Carara National Park

National Park · Costa Rica

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Photo © Becky Matsubara from El Sobrante, California

Photo © Becky Matsubara from El Sobrante, California — CC BY 4.0 — Source: Wikimedia Commons

Where the Pacific coastal plain meets transitional forest, Carara National Park straddles one of Central America's most dynamic ecological boundaries. The park's landscape encompasses lowland deciduous and semi-deciduous woodland, gallery forests threading along river systems, and regenerating secondary growth across terrain that rises gently from sea-level marshes toward forested ridges. This mosaic reflects the park's position in a seasonal climate where a pronounced dry season from December through April gives way to months of higher rainfall, creating dramatic shifts in water availability and vegetation phenology. The Tárcoles River, which flows through the reserve, becomes the lifeblood of wildlife during the parched months, concentrating reptiles, wading birds, and fish-eating birds of prey along its banks and oxbow lakes. Woodland songbirds, parrots, and small forest mammals exploit the canopy and understory year-round, while migratory species arrive seasonally to exploit fluctuating food resources. Large terrestrial mammals, though less conspicuous, move through the park's corridors, and the river itself hosts crocodilians that represent one of the park's most dramatic fauna.

For wildlife observers and photographers, Carara rewards patience with unparalleled access to species that exploit both forest and open water habitats within a single morning's exploration. The dry season transforms the Tárcoles into a concentration point where morning and late-afternoon light falls perfectly across shallow pools and riverbanks, ideal for capturing birds of prey, waders, and reptiles in their element. The reserve's proximity to San José—roughly ninety minutes by road—makes it accessible for dedicated day trips, yet its 47,600 hectares provide genuine wilderness character and genuine solitude on less-traveled trails. Birdwatchers benefit from both resident woodland specialists and the seasonal influx of migratory visitors; the river corridor alone supports dozens of species attracted by the predictable water and the prey it concentrates. Park infrastructure and trained guides make it possible to explore habitat types that would require days of bushwhacking elsewhere, and the combination of reliable wildlife sightings, manageable terrain, and professional access has established Carara as an essential stop on any serious Costa Rican nature itinerary.

