Braulio Carrillo National Park - Costa Rica

The Braulio Carrillo National Park is named after the third Costa Rican president: Braulio Carrillo Colina. He governed between 1837 and 1842.

The Volcano Barva is the attraction of this national park, it can only be approached with a 4-wheel vehicle. The road is bad so often there are not many people on top of the 2906 meters high volcano. The volcano is extinct and there is a lake in the crater.

The Braulio Carrillo National Park was founded the same year as the new road between Limon and San Jose was finished, in 1978. Environmentalists feared constructions along the road. Thereby the national park was founded this could be avoided.

84% of the park persists of primary forest with trees that are several hundreds years old.

On the track of rare animals...

The park starts at an elevation of 36 meters and it's highest point is at an elevation of 2906 meters. The park covers 5 different climate zones. In the north the park covers tropical wetlands and in the south cloud forest.

Howler monkeys, capuchin monkeys, tapirs, jaguars, pumas, several species of butterflies, toads and frogs. 70 different species of snakes, including the Bushmaster. The Bushmaster is the longest venomous snake in the Western Hemisphere. 160 different species of snakes exist in Costa Rica, only 18 of them are poisonous. There are not many poisonous animals in this country, besides the snakes only some frogs and toads. To-date 340 different bird species have been cited in the Braulio Carrillo National Park, including toucans, hummingbirds, parrots and quetzales. The possibilities are high to spot rare birds from the trails.

The flora is equally impressive, as before mentioned, most of the park consists of primary forest. It is estimated that there are 6000 species of plants inside the park.

Braulio Carrillo National Park on the map

Braulio Carrillo National Park on the map.

Facts about Braulio Carrillo National Park, Costa Rica

  • With the dimension of 44099 hectars the Braulio Carrillo National Park is one of the largest protected areas in Costa Rica.
  • The Braulio Carrillo National Park ranges from an altitude of 36 meters up to 2906 meters.
  • Business hours: The park is open every day from 8:00 am to 3:30 pm.