Barbilla National Park is a large park in the mountains of eastern Costa Rica. The Rio Dantas flows through the park, which also includes a lake (Laguna Ayil) and includes Laguna Ayil and a mountain, known as Cerro Tigre. The park is inhabited by an indigenous group called the Cabécar.

Rio Dantas in Parque Nacional Barbilla

Understand

Aside from a ranger station located outside the park boundaries, there are no facilities for visitors. Visitors should be experienced backcountry hikers who are self-sufficient and who practice Leave-no-trace principles.

History

Barbilla was designated as a protected natural area in 1982. Later, it was incorporated into the Costa Rica national parks system in 1988.

Landscape

It is a large park covering 11,938 hectares (over 25,000 acres) of mountainous terrain covered in tropical rainforest. The forest ranges from wet to very wet. Altitudes range from a low of 110 meters (360 feet) to 1,167 meters (5,300 feet). The park straddles the provincial line between Limon and Cartago provinces. It forms part of the Talamanca-La Amistad Biosphere Reserve.

Flora and fauna

Passiona flower in Barbilla

The park is home to a large number of species, including several threatened or endangered species. Mammals in the park include jaguars, ocelots, pumas, monkeys, and tapirs. Many bird species live in the park year-round with many more passing through on their annual migration route.

Get in

From San José, drive east toward Limon to the town of Siquirres. The park entrance is 3 km east of Siquirres. Access is via an unpaved gravel road with frequent potholes, particularly during the rainy season. The road is only 17 km in length but will likely take an hour to drive.

Fees and permits

The park is open daily from 8AM to 4PM.

The daily admission fee is US$5. Local guides are recommended and can be hired via the park ranger station (☏ +506 2200-5224).

Do

• Hiking
• Birdwatching

Go next

• Puerto Limón
• Parismina
• Bribri