Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
theme - such as trout in coconut sauce and trout
ceviche
(marinated in lemon or lime juice,
garlic and seasonings) - can't be found just anywhere.
Getting There & Away
The turnoff to San Gerardo de Dota is near Km 80 on the Interamericana. From here, the
steep road alternates between paved and dirt. Take it slowly, as two-way traffic necessit-
ates a bit of negotiation. Buses between San José and San Isidro de El General can drop
you at the turnoff.
Parque Nacional Los Quetzales
Formerly known as Reserva Los Santos,
Parque Nacional Los Quetzales
(
2206-5020; admission US$5; 7:30am-3:30pm)
officially became a national park in 2005.
Spread along both banks of the Río Savegre, at an altitude of 2000m to 3000m, Los Quet-
zales covers 50 sq km of rainforest and cloud forest lying along the slopes of the Cor-
dillera de Talamanca.
The lifeblood of the park is the Río Savegre, which starts high up on the Cerro de la
Muerte and feeds several mountain streams and glacial lakes before pouring into the Pacif-
ic near the town of Savegre. Although relatively small, this region is remarkably diverse -
the Savegre watershed contains approximately 20% of the registered bird species in Costa
Rica.
True to the park's new name, the beautiful quetzal is here, along with the trogon, hum-
mingbird and sooty robin. Avians aside, the park is home to endangered species including
jaguars, Baird's tapirs and squirrel monkeys. The park is also home to premontane forests,
the second-most endangered life zone in Costa Rica.
The park has no facilities for tourists aside from the small ranger station, which collects
fees. From here, a modest network of bird-watching trails radiates into the forest. All the
lodges around San Gerardo de Dota organize hiking and bird-watching tours; to arrange
multiday hiking trips into this unique ecosystem and its nearby villages, contact the ranger
station, which has a list of reputable local guides.
