Braulio Carrillo National Park is in the Central Valley of Costa Rica, northeast of San Jose.

Understand

Jungle landscape in Braulio Carillo National Park

Braulio Carrillo is one of the largest national parks in Costa Rica, with an area of 50,000 hectares (108,000 acres). The park offers limited access and support facilities to travelers. Most of the park (basically all of the portion in Heredia province) is protected rainforest with limited public access and tourist facilities. There are, however, backcountry trails that lead deep into the jungle and some local guides offer 3- and 4-day backpacking trips.

The park is a significant site for environmental and biological research. Adjacent to the park is the La Selva Biological Station near Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui.

History

Braulio Carrillo National Park was created in 1978 as a result of the planned project to build a highway between San Jose and Guapiles. Concern over the planned destruction of pristine rainforest led to creation of the park, whose mission was to protect the forest ecosystem. The park was subsequently expanded in 1986, 1991, 1995, and 2015 to increase its total area to the current 50,000 hectares. The park is divided into 3 sectors for administrative purposes. Two are publicly open and one is limited to conservation and scientific purposes with no general access. The park is named for Costa Rica's third president.

Landscape

Braulio Carrillo National Park is dense jungle with a rainforest canopy with rugged rocky terrain on the mountains and along rivers. Two volcanoes are within the park boundaries: Volcan Barva and Cacho Negro. The mountains are densely forested with canyons, rivers, and streams. The highest point in the park is at the peak of Volcan Barva (2906 meters).

Flora and fauna

View of the rainforest canopy in Braulio Carrillo National Park as seen from the aerial tram.

It is impossible for a travelers guide to do justice to the amazing biodiversity of a park like Braulio Carrillo. Costa Rica is a small country with more plant and animal species than most countries 10 times its size; in Braullio Carrillo you can find over half of all plant and animal species in Costa Rica. Within the park itself, more than 6,000 plant species have been cataloged and more than 515 bird species have been observed (both permanent habitat as well as migratory birds).

The jungles and rainforests are perpetually green and very dense primary forest. Mahogany, oak, and caobilla are all common, as are ceiba, yos, and ojoche. Around Volcan Barva, you'll find cypress, candelillo, and white oak. Wild avocado trees can be seen in the cloud forest canopy. Numerous forbs and fungi can be found throughout the forests. The palmito is considered a vanishing species.

At the top of the food chain, great cats prowl the jungle (jaguars and pumas), where hive bears and coyotes also roam. In the trees, you'll frequently see and hear a variety of monkeys, like the white-faced capuchin, colorado monkeys, and howler monkeys (who really earn their names!) A variety of other mammals also live in the jungles and forests, including tapirs, peccarys, and coatis. Mountain goats live on the volcano slopes. Sloths live in the rain forest.

A variety of reptiles and amphibians also populate the park. Tourists might be tempted to touch the brilliantly colored poison dart frogs, but that would be a collossally bad idea since their poison is potent and is secreted from their skin. Frogs come in a rainbow of colors, like yellow, blue, red, and green. The most toxic are the golden poison dart frogs, which are said to be able to kill up to 10 adult humans. Snakes are very common in Braulio Carrillo, and some are extremely dangerous. One of the most common is the fer de lance, also known as the terciopelo. This snake is responsible for almost half the snakebite cases in Costa Rica, and its bite can be deadly if not treated immediately. Bushmasters are also common and also very venomous, but not so likely to be encountered by a hiker since they are nocturnal and spend the days sleeping out of sight.

Bird watchers should keep their eyes open because there are more than 500 species of birds living in Braulio Carrillo, including several rare tropical species endemic to the region. Parrots, tanagers, hummingbirds, and even the vibrantly colored Resplendent Quetzal can be spotted. Quetzals breed in the cloud forest canopy, and if you keep your eyes peeled on the aerial tram ride, you might be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of their bright green plumage and long tail streamers.

