Chirripo National Park and Parque Internacional de la Amistad Costa Rica- Panama

These two parks contain the greatest biological diversity in all of Costa Rica.  They protect the country’s largest stand of virgin forest. The region also has great hydroelectric potential. As a result of the difference in altitude, topography, soil type, and climate, an extraordinary number of habitats can be found.  These include paramos (flat land with stunted growth of Andean origin), highland swamps, oak forests (Quercus spp, characterized by straight tall trees), Arctostaphylos arbutoides forests, fern groves (Lomaria spp and Sphagum spp), and crystal clear glacier lakes. The fauna is incredibly rich and approximately 215 species of mammals have been sighted including the country’s largest population of tapir (Tapirus bairdii).  Some 400 species of birds have been recorded, including the quetzal (Pharomachrus mocinno). 250 amphibians and reptiles and 115 species of fish can be found.  It has been estimatied that 60 percent of all Costa Rican invertebrate animals are found within these two parks.  The lakes that crown the summit were formed by glaciers over 25,000 years ago. The innumerable valleys with savannahs with valleys that exist in both regions are incomparably beautiful. The mountain peaks provide excellent scenic overlooks. The temperature ranges from 27 degrees C (80 degrees F) during the day to below freezing at night. Both parks, along with some of the neighboring areas, were declared a “Biosphere Reserve” by UNESCO in 1982.

Chirripo National Park and  is named after Cerro Chirripo. Chirripo covers 43,700 hectares (108,000 acres). Costa Rica’s highest mountain peak at 3,819 meters high. Most of this park rests over 2,000 meters above sea level. Climbing to the top of Chirripo takes 3-4 days.  Chirripo is worth visiting as well without climbing the summit. There is lowland trails, lush vegetation, waterfalls, and relaxing hot springs.The eastern boundary of Chirripo National Park and  coincides with the western border of Parque Internacional La Amistad.

The sizeable 1950 sq km Parque Internacional La Amistad is the largest protected area in Costa Rica. Amistad covers about 12% of Costa Rica’s total territory. This park continues into Panama, where it’s 2070 sq km are managed separately. In 1983 Amistad was given the status of a World Heritage site. All six species of Neotropical cats reside here, including the jaguar, puma, margay, ocelot, oncilla, and jaguarondi.  There are 20   species of hummingbirds and 3 inch long grasshoppers. Hiking near Las Tablas Forest Reserve is safe and rewarding, but only experienced tropical trekkers should venture into the interior.

Braulio Carrillo National Park

Located just north of San Jose, this park is dedicated to Lic. Braulio Carrillo, a national benefactor and Costa Rica’s 3rd Chief of State.  Bisecting the park is a highway built in 1987 that connects San Jose to Limon (home of one Costa Rica’s most valuable ports.) This road is the result of careful planning between politicians and conservationists and offers travelers many spectacular scenic overlooks.  The park lies on one of the most rugged regions of the country, where rivers have cut steep vertical canyons through mountains of thick virgin forest. The yellow waters of Rio Sucio (dirty river) carries volcanic minerals while the waters of Rio Hondura are crystal clear. Topography and high rate of rainfall (average 4.5 mm per year) combine to form an infinite number of waterfalls. Parque Nacional Braulio Carillo’s watershed is San Jose’s most important water source.

The park includes two extinct volcanoes, Barva and Cacho Negro. One of the many lakes at the foot of Volcan Barva is Laguna Barva, a green lake in an extinct crater.  About 95% of the country is covered with tall, dense, evergreen forest.  The tallest are those which grow in the lowlands facing the Caribbean plain.  It has been estimated that about 6,000 plant species exist in the park.  Tree ferns, heliconias, palm trees, oaks, bromeliads, and auraceous plants are abundant.  Birdlife is plentiful with 333 species recorded to date. These species include the barenecked umbrella bird, the solitary eagle, the clay-colored robin (Costa Rica’s national bird), and the quetzal (considered the most exquisite bird in the Americas).

Costa Rica Conservation History

27 percent of Costa Rica is designated as national parks, or other forms of protected areas. Alone in the world in having these staggering conservation statistics, Costa Rica stands as an example of how conservation can benefit both the economy and the people. Yet this example is not perfect, and there are growth related issues that threaten the fine balance that Costa Rica finds itself in.

Costa Rica’s Conservation History is one of both heroes and villains caught in a drama of ideals and sacrifice. In the onset, one of the earliest conservationists was Nils Olaf Wesseberg and his wife Mongensen Fischer, who came to Costa Rica in the mid 1950’s. Coming from Sweden and looking for a life more connected with nature, they purchased a farm in Nicoya near Montezuma. Committed to the naturalist way of life, they built their home out of palm leaves to reinforce their determination to live in harmony with nature. But even in this remote part of the world, progress still caught up to them. They watched in dismay as virgin forest began to be cut down around them. As a response, Nils became an activist, working ferociously to raise money to buy land and preserve it.

