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Tapantí
National Park
Tucked away to the south of the Orosi Valley and north of Cerro de la
Muerte, lies this 5,090 hectare middle- to upper-elevation rain forest.
Although originally created as a National Wildlife Refuge, Tapantí National
Park is not an easy place to see mammals, even though many species inhabit the
area. Observation of birds, butterflies, and plant life will surely prove more
rewarding pursuits.
Birds at this elevation often forage in flocks containing a variety of
species, the most common ones being the Three-striped Warbler and the Common
Bush-Tanager, but the sharp-eyed observer will also be able to pick out other
species such as Spotted Barbtail, Spotted Woodcreeper, Redheaded Barbet, and
Spangle-cheeked Tanager. Numerous hummingbird species are also often quite
active around clumps of flowering epiphytes.
The rich diversity of epiphytes (plants growing on the trunks and branches of
trees) found in this humid environment will provide the plant enthusiast with
endless surprises. Orchids in particular are very diverse and abundant at
Tapantí and careful inspection will certainly result in finding several
species in bloom at any time of year.
Getting there: From San José, take the PanAmerican Highway to Cartago, drive
through the town and follow Highway 10 to Paraíso (the next town to the
east). Here look for signs or ask directions to Orosi, and once in Orosi do
the same for Tapantí which is still another 14 km. distant. The road between
the town of Orosi and the national park consists of more potholes than
pavement, so take it carefully. Ironically, once you leave pavement (shortly
before entering the national park) the gravel road actually becomes much
better; this is due to its upkeep by the national electric company versus the
Municipality of Paraíso which supposedly takes care of the "paved"
portion.
By public bus from either Cartago or Orosi you can only get as far as the
village of Río Macho, some 9 kilometers short of the park entrance.
Fishing: The Orosi River has been stocked with rainbow trout (an introduced
fish in Costa Rica), and with a valid fishing license you can try your luck on
this scenic stream from May 1 through January 31. There is a limit of five
fish per day, and a minimum allowable size of 25 centimeters. Freshwater
species other than trout are limited to a total of five fish per day, again
with a 25 cm. minimum, and fishing for these species is permitted from
December 1 through July 31.
Climate: Most mornings are sunny and very pleasant with mild temperatures.
However, it typically clouds over by midday, or early afternoon at the latest,
and the rains which fall almost daily in this area are usually soon in coming.
Therefore, it is recommended that you get an early start when visiting Tapantí
and bring your rain gear. A sweater or jacket will also be welcome when the
temperatures start to drop once the sun goes behind clouds.
History: The combination of Costa Rica's topography and numerous areas of high
annual rainfall result in a tremendous potential for hydroelectric power
production, which in fact is the source of more than 90% of the country's
electricity. The upper Orosi River watershed is located in one of the rainiest
parts of the country, receiving as much as 7 meters of rain per year. Given
the relatively close proximity to the Central Valley -- the area of greatest
energy consumption -- it was only natural that the Costa Rican Electrical
Institute (I.C.E.) should decide to develop a hydroelectric project in this
forested region. And to be able to do so meant first constructing a road into
this previously inaccessible area.
To protect the watershed's forest cover and to preserve its wildlife from the
destruction that would accompany colonization along the new road, Tapantí was
created as a National Wildlife Refuge in 1982. Only in 1994 did it gain
National Park status.
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