Santa Rosa National Park, Guanacaste Province, Costa Rica is full of coral reefs, swamps, grasslands, and forests that you will love. In addition to being the oldest national park in Costa Rica, this consists of a diversity of animals and plants.
Things to do
These are a list of highlights for things to do at Santa Rosa National Park:
Reservation
This protects the entire Santa Elena Peninsula and its surrounding waters. Certainly, it stretches for 190 square miles in total. On the other hand, the beautiful landscapes of Santa Rosa vary from coral reefs on the high seas and kilometers of virgin beaches to savanna grasslands, mangroves and thorny bushes dotted with cacti, certainly an experience that will fill your lungs with oxygen.
Walking trails
The wildlife is equally diverse and beautiful. There is no doubt that you will love watching jaguars and ocelots, spider and howler monkeys, tapirs, sloths, coatis and the more than 300 species of birds. It is also perfect to visit as a family, half a dozen main trails meander through the Santa Rosa desert, with Palo Seco Trail considered the best for wildlife observation.
La Casona Hacienda
Much of the battle of 1856 took place on this site. Today it is preserved as a beautiful museum that recalls the bloody battle that took place here that undoubtedly left behind a wonderful world of natural life. As well as the beaches that the peninsula can offer you.
How to get there
Santa Rosa is 255 km northwest of San José on the Pan-American Highway. You can fly to the capital, rent a vehicle and drive yourself for approximately four hours. On the other hand, you can take a national flight to the international airport in Liberia. This is about an hour’s drive from the park.
When to go
Wildlife is generally easier to detect and appreciate during the dry season (from November to April). Because it is when animals gather around water sources and vegetation is thinner.
How long
You can stay for approximately 4 to 3 days, a weekend will be enough for you to clear your mind and get to know a little more about the natural world around you.
Opening and closing hours
This amazing park opens from 8 in the morning until 3 in the afternoon. So it is recommended to leave early to enjoy the entire excursion.
Planning
The closest hotels found in Liberia Santa Rosa, that adapting to your pocket. You can also make day trips from the beach resorts of the Papagayo peninsula.
Inside information
Pack comfortable and cool clothes for the excursions that await you, as well as your camera to document the beautiful landscapes and wildlife. Also, Book your plane ticket in advance. In addition, park maps and informational brochures are sold at the entrance door.
History
The American William Walker could never have guessed that his failure in 1856, the invasion of Costa Rica would one day beget one of the great natural reserves of the Western Hemisphere. Certainly, when you find yourself surrounded by so much virgin nature, it is hard to imagine that the bloody battle of Santa Rosa against Walker’s forces developed in this dry tropical forest. But thanks to the victory of Costa Rica, the historical importance of the location helped its protection and designation as a national park, founded in 1971.
Websites
Other nearby attractions
National Theater of Costa Rica
It is located on the east side of Juan Mora Fernández Square in the city of San José, on Avenida 2, between Streets 3 and 5 in the Catedral district, San José. In addition, this is an infrastructure declared a National Monument, as one of the most important architectural works in the country.
Jade Museum
This is a historical, cultural and archaeological museum. Also, one of the most important pre-Columbian jade collections in America is exhibited and protected. On the other hand, the pieces that make up this cultural heritage come from all the archaeological regions of the country and are evidence of the work of different techniques developed to express the worldview of the societies that inhabited this territory in the past.
Green Mount
This is a population located in the mountainous area of northwestern Costa Rica. Also, it is known for the biodiversity of its cloud forests, the famous Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve houses a host of wild species. Certainly, eight different biological zones are distinguished in this moisture-rich environment. You can’t miss it.
If you loved this article or found it useful, don’t forget to share it with your adventurous and travel-hacking friends! If you want more posts like this, follow us on Youtube, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter or Facebook and subscribe to our newsletter!