Page 72 - SOUTH GUANACASTE TOURIST GUIDE

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Restaurante
Lookout
Bird watching
• Use the sites only for their intended purpose. •
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find hotels, restaurants and markets.
Barra Honda National Park
Protected Zones
Barra Honda
National Park
Barra Honda is the largest known cave system in the country. The geology of Cerro Barra Honda, a mountain 300 meters tall, shows that it was once a system of reefs that emerged from the sea due to a upswell in the tectonic plates some 60 million years ago. These
reef formations were shaped by blue and green algae that formed calcium deposits, as well as sponges, sea urchins and foramnifera, tiny marine protozoans with a calcareous shell.
It is one of the many rounded limestone hills located in the province of Guanacaste, and the only one in the region that has been studied to date and shown to possess large caverns with significant decorations. Another important element of this area is its capacity as an aquifer reserve for the surrounding inhabitants.
To visit the caves, first hire a guide authorized by the administration and rent the equipment provided by
the wilderness area. Drinking water Restaurante Restrooms Restrooms Information Lodging
People with conditions such as hypertension, vertigo or claustrophobia are not recommended to descend
Return to map
into the caves.
guides.
• At the lookout point, do not climb on
Microscopes
Services
Keep within Credit cards No pets trails accepted
Cafeteria Parking
Camping Hours DrCDirnreikndiknitigncagwradwtsaetrer ReRSsehtasotuawruaernrastnete ReRsetrsotromomss InIfnofromrmataiotinon LoLdogdignigng
Area $
More information
Barra Honda NP: (506) 2659-1551
Hours
CNredait icoardnsal visitorSshoawnerds residents over 13 years of age. accepted
accepted
Pic-nic Area
Camping Area
Tempisque CA Region: 2686-4968 / 2686-4970
Secondary students Foreigners
Tour to the caves, includes official entrance, guide and equipment.
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Dirección: It is located in the province of Guanacaste,
22 km northeast of the city of Nicoya. The park is
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hills. There are grocery stores in Barra Honda and the
closest cities are Nicoya and Carmona, where you can
No weapons allowed
Keep within trails
Do not pollute
No pets
It is not allowed to enter under the drug effect
Do not extract plants or rocks
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Paths Lookout Cafeteria
• Don’t leave the trails.
• Follow the recommendations of the
Information
Bird watching
Keep within trails
$
No pets
How to get there
1. From San José, go to Limonal directly via Route 1 or else on Route 27, followed by Highway 23 and Route 1 to Limonal. In Limonal, take the road over the Puente de la Amistad toward Nicoya. When you arrive at the entrance of Nicoya, take the road east of the traffic lights, towards the community of Santa Ana (16 km) until you reach the entrance to the town of Barra Honda. The road is paved, though the last 6 km is a gravel road.
2. From Liberia, head to Santa Cruz and Nicoya. When you arrive at the entrance of Nicoya, take the road east of the traffic lights, towards the community of Santa Ana (16 km). The road is paved, though the last 6 km is a gravel road.
What to bring?
Fresh clothes
Sunscreen
Normal visiting hours:
Seven days a week from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (visitor service
$
Camera
Repellent
Walking shoes
Snacks
for information and reservations)
Cap and sunglasses
Hydration
Opening hours to visit the caves:
From 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (descent).
Safety measures:
OInnformthatieontrails anLodgtinhg e lookout point:
In the cavern:
Parking Microscopes
Credit cards accepted
the railings.
Entry Fees
•
•
Respect the guides’ working area, only one person at a time.
Follow the recommendations of the guides.
Walk on the designated paths inside the cave.
¢1000 $12
nationals $19 foreign $29