Country Guide » National Parks
The Diria National Park, formally the Diria National Forest Wildlife Refuge, became a National Park in 2004. What makes this park interesting and quite unique is that it protects the humid tropical forests. It is located in Guanacaste, south of Santa Cruz, close to some of the most amazing beaches of Costa Rica. It actually protects the hydrographic basins of the region, thanks to some of the region’s most important rivers; The Diria, the Verde, the Tigre and the Enmedio.
The park was created as a result of an illegal deforestation of some of the most precious wood of the forest. In 1991 it became a protected zone and four years later it became a National Refuge. It has some elevations that give way to what is called a humid premonte forest. There is a beautiful trail to the Brasil Waterfall and as you make your way through the jungle, you will see howler and capuchin monkeys, anteaters, peccaries, deer, skunks, boa constrictors, lizards and iguanas, amongst the many animals living there. It also has over 140 different species of birds and a myriad of colorful butterflies. When you reach a certain altitude you begin to see evergreen species of moss and giant bromeliads and some very rare species of trees. Watch out for the Vista del Mar panoramic spot for a stunning view of the ocean.
Within the park there is a little cabin that can sleep up to 25 people with drinking water and an electric generator. More often than not, scientists undergoing researches use the cabin.
The Diria National Park may not be as renown as some other older and bigger parks, but it is as beautiful as any with its abundant wild life, and unique species of very rare trees. To reach the park, you need to get Puntarenas, through the bridge La Amistad and on to Nicoya, carry on to Santa Cruz and head south to Arado, about 10 kilometers south, from where you just follow the signs to Diria National Park. The park’s ranger station is opened everyday from 8am to 4pm.
Activities in National Park Diria
- Hiking
- Bird watching
