Explore The Valle Central and the highlands
Rugged, pristine PARQUE NACIONAL TAPANTÍ-MACIZO CERRO DE LA MUERTE, 12km southeast of Orosí, is one of Costa Rica’s least-visited national parks. Altitude in this watershed area ranges from 1220m to 3490m above sea level and contains three life zones (low mountain and premontane rainforest, and paramo), a range of habitat that provides shelter for a variety of bird and animal life, as well as countless species of insects – it’s perhaps one of the easiest places in the country to spot the beautiful Blue Morpho butterfly. Flora is equally spectacular, including bromelias, heliconia and numerous ferns and mosses; it has been estimated that each hectare contains up to 160 different species of tree. The park is divided into two sectors: Tapantí, accessed from Orosí (and described here), and Macizo Cerro de la Muerte, approached from the Interamerican Highway.
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Watching wildlife in Tapanti
Watching wildlife in Tapanti
Tapanti is chock-full of mammals; about 45 species live here, including the elusive tapir, as well as ocelot and margay, although you‘re more likely to spot paca, coati and, if you‘re lucky, kinkajou. Birdlife is abundant, particularly along the trails that winds up into the hills: look out for black guan, tinamou and chacalaca. The park’s high rainfall makes it nirvana for reptiles and amphibians, too, including eye-lash viper and basilisk lizard.
