GUANACASTE NATIONAL PARK

Located in the province of Guanacaste, North Pacific, 36 kilometers north of the Liberia city, was created on June 5,1991 by the Executive Order No. 20516-MIRENEM. It has an area of 32.512 hectares. Has a great ecological diversity distributed in the wet tropical, tropical rainforest, cliud forest and tropical dry forest.

The upper parts of the park are represented by the massifs of the volcanoes Orosí and Cacao. It is also important to mention that between the hill Orosilito and the Volcan Cacao, born the Tempisque river that then in conjunction with other rivers such as Ahogados and the Colorado, will form the Tempisque river, the main collector of the Guanacaste.
For its size, diversity and location, both on the Atlantic and the Pacific slope, the park has a rich biological diversity in its evergreen rainforest. The forest on the peak of Orosi and Cacao is primary, highlight the epiphytes such as bromeliads and orchids, ferns, aroids and mosses.

In this park there are around 3.000 species of plants. the dominant species are the maría, tempisque, alcornoque, capulín, jícaro danto and the fruta dorada. It highlights the diversity of birds, there are around 300, including the kettle, the goldfinch, the montezuma oriole, the tucancillo, the king of the vultures, the oropopo or spectacled owl, the bird bell, the umbrella bird, the magpie and the cargahuesos, among others. Some of the most representative mammals are tepezcuinte, deer, jaguar, white-faced, puma, tapir, caoti, peccary, armadillo, tolomuco and two-toed sloth. Estimates on the number of species of butterflies and moths, there are about 5.000 species.

Park facilities and hours

Biological station at Cacao Sector
Is open 24 hours with visitor attention from 8am to 4pm. Dormitory style lodging of four rooms with a capacity of 32 people, 4 restrooms and 2 showers. Caretaker on-site, kitchen and dining hall for researchers and groups.

Biological station at Maritza Sector
Is open 24 hours with visitor attention from 8am to 4pm. Dormitory style lodging of four rooms with a capacity of 32 people, showers and bathrooms, electricity. Large research lab and classroom.

Station at Pitilla Sector
Is open 24 hours with visitor attention from 8am to 4pm. Two room dormitory with 20 beds, three showers and restrooms, no electricity. Laboratory and classrooms.

Tropical Dry Forest Research Center
Dormitory style lodging for up to 64 people. Dining area, electricity, water, laundry, telephone, fax and photocopying.

www.costarica-nationalparks.com
http://www.infoweb.co.cr/turismo/parques/guanacaste.html

Our reception desk will be pleased to answer any questions you may have about these or other tours. Tours can be booked through our receptionists prior to or during your trip. 

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