Parque Nacional Braulio Carrillo

Area: 47,583 hectares, (114,199 acres)

Established: 4/27/78

Description: This vast park spanning five life zones is only a 40 minutes drive north from San José. It has a very high biological diversity, great potential for scientific research and is a natural seed bank for the regeneration of recovery of areas in the country that have been ravaged. There are more than 150 mammal species including jaguars, pumas, monkeys and 500 species of birds. You may see quetzals and toucans from the rugged trails that penetrate the forest.