Carara National Park (Parque Nacional Carara)

Carara is a great place to stop off for a quick hike on a trip up or down the pacific coast any time of the year. If you are headed to or from slothful beach bumming, take a few hours to explore a trail. The rewards will be well worth the effort, and you will feel better after a little exercise.

This national park is a world-renowned ornithological destination and has extremely diverse birdlife, specifically the scarlet macaw (Ara macao), an endangered species that is the second largest Psittacidae species in Costa Rica.

Tips for Visiting Carara National Park Wear long pants, shirt/tank top and hiking shoes, closed toed hiking sandals will work fine too. Since it is both dry and wet rain forest, the bugs there were pretty intense so bring mosquito repellent. Sunscreen and a hat is also a must.