La Amistad International Park and Biosphere Preserve
Declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO, La Amistad International Park protects lands in both Costa Rica and Panama, hence its name: “Friendship.” Considered the largest tropical forest-covered mountain system in the country, the park contains wet, rain and cloud forest. An extraordinary number of different habitats give rise to a wealth of biodiversity.
The largest mountain system in Central America, this protected area includes Tapanti National Park–Macizo de la Muerte, Chirripo National Park, the Hitoy Cerere Biological Preserve and La Amistad International Park, in addition to several forest and indigenous preserves. Visitor services include a series of trails and natural viewpoints. The area designated as La Amistad Biosphere Preserve includes La Amistad International Park, Chirripo National Park, the Hitoy Cerere Biological Preserve and the Talamanca, Tayni, Telire and Cocles Indigenous Reservations.
Surface Area:
199,147
Hours of Operation:
Every day from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Telephone:
506+ 2200-5355
Notes:
Residents: ₡800; Non-residents: $10
Directions:
Tres Colinas Sector: From Buenos Aires de Puntarenas, follow the route to San Vito, veering off at Paso Real and continuing for 6 km more, veer off to the community of Potrero Grande, where you take the road to Tres Colinas at a distance of 23 km. Pittier Sector: Take the Inter-American Highway South to Paso Real, where you veer off to reach San Vito; from there, continue for 45 km to the Pittier Biological Station.
Biolley Sector: Take the Inter-American Highway South and turn off at kilometer 221, in a place known as Paso Real and then continue on the road for 15 km to San Vito, until you reach the community of Las Tablas de Potrero Grande, where you turn off again and continue on a gravel road for 20 km.
Santa María Sector: Take the Inter-American Highway South from San Isidro de Pérez Zeledón to Buenos Aires until you reach the town of Santa Marta de Brunka, located at km marker 184, then take the north turn onto a gravel road until you reach the community of Santa María, located 15 km from Santa Marta.
Universal Path:
No
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