Don't forget to bring insect repellent. From my experience get a guide, they know where to look for the wildlife. 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]. Needless to say, you can visit the park year-round. There's an aquarium showcasing many tropical. No, you don't need a guide to visit Carara National Park, although you can hire one if you want to increase your chances of spotting wildlife. Morevoer, hiking in the park with a knowledgeable guide will increase your chance of spotting wildlife. It was the least busy out of all the national parks we visited but still plenty of wildlife (mostly birds + monkeys). Otros reptiles incluyen la iguana un gran lagarto que le gusta pasar el tiempo en los rboles y tomar el sol. Durante el da se ver surfistas, lugareos y turistas que vagan por el lado de la playa. When I went to Carrara in January, there was a guide named Carlos hanging out near the ticket booth. 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. Buses to Jac or Quepos will drop you at the ranger station, but you better have a plan for getting to someplace to sleep before nightfall, camping is not allowed in the park and there are no accommodations. Incluye: This beast can reach 4-6 meters long and normally is rather docile but when they are hungry, they move very fast. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. As an experiment, after our guided tour we went back to the main entrance and wandered on our own for an hour and a half, to see if you can really get much out of the forest experience on your own. Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday. You can flag down the bus in either direction, but its less likely theyll stop after dark. 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. Budget travelers will find this to be the best option. Maurice Vasquez We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip. In between these activities, you will stop for a hearty Costa Rican casado lunch. It wasn't long before an Orange - collared Manakin revealed itself and posed beautifully for my camera. The bus goes roughly every hour but always ask around. We saw lots of birds including a toucan, monkeys, a bat, white tailed deer, coati, pig. Look for leaves and nuts falling. To anyone visiting, we cannot recommend Jairo enough! Most of what we saw was solely due to Maurice knowing where to look. The tour around the park has slopes less than 6%, areas with benches for rest, park information booths, and special health services. Sharing his contact details below: At first, when we were planning our Costa Rica itinerary, the coastal city of Jaco was not on the list. They take the photo but cant name the species of bird or frog they have found. Copyright 2004-2021 todos los derechos reservados. The bus leaves every hour but check in advance to ensure you dont miss your desired time. Parque Nacional Carara, Puntarenas Norte - / 17 Conocido como uno de los muchos parques nacionales de Costa Rica, el Parque Nacional Carara se encuentra a dos horas de la capital de San Jose a lo largo de la carretera entre ciudad de Puntarenas y Playa Jaco en la provincia de Puntarenas. The naturalist guides at Adventure Tours Costa Rica, for example, are able to expertly lead your group through the rainforest and keep you informed on the flora and fauna throughout. It takes approximately 45 minutes to get there, and the ticket costs 725 CRC. It was established in 1978 as a national wildlife reserve to protect the many animal species that live within its protective borders. Jaco es la playa ms cercana y ms popular en la zona. All sorts of animals can be seen such as colorful birds, frogs and sloths. 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. Everything on our itinerary went according to plan. 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. All rights reserved. Bug repellent is a must-have while hiking in the Costa Rican rainforest. While catching a glimpse of this tropical wonder is a rare proposition in most of the country, macaw sightings are virtually guaranteed at Carara. 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. Read our. Anyone who visits will understand the significance of the name as the Tarcoles River, which forms the northern boundary to the park, is inhabited by crocodiles almost year round. Este exuberante parque cuenta con bosques tropicales primarios y secundarios, lagos, ros y cascadas. A nice earthy 'dance floor' but no birds. While catching a glimpse of this tropical wonder is a Since Carara is the transitionzone between Tropical Rainforest and Tropical Dry forest, you will get a chance to see a much larger variety of bird species that inhabit both regions. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Inquire for information with the Quebrada Bonita Ranger Station, which sits along Hwy 34 just minutes south of the Tarcoles River. $$ - $$$ International Fusion Wine Bar, $$ - $$$ South American Central American Costa Rican, $$ - $$$ Japanese South American Costa Rican, $$$$ American International Central American, This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. We're so glad we contacted him! The animals are not very active during this period, and you can leave the park disappointed. For those who like the sound of those tours, but would like to tick them both off in a day, the Crocodile & Carara Combo might just be the ticket. Every person we interacted All the planning, communication and ability to offer on the ground assistance was spot on, responsive and helpful. Carara National Park is located near theTarcoles Riverin theCentral Pacific. Puntarenas Shore Excursion: Rainforest Skywalk & Tarcoles River Eco Cruise, Private Puntarenas Shore Excursion: Tarcoles River Boat Tour at the Jungle, Jungle & River ATV Exploration & Crocodile Safari. We had an amazing morning experience at the park thanks to Antonio (a guide that works with Mauricio) who was able to spot 3 types of monkeys, the Maccows and many other birds and mammals. Carara National Park (Parque Nacional Carara) Ranger station is open 7am - 4pm daily. 