Braulio Carrillo National Park Costa Rica

	Area		118,000 acres
	Max. Elevation		9,532' above sea level
	Temperature		Ranges from 35ºF (in the high altitudes) to 90ºF
	Precipitation		180 inches annual average
	Location		Central Valley, 20 miles northeast of San Jose
	Date of Creation		27 April 1978, with several later additions

Park Attractions

Braulio Carrillo National Park has several dormant volcanoes: Cerro Chompipe, Cerro Cacho Negro, Cerros las Tres Marias. Barva Volcano presents several crater lakes: Barva, Danta and Copey.

Barva Volcano as seen from the Central Valley

Barva Volcano Costa Rica

The park is fundamental for the protection of the water resources of the Sector Norte (Sarapiqui) hydroelectric project, which supplies water to a large portion of the Central Valley.

Primary cloud forest and rainforest covers the park, which abounds with flora and fauna species in multiple life zones, innumerable rivers and waterfalls.

Driving Directions

From San Jose, take the highway toward Limón. This highway winds through the Park, and passes by two ranger stations; the Zurqui sector and the Carrillo (Quebrada Gonzalez). The third sector, Barva Volcano, is reached by driving through Heredia, then turn north and drive through Barva, San Jose de la Montaña, and Sacramento. The last 4 km to the puesto (ranger station) is generally only accessible by hiking.

Park Facilities and Hours

All three ranger stations within Braulio Carrillo National Park are open from 8:00am to 4:00pm. Several scenic hiking trails wind through the different sectors, and trail guides are available.

Restrooms, picnic areas, and facilities are available only at the ranger stations, and it is highly recommended that further exploration of the park be undertaken with an experienced guide. Other nearby Costa Rica parks include:
La Selva Protected Zone
Central Volcanic Forest Reserve
Jaguarundi Wildlife Refuge
Poas Volcano National Park
Juan Castro Blanco National Park

Costa Rica National Parks

Braulio Carrillo National Park