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Carara National Park

552 Reviews

#2 of 2 things to do in Carara

Features Animals

Nature & Parks, National Parks

Highway 34, Carara, Costa Rica

Book In Advance

Carara National Park Tour

Nature & Wildlife

From $85.00*

Private Puntarenas Shore Excursion: Tarcoles River Boat Tour at the Jungle

Ports of Call Tours

From $90.00*

Private Tour: Carara National Park Bird Watching Tour

Private Sightseeing Tours

From $105.00*

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Traveler Overview

4.5 552 reviews

Excellent64%
Very good26%
Average7%
Poor2%
Terrible1%

Travelers talk about

“manuel antonio”(40 reviews)

“scarlet macaws”(75 reviews)

“costa rica”(39 reviews)

About

Carara National Park is south of the Rio Tarcoles and 15 km north of Jaco Dentral. It boasts of a large population of breeding scarlet macaws, capuchin monkeys, anteaters, parrots, aracaris, kingfishers old growth forest and is a transistional...more

Contact

Highway 34, Carara, Costa Rica

Website

+506 2637 1054

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Ways to Experience Carara National Park

Carara National Park Tour

1 Review

from $85.00

More Info

Private Puntarenas Shore Excursion: Tarcoles...

2 Reviews

from $90.00

More Info

Private Tour: Carara National Park Bird...

1 Review

from $105.00

More Info

Carara National Park from Jaco

from $85.00

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1 - 10 of 390 reviews

AmyonTourStockport

Stockport

3726

Reviewed 4 days ago

Tropical Wonder

This is a beautiful park, the south side paths are level and easy access. The north side which in the wet season is flooded and not accessible, in the dry season is a little rough under foot. It’s mainly primary forest with lots of impressive...More

Date of experience: February 2019

Thank AmyonTourStockport

TahuaB

265

Reviewed 6 days ago

Very interesting wildlife

Against our habits we took a guide for this park and we did not regret it. The treasures of this park are not as obvious as in other ones, but with a guide, you will discover them. We saw different bat species, among them white...More

Date of experience: January 2019

Thank TahuaB

sandy1061

Mancos, Colorado

142

Reviewed 1 week ago

Beautiful Park, great guide

We visited the park on our Christmas vacation to Costa Rica. We were torn as to use a guide or to head out on our on. We chose to go with a guide,Maurice Vasquez. He was absolutely incredible! Right from the get go we saw...More

Date of experience: December 2018

Thank sandy1061

Puravidablonde

Herradura, Costa Rica

12382

Reviewed 1 week ago

Awesome hidden gem

I am a local avid border and hiker, and love a,, animals and nature in general. I hike Carara a lot by myself and see so much. It’s a hidden gem, as most go to nearby Manuel antonio. I hate crowds, and sometimes have the...More

Date of experience: February 2019

Thank Puravidablonde

IN_Travelers47906

West Lafayette, Indiana

815525

Reviewed 1 week ago

A Disappointment

The excursions available on our cruise up Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast included walking tours through three national parks, including Carara National Park, which paled compared to our walk through Manuel Antonio NP the day before. The trail in Carara NP is asphalt and has been...More

Date of experience: January 2019

Thank IN_Travelers47906

BrendaW837

Minden, Canada

5716

Reviewed 1 week ago via mobile

Guide is a must

We had a wonderful guided tour yesterday at the park. If we had not hired a guide it would’ve been a nice walk but I don’t know what we would have seen. We are here in the dry season and it’s not the greatest time...More

Date of experience: February 2019

Thank BrendaW837

eraydon

eraydon

102

Reviewed 2 weeks ago via mobile

Scarlet Macaws Aplenty

What else needs to be said? Mind blowing proximity to a large group of scarlet macaws, which is why you came here.

Date of experience: January 2019

Thank eraydon

b0b2019

Reviewed 3 weeks ago via mobile

Terrific place to stop on the way to /from Jaco Beach or Manuel Antonio

We stopped at the park on our way from Monteverde to Quepos. The park entrance is literally right on the main highway (and only 20 minutes from Jaco Beach). Apparently 5 guides hang out daily at the park entrance to offer their services to those...More

Date of experience: January 2019

Thank b0b2019

bribrinegar

Reviewed 3 weeks ago

GO WITH MO!

We were unsure whether or not to hire a private guide for our trip to Carara National Park but we are very pleased we did. I would highly recommend taking a guided tour, you will be astounded at what they are able to find! Our...More

Date of experience: January 2019

Thank bribrinegar

Hanne S

Reviewed 4 weeks ago via mobile

Maybe one of the best national park we visited!

We were really lucky to spot amazing animals here without a guide. A 2km tour at one hand with an amazing vibe. A beautiful walk with a lot of nature sounds. Monkeys, a lot of birds, a mother pig with three piglets... On the other...More

Date of experience: January 2019

3 Thank Hanne S

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Questions & Answers

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See all 23 questions

Sightsee65684980976

How much can cost taxi from puntarenas port?

January 27, 2019|

AnswerShow all 2 answers

No idea

debbiesmith212018

Is this national park on a dirt track? If so what sort of distance from the main/paved road please? We didn't rent an suv or 4x4. Thanks

March 12, 2018|

AnswerShow all 5 answers

You do not need an SUV to visit Carara. The entrance to the park is right on the main road and once you park you will walk in on the trails leading from the main entrance. No car is needed inside the park.

LAAsh

Is it possible to get a good guide upon arriving or does that need to be arranged beforehand?

March 2, 2018|

AnswerShow all 3 answers

When I went to Carrara in January, there was a guide named Carlos hanging out near the ticket booth. I hired him and he was very helpful. From my experience get a guide, they know where to look for the wildlife.

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