90% of travelers recommend this experience. He found green frogs, a white-winged bat, deer, scarlet macaws. They have great amenities and room selections, restaurants as well as the Casino. Simply put, if you travel on a budget, the bus is your best option. The man is a walking encyclopedia! The dry season is sunny while the rainy season brings precipitation. My partner and I visited the national park today and were lucky enough to be approached by the wonderful Jairo on our way in. But hands down the best way to reach Carara is on a tour with Adventure Tours Costa Rica. With very little hope that we'll manage to book the ever so famous Maurice on one day's notice, we still messaged him on whatsapp and got lucky. El parque tiene una historia mucho ms larga de lo que parece y que se remonta cientos de aos. 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 . With no tourists in sight, it will just be you and your family or friends racing down one zipline to the next admiring the ocean views and mountainous rainforest as you go. Youll find everything from traditionalCosta Rican casadosto unique Latin-Asian fusion. Two sites stand out in the park. Opening hours and entrance fee to Parque Nacional Carara. The park is located 2 km from the Trcoles River Bridge on the road to Jac. Because Parque Nacional Carara so close to the Pacific Coast it would be a shame to miss out on a day at the beach. Later, we flagged down a bus going back to Jaco. The bridge over Tarcoles River is popular because it is a great spot to watch giant crocodiles living in this place permanently. The park is uniquely situated between Amazonian and Mesoamerican habitats in a transition zone which harbors distinct flora and fauna from each respective habitat. Private Tour, Puntarenas Shore Excursion: Rainforest Hanging Bridges, Skywalk Tour & Boat Tour, Private Birdwatching Tour and Photography, Beach Day Tour in Pacific Ocean. Dining in Jaco is as diverse as it is affordable. A water bottle with a filter or SteriPen treat water almost instantly while on the road. The park sees two seasons during the year. Its recommended to arrive early to beat the heat and crowds, and to get the best chance of spotting wildlife as many creatures are active before noon. Their stays span a broad range of options from secluded villas to beachfront bungalows. 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. 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? The bus stop is on Avenida Pastor Diaz, opposite the large shopping mall. In the indigenous Huetar language, the national parks name means: River of Lizards a reference to the Rio Tarcoles which is filled with around 2,000 crocodiles. Carara National Park Birdwatching Group Guided Tour Experience. Carara is a great place to stop off for a quick hike on a trip up or down the pacific coast any time of the year. Either way, still better than exploring on your own and missing out on the wildlife! Beginners and experts can find waves to suit their abilities. Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more. Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour. Never go to the river's shore. Could Our agent (Harold) was amazing. This is why we cant stress enough the importance of going with a guide. Carara National Park, known as Parque Nacional Carara in Spanish, is a beautiful section of rainforest located in the Central Pacific region of Costa Rica. Excursin al Parque Nacional de Carara. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. Carara National Park is located near the Tarcoles River in the Central Pacific. There is a large burial site calledHills Burial, located facing the rio Tarcoles. You will find famous species like Scarlet macaws, Mot Mots, trogon, Toucans, Trogons, and a variety of water birds like herons. It offers a co-working space, and you can watch the sunset right from the hotel as it stands on the beach! 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. Horarios: 07:00 a 13:00 , 07:30 a 12:30 y 07:30 a 13:30 Duracin: 6 horas. Second, the Ro Grande de Trcoles has free flowing sections and its waters seep into seasonal marshlands and a shallow oxbow lake covered with hyacinths further expanding the number of distinct local habitats to nearly a dozen. The entrance to the park is right on the main road and once you park you will walk in on the trails leading from the main entrance. $25 per person in Carrera so worth it. What restaurants are near Carara National Park? 