Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
parking, toilets, drinking water and a ranger-staffed info booth. For security reasons, don't
leave your car parked anywhere along the main highway.
People who want to climb Volcán Barva on a day trip or camp overnight can stop by the
Barva Sector ranger station
(
2266-1883, 2266-1892; admission US$8;
8am-4pm)
, in
the southwest of the park, 3km north of Sacramento.
Temperatures fluctuate drastically, and annual rainfall can be as high as 6000mm. The
best time to go is the 'dry' season (January to April), but it is liable to rain then, too. Bring
warm clothing, wet-weather gear and sturdy footwear.
Getting There & Away
Frequent buses between San José and Guápiles can drop you off at the Quebrada González
station, but the return trip is more challenging. While it's possible to flag a bus down on
busy Hwy 32, your luck will depend on the driver's discretion and how full the bus is.
Drivers can reach the Barva station by following the decent paved road north from
Heredia through Barva village to San José de la Montaña, Paso Llano and Sacramento.
From Sacramento, a signed, 4WD-only trail leads 3km north to the entrance. It is not ad-
visable to drive this stretch in rainy season as the road is a mess of car-swallowing
potholes. Public buses from Heredia can only get you as far as Paso Llano, 7km from the
park entrance. For a day trip without your own vehicle, you'll need to take an early bus;
see the Heredia section for schedule details. Make sure you're catching a bus that goes all
the way to Paso Llano, or you'll be left more than 15km from the park's entrance.