Website sinac.go.cr/EN-US/ac/acopac/pnc/Pages/default.aspx

Keel-billed Toucan

Ramphastos sulfuratus

Crypturellus soui

Black-bellied Whistling Duck

Dendrocygna autumnalis

Cairina moschata

Grey-headed Chachalaca

Ortalis cinereiceps

Penelope purpurascens

Lesser Nighthawk

Chordeiles acutipennis

White-collared Swift

Streptoprocne zonaris

Costa Rican Swift

Chaetura fumosa

White-necked Jacobin

Florisuga mellivora

Band-tailed Barbthroat

Threnetes ruckeri

Stripe-throated Hermit

Phaethornis striigularis

Long-billed Hermit

Phaethornis longirostris

Purple-crowned Fairy

Heliothryx barroti

Green-crowned Brilliant

Heliodoxa jacula

Violet Sabrewing

Campylopterus hemileucurus

Scaly-breasted Hummingbird

Phaeochroa cuvierii

Blue-vented Hummingbird

Saucerottia hoffmanni

Cinnamon Hummingbird

Amazilia rutila

Rufous-tailed Hummingbird

Amazilia tzacatl

Charming Hummingbird

Polyerata decora

Blue-throated Sapphire

Chlorestes eliciae

Groove-billed Ani

Crotophaga sulcirostris

Lesser Ground Cuckoo

Morococcyx erythropygus

Common Squirrel Cuckoo

Short-billed Pigeon

Patagioenas nigrirostris

Ruddy Quail-Dove

Geotrygon montana

White-tipped Dove

Leptotila verreauxi

Grey-chested Dove

Leptotila cassinii

White-winged Dove

Zenaida asiatica

Purple Gallinule

Porphyrio martinica

Black-necked Stilt

Himantopus mexicanus

Southern Lapwing

Vanellus chilensis

Northern Jacana

Hudsonian Whimbrel

Numenius hudsonicus

Spotted Sandpiper

Actitis macularius

Ruddy Turnstone

Arenaria interpres

Least Sandpiper

Calidris minutilla

Thalasseus sandvicensis

Thalasseus elegans

Thalasseus maximus

Leucophaeus atricilla

Franklin's Gull

Leucophaeus pipixcan

Mycteria americana

Magnificent Frigatebird

Fregata magnificens

Anhinga anhinga

Neotropic Cormorant

Nannopterum brasilianum

Mesembrinibis cayennensis

American White Ibis

Eudocimus albus

Roseate Spoonbill

Bare-throated Tiger Heron

Tigrisoma mexicanum

Fasciated Tiger Heron

Tigrisoma fasciatum

Boat-billed Heron

Cochlearius cochlearius

Yellow-crowned Night Heron

Nyctanassa violacea

Black-crowned Night Heron

Nycticorax nycticorax

Little Blue Heron

Egretta caerulea

Tricolored Heron

Egretta tricolor

Butorides virescens

Pelecanus occidentalis

Sarcoramphus papa

Coragyps atratus

Pandion haliaetus

Gampsonyx swainsonii

Grey-headed Kite

Leptodon cayanensis

Double-toothed Kite

Harpagus bidentatus

Ictinia plumbea

Geranospiza caerulescens

Common Black Hawk

Buteogallus anthracinus

Rupornis magnirostris

Pseudastur albicollis

Broad-winged Hawk

Buteo platypterus

Short-tailed Hawk

Buteo brachyurus

Ferruginous Pygmy Owl

Glaucidium brasilianum

Pacific Screech Owl

Megascops cooperi

Pulsatrix perspicillata

Black-and-white Owl

Strix nigrolineata

Slaty-tailed Trogon

Gartered Trogon

Trogon caligatus

Northern Black-throated Trogon

Trogon tenellus

Amazon Kingfisher

Chloroceryle amazona

American Pygmy Kingfisher

Chloroceryle aenea

Green Kingfisher

Chloroceryle americana

Ringed Kingfisher

Megaceryle torquata

Lesson's Motmot

Momotus lessonii

Turquoise-browed Motmot

Eumomota superciliosa

Rufous-tailed Jacamar

Galbula ruficauda

White-necked Puffbird

Notharchus hyperrhynchus

Fiery-billed Aracari

Pteroglossus frantzii

Golden-naped Woodpecker

Melanerpes chrysauchen

Red-crowned Woodpecker

Melanerpes rubricapillus

Hoffmann's Woodpecker

Melanerpes hoffmannii

Rufous-winged Woodpecker

Piculus simplex

Lineated Woodpecker

Dryocopus lineatus

Pale-billed Woodpecker

Campephilus guatemalensis

Crested Caracara

Caracara plancus

Laughing Falcon

Herpetotheres cachinnans

Collared Forest Falcon

Micrastur semitorquatus

Peregrine Falcon

Falco peregrinus

White-crowned Parrot

White-fronted Amazon

Amazona albifrons

Red-lored Amazon

Amazona autumnalis

Orange-fronted Parakeet