Climate

Temperatures and moisture levels vary by elevation and local land features. Cold temperatures are possible at the top of the volcanoes. Dense fog often overlays the canopy, and is particularly dense on the east-facing slopes of the volcanoes.

Get in

There are two areas with public access and facilities for tourists: Quebrada Gonzalez, and Volcan Barva. Most casual tourists will access the park via Quebrada Gonzalez.

Quebrada Gonzalez access

Rio Sucio as seen from Quebrada Gonzalez

From San Jose or Heredia, take Highway 32 (Carr. Braulio Carrillo) northeast toward Guapiles. The park begins about 25km from San Jose until about 70km from San Jose. There are only a couple places for most tourists to actually stop and enter the park: one is the aerial tram and the other is the park's main entrance (Quebrada Gonzalez), which provides access to hiking trails. At the park's main entrance, ample parking is available, rangers will provide park information, and rest rooms, picnic tables, and water are available. The park entrance is open 8am to 3:30pm, 365 days per year.

Volcan Barva access

Very lightly used access point to backcountry trails. Very hard to reach via badly marked dirt roads in pitiful condition (even for Costa Rica). Access is really only viable with 4x4 truck. The park entrance is near the village of Sacramento, where you can also find camping areas, food, and backpacker lodging. Also, you are expected to make reservations and pre-pay via the park authority's (SINAC) web site: https://serviciosenlinea.sinac.go.cr/ This is best done from the comfort of your hotel room back in San Jose since cellular reception in and near the park is questionable at the best of times.

Fees and permits

The park entry fee is 13560 colones (about US$25) for foreign visitors (December 2022) or 1130 colones (about US$2) for Costa Rican citizens. Children up to age 12 pay half price. University students with ID (Costa Rican or international) may have entry fees waived.

Get around

Hiking is your best (more like only) option.

See

An amazing biodiversity. See the "Flora and fauna" section above.

Do

• Aerial Tram - A cable car lifts you up above the jungle floor and into the rainforest canopy for a birds eye view of the park. This is an easy, comfortable way for casual visitors to get a glimpse of the park's varying ecosystems.

• Hiking Trails at Quebrada Gonzalez - There are three marked, cleared hiking trails available at the highway exit for Senderos Quebrada Gonzalez: one is a shorter route that does a loop along the Rio Quebrada Gonzalez and the smaller Rio Sucio. The longer trail is also a loop that runs along the Rio Quebrada Gonzalez, but then turns into the rainforest for the opposite side of the loop.

• Hiking Trails at Volcan Barva - Four marked trails are available offering more remote landscapes and distances up to 10km. The trails are Cacho Venada, Laguna Barva, Copey, and Mirador Vara Blanca. Restrooms and water are available at the Volcan Barva park entrance.

Buy

There are no stores or marketplaces in the park.

Eat

There are no restaurants in the park.

Drink

There are no bars in the park. Water is available at the Quebrada Gonzalez main park entrance.

Sleep

There are no lodges or general camping facilities in the park. Most visitors stay in San Jose.

It is, however, possible to camp near Volcan Barva and to do multi-day overnight treks.

Backcountry

Extended backcountry treks are possible from the Volcan Barva entry. Camping is also permitted near the Volcan Barva park entrance. Local guides for extended backcountry treks are recommended.

Stay safe

Here are a few safety tips when visiting Parque Nacional Braulio Carrillo:

• Dress appropriately: No shorts and no sandals. Almost 100 kinds of snakes live in the park and at least a dozen of those are venomous. Wear closed shoes and long pants to provide some protection.
• Stay on marked trails: You're more likely to encounter poisonous plants or animals in the wilderness than on a cleared, marked, well trafficked trail.
• Bring water: Potable water is available at the park entrances, but nowhere else in the park. Bring adequate supplies of bottled water with you before entering the park.
• Don't touch the wildlife: Snakes can kill you, frogs can kill you, monkeys bite,

Go next

• Alajuela
• Cartago