Tropical Dry Forests (Transitional):

While Carara and its surrounding terrain does not have all the flora/fauna characteristic of this ecosystem, many of those natural elements can be found throughout most of the Central Pacific.

With a higher precipitation and geographically place on the convergence between the dry/humid climates, Carara’s avifauna is remarkably unique. Most Canopy Dry forest Trees are leafless during dry season (mid November to mid April), but here the flowers are abundant year-round, attracting parakeets, orioles, euphonias, honeycreppers, tanagers and well over 10 species of humming birds. Many trees are short with wide crowns and the understory is dense with angeling vines, thick shrubs and overgrown grasses.

It is difficult to determine where the dry forest ends and where the rainforest start. Some of the best representatives of this forest are: Rufous and White Wren, Black headed Trogon, Royal Flycatcher, Long Tailed Manakin, etc...

Evergreen “moist” Forest:

Normally found near watershed or rivers, this ecosystem offers more shade with a broad-leafed understory and higher canopy. Often dominated by Fig, Wildcashew and Sandbox trees, this environment is home to a large range of bird species, ranging from Great Tinamous to Baird’s Trogon and Scarlet Macaws.

Tropical Lowland Forest:

This forest is mostly present on the southern section of the country with three small loop trails. The Canopy easily reaches to 150 feet and the understory can be both semi-open or densely covered by woody vines, small trees and/or palms.

It is an excellent area to find birds such as Black Faced Antthursh, Golden Crowned Spadebill, Buff Throated Foliage-Gleaner, Ruddy Quail-Dove, Spectacle Owl, Orange Collared Manakin, Charming Hummingbird, and more.