Eupsittula canicularis

Scaly-throated Leaftosser

Sclerurus guatemalensis

Tawny-winged Woodcreeper

Dendrocincla anabatina

Northern Barred Woodcreeper

Dendrocolaptes sanctithomae

Cocoa Woodcreeper

Xiphorhynchus susurrans

Black-striped Woodcreeper

Xiphorhynchus lachrymosus

Streak-headed Woodcreeper

Lepidocolaptes souleyetii

Northern Plain Xenops

Xenops mexicanus

Chiriqui Foliage-gleaner

Automolus exsertus

Dot-winged Antwren

Microrhopias quixensis

Myrmotherula schisticolor

Barred Antshrike

Thamnophilus doliatus

Black-hooded Antshrike

Thamnophilus bridgesi

Bicolored Antbird

Gymnopithys bicolor

Cercomacroides tyrannina

Chestnut-backed Antbird

Poliocrania exsul

Black-faced Antthrush

Formicarius analis

Streak-chested Antpitta

Hylopezus perspicillatus

Greenish Elaenia

Myiopagis viridicata

Mistletoe Tyrannulet

Zimmerius parvus

Ochre-bellied Flycatcher

Mionectes oleagineus

Northern Bentbill

Oncostoma cinereigulare

Slaty-headed Tody-Flycatcher

Poecilotriccus sylvia

Yellow-olive Flatbill

Tolmomyias sulphurescens

Stub-tailed Spadebill

Platyrinchus cancrominus

Golden-crowned Spadebill

Platyrinchus coronatus

Yellow-bellied Flycatcher

Empidonax flaviventris

Acadian Flycatcher

Empidonax virescens

Social Flycatcher

Myiozetetes similis

Grey-capped Flycatcher

Myiozetetes granadensis

Pitangus sulphuratus

Streaked Flycatcher

Myiodynastes maculatus

Boat-billed Flycatcher

Megarynchus pitangua

Tropical Kingbird

Tyrannus melancholicus

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher

Tyrannus forficatus

Rhytipterna holerythra

Dusky-capped Flycatcher

Myiarchus tuberculifer

Great Crested Flycatcher

Myiarchus crinitus

Brown-crested Flycatcher

Myiarchus tyrannulus

Bright-rumped Attila

Attila spadiceus

Lipaugus unirufus

Long-tailed Manakin

Chiroxiphia linearis

Velvety Manakin

Lepidothrix velutina

Orange-collared Manakin

Manacus aurantiacus

Red-capped Manakin

Ceratopipra mentalis

Black-crowned Tityra

Tityra inquisitor

Tityra semifasciata

Northern Schiffornis

Schiffornis veraepacis

White-winged Becard

Pachyramphus polychopterus

Rose-throated Becard

Pachyramphus aglaiae

Tropical Royal Flycatcher

Onychorhynchus coronatus

Sulphur-rumped Myiobius

Myiobius sulphureipygius

Ruddy-tailed Flycatcher

Terenotriccus erythrurus

Green Shrike-Vireo

Vireolanius pulchellus

Ochre-crowned Greenlet

Tunchiornis ochraceiceps

Lesser Greenlet

Pachysylvia decurtata

Philadelphia Vireo

Vireo philadelphicus

Yellow-throated Vireo

Vireo flavifrons

White-throated Magpie-Jay

Cyanocorax formosus

Cyanocorax morio

Mangrove Swallow

Tachycineta albilinea

Northern Rough-winged Swallow

Stelgidopteryx serripennis

Blue-and-white Swallow

Pygochelidon cyanoleuca

Hirundo rustica

Rufous-backed Wren

Campylorhynchus capistratus

Black-bellied Wren

Pheugopedius fasciatoventris

Rufous-breasted Wren

Pheugopedius rutilus

Thryophilus pleurostictus

Rufous-and-white Wren

Thryophilus rufalbus

Cantorchilus semibadius

Trilling Gnatwren

Ramphocaenus melanurus

White-browed Gnatcatcher

Polioptila bilineata

White-lored Gnatcatcher

Polioptila albiloris

Hylocichla mustelina

Swainson's Thrush

Catharus ustulatus

Clay-colored Thrush

Euphonia affinis

Yellow-crowned Euphonia

Euphonia luteicapilla

White-vented Euphonia

Euphonia minuta

Yellow-throated Euphonia

Euphonia hirundinacea

Spot-crowned Euphonia

Euphonia imitans

Stripe-headed Sparrow

Peucaea ruficauda

Arremonops rufivirgatus

Orange-billed Sparrow

Arremon aurantiirostris

Scarlet-rumped Cacique

Cacicus uropygialis

Streak-backed Oriole

Icterus pustulatus

Baltimore Oriole

Icterus galbula

Great-tailed Grackle

Quiscalus mexicanus

Seiurus aurocapilla

Worm-eating Warbler

Helmitheros vermivorum

Northern Waterthrush

Parkesia noveboracensis

Golden-winged Warbler

