Braulio Carrillo National Park

A Rich Haven of Biodiversity in Costa Rica

Braulio Carrillo National Park stands as one of Costa Rica's most renowned natural reserves, celebrated for its rich biodiversity, lush rainforests, and its close proximity to the capital city, San José. Established in 1978, the park covers approximately 50,000 hectares and serves as a prime destination for nature enthusiasts, ecotourists, and adventurers eager to experience one of the world’s most biologically diverse ecosystems. Situated in the Central Mountain Range, Braulio Carrillo is an integral part of a larger network of protected areas, including Carara and Tortuguero National Parks, highlighting the critical role of biological corridors in preserving Costa Rica's unique flora and fauna.

History

Braulio Carrillo National Park was established to preserve a significant portion of the tropical rainforest that blankets the Central Cordillera mountains. The park is named after Braulio Carrillo, a key political figure and president of Costa Rica during the 19th century, renowned for his visionary leadership and contributions to the country's infrastructure, including the construction of the Inter-American Highway.

The primary aim of the park's creation was to protect the region's ecosystems, which are crucial for maintaining biodiversity and safeguarding watersheds, particularly the Sucio River, a major tributary of the Sarapiquí River. Braulio Carrillo also forms part of the Mesoamerican Biological Corridor, an initiative aimed at linking various protected areas to facilitate the movement and migration of plant and animal species across the region.

Location

Braulio Carrillo National Park is situated in the northern part of Heredia province, approximately 25 kilometers north of San José, making it one of the most easily accessible parks from the capital. Visitors can reach the park via the Braulio Carrillo Highway, which connects San José to Costa Rica's Caribbean region.

The park features several entry points, including:

Main Entrance: Located along the Braulio Carrillo Highway, roughly 35 minutes from San José, near the Sucio River.
Zurquí Entrance: Found along the road leading to Sarapiquí, this entrance is particularly convenient for visitors coming from the Caribbean side of Costa Rica.

For the most comfortable experience, it's recommended to travel by private car or arrange for a guided tour, as the roads leading to the park can be winding and occasionally challenging to navigate. While there are public transport options from San José to nearby towns, private transportation is generally the most convenient and efficient way to reach the park.

Biodiversity

Braulio Carrillo National Park exemplifies Costa Rica’s rich biodiversity, with its diverse landscape featuring a blend of rainforests and montane forests that shift with altitude. This variation in habitat types supports an impressive array of plant and animal species.

Flora

The park is known for its lush, vibrant vegetation, which includes towering tree species like cedar (Cedrela odorata), laurel (Nectandra spp.), and numerous types of ferns and mosses. As visitors ascend the park’s slopes, the environment becomes wetter and more dense, with epiphytic plants such as orchids, bromeliads, and lichens flourishing in the humid conditions. At higher elevations, montane forests dominate the landscape, and in some areas, páramo ecosystems appear, characterized by shrubs and plants adapted to cooler climates.

Fauna

Braulio Carrillo is home to a staggering diversity of wildlife, with over 500 animal species recorded. Among the notable mammals are the ocelot (Leopardus wiedii), puma (Puma concolor), howler monkey (Alouatta palliata), white-faced capuchin monkey (Cebus capucinus), and Baird’s tapir (Tapirus bairdii), one of the largest mammals in Central America.

The park is also a birdwatcher's paradise, hosting more than 400 bird species. Notable sightings include the resplendent quetzal (Pharomachrus mocinno), hawks (Accipiter striatus), as well as a variety of hummingbirds, wrens, and trogons.

In addition to mammals and birds, the park supports a wide range of reptiles and amphibians, such as the glass frog (Hyalinobatrachium fleischmanni), coral snakes (Micrurus spp.), and the American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus). The park’s rivers and streams are home to aquatic species like tilapia (Oreochromis) and various insects, including butterflies and dragonflies.

Rivers and Waterways

Braulio Carrillo National Park is vital for preserving Costa Rica’s water resources, particularly as it contains key watersheds. The Sucio River, a major waterway flowing through the park, is one of the most significant, feeding into the Sarapiquí River. These rivers are crucial to local communities and support agriculture in the Caribbean lowlands.

Conservation

Although Braulio Carrillo National Park is one of Costa Rica's most safeguarded regions, it still faces challenges such as deforestation and the pressures of tourism. The growth of nearby urban areas and agricultural activities pose significant risks to the park’s ecosystems. To address these threats, authorities are actively working on conservation initiatives and environmental education programs aimed at reducing the impact of human activities.

Furthermore, ongoing reforestation projects and the enhancement of biological corridors are crucial for maintaining the park’s biodiversity and ensuring its long-term ecological health.

Read more about Braulio Carrillo National Park on the SINAC site: Read more