Are you looking for a new park to visit, somewhere to get away from your routine? Barbilla National Park is an option for you to consider and take the whole family.

Its territory of 11,994 ha contains a large tropical forest, making it important for the region’s water supply. It is 20 km from the city of Siquirres and is not easy to get to; a 4x4 vehicle is recommended.

The entrance to the park is in the community of Brisas de Pacuarito, Limón. It is important that you go on the tour with a local guide, since the difficulty of the trails is intermediate to advanced.

The area is home to old-growth rainforests, with an impressive wealth of biodiversity due to the differences in altitude, ranging from 110 to 1,617 masl. Between 3,500 and 4,599 mm of rain fall each year.

Due to the local conditions, it is an important habitat for many endangered species, including pumas, jaguars, ocelots, tapirs, tawny owls and birds like the sunbittern.

A community of the Cabécar indigenous group is located nearby; these protected lands allow them to continue their practices as hunters and farmers. Currently, they fish in the main rivers of the area and cultivate papaya, guava, and a variety of staple crops.

Note that changes in the weather can occur even during the rainy season, which lasts from December to April. It is therefore advisable to be prepared and bring a few changes of clothes, sunscreen, a swimsuit, insect repellent, hiking shoes, water and snacks for the hikes.

Take the opportunity to discover a new park, which is one of the least visited in the country.

Services:

The park has an administration building that is staffed by park rangers. It has restrooms, a picnic area that can accommodate large groups and parking for cars and buses.

Additional information:

• Pets: no.
• Camping: no.
• Admission: ₡1000.
• Cabécar guide (for a group): around ₡10,000.
• Hours of operation: Every day from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• Telephone number: +506 2200-5224

Address:

From San José, take Ruta 32 to Limón, passing through the Zurquí Tunnel and the mountains of the Braulio Carrillo National Park. Take the turn-off for Siquirres. The entrance to the park is 3 km from the city of Siquirres. Then, turn off the road and continue down the unpaved road for 17 km until you reach Brisas de Pacuarito.