Do you know what to see in Braulio Carrilo, one of the most beautiful natural parks to visit on your trips to Costa Rica? At Asuaire Travel, we can assist you with practical advice, such as how to get to Braulio Carrilo without getting lost.
We can also reveal the wonders that Braulio Carrilo in Costa Rica, the largest natural space in the whole central region of the country, offers you. If you want to travel to Costa Rica, we can certainly help you to plan a successful experience in Central America.
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What can be seen at the Braulio Carrillo National Park?
The Braulio Carrillo National Park has a strategic location in the country, to take advantage of the protection of the aquifers. The vegetation is very leafy and green, so the weather is decidedly humid. There is great density and variety both in the plant population and in the complexity of their species. It’s not easy to see anywhere else in the world the large amount of flora found in this natural park.
The most important part of this natural space is covered by a primary-type forest in which some 6,000 different plant species are found. This means that only in this area already more than half of all the plant species which exist in Costa Rica today are found. In addition, reaching any area of the park by public transport is easy.
Due to the quantity and luxuriance of this forest, there are many birds living in it. This makes a visit to this park a must for all lovers of bird watching. It is estimated that around 515 different bird species can be seen throughout the year. Depending on the time you travel, you might be able to observe some migratory birds or just the resident forest birds.
Moreover, another of the big attractions that leads people to visit this national park are its volcanoes. The area is located northwest of the Central Valley, on a volcanic mountain range that is between the Poás volcano, the Irazú volcano, bordering the Barva volcano and the Cacho Negro volcano and very close to the Zurquí hill until the Alto de la Palma (Moravia) and the Selva Biological Station (Serapiquí). It is therefore divided into two areas: Quebrada González and Barva volcano.
When you are in a mountain range, the weather is very varied throughout the year. Temperatures can range from 2 ºC to 24 ºC. However, the space is completely habitable for flora and fauna, due to the area’s humidity. Legally, this natural area has been protected by law since 1978. Since then, proper conservation in both sectors has been worked towards. Despite this, it opens every day of the year (including holidays).
Quebrada González Sector
Its humid climate is still influenced by the sea, given that it’s only 500 m above sea level. This area is often visited by people who watch birds in their natural habitat or who like to find new plant species. There is a tour guide service specialising in flora and fauna which can lead you and tell you where to see each species. Obviously, these people work during the park’s opening hours (from 8 in the morning to 15:30 in the afternoon).
This sector has three trails along which you can do hiking trails to make the most of nature all day. These have different lengths and there are areas prepared as viewpoints from which you can enjoy the best views of the park. In addition, the steepness of this mountain slope causes water to be carried with remains of volcanic minerals in the so-called río Sucio (Dirty river), which has a characteristic brown colour that led it to be named in this unusual way.
Barva Volcano Sector
The most characteristic feature of this other sector are the lagoons of volcanic origin which have formed over the years. In this part of the park there are four trails, from which you can also reach viewpoints with beautiful views of the cloud forest, the group of oak trees which spreads through the area, all types of quetzals and many other species of trees. In addition, this sector has an area for camping.
Costa Rica: natural paradise
In short, Costa Rica is not just about beach tourism. Surely you’ve got excited about everything to see in Braulio Carrilo. If you’re a nature lover, spending a full day in this natural park will be part of an unforgettable experience on your trip to Central America. In addition to getting to know other landscapes, you’ll immerse yourself in nature and learn to respect the natural spaces that were created as national parks for this purpose.