Carara National Park
Trail · Jacó & Herradura
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A transition forest where Costa Rica's dry north meets the humid south, famous for wild scarlet macaws plus trogons, monkeys and agoutis. The 1.2 km paved Universal Access trail is flat and wheelchair-friendly, with longer forest loops beyond it.
- Cost
- about $11
- Time there
- 2 h
- Best time
- morning
- Kids
- 7 / 10
- View
- 4 / 10
- Crowds
- 4 / 10
- Swimming
- 0 / 10
- Effort
- 2 / 10
- Location
- 9.7774, -84.6062 — Google Maps
Tip
Be there at opening (7 am in dry season, around 8 am in the rainy months): birds are most active early. Buy the ticket (about US$11 for foreigners) on the SINAC website beforehand; a local guide at the gate roughly doubles what you'll spot.
Be careful
Stay on the trails and watch where you step: venomous snakes such as the fer-de-lance live here. Don't leave anything visible in the parked car.
Places nearby
- Tiko Restaurante MiradorFood & CoffeeClifftop mirador restaurant on the edge of Carara National Park with Pacific views, serving local dishes, homemade Asian food and fresh seafood.
- Jose's Crocodile River TourParks & WildlifeBoat tours on the Tárcoles River to see big American crocodiles up close, plus scarlet macaws, roseate spoonbills, ospreys and mangrove channels.
- Crocodile Man TourParks & Wildlife · takes 2 h · from $39.55A long-established boat tour on the Tarcoles River, where big American crocodiles bask on the banks a short drive from Jacó.
- Jungle Crocodile SafariParks & Wildlife · takes 1.5 h · from $40A relaxed boat ride on the Tarcoles River, home to one of Costa Rica's largest crocodile populations, out through the mangroves to the river mouth.
- Hotel Cerro LodgeParks & Wildlife · from $10A small lodge built for birders and photographers, a few minutes from the Tarcoles River and Carara National Park, with sea and mountain views.
- Pura Vida Gardens and WaterfallParks & WildlifeHillside botanical garden above Tárcoles with trails, a waterfall overlook and Pacific views.
Sources: Wikidata Q1968766 · https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1968766 · https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Carara_National_Park · https://www.ticotimes.net/2022/02/03/a-guide-to-visiting-costa-ricas-carara-national-park · https://mytanfeet.com/costa-rica-national-park/tips-visiting-carara-national-park/