Carara National Park
l Tortuguero l Arenal Volcano l Monteverde Cloud Forest l Guanacaste l Puerto Viejo de Limon lCarara National Park l Tiskita Jungle Lodge l Corcovado National Park l Manuel Antonio NP l
Carara National Park is best known for its resident populations of American crocodiles and scarlet macaws. Carara protects the last large stand of old-growth transition forest in Costa Rica. Magnificent trees with diameters over three feet and standing one hundred and twenty feet or more in height are found scattered among the smaller trees of the park and can be admired by visitors walking the trails. These ancient forest giants give an idea of what the entire region once looked like before the surrounding landscape was converted to cattle pasture, agricultural fields and communities.  Carara is renowned amongst naturalists and especially birders for containing mixes of flora and fauna of the ecologically distinct northern dry and southern wet regions. Here for example, are found yellow-naped parrots in their southern range and orange-collared manakins in their northern range. This park also protects large flocks of scarlet macaws. Several hundred birds feed and breed here, and can be seen either in the park, or flying around it nearby. Scarlet macaws are one of the most thrilling of all tropical birds to see flying free. They call loudly in flight and their brilliant scarlet, blue and gold plumage contrasts spectacularly with the emerald greens of the forest. Scarlet macaws are a highlight of any Costa Rica nature tour. Bird watching in Costa Rica is justly famous, and Carara is a centerpiece of this reputation.
 Many visitors stop on the bridge over the Tarcoles River at the northern boundary of the park to look at the American crocodiles basking along the river's embankments. From this safe vantage point two to nearly three dozen crocodiles may be seen, ranging from small youngsters to massive and impressive "monsters." Most of the time they remain motionless absorbing heat and resting, however they sometimes suddenly lash out, jostling for space with a neighbor, and reveal their capacity for speed and power. There are usually water birds feeding (seemingly unconcerned) near the crocodiles at the water's edge.
The park includes streams, rivers, marshland and drier forest habitats. As a result "upland" forest birds as well as wetland species are encountered here. Black-hooded antshrikes, chestnut-backed antbirds, red-legged honeycreepers, orange-collared manakins, dotted-winged antwrens, yellow-billed cotingas, royal flycatchers, laughing falcons, boat-billed herons, roseate spoonbills, northern jacanas, black-necked stilts… The list of birds found at Carara is long, and the park is renowned amongst birders enjoying a Costa Rica bird watching vacation. Other wildlife found here includes white-throated capuchin monkeys, howling monkeys, sloths, agoutis, ctenosaur lizards, basilisk lizards, coatimundis, armadillos, white-tailed deer, leaf-cutter ants, and collared anteaters. To see the most wildlife and avoid the midday heat, we strongly recommend going to this park early in the morning or late in the afternoon when the majority of birds and diurnal animals are active and bring a good pair of binoculars.
 Carara is a transition zone between the lowlands of the dry north Pacific and the humid southwestern sections of Costa Rica. It has a warm "summer" climate and a long dry season that begins in late November or early December and continues into late April. This region is only a 2 hour drive from the international airport and San José area (the starting points for most vacationers) and offers a great variety of attractions including forests, beaches, beach resort hotels, adventure tours and more. l Tortuguero l Arenal Volcano l Monteverde Cloud Forest l Guanacaste l Puerto Viejo de Limon lCarara National Park l Tiskita Jungle Lodge l Corcovado National Park l Manuel Antonio NP l
|
