Costa Rica Travel – Cloud Forest Visions. A Guided Hike to the Barva Volcano

When people arrive in Costa Rica they are often anxious to visit a rainforest where they can hike right up to a volcano crater and see lush vegetation, beautiful views, and fascinating wildlife.

We’ve found that most tourists go to see either the Poás or Irazú volcanoes because they don’t know that there is another excellent option right in the Central Valley.

It is a far less visited park sector with a beautiful volcano, exuberant vegetation, great views, plus far more abundant wildlife than the other two parks! This well-kept secret is the Barva Volcano sector of the Braulio Carrillo National Park – an excellent place for a guided hike at the beginning or end of your visit to Costa Rica and located less than an hour from the San Jose airport.

The Barva Volcano itself has been inactive for millenia, so it is safe to visit and get right down by the crater, now a beautiful crater lake. To date more than 80 species of birds and 20 species of mammals (mostly nocturnal) have been observed.

The Barva sector is the tallest point of Braulio Carrillo National Park reaching 2906 meters above sea level! There are 4 unique trails through this cloud forest (a type of rainforest in higher elevations) totaling about 7 km in this sector and your guide can help you to choose the right one dependent on your interests and endurance. The difficulty levels for the trails ranges from moderately easy to moderately difficult.

I recently visited the park with some adventurous clients and Julio (my partner in our small eco-travel company and also an acclaimed naturalist guide). Julio’s expertise in tropical biology and personable attitude makes him a favorite tour guide for our guests.

After picking up our clients we drove up from the cities of the Central Valley, passing flower plantations and dairy farms. When we stopped a few times to take pictures of the spectacular panoramic views we were able to spot some colorful migratory birds. At the ranger station we then began our hike up a road that turns into a sometimes soggy path.

We passed through mossy bowers and under majestic “Roble” (Oak) trees, stopping to learn from Julio about the plants and animals that live in the park. After a good hike we reached the lookout point that perches above the Barva Volcano Crater Lagoon — what a breathtaking sight!

Observing the tranquil emerald green water ringed by lush cloudforest, we sat and listened to bird songs. After a time we headed back down, admiring the amazing variety of flora — many different trees, bushes, orchids, lichens, mushrooms and mosses. The sheer quantity of different species is astounding to our clients who are accustomed to visiting the temperate forests of North America!

At one point we did see “danta” (tapir) footprints… I’m still anxiously looking forward to seeing one of these strange animals said to be the largest terrestrial mammal of the Neotropics! Another favorite tropical plant for our clients was the “Sombrilla de Pobre” (Poor Man’s Umbrella); it looks like an enormous green hand and one could easily fit under it to get out of a rainstorm!

If you are thinking about a trip to Costa Rica, please email us to book your private guided hike with Julio to the Barva Volcano sector of Braulio Carrillo National Park. We can also help you plan the rest of your vacation from start to finish, personalizing it based on your interests and desires!

We’ll be seeing you soon!

Written by Sarah Joy Staude

• Sign up now for the Boyero Tours trip to Boruca for the 2007-08 Baile de los Diablitos: 29 December 2007 – 3 January 2008. Limited space available!

Customer Comments: From client/friends from the 2006-07 Baile de los Diablitos tour:

“Sarah Joy & Julio have built a bridge to the indigenous community that was educational, fun, and non-invasive to the people who live there… They provide tours with a heart. If one wants to see the common tourist sites that is very easy but with Sarah Joy and Julio one can experience the true Costa Rica with friendly and informative guides who will provide you with an unforgettable experience of your visit to ‘paradise’.” Annalisa Bandalera, San Isidro de Heredia, Costa Rica (originally from USA)

“It was beyond a doubt one of the best adventures of my life. What a unique and authentic experience. The landscape is beautiful and the people of Boruca are curious about us as much as we are about them. Living, eating with, and spending time with Boruca families gave me a first-hand insight into their unique lifestyle. Those five days felt to me like a real escape into another dimension.” Gosia Duszak, San Pedro de San Jose, Costa Rica (originally from Poland)

“You guys are great! What personal attention! What a great group of people! I am in love with the smiling Pedro (our local guide)! When can we go again?!!!” Laurie Burns, Heredia, Costa Rica (originally from USA)

These guided tours and solo trips are all designed to show you the real Costa Rica, it’s people, nature and traditions. Your hosts Julio (from Costa Rica) and Sarah Joy (from the USA) would love to show you one of the most breathtaking and ecologically diverse countries in the world – Costa Rica!

If you would like more information about these eco-adventure tours, please use the form below to email Sarah Joy and Julio:

Andrew Makarik

to@welovecostarica.com

Andrew Makarik is the main editor of WeLoveCostaRica, a fan of this sunny country. He is also a loving husband and a has a lovely daughter. By being a devoted family man and the biggest Costa Rica fan, he wants to make more people feel at home there. WeLoveCostaRica unites people and helps them find new home or a new travel destination. This website is a friendly community where everyone can find not only information, but also new friends and travel pals. Andrew is also passionate about IT and programming, so he himself maintains a friendly atmosphere in this cozy environment of WeLoveCostaRica.com.