Piedras Blancas National Park, Rainforest conservation area in Puntarenas Province, Costa Rica.
Piedras Blancas is a rainforest reserve on the Pacific coast near Golfo Dulce, featuring dense forests, mountains, and river systems throughout its territory. The land is home to jaguars, howler monkeys, tapirs, and hundreds of bird species living among the canopy layers.
The area originated as part of Corcovado National Park and was separated in 1991 to provide targeted protection for endangered ecosystems. Its official recognition as an independent protected area in 1999 allowed specialized management focused on rainforest conservation.
The park serves as a living classroom where visitors encounter wildlife in natural habitats and gain deeper appreciation for tropical ecosystems. Local guides share their knowledge of forest ecology, helping travelers understand how different species depend on this environment.
The best visiting time is during the drier months when trails are easier to walk and wildlife viewing improves. It is recommended to hire a local guide who knows the forest paths and can help spot animals you might otherwise miss.
The park protects one of the last jaguar refuges in Costa Rica, offering rare chances to encounter this elusive predator in its natural habitat. The extensive lowland rainforest remains largely intact, making it possible to observe complex ecological relationships between species that are difficult to find elsewhere.
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