Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
OTIAC
TOURIST INFORMATION
(Orosi Tourist Information & Arts Café;
2533-3640;
8am-6pm Mon-Fri, 10:30am-5pm Sun;
)
Run by multilingual long-term residents Toine and Sara, this exceptionally helpful organ-
ization functions as an information center, cafe, cultural hall and book exchange. They can
help arrange tours and are a good source of information about volunteer and teaching op-
portunities. Find it 200m south of the park and one block west of the main road.
Getting There & Away
Autotransportes Mata Irola
( 2533-1916)
runs buses (US$0.95) every 15 to 30 minutes
to Paraíso (20 minutes) and Cartago (40 minutes) from multiple stops along Orosi's main
street. Transfer in Paraíso for buses to Ujarrás and Cachí (US$1.15).
Parque Nacional Tapantí-Macizo Cerro de la Muerte
Protecting the lush northern slopes of the Cordillera de Talamanca, this 580-sq-km
nation-
al park
(adult/child 6-12yr US$10/1; 8am-4pm; )
is the wettest in Costa Rica, receiving
an average of 7000mm of precipitation per year. Known simply as Tapantí, the park pro-
tects wild and mossy country that's fed by literally hundreds of rivers. Waterfalls abound,
vegetation is thick and the wildlife is prolific, though not always easy to see because of the
rugged terrain. In 2000 the park was expanded to include the infamous Cerro de la Muerte
(Mountain of Death), a precipitous peak that marks the highest point on the Interamericana
and the northernmost extent of
páramo,
a highland shrub and tussock-grass habitat - most
commonly found in the Andes - that shelters a variety of rare bird species.
Activities
Wildlife-Watching
More than 300 bird species have been recorded in the park, including hummingbirds, par-
rots, toucans, trogons and eagles. The bird-watching opportunities here are legendary, as
it's possible to spot a large variety in a small area. Though rarely sighted due to the thick
vegetation, monkeys, coatis, pacas, tayras and even pumas, ocelots and oncillas are
present.
