Carara National Park/Crocodile Tour/ Punta Leone Beach/ Sunset views

This day is great for photography and nature enthusiasts with a little something for everyone.

Start the day early in order to make the most of this nature filled day. Additionally, keep in mind that it’s about 10-15 degrees warmer and more humid down towards the beach than it is at our house, so hiking through the forest will be more comfortable earlier. Carara National Park is a worldwide known birding destination. It’s one of the few locations in Costa Rica where you are almost guaranteed to see (or at least hear) the magnificent Scarlet Macaw in the wild. The sheer beauty of these creatures has unfortunately caused them to become almost instinct in the wild due do poaching. Fortunately there are breeding and educational programs in Costa Rica working to reverse their current status and bring back their numbers in the wild.

While the Scarlet Macaws are one of the stars of this park, there is so much more to see in the forest both in terms of flora and fauna. There are two trails which you can walk through but if you hire a guide at the entrance, they will point out many things you might have otherwise missed. A good guide will can also customize your tour and help find what you hoping to see. To see some of the wildlife in the park that others have photographed click here.

Keep in mind that it’s about 10-15 degrees warmer and more humid down towards the beach than it is at our house, so hiking through the forest will be much more comfortable earlier, plus the chances of seeing wildlife is always better early in the day. For more info about what to expect in the park, check out this site which is one of our favorite for Costa Rica exploring info.