Size: 700 square kilometers
Distance from San José: 280 kilometers
Dry Season: January to March
Guanacaste National Park, located on the east side of the Interamerican Highway across from Santa Rosa National Park, was created in 1989 to protect the volcano slope evergreen forest and the Orosi and Cacao volcanoes’ cloud forests. This project was founded to help secure a migration route for those animals that move into the highlands during the dry season. The park contains several interesting trails and four research stations, of which at least one will remain open for tourists, researchers and photographers.
Positioned at the foot of the Orosi volcano lies Maritza Biological Station where one can find hills that are relics of Plio-Cuaternary volcanoes and plains formed by the accumulation of ash, pyroclasts and ignimbrites. The western slope of these volcanoes is covered with evergreen rain forests. Trees here can grow up to 30 meters in height, and the predominating species are the Santa María, Tempisque and the Monkey Apple.
Wildlife in the park is varied; 140 species of mammals, over 300 birds, 100 amphibians and reptiles, and over 10,000 species of insects have been identified. The most common mammals are howler monkeys, white-faced capuchins, long-nosed armadillos and coatis. There are also collared peccaries, pocket mice, white-tailed deer, pumas, ocelots, black hawks, and many others.
Getting There: A 4WD vehicle is recommended to reach this park. The roads are still unpaved and becomes difficult during the rainy season. You take the Interamerican Highway to Liberia, taking the road heading northeast out the city (trough La Victoria). After passing the village of San Jorge you’ll continue onto the Santa Maria Ranger Station. Information Phone: 666-0630
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
