Juan Castro Blanco National Park, Cloud forest national park in Alajuela Province, Costa Rica
Juan Castro Blanco National Park is a protected area in northern Costa Rica that combines rainforest and cloud forest environments across steep terrain and volcanic zones. The landscape is shaped by numerous waterfalls that flow through deep valleys and cut across the lush greenery.
The park was founded in 1992 and named after a Costa Rican conservationist who dedicated himself to protecting local ecosystems. Its creation was part of Costa Rica's broader commitment to preserving its natural diversity.
The park serves as a place where visitors encounter wildlife in its natural setting, including species found nowhere else in the world. Local communities rely on the forests here as a source of fresh water and as a space deeply connected to their identity.
The park is best reached through Ciudad Quesada, a nearby town from which hiking trails of various difficulty levels are accessible. Visitors should be prepared for wet conditions and slippery paths, especially during the rainy season.
The protected area serves as the source of several important rivers such as Aguas Zarcas, Platanar, and Tora, which supply water to surrounding regions. The park also contains Lake Pozo Verde, a quiet body of water nestled in the mountainous landscape.
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