Carara National Park was named after the word “crocodile” from the Huetar Native language. It was named this way because of the huge amount of crocodiles in the Tarcoles River which goes right through the park.
This amazing National park is located about an hour and a half from San Jose, and it is only about 15 km away from Jaco beach. So it’s the perfect park to visit on your way to the beach and do some sightseeing while hiking some pretty cool trails. Carara Park is mostly made up of dense primary rainforest, which makes it especially hot and humid.
The park opens early at 7 a.m. and closes at 5 p.m., so it is recommended you get there early if you want to avoid large crowds of people and have enough time to really check out all the park’s wonders. Because of its humid climates, the area is full of insects, so make sure you bring plenty of repellant and sun block.
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- Parrots in Carara, Costa Rica
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- Panoramic view of Carara
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- Forest trails Carara
Carara National Park has lots to see and do. Due to its trees and dense foliage, the park is hugely famous for having lots of bird species to admire. If you are lucky enough, you will be able to see everything from hummingbirds, parrots, antbirds, woodpeckers and even the wonderful scarlet macaws. Given that the Tarcoles River goes through the park, you will also see frogs, snakes, lizards and the occasional crocodile. On the park’s grounds you may also get to see monkeys, sloths, kinkajous and deer’s.
One of Carara’s main attractions, are the two wicked hiking trails that go all the way around and through the park. The first trail, Araceas Nature trail, is considerably small as it is only about 1 km long. This one starts and ends at the Quebrada Bonita Ranger Station so its perfect if you travelling with small kids. The larger trail, Meandrica trail, is about 4.5 km long. This trail is only open a couple of months a year due to heavy river floods.
If you are planning to head out to the beach and stop by the Carara National Park, make sure you plan your trip from December through April, as this is the park’s drier season.
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Sources:
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wuh-5C6OUGE
Photos:
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/47006389834103912/
https://yoguardaparque.wordpress.com/category/de-parques/
https://www.facebook.com/ParqueNacionalCarara/photos/a.129684177187501.28071.122448837911035/271660519656532/?type=3&theater
