Carara National Park is situated near the Central Pacific coast of Costa Rica, within a 30 minute drive from the conveniences of Playa Jaco. With varied marine and terrestrial habitat, the park is considered a living laboratory, where one can study the dynamics and structure of tropical ecosystems and its core relationships.

Carara, located in a transitional zone of dry tropical forest and humid tropical forest of the Pacific, has a unique geographical position that is surrounded by pasture and agricultural lands. This forms a beautiful and fantastic biological island that is forced to maintain a delicate equilibrium among the species that coexist within it.

The national park is characteristic of the Basal life zone and features 3 major forest ecosystems, including Trasitional Dry, Tropical Humid and Very Humid, and a variety of micro-ecosystems.

Created with the intent to facilitate scientific research and enviromental education, this living laboratory is excellent for observing bird and wildlife as well as flora and fauna. Various ecosytems such as swamps, lagoons, gallery forest, secondary forest of many ages and primary forest create a incredible place for birdwatching with over 420 spieces.

It is believed that more than 70% of all mammal species native to the country are found within this park, including white tailed deer, collared pecarries, coaties, armadillos, sloths, monkeys, pumas, margay, ocelot, kinkajous, tayra and much more. Also in the area, large crocodiles are seen daily.

Carara is also impresive in terms of flora and fauna. On a short walk, you can easly observe a great diversity of trees, some larger than 150 feet tall. And with the second largest population of Scarlet Macaws in the country, the park offers you one of the best representations of a tropical forest and its creatures.

Carara National Park is a must-see attraction for any birder, wildlife enthusiast or nature lover visiting Costa Rica. Nearby facilities such as Crocodile Restaurant (adjacent to the Tarcoles River bridge), Cerro Lodge, Villa Lapas, Punta Leona or the many choices of the Jaco and Hermosa areas offer a broad range of services and accommodation.

Costa Rica Birding Journeys founder, Randall Ortega specializes in birding in the Carara National Park. His intimate knowledge of the various nesting sites, breeding grounds and favorite perches near the trails promises unparalleled viewing opportunities of the many birds and wildlife species in the park.

For more information, email info@costaricabirdingjourneys.org or call today at 970-315-4023 (US) or 506-8-889-8815 (CR; dial 011 first if calling from US).