Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
WORTH A TRIP
RESERVA BIOLÓGICA LOMAS DE BARBUDAL
Forming a cohesive unit with Parque Nacional Palo Verde, the 26-sq-km Lomas de Bar-
budal is an option for more off-the-beaten-track, independent hiking.
This is tropical dry forest, with a prolonged dry season that sometimes feels like a
drought. Nearly 70% of the trees in the reserve are deciduous, and during the dry season
they shed their leaves just like fall in a temperate forest. This allows the trees to conserve
water and enables sunlight to filter through to facilitate the growth of thick underbrush.
The reserve protects several species of endangered trees, such as mahogany and rose-
wood, as well as the common and quite spectacularcorteza amarilla. This tree is what
biologists call a 'big-bang reproducer' - all the yellow cortezes in the forest burst into
bloom on the same day, and for about four days the forest is an incredible mass of yellow-
flowered trees. This usually occurs in March, about four days after an unseasonal rain
shower.
Lomas de Barbudal is also known for its insects. There are about 250 species of bee in
this fairly small reserve - representing about a quarter of the world's bee species. There
are also more than 200 bird species, including endangered species such as the great cur-
assow, king vulture, scarlet macaw and jabirú stork.
A small visitors center,
Casa Patrimonio
, has exhibits about the park's flora and fauna,
as well as maps and other information. Several hiking trails radiate from here.
The turnoff to Lomas de Barbudal from the Interamericana is 14km southeast of Liber-
ia or 12km northwest of Bagaces. From here it's 7km to the entrance of the reserve on a
rough unpaved road. Some steep sections may require 4WD in the rainy season.
Liberia
Pop 63,000
The sunny rural capital of Guanacaste has long served as a transportation hub connecting
Costa Rica with Nicaragua, as well as being the standard-bearer of Costa Rica's
sabanero
culture. Even today, a large part of the greater Liberia area is involved in ranching opera-
tions, but tourism is fast becoming a significant contributor to the economy. With an ex-
panding international airport, Liberia is a safer and more chilled-out alternative Costa Ric-
an gateway to San José, which means more travelers are spending a night or two in this
