Braulio Carillo National Park

General information

Braulio Carrillo National Park was established on April 15, 1978. It is the most extensive park in the central part of the country with an area of 47,582 hectares, and it is administrated as part of the Central Mountain Range Conservation Area.
It is of considerable importance for the protection of water resources protection, since many of the streams providing water to the Central Valley originate within the boundaries of this park.

Braulio Carrillo includes the Barva Volcano as well as Cacho Negro and the Zurqui Hills, among others. All these have a volcanic origin.
There are two park stations: Quebrada Gonzalez, along the Braulio Carrillo Highway, and Barva Volcano, 4 km from Sacramento, near Barva in Heredia.
Hystorical Background

The park takes its name from Braulio Carrillo, Costa Rica’s third Head of State, who governed from 1837 to 1842.
He promoted coffee cultivation during his management and conceived the prospect of connecting the Central Valley with the Caribbean region in order to transport the crop to the European markets. Other governments gave continuity to the idea.

In 1881, during the administration of General Tomas Guardia, a cobblestone road was built from Paracito de Moravia up to the confluence of the Hondura and Sucio Rivers.
The completion of the railroad to Limon in 1891 and the destruction of bridges caused the abandonment of the road.
In 1977 the current San José Guapiles Highway was started. Thanks to lobbying on behalf of environmental groups, the area was declared National Park by executive decree on the following year, primarily to pre-empt this land of steep slopes, high mountains, and heavy forest with a diverse fauna.

Flora and fauna

The National Park in general is covered with evergreen forest of great density and botanical complexity.
The better part is the primary forest, which contains about 6.000 species of plants, half the country’s total.
Caryocar costaricense, crabwood, oak, Carapa guianensis, and Albizia adinocephala are fairly common. Other trees include Dialanthera otoba, ceiba, Sapium glandulosun, cojoba arborea and brosimum costaricanum.
Several endangered species are present in the park, including purpleheart, amphitecna haberi, euterpe precatoria, and Geonoma binervia. The higher parts of Barva Volcano, their flora includes species like ttsta, Cassia bacillaris, and white cedar.

The park supports a great diversity of animal and bird life. The Avifauna includes more than 500 species including resident and migratory species.
Some species that can be observed include the King vulture, three-wattled Bellbird, Resplendent Quetzal, and Slack-faced Solitaire. Mammals include White-faced, Mantled Howler, and Spider monkeys, Baird’s Tapir, Puma, Jaguar, Collared Peccary, Tamandua Anteater, Red Brocket Deer, and Coyote.

* Gonzalez Stream Sector:

The Gonzalez Stream sector is located 2 km east of the Sucio River bridge on the Guápiles Highway, at an elevation of 500 meters. The area has a very rainy climate, and is characterized by an evergreen rain forest that makes it an excellent area to study and observe plants and animals. A good trail goes from the station up to the forest. The nearby Sucio River is a dominant feature; its waters carry volcanic minerals, producing its characteristic color.

* Barva Volcano Sector:

This area is made up of a volcanic massif about 100 square kilometers in size. Currently there are only a few gas vents and hot springs, though some writers tell of an eruption in 1772. There are several lakes of volcanic origin, the most attractive of which is the Barva Lake of 70 meters in diameter and 8.6 meters in depth, with an average temperature of 11 degrees, surrounded by an exuberant cloud forest. Also accessible is the Copey Lake, 40 meters across and with similar water temperatures.

Regulations

* The National Parks were created to preserve natural and cultural resources; the removal of any animal, plant, rock, or other item from the area is not permitted.
* If you need help or information, contact the park staff. They will be ready and willing to help.
* For your own safety stay on marked trails in the public use areas.
* Help keep the park clean. Deposit trash in its respective bin (cans and glass, plastic, organic).

 

The Costa Rica National Park System protects more than 25 % of Costa Rica