 B.C. and 1405 A.D. It was declared a National Monument in 1973 as the largest and most important archeological site that has been discovered to-date in this country. Based on the types of construction in the area – aqueducts, roadways, retaining walls for buildings and bridges – it is estimated that between 1200 and 1600 indigenous people lived at this site. The architectural complexity and the extraordinarily artistic elaboration, and the artifacts found in the ruins, suggest that the site was a residential area for people of a high social, political, economic and religious status. The site is located 19 km northeast of Turrialba. However, you can also enter the site by way of Santa Cruz de Turrialba in a 4 wheel drive vehicle. The tourist services offered include an information office, warden post, trails, restrooms, drinking water, signs and observation points.

IRAZU VOLCANO NATIONAL PARK

Irazu Volcano national park protects the colossal Irazu Volcano, the highest volcano in Costa Rica, at an elevation of 3432 meters. This is an active volcano with a long history of eruptions and of active cycles. There are various geological resources in the protected area, among which are Playa Hermosa and Diego de la Haya craters, and the Sapper formation which is the highest point on the volcano, from which it is possible to see both the Caribbean and Pacific Ocean on a clear day. Park services include an information office, warden post, trails, restrooms, signs, cafeteria, parking lot and several nature observation points.

BRAULIO CARILLO NATIONAL PARK

This 44,000-hectare park is situated at the northeast of the Central Valley in the Central Volcanic Mountain Range, between the huge Poas and Irazu volcanoes. One of the largest protected areas in Costa Rica, Braulio Carillo National Park is composed of volcanic mountains, densely covered forest and innumerable tributaries that gush down its deep gorges. There are also several inactive volcanoes in the park: Chompipe at 2259 meters, Turu at 2139 meters, Cerro Cacho Negro at 2250 meters, and Barva, which has several craters as well as the formation known as Las Tres Marias (The Three Marias), at an average elevation of 1725 meters. Park services include an information office, warden post, trails, restrooms, drinking water, signs and observation points.

POAS VOLCANO NATIONAL PARK

Poas Volcano National Park is one of the most frequently visited tourist attractions in Costa Rica. The 2708-meter high volcano has two craters at the summit; the larger is 1.5 km in diameter and 300 meters deep, which is continually active; the other, Laguna Botos, is an inactive crater filled with cold rainwater that flows via the Rio Angel to the Caribbean plains as a tributary of the Sarapiqui River. Since 1989 emissions of volcanic gases have increased noticeably from the main crater, which has produced the phenomenon of acid rain that damaged the vegetation and metalwork in some sections of the park and nearby agricultural crops. Currently, large quantities of gas and vapor are being expelled from the inner core of the main crater. The Park has an information office, a cafeteria, a souvenir shop, warden posts, parking lots, trails, restrooms, drinking water, signs and observation points.

BOSQUE ALEGRE WILDLIFE REFUGE

The refuge has a group of volcanic marshes that form the Bosque Alegre lagoons, Congo and Hule, which are surrounded by tropical rainforest. There is an organized community that safeguards the policies for protecting and conserving this refuge. Visitors can access the trails, restrooms and observation points.

TALAMANCA MOUNTAIN RANGE

The extensive Talamanca Mountain Range was formed by tertiary sedimentary marine and plutonic rocks from the Miocene period. Visitors will notice plant species like magnolia, deer-antler and coralbean, and in a few areas, evergreen oaks. Some treeless highlands are covered by thick low shrubs, lichens and grasses, reeds, ferns and myrtle. The most representative wildlife includes tapir, ocelots, jaguars and margays, but you can also encounter forest rabbits, goats, kinkajous, raccoons, white-nosed coatis and agoutis. The highest peaks are Chirripo at 3821 meters and Kamuk at 3554 meters above sea level.

LOS SANTOS FOREST RESERVE

This forest reserve stretches west from the Inter-American Highway between El Empalme and the village of Division. The area has a wealth of environmental attractions and a large variety of flora and fauna, the most captivating of which being the Quetzal bird.

THE CERRO VUELTAS BIOLOGICAL RESERVE

This 1500-hectare reserve is at its highest point at an elevation of 3156 meters near the community of Copey, and at its lowest point in the nearby community of Providencia de Dota. The reserve has incredible biological diversity and a few endemic species. Services for visitors include an information office, warden post, trails, restrooms, signs, cafeteria, parking lot and observation points.