Carara National Park

Hystorical Background

It was created on April 27, 1978, and currently measures 5,242 hectares (about 12,52 acres).

It was part of the huge Hacienda El Coyolar, one of the biggest ever in Costa Rica, where the last significant stand of primary forest of its kind has been preserved.

Carara is a transitional zone from the dry Northern Coast of Costa Rica to the Southeast’s very humid coast; in fact, Carara is the only piece of land along the Central Pacific Area of Costa Rica.

Location

The reserve is located 90 km (60 miles), from San Jose, on the right side of Grande de Tarcoles River following the coastal highway. It takes about 2 hours to get there from San Jose.
Flora and fauna
Carara, the evergreen complexity and beauty. However, Carara has three life zones; they can be distinguished at the Reserve and they are the tropical humid forest that covers 20%, transition from pre-mountain tropical and pre-mountain rain forest that covers 15%; and mountain rain forest that extends over 5% of the area.

Carara has the ten finest hardwood and softwood of Costa Rica, which are: crabwood. Spanish cedar, rain tree, cojoba costaricense, hymenea courbaril acosmium panamense, purpleheart, and tabebuia rosea.
Some of the rarest and most spectacular animals of tropical America are also here; scarlet macaw, Great curassow, Fiery-billed aracari, and Black and Green poison arrow frog.
These are endangered species with reduced populations.

Archaeology

Carara Biological Reserve has numerous archaeological sites of Pre-Colonial times.
Studies undertaken indicate that 15 sites correspond to different periods of occupation:
The Pavas Period (300 B.C. to 300 A.D.) and Cartago Period (800 to 1500 A.D), with agriculture as basis of subsistence. Some sites from the second period stand out: Carara with a rectangular foundation of 4x6, built with river stones and limestone, and Entierro Hills, an extensive village with habitational and funeral zones at the top of the hilly terrain facing 'Grande de Tarcoles River.
The latter was one of the main Pre-Colonial settlements in Costa Rica and its political economical influence extended over the lower river area.

Interest data

Mean annual temperature: 27ºC (78ºF)
Mean annual precipitation: 2.800 mm ( 1002 inches)
Drier months: March and April
Distances:
Tárcoles 2 km
Jacó 17 km
Orotina 25 km

Regulations

* In spite of its biological diversity, many animals living in Costa Rica are hard to observe because of their migratory or reproductive habits, because they are nocturnal or because the forest is too dense to see them clearly. Move quietly and sharpen your observation skills in order to have better appreciation of the richness of this area).
* All protected wildlife areas have rules that regulate the protection of resources and the activities of visitors. This reserve operates under these rules for public use and all visitors must respect them.
* If you need help or have questions, please ask the rangers or volunteers, they will be ready and willing to help you.
* All living things, plants and animals, alike, share this planet with you. Please respect them.
* Enjoy the forest’s peace and natural sounds. Do not play radios or make loud noises that might disturb the tranquility within it.
* Please keep yourself on the trails. The signs are for the benefit of all. Do not deface or destroy them.
* This area is a natural preserve. We invite you to observe, enjoy and take as many pictures as you like. Please do not remove plants, animals, stones or other materials as souvenirs.
* Please collect you garbage and take it with you.
* Do not feed the wildlife. They can suffer serious health problems if they eat people’s food.

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