Carara National Park
by Anne Watcher on Monday March 2nd, 2009 at 5:55amCarara National Park is a crucial sanctuary for wildlife in the increasingly developed Pacific Zone and is the last noteworthy portion of primary rain forest left in the Central Pacific. The park is distinctive in that it encompasses both the wet rain forest of the southern Pacific and the dry tropical forest of the northwest. Located in this unique transition zone, Carara National Park hosts flora and fauna that you might see in both the Osa Peninsula and Guanacaste Province. It was opened in 1978 and covers 12,950 acres. Park is open 8:00 am to 4 pm. and entrance fee is $10.00.
Toucans, anteaters, agoutis, sloths, wild pigs and white-faced monkeys inhabit its varying ecosystems. Carara is also home to nearly 450 scarlet macaws, and is one of the country's best areas to view these flamboyant birds. Guanacaste trees, strangler figs, cecropia, deciduous kapok trees and cacti are some of the park's native flora.
Located on the way to Jaco, Carara is just past the Tarcoles River Bridge. Take an extra few minutes to stop and walk out on the bridge to view some of the more than 2000 American crocodiles that call the Tarcoles River home. This is the planet's biggest population of these large reptiles and some measure more than 12 feet in length. At any time you can see a dozen or more basking in the sun or going for a swim up the river. The name "Carara" is an indigenous term meaning "river of crocodiles". If you take the 4 km. hike back the Sendero Laguna Meandrica trail you will end at the laguna were you can see more crocodiles basking in the sun and many water birds.

One of the many crocodiles that call this river home.

Bare-throated Tiger Heron
Carara also hosts gallery forests (secondary forest growing on land formerly used for agriculture) along the banks of the river. The primary forests, occupying most of the park, are thick with creeping vines and epiphytes. Over 400 species of birds inhabit the park and even for "virgin" bird watchers like Rob and I we saw 3 kinds of heron, 2 egrets, roseate spoonbill, a hummingbird on her nest, pygmy kingfisher, 2 trogans, mangrove swallow, northern jacana, male and female red-legged honeycreeper and many more. The high light for us was the pair of scarlet macaws we watched for at least an hour.

Red-legged Honeycreeper--Male and Female

American Pgymy Kingfisher

Boat-billed Heron
In addition to crocodiles, the rivers, marshes and forests of the park are home to a diverse population of animals. We didn't see many but did enjoy seeing 3 kinds and sizes of iguanas and lizards.

Black Igauna

Colourful Skink