Braulio Carrillo National Park is the largest of the central region of Costa Rica, and it is located within the Central Volcanic Mountain Range, which includes volcanoes such as the Barva, Cacho Negro, and Bajo de la Hondura. With a total area of 47,588 hectares, it is estimated that there are around 6,000 species of plants and 515 species of birds. Besides this, there is a paradisiacal cataract which is accessible only if you walk through the park for 3 days. This is a perfect place for those who are very adventurous and are willing to discover diversity and complexity in a single place.
Through this park, it crosses one of the most important roads of our country, the Braulio Carrillo highway. It is named because of the influence of a Costa Rican head of state who was the first person to dream of this project in the 19th century. This main Costa Rican road links the capital to the province of Limon. It was a visionary project if we consider that the region is crossed by one of the densest forests in the national territory.
Being one of the most extensive forests in the country, the Braulio Carrillo National Park serves as a true lung for the inhabitants of the two slopes. It makes this place a perfect stabilizer of carbon dioxide so that for those who visit the area will breathe one of the purest airs of the central region. Besides this, due to its vastness, it becomes many times difficult to regulate the entry of unscrupulous people who want to hunt or look for wild animals for sale. Because of this, there is a goal of many Costa Rican volunteers that is to protect the area in the best way possible, with full awareness to safeguard this treasure.
The fauna found in the Braulio Carrillo National Park is the most varied in Costa Rica. Thanks to its proximity to the central valley, many visitors undoubtedly take their time to admire the region that has 3 types of forest in the country. This fact makes possible visitors to find 50% of the plants that inhabit the country within the national park and, added to that, a large number of birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians that live here. It creates an unforgettable place which visitors will adore because of what it is transmitted, love and peace.
The Braulio Carrillo National Park can be accessed from the Central Valley (San Jose and surroundings), The Arenal Volcano area on a 1 hour drive, the Sarapiqui area which features the famous “La Selva” Biological Station, and from the Guapiles area for those coming from the Caribbean parts of the country.
This national park is a truly natural gem of Costa Rica, a great example of how the rainforest biodiversity can be protected even if it’s close to the big city.
