Carara National Park

Carara National Park sits on the coast road a short drive north of Jaco, and it is the best single wildlife morning in the Central Pacific. The reserve spans a rare transition zone, where the drier forests of the north blend into the wetter rainforest of the south, so birds and mammals from both regions share one set of trails. Scarlet macaws are the headline. The big red, blue and yellow parrots nest in the area and pass overhead in noisy pairs, most often in the early morning and again in late afternoon as they head to roost. Beyond the macaws, a patient walk can turn up white-faced capuchin monkeys, howler monkeys, two-toed and three-toed sloths, agoutis, coatis, tiny poison dart frogs on the leaf litter and a long list of trogons, motmots, toucans and antbirds. A guided visit matters more here than almost anywhere else, because the forest is dense and the animals are shy. A certified naturalist guide carries a spotting scope, listens for calls, knows where a sloth has been sleeping for weeks and can name the tree that is dropping fruit. The tour linked here is a guided visit that includes the park ticket, which removes the biggest hassle of a do-it-yourself trip: buying entry and finding a reliable guide at the gate. Groups are usually small, the pace is slow and the best tours start early, when the forest is cool and the animals are moving.

Know what the walk is like before you go. The main trails are short, relatively flat loops through shaded forest, and some sections are laid out as easy, wide paths that suit older visitors and families with young children. Expect humidity, mosquitoes and mud after rain. Wear long light trousers, closed shoes with grip, a hat and insect repellent, carry a reusable bottle of water, and bring binoculars if you have them, although the guide's scope usually does the heavy lifting.

Food is not allowed on the trails, drones are not allowed, and you should keep to the marked paths so the wildlife is not disturbed.

Timing shapes the day. The park is open daily for a limited number of hours, so check the current schedule with the operator when you book, and plan to be at the gate when it opens. The dry season, from December to April, gives the easiest walking and the best chance of dry trails, while the green season, from May to November, brings lusher forest, fewer visitors and showers that tend to arrive in the afternoon.

Macaws are visible in both seasons, and many visitors say they are easiest to see near the park edge and the Tarcoles area.

Carara pairs naturally with the Tarcoles River crocodile tour, since the river and the park entrance are only minutes apart, and with a relaxed lunch on the road back to Jaco. If you only have one nature morning on this coast and do not want a long drive to Manuel Antonio, this is the one to book. Choose a small group over a large one, pick the earliest departure, and confirm in advance whether hotel pickup is included from Jaco, Playa Hermosa or Herradura.

One more reason to choose a guided visit is conservation. Carara protects one of the last stretches of Pacific forest in this part of the country, and the money from tickets and guides supports the people who look after the trails and watch for illegal hunting and logging.

Visitors who stay on the paths, take their rubbish out and keep their distance from the animals help the park stay healthy. If you are a keen photographer, ask the guide for tips on using a scope with a phone camera, because the results can be remarkably good.