Braulio Carrillo National Park

• Address: Quebrada Gonzalez, Carr. San Jose Limon KM 2, Heredia, Costa Rica
• Phone: +506 2206 5500
• Area: 475.8 km²
• Date of foundation: 1978.
• Opening hours: 8:00 - 15:30
• Ticket price: $ 12

If you want to see the ancient forests that covered the planet before the ice age, go to the national park of Braulio Carrillo in Costa Rica . More details about it will be discussed later.

General information about the park

It is one of the largest parks of Costa Rica (470 sq. M.). The virgin rainforests occupy more than 80% of the territory of the reserve, a large elevation difference (from 30 m to 3000 m above sea level) creates a variety of climatic zones - from the hot tropics in the valley to the cool rainy forest in the mountains. Due to this the animal and plant world of the reserve is very rich and diverse. Here you will find tapirs, jaguars, many species of hummingbirds, white-fronted capuchins, acelets and other representatives of tropical fauna.

The park is divided in half by one of the busiest highways in Costa Rica , but if you get off the highway and go deep into the woods for a few meters, you will end up in a completely different world. There are several extinct volcanoes on its territory, the most famous of them is Barva, in the crater of which you will find as many as three lakes (Dante, Barva, Kopey).

Routes

In order to see Braulio Carillo in all its glory, go through one of the popular routes laid in the park. Some of them are short and suitable for a fascinating walk, others are long, full of adventures and they should be accompanied by a guide. The choice is yours.

1. Sendero El Ceibo - 1 km.
2. Sendero Las Palmas - 2 km.
3. Sendero Las Bottaramas - 3 km.
4. El Capulin - 1 km.
5. Sendero Historico - 1 km. A beautiful route along the clear river Rio Hondura, which runs into the muddy yellow river Susio.
6. Sendero La Botella - 2,8 km. Suitable for those who want to enjoy waterfalls.
7. From the station Puesta Barva to the mouth of the volcano Barva - 1.6 km. 3-4 hours is enough for you to get through the rainforest to the observation platform on the top of the volcano, to plunge into one of the lakes in its mouth, of course, if you are not confused by the water temperature (11 degrees) and go back to the station. If you have permission and a supply of food for 3-4 days, you can not return, and go north, going down the hill on an ancient frozen lava.
8. Canopy tour. In the park, more than 20 cable cars are equipped with a small caravan moving at a speed of 2 km / h. The walk lasts 1.5 hours and gives an opportunity to see those forest dwellers that can not be met during walks. This is a toll route (about $ 50), accompanied by a professional guide.

On a note

1. Before you go on a hike, ask the staff of the park which paths are in what condition. From time to time, some of them are closed, as they become impassable.
2. If you decide on a multi-day route, be sure to register at the station at the Rangers, and preferably take a guide. To the north of Barva, many paths are not marked and are considerably overgrown. It's easy to get off the route. Returning to the station, check in at the post.
3. Do not neglect guides and during short hikes. They all have walkie-talkies and share valuable information with each other: on which tree a sloth hangs, where a capuchin was seen, where a flock of hummingbirds flew.
4. Never go off the trail! Do not forget that you are in a wild forest with wild inhabitants, some of them are poisonous and dangerous. Besides, it's easy to get lost in it. Some curious tourists strayed in the jungle for several days, deviating from the path only a few meters.
5. Take it seriously to clothes and equipment. Even in the dry season in the forest is damp, which means that good shoes are preferable to light sneakers, and a waterproof windbreaker is better than a T-shirt. Always take with you a day's supply of food and water, a map and a compass.

How to get there?

You can reach the National Park of Braulio Carillo by car from San Jose on Route 32. Public transport does not go to the reserve.

People come here to plunge into the world of wild tropics, watch birds and animals, make sorties on impassable paths. Do not expect an easy walk. Even short paths in 1 km pass for 1-1,5 hours, and special daredevils, leaving on a long route, spend in woods some days.