Lomas Barbudal Biological Reserve

The biological reserve Lomas Barbudal is located in San Ramón de Bagaces, at 15 Km southwest from the city of Bagaces, Guanacaste province. Its creation as a national reserve was by Executive Order No. 16849-MAG, of January 23, 1986. It has an area of 2,279 hectares.
This reserve protects a dry tropical forest, rich in species of insects, particularly bees, wasps and butterflies and moths. It is estimated that there are about 250 species of bees and 60 species of moths. Another feature that makes Lomas Barbudal a very important wildlife area, is the presence even during the summer of abundant water sources, such as the Cabuyo river, numerous streams and natural springs.

Barbudal has several plants associations such as the wooded sabana, evergreen forest, riparian forest that is located next to the watercourses and the dry tropical forest, being the last, the one with the bigger extension. At the deciduous forest the most of the trees lose their leaves during the dry season. The most common species are: the kapok tree, the nude indian, the jobo, the yellow rind, the ron-ron, the laurel, the canilla de mula and the malacahuite. The riparian forests are found along rivers and streams. They are evergreen forests, dense and diverse, and especially rich in solitary bees. The espavel, the locust, the medlar, the cinammon, the yellow ojoche and the cocora, are common species in this forest.

The savannah is an open area, cover with grass and scattered trees with species of chumico de palo or raspaguacal. At Lomas Barbudal exists timber species as ron-ron, the kapok tree, the cristobal, mahogany and the cocobolo that are in danger of extinction in the rest of the country. Many of these trees, shrubs and numerous other small plants are excellent producers of fruit, nectar, oils and pollen for birds, mammals and insects such as domestic and wild bees. There are about 250 species of bees in Lomas Barbudal. These species are of very important for the entomological matters, due to many of them are unique in the country and are at a high concentration of numbers and diversity in a relatively small area such as the wooded savannah.

Mammals are less abundant. However, you can see white-tailed deer, howler and white-faced monkeys; raccoons, coatis, tapirs, squirrels and jaguarondi lions among others. There are also, a large number of reptiles and fish. As for the birds in this area, there have being seen about 130 species, being the most characteristic the peacocks, yellow crested parrots, the king of voltures, toucans or black curre.

Facilities:
If you`re interested in hiking through the Barbudal Reserve, stop in the Friends of Lomas Barbudal office in Bagaces, where you can pick up trail guides and study the small exhibits they have on the region. At the reserve entrance there is a small museum called Casa Patrimonio which can give you even more information on the area.

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

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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