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Tapanti National Park Review

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Tapantí National Park

Address: 14 km/8 mi south of Orosi, Orosi
Phone: 200-0090

Category: Parks
Location: Orosi Valley

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Fodor's Review:

South from Orosi, Tapantí National Park is worth as much time as you can manage. Though it's worth the trip for just an hour or two of exploring, you could easily fill a day in the park. Stretching from the southern corner of the Orosi Valley up into the Talamanca Mountains, Parque Nacional Tapantí encompasses 47 square km (18 square mi) of largely pristine, remote cloud forest. It provides refuge for more than 400 bird species, including the emerald toucanet, violaceous trogon, and most of the country's hummingbirds.

The rangers' office and visitor center are on the right just after the park entrance. You can leave your vehicle at a parking area up the road. From here loop trails head off into the woods on both sides. One trail passes a picnic area and several swimming holes with (cold) emerald waters. The other trail is along a forested hillside. About 1½ km (1 mi) up from the parking area is an entrance to the La Pava Trail on the right, leading down a steep hill to the riverbank. If you continue ¼ mi past the trailhead you arrive at a 300-foot stair trail leading to a lookout. Since the park clouds up in the early afternoon, it's best to get an early start.

Cost: $7
Open: Daily 8-4

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