Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
number of wildlife tours that depart from Tárcoles. And, of course, the crocs don't mind,
as they're hand-fed virtually every day.
Activities
Wildlife-Watching
The most exciting bird for many visitors to see, especially in June or July, is the brilliantly
patterned scarlet macaw, a rare bird that is commonly seen in the Parque Nacional Carara.
Its distinctive call echoes loudly through the canopy, usually moments before a pair ap-
pears against the blue sky. If you're having problems spotting them, it may help to inquire
at the ranger station, which keeps tabs on where nesting pairs are located.
Dominated by open secondary forest punctuated by patches of dense, mature forest and
wetlands, Carara offers some superb bird-watching. More than 400 species of bird inhabit
the reserve, though your chances of spotting rarer species will be greatly enhanced with
the help of an experienced guide. Some commonly sighted species include orange-billed
sparrows, five kinds of trogon, crimson-fronted parakeets, blue-headed parrots, golden-
naped woodpeckers, rose-throated becards, gray-headed tanagers, long-tailed manikins and
rufous-tailed jacamars (just to name a few!).
Birds aside, the trails at Carara are home to several mammal species, including red
brockets, white-tailed deer, collared peccaries, monkeys, sloths and agoutis. The national
park is also home to one of Costa Rica's largest populations of tayras, weasel-like animals
that scurry along the forest floor. And, although most travelers aren't too keen on stum-
bling upon an American crocodile, some truly monstrous specimens can be viewed from a
safe distance at the nearby Crocodile Bridge.
According to the park rangers, the best chance of spotting wildlife is at 7am, when the
park opens.