Vermivora chrysoptera

Prothonotary Warbler

Protonotaria citrea

Tennessee Warbler

Leiothlypis peregrina

Mourning Warbler

Geothlypis philadelphia

Kentucky Warbler

Geothlypis formosa

Setophaga citrina

Tropical Parula

Setophaga pitiayumi

Bay-breasted Warbler

Setophaga castanea

American Yellow Warbler

Setophaga aestiva

Mangrove Warbler

Setophaga petechia

Chestnut-sided Warbler

Setophaga pensylvanica

Chestnut-capped Warbler

Basileuterus delattrii

Wilson's Warbler

Cardellina pusilla

Scarlet Tanager

Piranga olivacea

Blue-black Grosbeak

Cyanoloxia cyanoides

Green Honeycreeper

Chlorophanes spiza

Red-legged Honeycreeper

Cyanerpes cyaneus

Buff-throated Saltator

Saltator maximus

Coereba flaveola

Blue-black Grassquit

Volatinia jacarina

Grey-headed Tanager

Eucometis penicillata

White-shouldered Tanager

Loriotus luctuosus

Scarlet-rumped Tanager

Ramphocelus passerinii

Variable Seedeater

Sporophila corvina

Blue-grey Tanager

Thraupis episcopus

Thraupis palmarum

Golden-hooded Tanager

Stilpnia larvata

Bay-headed Tanager

Zone-tailed Hawk

Buteo albonotatus

Blue-winged Teal

Spatula discors

Spot-bellied Bobwhite

Colinus leucopogon

Short-tailed Nighthawk

Lurocalis semitorquatus

Nyctidromus albicollis

Nyctibius griseus

Spot-fronted Swift

Cypseloides cherriei

American Black Swift

Cypseloides niger

Chestnut-collared Swift

Streptoprocne rutila

Lesser Swallow-tailed Swift

Panyptila cayennensis

Green-breasted Mango

Anthracothorax prevostii

White-crested Coquette

Lophornis adorabilis

Long-billed Starthroat

Heliomaster longirostris

Plain-capped Starthroat

Heliomaster constantii

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Archilochus colubris

Canivet's Emerald

Cynanthus canivetii

Violet-headed Hummingbird

Crowned Woodnymph

Thalurania colombica

Mangrove Cuckoo

Pale-vented Pigeon

Patagioenas cayennensis

Red-billed Pigeon

Patagioenas flavirostris

Common Ground Dove

Columbina passerina

Plain-breasted Ground Dove

Columbina minuta

Blue Ground Dove

Claravis pretiosa

Rufous-necked Wood Rail

Aramides axillaris

Common Gallinule

Gallinula galeata

White-throated Crake

Laterallus albigularis

Tachybaptus dominicus

Pluvialis squatarola

Charadrius vociferus

Semipalmated Plover

Charadrius semipalmatus

Eurasian Whimbrel

Numenius phaeopus

Short-billed Dowitcher

Limnodromus griseus

Solitary Sandpiper

Tringa solitaria

Lesser Yellowlegs

Tringa flavipes

Tringa semipalmata

Greater Yellowlegs

Tringa melanoleuca

Stilt Sandpiper

Calidris himantopus

Western Sandpiper

Semipalmated Sandpiper

Calidris pusilla

Hydroprogne caspia

Eurypyga helias

Egretta rufescens

White-tailed Kite

Elanus leucurus

Hook-billed Kite

Chondrohierax uncinatus

Swallow-tailed Kite

Elanoides forficatus

Black Hawk-Eagle

Spizaetus tyrannus

Microspizias superciliosus

Great Black Hawk

Buteogallus urubitinga

Parabuteo unicinctus

Swainson's Hawk

Buteo swainsoni

Red-tailed Hawk

Buteo jamaicensis

American Barn Owl

Tropical Screech Owl

Megascops choliba

Lophostrix cristata

Trogon violaceus

Amazonian Black-throated Trogon

Belted Kingfisher

Megaceryle alcyon

Yellow-throated Toucan

Ramphastos ambiguus

Olivaceous Piculet

Picumnus olivaceus

Barred Forest Falcon

Micrastur ruficollis

American Kestrel

Falco sparverius

Falco columbarius

Falco rufigularis

Orange-chinned Parakeet

Brotogeris jugularis

Brown-hooded Parrot

Pyrilia haematotis

Amazona farinosa

Finsch's Parakeet

Psittacara finschi

Olivaceous Woodcreeper

Sittasomus griseicapillus

Ruddy Woodcreeper

Dendrocincla homochroa

Spotted Woodcreeper

Xiphorhynchus erythropygius

Amazonian Plain Xenops

Xenops genibarbis

Atlantic Plain Xenops

Slaty Spinetail

Synallaxis brachyura

Pale-breasted Spinetail

Synallaxis albescens

Dysithamnus mentalis

Great Antshrike