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 Crocodile Bridge without a car. From family trips in Egypt and Jordan as a teenager, to solo backpacking South America at 18, to currently exploring Southeast Asia with his partner Kat - Cam is a traveler through and through. Continue for about 14 km. My Costa Rica (CostaRica.Org) es una agencia de viajes que ofrece vacaciones y paquetes personalizados en Costa Rica que incluyen hoteles, resorts y tours con todo incluido. They return along the same route just after dawn if youre up and about. This is the northernmost Pacific coastal rain forest remaining intact in Costa Rica, and is the transition zone into the tropical dry forests of the northwest. Most travelers venture to Carara from the surf town of Jaco or from the resort town of @media(min-width:0px){#div-gpt-ad-magnificentworld_com-box-2-0-asloaded{max-width:320px!important;max-height:50px!important}}if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'magnificentworld_com-box-2','ezslot_8',653,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-magnificentworld_com-box-2-0');@media(min-width:0px){#div-gpt-ad-magnificentworld_com-box-2-0_1-asloaded{max-width:320px!important;max-height:50px!important}}if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'magnificentworld_com-box-2','ezslot_9',653,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-magnificentworld_com-box-2-0_1');.box-2-multi-653{border:none!important;display:block!important;float:none!important;line-height:0;margin-bottom:7px!important;margin-left:auto!important;margin-right:auto!important;margin-top:7px!important;max-width:100%!important;min-height:50px;padding:0;text-align:center!important}Los Sueos both of which are situated only 15 miles away from the parks entrance. Helicopter Tour Over Rain Forest & Beaches 1 hour flight. Are the hiking trails open on Christmas Day? You have several nearbyCentral Pacific Beachesto choose to stay near, firstly Jaco Beach, Playa Hermosa, Esterillos, or Herradura. This will be perfect for capturing that sought-after birding photo. We care about the protection of your data. You can easily get there by car or shuttles, either private or shared. If you are lucky, you will also be able to spot other species too like monkeys. Highway 34, Puntarenas Overview Tours & Tickets The Basics Trails through the 12,950-acre (5240-hectare) reserve accommodate all types of hikers. From Jaco, take a bus to Orotina and get off on the bridge. Si usted es un grupo o slo algunos de los senderos estn espaciados lo suficiente como para estar cmodo. Muchas gracias por su ayuda, Silvia y Javier We saw over 40 species of birds, 2 species of monkeys, poison frogs, deer, and lizards. Is it possible to get a good guide upon arriving or does that need to be arranged beforehand? It extends through 5,242 ha of dry and humid forests. El Parque Nacional Carara se ubica dentro de los cantones Turrubares y Garabito, de las provincias San Jos y Puntarenas, entre las coordenadas 951' y 944' latitud Norte, 8436' y 8429' longitud Este, es decir a 90 kilmetros de San Jos carretera Costanera Sur. Visiting the Carara National Park is very easy. No car is needed inside the park. If you are observant you can I think; my wife saw several animals we hadnt encountered on the guided hike, Parque Nacional Carara Aprs 3 minutes de voiture, on rejoint l'entre du parc national de Carara. Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld. I was in awe at Maurice's ability to spot birds in such dim light and in dense jungle. There was an obvious difference between the first 2 hours we had him exclusively vs when another 6 people joined (the originally planned tour): the group moves at a different pace, birds might fly away before everyone looks in the scope etc. Algunos de los monstruos incluso tienen nombres como Shakira, Osama, etc. Les animaux des forts humides de la cte du Pacifique Sud rencontrent ceux de la fort sche du nord-ouest. The Quebrada Bonita ranger station, visitors center & park headquarters is 3 km further south. This can save you valuable time and give you a few extra minutes to sleep in. Its not uncommon to see monkeys hiding in treetops or birds flying in the distance. You can either take the tour we mentioned above or hire a guide in the park. Parque Nacional Braulio Carrillo. We had a very enjoyable 4 hour experience in Carara National Park. Other animals found inside the park include peccaries, anteaters and poison-arrow frogs that hop tentatively around the moist forest floor. 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. Our last piece of advice is around what to pack. Share your bucketlist to get inspiration and local connections. One of the most famous stops close to Carara National Park almost no traveler miss when traveling in Costa Rica is the so-called Crocodile Bridge. Parque Nacional Carara. LaidBackTrip 2018-2023. Take at least two liters per person with you to the park. El parque nacional Carara est ubicado entre los cantones de Garabito y Turrubares, en la provincia de Puntarenas, en el rea de Conservacin del Pacfico central, a 90 km de San Jos y 15 km de Jac. How much can cost taxi from puntarenas port? Parque Nacional Carara. 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. Tambin tiene varias playas del Pacfico Central a optar por quedarse cerca de, en primer lugar, Jaco Beach, Playa Hermosa, Esterillos, o Herradura. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Carara is the famed home of one of Costa Ricas most charismatic bird species, the scarlet macaw. document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); document.getElementById("ak_js_2").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); 2023 magnificentworld.com. El Parque Nacional Carara protege la cuenca hidrogrfica del Ro Grande de Trcoles, cerca de Orotina, en la costa del Pacfico de Costa Rica. 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. These include the anhinga, several species of heron, egret and kingfishers.