It is easy hiking. One day, even just a few hours, would probably be enough if you aren't avid birders. We saw some really interesting (non poisonous) snakes, Howler monkeys and great birds there. We heard and smelled a peccary but didn't investigate because they can be grumpy and not too friendly if in a group. It is definitely a place with its own identity and ecosystem but if you feel the need to see every ecosystem in CR.....you would never get out of the country!

We enjoyed it but with all the other places you will be going....you could skip it for this trip and not really feel like you missed anything. You might want to stop for a little bit on the Tarcoles bridge to try to see some crocs as well as the Scarlet macaws that fly around. We stopped briefly this year just to watch for macaws (they arrived in short time) on our way to Dominical and didn't go out on the bridge but still saw the crocs.

Enjoy your trip

Thanks for the feedback. I think we'll head back north to Carara from MA for a couple nights. This will get us a little closer to the airport for the trip hom.

Double thanks for noticing my question since I don't think I got it filed in the right topic.

Cheers.

Jessie....I am very interested in seeing the Scarlet Macaws at Carrara. Did you view them at dawn or dusk, as the guidebooks recommend? Or is there a pretty good chance of seeing them from the Tarcoles bridge any time of day?

Cole_Valley, While in the Carara area check out the beautiful sunset at Villa Caletas.

Martha, I have seen or heard the Scarlets both in the morning and in the afternoon there. We are birders so during the middle of the day I really can't say if they are around. This year we were heading down to Dominical after arriving in the country and passed through there around 4:30-5:00pm.

We have watched numerous Scarlets while down on the Osa and even during the heat of the day it is not unusual to see them flying around down there so I would think it is possible that you could see them near Carara at all times too.

Regarding macaws- toward sunset they do fly west along the Tarcoles to their roosting sites near the Pacific and quite early in the morning fly back into the Park area.

During the day the 'River Trail' [it has a different name now...]at Carara can be good for macaws. Of course, earlier in the morning is best. A slow stroll along this trail can be good for a good variety of great birds. At one point the trail passes close to a little vegetation covered lake that has a good variety of birds including the neat looking Boat-billed Heron. Royal Flycatcher is another bird quite common in this area -as well as many other species.

An enjoyable spot to stay and bird in this area is Villa Lapas, just south of Carara, which has trails through secondary forest on the grounds. The hillsides here can be good for macaws foraging in the taller trees.

Another good spot for macaws is to follow the little sideroad past Villa Lapas and park farther up the hill. You get good vistas and Scarlet Macaws often feed here as well. This is also a great spot for Rufous-tailed Jacamar -another interesting bird.

Jerry

I just returned from a trip to Costa Rica and really enjoyed Carra. In fact, I took three trips there and saw macaws at each trip (and many other animals). They are quite loud and easy to find. I was able to see them at just about every time of the day (I wasn't there between 11-2).

My wife and I are not avid birders either, but we really enjoyed it and saw much more than birds. The hiking was quite easy also. I don't know if I would spend more than 1 night in the area however. There are two areas to hike, one is just south of the Tarcoles river and has the lagoon, which is more of a walk than a hike. At the main building, just a bit farther south is another trail. I suggest coming early (6:15'ish) to the main station and hire a guide for $15 per person. It was well worth it, then you can hike on your own and you will know what to look for.

We followed a similar itinerary as you have and I would suggest Carra for two main reasons, Scarlet Macaws and the fact that it isn't crowded at all which allows you to see much more wildlife, even though they may have similar wildlife to other areas.