Carara National Park & Tarcoles Area Costa Rica
See Magnificant Scarlet Macaws & American Crocodiles 2 km Apart
Most visitors come to Carara National Park because it is virtually guaranteed that you will see the magnificant scarlet macaw, especially if you hire one of the local guides at the park entrance.
Apart from the scarlet macaw Carara is generally a birdwatchers paradise due to its location in a transition zone between Pacific rainforest and tropical dry forest. Birds from both habitats are represented as well as, with the close proximity of the Tarcoles River, marshland species. Crocodiles, amphibians and many other mammals also inhabit the Park.
Hiking Trails at Ranger Station
At the well sign posted Park entrance you can get information, hire guides and pay the entrance fee of US$10. The Park opens at 7:30 a.m. and closes at 4:00 p.m. year round. Trails start near the ranger station where you can walk two loop trails through some impressive primary forest as well as walk a short nature trail with information plaques.
Sendero Laguna Meandrica Trail
Less than 2 km towards the Tarcoles bridge is the entrance to Sendero Laguna Meandrica trail. Parking is available and there is a small building where you can rent rubber boots for the extremely muddy trail. A local man will keep an eye on your vehicle and it's appropriate to tip him US$1 for this service.
The trail passes through wetlands and after 4 km arrives at Laguna Meandrica where herons, roseate smoothbills, kingfishers and jacanas can be spotted.
Spotting Scarlet Macaws
You will hear these noisy birds before seeing them fly high overhead. Like most parrotts they mate for life so are usually seen travelling in pairs or several pairs together. They could be flying overhead anytime but commonly in the morning on their way to feed or in the evening when they head west down the Tárcoles River to roost for the night in the mangroves. June or July are the best months to see them. Park guides will know their latest feeding sites and it is well worth hiring local knowledge to ensure a sighting. In any case they cannot be not observed close up so binoculars are essential if birding indepentantly, otherwise guides carry good telescopes.
Spotting Crocodiles
Only 2 km from the Park entrance is the Tarcoles bridge which is usually lined with people watching the crocodiles (some 3 m long) basking in the sun on the river banks 50 m below. There are many and are easily spotted.
Other Wildlife
The area is rich in amphibians and reptiles like the bright green and prettily patterned poison dart frog seen especially when raining. Also mammals like the four-eyed opossum, two-toed sloth, aouti, kinkajou, tayra, margay cat, collared peccary and white-tailed deer are found here.
Where to Eat and Sleep
Most visitors come to the area and the Park on a day trip. Carara National Park has no restaurant or accommodation but there are picnic tables, bathrooms and drinking water available. At the north end of the Tarcoles River is Restaurante Ecological Los Cocodrilos, the nearest place to eat and stay. Accommodation is in basic cabins but at least you can get to the Park early, the best time to see wildlife and before the tour buses arrive.
Getting There
There are no public buses direct to the Park, although there is a covered bus stop outside the Park entrance where you can pick up a bus on its way to San Jose or Punta Arenas. At peak periods, during the dry season (December to April), it is better to visit on weekdays as buses are very crowded on the weekends and may not stop for more passengers.
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