Braulio Carrillo National Park Activities

Where is Braulio Carrillo National Park Located?

Firstly, the park gets its name from the third president of Costa Rica, Dr. Braulio Carrillo. You will find this huge expanse of exquisite virgin forest located just north of the Central Valley – situated on the Central Volcanic Cordillera, between the massifs of the Irazú and Poás volcanoes.

Included in these wonders are the Cacho Negro and Barva volcanoes – these stretch from La Selva Protective Zone in Puerto Viejo de Sarapiquí to the Alto de la Palma in the north of the canton of Moravia.

Have you ever driven along Route 32 where you pass through the underground tunnel, the Zurqui? Well, part of the Braulio Carrillo National Park actually sits on top of the tunnel, providing a bridge for animals passing through!

The park is located in the Heredia Province, right there, in central Costa Rica, about 31 miles north of San Jose. If you go via Route 1 or Route 3 to Route 126, you will take about 2 hours to get to the park.

When is the best time to visit Braulio Carrillo National Park?

It would be best to say that the peak season is the most popular – that would be from the middle of December through to April because it’s the driest season.

If you decide to visit the park in the rainy season, it will be cheaper if that’s what you are looking for, but you can expect the paths in the park to be muddy.

But then on the other hand, of course, the jungle is looking magnificent, green and lush – also when the wildlife is most active. It all depends on what you consider to be the best time to visit the park!

What’s the weather like in the Braulio Carrillo National Park?

You can understand why the area of Costa Rica is so lush and green because 4,000-8,000 mm falls down every year. The temperatures too vary a lot with elevation – so you will get average temperatures of around 26°C on the lower east slopes whilst it can get to below freezing during the night on the ridges and peaks.

The driest areas are March and April, but you can generally expect there to be afternoon showers which are actually the norm from May through to November.

How do you get to Braulio National Park?

Getting there from San Jose: Connecting up with Route 32, you will head north-east towards Limon and Guapiles. You continue on Route 32, passing through the tunnel mentioned above.

Look out for the signs that will say “Welcome to Braulio Carrillo National Park.” Once you see that sign, start looking out for a smaller sign for the parking lot and Quebrada Gonzalez sector as well as the ranger station on the right side of the road. Your driving time will be about 50 minutes from downtown San Jose.

Getting there from Limon: This route also connects to Route 32. You will drive northwest towards Guapiles and San Jose. You pass through Guapiles, looking out for signs mentioned above, the ones that say “Welcome to Braulio Carrillo National Park.” Once past the sign look out for another smaller signs that says Quebrada Gonzalez sector and a parking lot and ranger station on the left side of the road. Driving time is also about 2 hours from Limon.

On the bus: There are buses that go to Guápiles, Siquirres, or Limón which will drop you at any of the ranger stations. You often have to flag these down which can be quite a feat for the return journey though because it’s is not usually a scheduled stop for them. There is a bus terminal in San José called the Caribeños bus terminal, Ave. 15, 800 north of Parque Central, Barrio Tournón.

If you are renting a car, it might be better to rent a 4×4, particularly the third section, Barva Volcano – you drive through Heredia and turn north, driving through Barva, San Jose de la Montaña, and Sacramento. The last 4 km to the ranger station is only accessible by hiking.

What to Bring/Wear to Braulio Carrillo National Park

There is plenty of rain around, so it is always good to be prepared when you come to Braulio Carrillo as the paths and trails can get pretty muddy and wet.

Hiking boots are recommended and of course a raincoat! Don’t forget a good insect repellent; in fact, it’s a necessity in the hot steamy forests – some people prefer wearing long pants to protect themselves even more.

It goes without saying to remember your water and snacks because you won’t find stores and amenities in the immediate vicinity.

Visitors to Braulio Carrillo should generally pack shorts, tee shirts, appropriate shoes, rain gear, and sunblock. It is also a good idea to pack in a pair of long pants, a long-sleeve shirt, and even a sweatshirt or light jacket.

Operating Hours and Fees (subject to change)

Braulio National Park : 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Per adult (age 13+) daily $12.00 USD

Per child (age 2-12) daily $5.00 USD

Per child (age 0-1) daily Free

Activities at Braulio Carrillo National Park

There is a rainforest aerial tram if you like; it’s on the Eastern side of the park; like an open gondola that takes you on a bit of tour of the rainforest canopy; crossing a valley and climbing a small mountain.

There are always guides who will point out the animals to you. Then there are a few kilometers of excellent hiking with guides as well which are included with your entrance fee. You may also swim in the crystal-clear waters of the Corinto River. Bird watching is a top activity in this park as well as rock climbing activities.

Where to Eat

The government of Costa Rica manages the Braulio Carrillo National Park and there are three rangers’ stations with public restrooms if you need the basic amenities, but there are no official overnight facilities or restaurants, etc. inside the park.

Most visitors stay in San Jose, Heredia, or Sarapiqui. But not to worry, there are plenty of eateries near the Park and we have just given you 3 great examples of some.

Where to Sleep

There are no facilities inside the park, but like the eateries, there are plenty of places for you to stay overnight which are near the park. Tapirus Lodge feels like you’re in the heart of the forest; it’s always a good choice and it’s only about 10 km from the park. Other places that travelers enjoy are:

Adventure Inn
Hacienda La Isla
Other people say there is a really cute B&B called Casa Rio Blanco B&B and its only 15 minutes away from the park. The wooden cabins fit in so beautifully with the forest scenes, and you can hear the river nearby, watch exquisite birds, and enjoy the gardens – the owners, too, are full of advice about all the different activities to see and do around the park.

All good things are wild and free at Braulio Carrillo National Park

Just a short drive from the hustle and bustle of San Jose is a vast expanse of exquisite pristine rainforest teeming with wildlife and birdlife. It’s the Braulio Carrillo National Park, part of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

Travelers heading up to the Caribbean coast will likely pass right through the lush forests. Sometimes travelers like to stop over for a day to explore the trails of Braulio Carrillo.

This huge expanse of virgin forest is certainly a sight for sore eyes, and one can’t help feeling relieved that there are still natural places like this that conserve nature and wildlife with not too much human interference.

In fact, if it weren’t for the highway, one would feel you were lost in time with amongst more than 500 bird species and over 150 mammal species, all of which have made their homes here.

There are 117,300 acres of protected area here, thanks to concerned environmentalists, which led to the establishment of the park in 1978.

This park has the most significant elevation variance of any of the national parks in Costa Rica.

It ranges from 118 feet at the La Selva border all the way up to 9,514 feet at the summit of Barva Volcano.

When in the park, you stand back, in awe of the unmatched views of this incredible wilderness, enjoying the sparkling crystalline rivers and the lush green trees.

This is an adventure that there are not many left in the world of this caliber. Because spending time in nature is healing energy, and that’s exactly what Braulio Carrillo National Park offers.