National park · Costa Rica
Carara National ParkParque Nacional Carara
Enter Carara National Park for CRC 2,000–2,500 (≈US$4–5) per person, hike the short viewpoint trail (≈1 km (0.6 mi), easy) or the longer river trail (≈3 km (1.9 mi), moderate) in the dry season (Dec–Apr); avoid weekends in high‑tourist months.Enter Carara National Park for CRC 2,000–2,500 (≈US$4–5) per person, hike the short viewpoint trail (≈0.6 mi (1 km), easy) or the longer river trail (≈1.9 mi (3 km), moderate) in the dry season (Dec–Apr); avoid weekends in high‑tourist months.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
More
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
52 km² (20 sq mi)20 sq mi (52 km²)
approximate
Established
1978
Best months
Dec–Apr
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 9Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) giv…
- Central America ↗Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) give one shared entry allowance, usually 90 days in total; leaving for Belize, Costa Rica or Mexico and coming back does not always reset it — check with immigration before a long stay.
- Central America ↗Cross land borders in daylight and early in the day; many posts close or empty of transport by late afternoon, and the approaches are where robberies happen.
- Central America ↗Several borders charge entry, exit or municipal fees in US dollars (Belize exit, Nicaragua entry and exit, Honduras entry); carry small, clean US notes and ask for a receipt.
- Costa Rica ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Costa Rica's immigration authority (Migración) or a Costa Rican consulate; proof of onward travel is commonly required.
- Costa Rica ↗Rental cars require mandatory local liability insurance, often not included in online quotes: check the full price before booking.
- Costa Rica ↗Do not feed wildlife, including monkeys and coatis; it is illegal and harmful.
- Costa Rica ↗Buy national park tickets (Manuel Antonio, Poás, Irazú and others) online from SINAC before you go; several parks do not sell at the gate and cap daily numbers.
- Central Pacific ↗A rental car is the practical way to cover several beaches; roads are winding, poorly signed in places and often unpaved off the highway.
- Central Pacific ↗Colones are the norm outside hotels; US dollars are widely accepted but change is often given in colones.
At a glance
- Country
- Costa Rica
- Area
- 52 km² (20 sq mi)20 sq mi (52 km²)
- Park covers about 52.4 km² (5,242 ha) of forested land; figures may vary slightly between sources.
- Established
- 1978
- Best months
- Dec–Apr
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Jacó
Carara National Park protects a mix of tropical rainforest, wet and moist forest on the mid‑Pacific coast, offering birdwatching (notably scarlet macaws) and crocodile viewing from the Tárcoles River bridge, with short and moderate trails accessible from the Quebrada Bonita ranger station.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1978.
Size and age
52 km² (20 sq mi)20 sq mi (52 km²) · national park since 1978
Park covers about 52.4 km² (5,242 ha) of forested land; figures may vary slightly between sources.
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Jacó.
Why go
- Birdwatching hotspot with scarlet macaws and many other parrots.
- View American crocodiles on the Tárcoles River bridge.
- Walk through tropical rainforest, wet and moist forest zones.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayGo
- JunGo
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepGo
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecBest
- JanDry, cool mornings.
- FebDry, good visibility.
- MarDry, pleasant.
- AprEnd of dry season.
- MayStart of rains, still walkable.
- JunRainy, trails wetter.
- JulFrequent showers.
- AugHeavy rain, slippery.
- SepRain lessens, good birding.
- OctTransition to dry.
- NovDryening, fewer crowds.
- DecDry, cool.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scarlet macawAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| American crocodileAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Various rainforest birds (trogons, hummingbirds, woodpeckers)Mar–Nov | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From San José
Drive via Route 27 and 34 (≈70 km (43 mi)).Drive via Route 27 and 34 (≈43 mi (70 km)).
1.5–2 h
Open the page →
From Puntarenas
Drive north on Route 34 (≈45 km (28 mi)).Drive north on Route 34 (≈28 mi (45 km)).
1–1.5 h
From Jacó
Drive north on Route 34 (≈20 km (12 mi)).Drive north on Route 34 (≈12 mi (20 km)).
20–30 min
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Quebrada Bonita ranger station | Entrance gate, visitor centre, short viewpoint trail start. | Open with entry ticket. |
| Short viewpoint area | Easy 1 km (0.6 mi) loop to a hilltop view of the forest canopy.Easy 0.6 mi (1 km) loop to a hilltop view of the forest canopy. | Open, no guide needed. |
| Long river trail area | ≈3 km (1.9 mi) trail to the Tárcoles River bridge and crocodile viewing spot.≈1.9 mi (3 km) trail to the Tárcoles River bridge and crocodile viewing spot. | Guide required. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates approximate, based on park centre and main features.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | CRC 2,000–2,500 | person | Includes access to short trail; longer trail needs guide. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Long river trail permit or guide
Park rules
- Stay on marked trails
- Off‑trail walking can damage fragile forest and increase wildlife disturbance.
- No feeding wildlife
- Feeding birds or crocodiles is prohibited and can be dangerous.
- Litter
- Carry out all rubbish; bins are limited at the ranger station.
Where to stay
Near the park
Tárcoles village hotels
Options range from budget guesthouses to mid‑range hotels.
Near the park
Jacó town
Larger selection of hostels, hotels and restaurants, ~20 km (12 mi) north.Larger selection of hostels, hotels and restaurants, ~12 mi (20 km) north.
Safety
Crocodiles at river bridge high
Heat and humidity medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Short viewpoint loop is short but has steep steps; not wheelchair‑friendly.
Visiting lightly
- Take only photos, leave only footprints; respect guide‑only zones.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Carara National Park?
Entry is CRC 2,000–2,500 per person (≈US$4–5); the longer river trail requires a guide, which adds a separate fee.
What are the best hikes in Carara National Park?
The short viewpoint loop (≈1 km, easy) and the longer river trail to the Tárcoles bridge (≈3 km, moderate, guide required).
When is the best time to visit Carara National Park?
The dry season December to April offers the best conditions; the rainy months May to November are still walkable but trails can be slippery.
Can I see scarlet macaws in Carara?
Yes, macaws are present year‑round, with the highest activity in the early morning.
Are there any accommodations inside the park?
No overnight facilities exist inside Carara; stay in nearby Tárcoles village or Jacó.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Carara National Park
Loading…
Was this useful?