Barbilla National Park was declared as a Biological Reserve on March 16th 1982, some years later as a Protective Zone and recently (January 1998) as a National Park. The main objective for being declared as a National Park was to offer protection to a wide area of pristine Humid Tropical Forest, where you can find a great diversity of species of flora and fauna, many of which are endangered. This area also presents a high production of drinkable water vital for the near by communities. Barbilla National Park is also very important for its historical value, since there is an important indigenous population, the Cabecar, around it.
The park has an area of 11.994,74 hectares and forms part of The Conservation Area “La Amistad Caribe” and was declared by UNESCO as the Biosphere Reserve “La Amistad” and the World Inheritance.

Access

The access route to the park is the road to Limón City. The main entrance is 3 kilometers (4.8 miles) from the town of Siquirres. By this entrance, you drive 17 km. (11 miles), by a graveled road (4WD only), and reach the village named Las Brisas de Pacuarito. Here, you will find the headquarters of the park, where information is available. Hiking trails can be found from this place on. If you are planning to hike the trails by yourself we recommend you get a local guide since it is a more than 2 hour walk through steep hills (suitable for experienced hikers) and there is no signing at all.

Natural Richness

The Park is covered by pristine forest, with Life Zones within Humid and Very Humid Tropical Forest. Height ranks are between 110 and 1.617 m. above sea level, where Cerro Tigre is located. Rainfall average is between 3.500 and 4.500 mm per year (137-177 inches). These conditions help the establishment of a great variety of flora and fauna. Many of this species are scarce or endangered, such as: puma (Felis concolor), jaguar (Felis onca), ocelot (Felis pardalis), tapir (Tapirus bairdii), tayra (Eira barbara), otter (Lutra longicaudus), great tinamu (Tinamu mayor), crested guan (Penelope purpurascens), American Swallow-tailed kite (Elanoides forficatus) sunbitten (Eurypyga helias) and white-fronted nunbird (Monasa morphoeus).

Interesting sites

• Rio Dantas (Tapir River)
• Sector Dos Ramas (Two Branches Sector)
• Laguna Ayil (Ayil Lagoon)
• Cerro Tigre (Tiger Hill)

Facilities

At this moment the Park does not count with infrastructure or services for visitors. But, in the administrative place located in “Las Brisas de Pacuarito”, you can find drinkable water, bathrooms, electrification and a radio communication system. In this town there is also a general store where you can get the basic foods.

Regulations and Recommendations

• Before entering the Park, please register yourself at the Headquarters office and indicate the days that you are planning to stay.
• If you are traveling by yourself or in a group, you must get the company of a local guide.
• Bring all you need: camping tent, flashlights, hiking boots (or rubber boots), raingear, sleeping bag, food, first aid kit and compass, among others.
• Avoid leaving exposed garbage, reuse it or deposit it in the proper sites.
• It is prohibited to carry fire guns or similar ones within the Park limits.
• It is prohibited any kind of extraction of the natural resources of the park.
• Disturbance or maltreatment of wildlife is punished.