 Location
The word "Carara" is an indigenous term, meaning "river of
crocodiles". Carara National Park is an ideal place for ecological
and biological researches, as it offers a rare collection of animal
and plant species, besides rich biodiversity. The park is located
on the Pacific coast, 25 Km southwest of Orotina, Puntarenas
Province, near San Jose'.
Climate
The surroundings of Carara National Park have average temperatures
of 25ºC to 28ºC, but it is cooler within the rainforest.
The temperature is hot and humid, besides having an annual rainfall
of approximately 3000 millimeters.
Flora and Fauna
Carara National Park is particularly known for its rich
biodiversity. It houses many endangered and threatened species like
the American crocodile and the Purple Heart tree. Carara is also
considered a sanctuary of the rare and beautiful Scarlet Macaw.
The marshland of Carara National Park is fraught with
waterfowl, wading birds, amphibians and reptiles. The lagoon is
completely covered with water hyacinths and other floating aquatic
plants.
The evergreen forests, occupying major part of the park's
landscape, are home to many species, multi-layered, and have a
plenty of creeping vines and epiphytes. The tallest species of
trees include espave, silk cotton, wild fig, nargusta, besides
quamwood, a very spectacular tree during the dry season when it is
covered with yellow flowers.
The park is also fraught with variety of species of amphibians
and reptiles. Further, crocodiles sizing up to three meter long are
widely distributed and provide a striking sight to the tourists,
who visit Grande de Tarcoles River. Waterfowl species such as
roseate spoonbills, anhingas, jacanas, pied-bellied grebes and
Mexican tiger-bitterns are also present in large numbers.
Carara National Park's faunal distribution is abundant, even if
it has a secluded terrain. Among the mammals, the four-eyed
opossum, two-toed sloth, aouti, kinkajou, tayra, margay cat,
collared peccary and white-tailed deer are the prominent
varieties.
Scarlet macaw, a native bird of Carara, known for its beautiful
bright blue, red, and yellow plumage, has disappeared from the Dry
Pacific. Other species include the collared aracari, American
egret, great tinamou, and turkey vulture.
Chief Attractions
Tarcoles River, which falls in the middle en route to Carara, is
known for its alligators. The tourists can enjoy this striking
animal standing above the bridge. Further, Carara National Park is
an ideal place for bird watching.
 Ideal time
Carara National Park is usually visited during dry seasons,
specifically from December through April. However, tourists can
enjoy seeing the animals during the rainy seasons also.
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