Tapantí National Park

Tapantí National Park sits within the Talamanca mountain range and protects forest areas with dense vegetation and flowing water sources. The reserve spans humid montane and submontane rain forests connected by several hiking trails that wind through the landscape.

The park was founded in 1982 as a protected area to preserve the forests and water sources of the region. An expansion took place in 2000 when the Cerro de la Muerte Massif was added to the reserve.

The park serves as a vital water source for the metropolitan region and helps generate electricity for local communities. Visitors today come to experience the forest and understand how nature supports daily life in the surrounding areas.

The park is accessible and offers several marked trails of varying lengths for different fitness levels. It is best to arrive early and bring rain gear, since the area receives moisture throughout the year.

Three rare orchid species found nowhere else were discovered here in the early 2000s and named for their local habitat. These Lepanthes orchids represent some of the country's most important botanical discoveries.

Location: Cartago Province

Inception: 1982

Operator: Área de Conservación Central (ACC)

GPS coordinates: 9.77056,-83.79972

Latest update: December 10, 2025 20:06