Bare-crowned Antbird

Gymnocichla nudiceps

Yellow-crowned Tyrannulet

Tyrannulus elatus

Yellow-bellied Elaenia

Elaenia flavogaster

Yellow-bellied Tyrannulet

Ornithion semiflavum

Northern Beardless Tyrannulet

Camptostoma imberbe

Southern Beardless Tyrannulet

Camptostoma obsoletum

Yellow Tyrannulet

Capsiempis flaveola

Northern Scrub Flycatcher

Sublegatus arenarum

Olive-sided Flycatcher

Contopus cooperi

Western Wood Pewee

Contopus sordidulus

Eastern Wood Pewee

Contopus virens

Northern Tropical Pewee

Contopus bogotensis

Willow Flycatcher

Empidonax traillii

Alder Flycatcher

Empidonax alnorum

Least Flycatcher

Empidonax minimus

Piratic Flycatcher

Legatus leucophaius

Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher

Myiodynastes luteiventris

Western Kingbird

Tyrannus verticalis

Eastern Kingbird

Tyrannus tyrannus

Panama Flycatcher

Myiarchus panamensis

Nutting's Flycatcher

Myiarchus nuttingi

Three-wattled Bellbird

Procnias tricarunculatus

Turquoise Cotinga

Cotinga ridgwayi

Yellow-billed Cotinga

Carpodectes antoniae

White-ruffed Manakin

Corapipo altera

Blue-capped Manakin

Lepidothrix coronata

Cinnamon Becard

Pachyramphus cinnamomeus

Black-tailed Myiobius

Myiobius atricaudus

Rufous-browed Peppershrike

Cyclarhis gujanensis

Hylophilus flavipes

Yellow-green Vireo

Vireo flavoviridis

Vireo olivaceus

Bombycilla cedrorum

Riparia riparia

Grey-breasted Martin

Progne chalybea

Southern Rough-winged Swallow

Stelgidopteryx ruficollis

American Cliff Swallow

Petrochelidon pyrrhonota

Campylorhynchus rufinucha

Cantorchilus modestus

Southern House Wren

Troglodytes musculus

White-breasted Wood Wren

Henicorhina leucosticta

Southern Nightingale-Wren

Microcerculus marginatus

Tropical Mockingbird

Passer domesticus

Black-striped Sparrow

Arremonops conirostris

Yellow-breasted Chat

Eastern Meadowlark

Sturnella magna

Red-breasted Meadowlark

Leistes militaris

Yellow-billed Cacique

Amblycercus holosericeus

Montezuma Oropendola

Psarocolius montezuma

Black-cowled Oriole

Icterus prosthemelas

Icterus spurius

Red-winged Blackbird

Agelaius phoeniceus

Molothrus oryzivorus

Bronzed Cowbird

Molothrus aeneus

Melodious Blackbird

Louisiana Waterthrush

Parkesia motacilla

Black-and-white Warbler

Mniotilta varia

Grey-crowned Yellowthroat

Geothlypis poliocephala

American Redstart

Setophaga ruticilla

Magnolia Warbler

Setophaga magnolia

Cardellina canadensis

Western Tanager

Piranga ludoviciana

Red-crowned Ant Tanager

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Pheucticus ludovicianus

Passerina caerulea

Passerina cyanea

Painted Bunting

Passerina ciris

Shining Honeycreeper

Cyanerpes lucidus

Scarlet-thighed Dacnis

Cinnamon-bellied Saltator

Saltator grandis

Slate-colored Grosbeak

Saltator grossus

Yellow-faced Grassquit

Tiaris olivaceus

White-throated Shrike-Tanager

Lanio leucothorax

Morelet's Seedeater

Sporophila morelleti

Thick-billed Seed Finch

Sporophila funerea

Thick-billed Euphonia

Euphonia laniirostris

Brown-throated Three-toed Sloth

Bradypus variegatus

White-faced Capuchin

Cebus capucinus

White-nosed Coati

Hoffmann's Two-toed Sloth

Choloepus hoffmanni

Northern Tamandua

Tamandua mexicana

Central American Agouti

Dasyprocta punctata

Red-tailed Squirrel

Sciurus granatensis

Variegated Squirrel

Sciurus variegatoides

Thomas's Shaggy Bat

Centronycteris centralis

Northern Ghost Bat

Diclidurus albus

Greater Sac-winged Bat

Saccopteryx bilineata

Lesser Sac-winged Bat

Saccopteryx leptura

Common Tent-making Bat

Uroderma bilobatum

Striped Hog-nosed Skunk

Conepatus semistriatus

White-tailed Deer

Odocoileus virginianus

Central American Spider Monkey

Ateles geoffroyi

Central American Squirrel Monkey

Saimiri oerstedii

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