Braulio Carrillo National Park

Braulio Carrillo National Park was created in 1978 as a result of the planned project to build a highway between San Jose and Guapiles. Concern over the planned destruction of pristine rainforest led to creation of the park, whose mission was to protect the forest ecosystem. The park was subsequently expanded in 1986, 1991, 1995, and 2015 to increase its total area to the current 50,000 hectares. The park is divided into 3 sectors for administrative purposes. Two are publicly open and one is limited to conservation and scientific purposes with no general access. The park is named for Costa Rica's third president.

Braulio Carrillo National Park is dense jungle with a rainforest canopy with rugged rocky terrain on the mountains and along rivers. Two volcanoes are within the park boundaries: Volcan Barva and Cacho Negro. The mountains are densely forested with canyons, rivers, and streams. The highest point in the park is at the peak of Volcan Barva (2906 meters).

It is impossible for a travelers guide to do justice to the amazing biodiversity of a park like Braulio Carrillo. Costa Rica is a small country with more plant and animal species than most countries 10 times its size; in Braullio Carrillo you can find over half of all plant and animal species in Costa Rica. Within the park itself, more than 6,000 plant species have been cataloged and more than 515 bird species have been observed (both permanent habitat as well as migratory birds).

The jungles and rainforests are perpetually green and very dense primary forest. Mahogany, oak, and caobilla are all common, as are ceiba, yos, and ojoche. Around Volcan Barva, you'll find cypress, candelillo, and white oak. Wild avocado trees can be seen in the cloud forest canopy. Numerous forbs and fungi can be found throughout the forests. The palmito is considered a vanishing species.

At the top of the food chain, great cats prowl the jungle (jaguars and pumas), where hive bears and coyotes also roam. In the trees, you'll frequently see and hear a variety of monkeys, like the white-faced capuchin, colorado monkeys, and howler monkeys (who really earn their names!) A variety of other mammals also live in the jungles and forests, including tapirs, peccarys, and coatis. Mountain goats live on the volcano slopes. Sloths live in the rain forest.

A variety of reptiles and amphibians also populate the park. Tourists might be tempted to touch the brilliantly colored poison dart frogs, but that would be a collossally bad idea since their poison is potent and is secreted from their skin. Frogs come in a rainbow of colors, like yellow, blue, red, and green. The most toxic are the golden poison dart frogs, which are said to be able to kill up to 10 adult humans. Snakes are very common in Braulio Carrillo, and some are extremely dangerous. One of the most common is the fer de lance, also known as the terciopelo. This snake is responsible for almost half the snakebite cases in Costa Rica, and its bite can be deadly if not treated immediately. Bushmasters are also common and also very venomous, but not so likely to be encountered by a hiker since they are nocturnal and spend the days sleeping out of sight.

Bird watchers should keep their eyes open because there are more than 500 species of birds living in Braulio Carrillo, including several rare tropical species endemic to the region. Parrots, tanagers, hummingbirds, and even the vibrantly colored Resplendent Quetzal can be spotted. Quetzals breed in the cloud forest canopy, and if you keep your eyes peeled on the aerial tram ride, you might be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of their bright green plumage and long tail streamers.

Temperatures and moisture levels vary by elevation and local land features. Cold temperatures are possible at the top of the volcanoes. Dense fog often overlays the canopy, and is particularly dense on the east-facing slopes of the volcanoes.

From San Jose or Heredia, take Highway 32 (Carr. Braulio Carrillo) northeast toward Guapiles. The park begins about 25km from San Jose until about 70km from San Jose. There are only a couple places for most tourists to actually stop and enter the park: one is the aerial tram and the other is the park's main entrance (Quebrada Gonzalez), which provides access to hiking trails. At the park's main entrance, ample parking is available, rangers will provide park information, and rest rooms, picnic tables, and water are available. The park entrance is open 8am to 3:30pm, 365 days per year.

Very lightly used access point to backcountry trails. Very hard to reach via badly marked dirt roads in pitiful condition (even for Costa Rica). Access is really only viable with 4x4 truck. The park entrance is near the village of Sacramento, where you can also find camping areas, food, and backpacker lodging. Also, you are expected to make reservations and pre-pay via the park authority's (SINAC) web site: https://serviciosenlinea.sinac.go.cr/ This is best done from the comfort of your hotel room back in San Jose since cellular reception in and near the park is questionable at the best of times.

Extended backcountry treks are possible from the Volcan Barva entry. Camping is also permitted near the Volcan Barva park entrance. Local guides for extended backcountry treks are recommended.