After 3 years of hard work and over 1,000 pages of letters, he raised the money ($30,000 USD) he needed to buy the 3,000 acres that constitute the Cabo Blanco Strict Nature Reserve in Nicoya, Costa Rica. The success he experienced here was short lived. In the process of trying to start another Nature Reserve in Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica, he was murdered by those who would benefit from stopping his work. Today a plaque inside the Cabo Blanco Strict Natural Reserve honors the ultimate sacrifice he made as he pursued the ideals of conservation. In 2004, a new reserve was established near Montezuma, and was named after his wife, Karen Mogensen Fischer, who was also a fervent naturalist.

Another hero in Costa Rica’s Conservation History was Mario Boza. A student of forestry in Costa Rica, he put his conservation ideas to work in the founding of Costa Rica’s first National Park in Santa Rosa. In 1969 the new forestry law created the Santa Rosa National Park, as well as the Department of National Parks. But challenges still were present. With little funding available and a shortage of personnel to enforce the new laws, the land continued to be used in the manner it had been in the past. Ranchers hungered for more land for pasture. Squatters looked for places to establish their homes. Both used the technique of slash and burn to clear the land, which continued to diminish the newly established National Park and the laws set in place to protect it.

Because of his inability to stop the destruction through the established bureaucratic channels, Mario Boza pleaded directly to the people for support. By using the press he was able to generate public outrage at the burning of he newly formed national park. The outcome was that the national park officials received the authority needed to move out squatters as well as to protect the land from the growth needs of the ranchers and agriculturists.

Precedence began to be established of a culture that valued their natural parks. The Costa Rican President, Rodrigo Carazo (1978- 1982), called the countries national parks “splendid natural laboratories which we offer tot the international community and also to children, young people and adults who should not be denied the joy of direct contact with nature in its pristine state. All of this represents the contribution of the Costa Rican people to peace among men and goodwill among nations.”

Through out the years great effort has been taken to take conservation directly to the people through education. The truth is that cooperation is essential for the survival of these natural habitats. Education and support was needed to be provided to the people most directly affected by the turning of land into National Parks. For example, the custom of hunting species that are now protected had to be changed. Large animals such as jaguars and pumas, need a lare amount of territory to survive. Imagine he challenge of convincing people not to kill them even though they constitute a constant threat to livestock. This is an enormous undertaking, and often a thankless task.

Still new hope has been provided by the support of the international community, who provide revenue to these conservation efforts by visiting and staying in the National Parks, as well as learning the inner working and needs of these conservation efforts. Also support comes through many national and international foundations working on Costa Rica to further the cause.

Yet the future is still as unclear as when Neil Olaf Wesseberg set out to make history. Because of Costa Rica’s reputation as a safe democratic place, there is an overflow of foreign and domestic investments pushing for greater economic growth. In the end who will win… the conservationists or the economic-development-at-all-costs forces? The balance between the two is fragile, and only constant vigilance and cooperation will ensure the future of this amazing naturalist experiment which is Costa Rica.

Limon Costa Rica

Puerto Limon Costa Rica is the largest city on the Atlantic coast of the country.  The two hour drive from San Jose to Limon Costa Rica winds through mountains, canyons, virgin forest, and past waterfalls. Limon Costa Rica, with it’s distinct Caribbean flavor, is one of the most unique cities in the country.

The brightly colored peeled paint, diverse faces, and exotic scenery of Limon Costa Rica tells the story of it’s remarkable history. 17th century Limon Costa Rica was a conglomeration of cacao plantations.  After numerous pirate raids, the town was abandoned. In 1867 the forgotten Limon Costa Rica was chosen as the site for a new Atlantic shipping port which made Europe accessible for coffee exportation. This plan included a railroad which connected San Jose to Limon Costa Rica. Contractors hired laborers from Jamaica, Italy, and China to complete this massive undertaking.  These workers eventually settled in Limon Costa Rica, seasoning the town with rich cultural diversity. Banana trees were planted along side the railroad as an economical food source for workers. These thriving banana trees eventually became the foundation of Limon Costa Rica’s economy.

The city of Limon Costa Rica is centered around bananas rather than tourism. Down-to-Earth visitors will appreciate a town that caters to everyday life rather than tourists. The music scene in Limon Costa Rica is alive and growing. Restaurants are abundant in Limon Costa Rica. It is perhaps the only city in the country known for it’s Chinese food. The center of Limon Costa Rica does not house the typical Costa Rican soccer field, but large Banyan trees with buttress roots.  Dwelling in the tree tops of this central park is a family perezosos, or sloths.

Every October Limon Costa Rica hold it’s week long Carnaval, a festival celebrating “Dia de las Culturas,” The Day of the Cultures. The fiestas peak during the parade through the center of Limon Costa Rica.  An assembly of colorful costumes and Calypso bands dance through the streets.

Beaches surrounding Puerto Limon Costa Rica include Playa Bonita, Playa Portete, Isla Uvita, and Westfalia.  Playa Bonita has clean water, decent waves, and a picnic area. Playa Portete dwells in cove of sparkling water perfect for swimming and snorkeling. The road between Limon Costa Rica and Moin (northwest of Limon Costa Rica) houses the area’s prime accommodations.  A three hour canal ride connects Moin to Turtuguero National Park.