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Carara
Biological Reserve:
Travel
to Costa Rica
The 4,700 ha. Carara Biological Reserve
occupies a unique position at the transition zone between
tropical moist forest and tropical wet forest in the
Pacific lowlands. Though most of the vegetation in the
reserve remains evergreen and is characteristic of the
wet forest life zone, there are a number of species
that lose their leaves during the dry season, showing
their affinity to the drier climate found north of the
reserve.
However, Carara's main attraction for
most visitors is its wildlife, and star billing goes
to the Scarlet Macaw. These large, raucous members of
the parrot family add a bright splash of primary colors
to the overall green of the rain forest, although at
times it is amazing how difficult they can be to see
in a leafy tree. It is estimated that about 150 of these
blatant birds feed and nest in the reserve. When not
brooding eggs or young, they roost in mangroves several
kilometers away.
In addition to this and other colorful
tropical species, the forest is home to many somber-hued
bird species that often travel together in mixed flocks
that are a true delight (and challenge!) to birdwatchers.
Of the many kinds of birds that can be found in such
flocks, a few of the more common ones are the Black-hooded
Antshrike, Dot-winged Antwren, Long-billed Gnatwren,
Chestnut-backed Antbird, and Lesser Greenlet.
Although the reserve is too small to
provide sufficient territory to the larger cats, it
does maintain populations of Margay, Ocelot, and Jaguarundi.
Collared Peccaries, Central American Agoutis, Banded
Anteaters, and White-nosed Coatis may be spotted as
they go about their daily routines.
Reptiles and amphibians are well-represented in Carara,
though most species are either cryptic or nocturnal
and therefore not readily seen. Of the frogs, one species
that is fairly common and active during the day is the
Harlequin Poison-dart Frog, a handsome creature that
is charcoal black with fluorescent green markings. On
sunny mornings, whiptail lizards are frequently encountered
along the forest trails basking in flecks of light that
reach down through the canopy to the ground.
A truly memorable spectacle is standing by the Tarcoles
River bridge before sunset and watching the Scarlet
Macaws fly out to roost (literally flying into the sunset).
Shortly after dawn, the birds make the return flight
back to the reserve. While at the bridge, scan the river
banks for American Crocodiles. These grotesque-looking
reptiles are very abundant along this stretch of the
river and the biggest ones can measure nearly 4 meters.
Getting there: From San José, take the
PanAmerican Highway west to the Atenas exit, and follow
the old highway through the mountains to the town of
Orotina where you rejoin a more modern highway. Take
the Jacó turnoff and follow this coastal highway
south until you come to the bridge over the Tarcoles
River. The reserve begins at the river, but the administration
building is another three kilometers farther down the
highway.
By car, it is less than two hours from San José
to the reserve headquarters. Public buses going to Jacó
or Quepos/Manuel Antonio will let you off at the reserve.
Climate: Hot and humid, even during most of
the dry season which lasts from January through April.
The forest transpires sufficient moisture to cause sporadic
showers to fall occasionally in the dry months helping
the vegetation to stay evergreen. At the height of the
rainy season (August to October), portions of the reserve
near the river and other smaller streams often become
inundated from the heavy rains.
History: The existence of this marvelous example
of tropical wet forest in the midst of an area that
has otherwise been seriously altered by the effects
of deforestation is owed to the fact that before being
included in the national park system, Carara was part
of a huge cattle ranch known as "El Coyolar." The ranch
was so extensive that there apparently was never a need
to cut the forest in this hilly "back 40."
When the ranch was taken over by the Costa Rican Land
Reform Agency in the mid-1970's and parceled off in
small farms, fortunately someone with foresight realized
the ecological value of the forested sector and the
area was declared a biological reserve to be administered
by the young park service.
Ten years after its creation, Carara was still relatively
unknown and seldom visited even though a paved highway
passed right in front of it. However, as tourism has
grown tremendously in the country, Carara is now one
of the five most visited sites in the entire national
park system.
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