1. Carara National Park, also known as Parque Nacional Carara, is a popular national park located in the Central Pacific Conservation Area of Costa Rica. It is situated between the provinces of San José and Puntarenas, and it covers an area of approximately 5,242 hectares (13,000 acres).
Carara National Park is renowned for its biodiversity and serves as a crucial transition zone between the dry forests of the northwest and the humid forests of the southwest. It features a mix of tropical dry forest and transitional tropical wet forest, making it home to an incredible variety of flora and fauna.
The park is particularly famous for its population of scarlet macaws, which are easily spotted flying in pairs or in flocks. It is believed that Carara National Park has the largest population of scarlet macaws in Costa Rica. Additionally, the park is home to over 400 bird species, making it a paradise for birdwatchers.
2. The working hours of Carara National Park are from 7:00 am to 4:00 pm, every day of the week. Unfortunately, there is no phone number listed specifically for the park. However, you can contact the Central Pacific Conservation Area Office at +506 2637 0037 for general inquiries.
3. The entrance fee for Carara National Park is $10 for foreign adults and $5 for foreign children (ages 6-12). Costa Rican citizens and residents have reduced rates. There are guided tours available within the park for an additional fee, which can be arranged upon arrival or through tour operators in the nearby town of Jaco.
Transportation to Carara National Park is relatively easy from the popular tourist destination of Jaco. The park is located approximately 16 kilometers (10 miles) north of Jaco, and the journey takes about 20 minutes by car. Many tour operators in Jaco offer transportation services to the park, or you can also hire a taxi or rent a car to get there.
