Carara Biological Reserve

 Carara is a few miles north of Jaco. This 4700 hectare reserve is one of the last habitats in Costa Rica for the scarlet macaws. Carara has a rich diversity of plants and animals because it forms a transition area between the dry forests in the north and the humid tropical forests in the south. The lagoon is home to crocodiles, red spoonbills, spade herons, monkeys and deer. Two trails run through the reserve. The short trail (800 m) starts at the main entrance, 3 km south of the Rio Tárcoles bridge. The long path (4 km) starts 500 m before the bridge. Black-capped antshrikes, hummingbirds and armadillos are frequent sightings here, and macaws can be seen nesting in the hollows of tall trees. Under the bridge over the Tarcoles River you can see South American crocodiles.