Page 86 - CARIBE TOURIST GUIDE

Barbilla National Park
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The indigenous people consider the mountain to be a sacred place, which is associated with different myths and legends.
The main objective of the park is to offer protection to a large area of nearly untouched tropical rainforest, with significant biodiversity thanks to its physiographic and climatic characteristics. These create ideal characteristics for large number of species of flora and fauna such as pumas, jaguars, ocelots, tapirs, tayras (Eira barbara), monkeys and several species of birds, many of which are endangered. Bird species such as the heron can also be observed, making the park popular with birdwatchers.
Barbilla is one of the least visited national parks in Costa Rica, so it has the distinction of being both relatively intact and ecologically rich, with its main attraction being the steep trails that follow the Dantas and Barbilla rivers. The area is marked by steep gullies, with an average rainfall of 3,500 mm to 4,000 mm annually (140 to 180 inches), which makes it necessary to maintain forest cover to avoid rapid erosion caused by heavy rains.
The Park has an administrative building with potable water, restrooms, electricity, and a radio communication system located in the community of Brisas de Pacuarito, whose research efforts focus on the classification of insect species and parataxonomy.
Location
It is located 25 km east of the city of Turrialba in the provinces of Cartago and Limón. The main entrance to the park is three kilometers east of the city of Siquirres on the road to Limón. From this entrance, there is a well-maintained 16 km road, most of which is paved, making it possible to reach the national park in any type of vehicle.
The vegetation of Barbilla National Park is characteristic of the middle altitudes of Costa Rica. There are about 5,000 species of vascular plants and 1,000 to 2,000 species of non-vascular and lesser species.
Flora and fauna
The park is home to isolated patches of oak species at the highest elevations, a population of decomposing fungi and widely distributed tropical fungal species. Some of the most striking species are the roble encino and the amarillón.
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