Barra Honda National Park |
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| Region |
North Pacific |
| Town |
Guanacaste |
| Creation Date | Sept-03-1974 |
| Area | 2297 ha |
| Category | National Park |
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Atractions and Services |
| Information | Nature Tours | Sights |
| Toilets | Water | Refuge |
| Guides | Waterfalls | Caverns |
| Mushrooms | Dry Forest |
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Image Gallery - (Click to Enlarge) |
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Decree |
| Law # 5558 Sept-03-1974 CREATION
D.E. #10727-A Nov-12-1979 DELIM.
LAW #6794 Dic-27-1982 RATIFIES
D.E #22478-mirenem Sept-10-1993
REGULATION PUBLIC USE | Location |
| Tempisque Conservation Area (ACT) | Brief History |
| Historical Review
The Barra Honda National Park was created on the 30th of September 1974 by law 5558 in the Gazette # 165. With an extension of 2297 hectares it represents thousands of years of geologic history and as a result it has given way to an ample system of caverns, independent of others and with formation of stalactites and stalagmites. Presently, this Park is covered with grass (approximately 330 hectares, between 3 and 10 years old), secondary forest (approximately 1,405 hectares, and more than 10 years old) and 290 hectares of always green forest. The Barra Honda Hill , is about 300 meters high and is made up of old reefs that emerged due to a rise caused by developed tectonic faults about 60 million years ago. The reef formation were made by blue and green seaweed that have lime, in addition to tiny marine protozos covered by shell and lime, sponges and sprocket wheels. | Detailed Location |
| Located in the province of Guanacaste in the Tempisque Conservation area, specifically in the corner of Nicoya 22 km to the northeast of this city. | Natural and Cultural Resources |
| Diverse species of fauna can be observed, especially birds like magpie copetona, collajera dove (fascinata Columba) and dove coliblanca (Leptotila verreauxi). Also it is possible to observe pizotes, raccoons, rodents, deer white tail and anteaters. The increase of the animal population has been well-known in the last years, due to the Fires and Protection control programs. Some of the more common species of flora are the rum-rum, tempisque, the Jobo, the naked Indian, poroporo, gallinazo, soncoya, the Guanacaste, carao, madroņo and the comb of mico. Life Zones: tropical dry forest, transition to humid. | Main Attractions |
| Barr Honda has a network of caverns with lime formation, of which 50% have been explored by scientists and speleologists. They have explored around 19 caverns, which display great attractive and underground beauties, with capricious forms created by the action of the water on calcium carbonate (stalactites, estalagmitas). At the moment, only the cavern Velvet is open to the public, since it is the one that presents conditions adapted for non-experienced visitors. This cavern is ideal for adventure tourism. The most attractive and interesting caverns are: the Terciopelo, the Trampa and the Santa Ana, with abundance of stalagmites, stalactites, columns, to pearls, flowers and plater needles, pop corn, shark teeth and other formations. The Santa Ana cavern is 240 metres deep which is one of deepest. The Barr Honda National Park has a Tropical Dry Forest, which can be appreciated especially in the dry season. Also there is a series of viewpoints of great scenic beauty and precious cascades that make this Park a remarkable place. | Climate |
| Average annual Precipitation : 1,970 mililiter.
Average Temperature : 28 degrees Celsius. | Facilities and Services |
| Park Administration
Information
Potable Water
Viewpoint
Tour Guide
Cavern
Camp Area
Lodging
Food Service
Public Telephone
Speleology Equipment
Footpaths | Contact |
| Ministry of Atmosphere and Energy Area of Conservation Tempisque Tel: (506) 686-4967, 686-4968, 686-4970 Telefax: 686-4969 Telefax 768-8603. Email: aclac@minae.go.cr | Suggestions |
| Visitation Schedule: 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for normal visits, and 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. to visit caverns | Access |
| Highway, with some difficulty for light vehicles (automobiles) in rainy season. |
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