Overview:

,Juan Castro Blanco National Park is located in Alajuela province, Costa Rica and is part of the San Juan-La Selva Biological Corridor, which lies east-northeast of San José on the Caribbean slope. The park was created in 1978 to protect the watershed of the San Juan River and serves as the home to many endemic species of flora and fauna. The park consists of an area of 43,500 hectares with elevations ranging from 300 to 2,946 meters above sea level. The park is made up of mostly moist tropical and cloud forests, where visitors can enjoy a wide variety of plants, animals, insects, and birds, as well as a wide range of water activities. It is a great destination for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Costa-Rica
Prominent Features:

Juan Castro Blanco National Park is located in Alajuela Province, in northern Costa Rica. This national park protects the area of the existing Northeastern Volcanic Range, including four volcanoes, the Poas, Barva, Arenal, and Miravalles. This park is known for its uniqueness and beauty, mostly because of its rainforest ecology. The species inventory of the park includes nearly 400 identified bird species, 55 species of mammals, 107 species of amphibians and reptiles, and many species of butterfly, plants, and trees. It is also known as one of the most important conservation biological reserves in Costa Rica. The park features dense tropical rainforest, deciduous cloud forest, and high mountain cloud forest. Visitors can also hike to the peak of the three inactive volcanoes, admire stunning sunsets from the peak of Barva Volcano, and explore the mesothermal streams of Miravalles Volcano. Visitors can also trek further to the Rio Celeste waterfall and the numerous geysers, many of which have been declared National Geologic Monuments. The park also offers several adventure activities like rappelling, mountain biking, horseback riding, and kayaking. Additionally, outdoor enthusiasts can take advantage of the many bird watching and wildlife observation spots. The park is also a great place to observe the culture and natural wonders of the country. Numerous indigenous communities, such as the Guatuso, Bribri, and Cabecar, inhabit the park. Visitors can explore the cultural heritage of these communities by visiting the many museums and archaeological sites in the park. Finally, Juan Castro Blanco National Park is also home to a variety of Eco-tourism lodges, resorts, and eco stays. These offer visitors a chance to experience a truly unique and exciting stay, while still participating in outdoor adventures and cultural exploration. This national monument of Costa-Rica portrays the history and culture of the country.

History:

Juan Castro Blanco National Park, located in the Northern region of the Alajuela province of Costa Rica, was originally declared a national park in 1976 by former President of Costa Rica, Daniel Oduber Quirós. The park has been named after local politician and classicist Colonel Juan Castro Blanco, who was a staunch supporter of democracy and stood opposed to the actions of previous regimes in the country. Juan Castro Blanco National Park covers 21,000 hectares of terrain located in the Northern highlands of Alajuela Province. It contains six main mountain ranges, which are part of the Central American Volcanic Arc. These ranges are known as: Cordillera Botos, Cordillera de Guanacaste, Cordillera de Pirris, Cordillera de Tablillas, Cordillera de Tilirica and Cordillera de Zarcero. Unique biodiversity can be found in the park, with 440 species of birds, 206 species of mammals and 128 species of amphibians and reptiles as confirmed by scientific studies that have been carried out in the area. Here you can find the white-throated capuchin monkey, white-nosed coati, cougar and the common black hawk, all of which are symbolically threatened animals in Costa Rica. The highest elevation peak is the Cerro Gordo, reaching a height of 1855 meters above sea level. In 2009, the reserve was extended to cover 42,184 hectares. In the same year, a “Peace Project” began which aimed to promote sustainable development projects and protection of natural resources in the park by working with local shelters and educational programs. In 2012, the Costa Rican government declared the area a natural biosphere reserve, thereby protecting the important native flora and fauna of the region. In 2018, Colombia donated US $250,000 to the park in order to develop a program to reforest and protect the area from illegal logging and hunting. Today, Juan Castro Blanco National Park is known for its majestic scenery and diverse wildlife, attracting thousands of visitors each year. It serves as an important conservation site for the country and is actively managed by the government of Costa Rica. You must visit one of these historical places in Costa-Rica on your Costa-Rica tour

Interesting facts:

1. Juan Castro Blanco National Park is Costa Rica’s youngest park, created in 1985. 2. The park is home to over 1,000 species of plants, animals, and birds, including over 150 species of amphibians, reptiles, numerous bird species, and around 33 species of mammals. 3. Around 27.43% of the park (14,674 hectares) is considered as primary evergreen forests, which support a wide range of species that include pacas, tapirs, peccaries, agoutis, toucans, and parrots. 4. Juan Castro Blanco National Park is the first protected area on the highlands of Costa Rica, located between 800 and 2,000 meters above sea level. 5. It is believed to be one of the last remaining habitats of the endangered black guan (Chamaepetes unicolor) in the country. 6. The park encompasses seven provinces, including Alajuela, Heredia, San Jose, Limon, Puntarenas, Guanacaste, and Cartago, and is a part of the Meseta Central mountain chain. 7. The park encompasses three agro-climatic regions, including Premontano, the cloud forest (Selva Alta), and the dry forest (Selva Baja). 8. It is also home to an impressive variety of vegetation, including oaks, cypresses, and tall trees. 9. The climate is usually temperate and the average temperature ranges between 17 and 22 degrees Celsius. 10. The park is also known for its waterfalls, streams, and fun-filled activities like zip-lining, canopying, rappeling, and even camping. Visit one of the famous monuments of Costa-Rica with your friends and family.