La Amistad Int.
La Amistad International Park joins the conservation efforts of Costa Rica and Panamá, and with the surrounding parks (Chirripó, Tapantí) was declared World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO. Located in the southeastern border of Costa Rica, this national Park protects the immense diversity of the Talamanca mountain range and continues into Panamá territory. From all national parks, this is the largest and probably less explored mainly due to only a few people having visited it. This National Park has almost all the life zones present in Costa Rica because of the range in altitude and humidity. If you are looking for a true tropical forest adventure, La Amistad International Park won’t disappoint you.
This International Park was created in 1982, when both Costa Rica and Panamá collaborated to protect the interest of their generation and the ones who survived them. Its territory is in the San José, Limón and Puntarenas provinces. The largest number of indigenous communities (bribris, cabécares, guaymís and bruncas) of Costa Rica inhabit the park territory, and several of them maintain its traditional way of life. The park 250 000 hectares (617 763 acres) protect important watersheds that flow to the Pacific and the Atlantic Ocean.
The mammals and birds are abundant in this park: 350 sp of birds has been reported and more than 32 species of mammals. This park protects the tapir and anteater habitat. The amphibians are also very diverse, and new species are still being discovered. In 2009, two new species of salamanders and one species of frog were discovered in these mountains. The vegetation is amazingly diverse, and while walking through this forests you will find yourself in a sea of green. Bromeliads, heliconias, gigantic trees, orchids, all kinds of shrubs, and forest types (lowland rainforest to cloud forest in the highlands) are in the La Amistad International Park.
The Park has a Sector called Pittier, on the Pacific side of the mountains, near the San Vito de Coto Brus town. It has trails that lead to La Catarata, Cerro Pittier and Valle del Silencio. The Tres Colinas Sector trails could take you to Cerro Kamuk and Sabanas Esperanza. Near to Buenos Aires town in Puntarenas, is the Altamira sector, with trails that lead to Valle del Silencio, Gigantes del Bosque, Canasta and Sabanas Esperanza. The facilities include two camping areas with bathrooms and electricity.
Sources: Evans, S. 1999. The Green Republic: A Conservation History of Costa Rica. University of Texas Press. 317 p. IUCN directory of neotropical protected areas. By IUCN Commission on National Parks and Protected Areas