Barra Honda National Park
Barra Honda National Park has an extension of 2,295 hectares of lush tropical dry forest and of networks of caves that are very interesting if you are not afraid of darkness or a few bats. The Barra Honda Peak was formed when islets from the Miocene Era were formed above the plains of the Tempisque River. Costa Rica car rental
Over time, the rain deposited on rocks combined with carbonic acid, which filtered through the limestone, consequently creating forming waterways and caves. Car rental Costa Rica
Barra Honda is incomparable among the National Parks of Costa Rica. Its main attraction is an intricate large system of limestone caverns which house several whimsical forms and figures.
The park is situated 22 kilometers east of the city of Nicoya, in the Guanacaste province. It has two entrances that are paved and in good condition. It is important to know that it is only open during the dry season which is from December to April. It is essential to hire a guide that will take you through the short trails around the caves and inside the caves.
If enjoy adventure then you should know that there is a campsite available inside the park. If you like more comfortable accommodations then there is a rustic inn nearby with decent rooms. Visitors can also stay in hotels or lodges in the town of Nicoya.
The caves that are in the park were discovered in the 1960’s and 1970’s. There are at least 42. Among these underground chambers, there are stunning caves, such as Santa Ana, which is 240 meters deep; La Trampa which is 110 meters deep; Terciopelo which is 60 meters deep; Pozo Hediondo which has several bats; and Nicoa where ancient Pre-Columbian burial sites have been found.
The bat’s cave, Pozo Hediondo which in English means Fetid Cave, is home to a colony of approximately 5,000 bats. Half an hour after sunset these flying mammals rush from their underground dwelling place to fly out into the night.
One of the most important caves is Terciopelo which along with la Cuevita, is the only one accessible for the public. Tours must go with two local guides and at the entrance to the cave you will be equipped with a rappelling harness and helmet. The harness is only a security as you will be descending 17 meters on an aluminum ladder.
In these remarkable caves, visitors will see deep chambers, several stalagmites that grow from the floor or stalactites that hang from the ceiling. Often, these stalactites and stalagmites blend and form columns that appear to be molten candlesticks.
Additionally, the Barra Honda National Park is renowned for its tropical rainforests and beaches. Several species of animals and plants are only present in this life zone. Additionally, caves are not common in Costa Rica, making this park unique.
To get there by car from San José, take the Interamerican Highway (1) north just past the turn for Las Juntas de Abangares. Turn left on 18 towards San Joaquín and then follow the signs for the spur to the Tempisque bridge. Once you rejoin the main road, continue southwest about 10 km then turn right towards the villages of Barra Honda and (also known as Nacaome) Santa Ana, and follow signs for the park entrance. The park headquarters is through the gate, which is closed at dusk, less than a mile up a good gravel road on the left. A 4WD is not required.
Talamanca Cabécar Indigenous Reserve, the Largest Indigenous Group in Costa Rica
The Talamanca Cabécar Indigenous Reserve is home the largest indigenous group, which consists of 10,000 people. The reserve is part of La Amistad International Park and is situated just miles from the Caribbean coast. In order to fight poverty and other issues, the Costa Rican government adopted the Indigenous Act of 1977. Consequently indigenous lands and grants are preserved and they have the right to live in self-governed communities. Costa Rica car rental
Many of the resident indigenous peoples did not make this their original home. After the Bribri, Guatuso, and Cabécar tribes burned down several missions and killed priests, a few centuries ago, they were resettled here and in Guanacaste. The three indigenous peoples’ reserves in the area are the Talamanca Bribri, Talamanca Cabécar, and KékoLdi.
Talamanca is known as the country’s southeastern frontier region. It was almost inaccessible until the late 1970s, Talamanca is still one of the nation’s poorest yet greenest area in Costa Rica. It is shaped like a triangle and a very forested region that remained untouched until the end of the 19th C. Its name comes from the Miskito Indian word Talamalka, which means “place of blood,” referring to the end of a hunt. Costa Rica car rental 4×4
The Cabecar are considered one of the most traditional indigenous groups in the country. The Cabecar language remains the group’s mother tongue and only 50% of the population speaks Spanish. The Bribri and Cabécar peoples still maintain many of their customs and ancient beliefs side by side with their jeans and radios.
Families continue living in communal homes that have been built from dried cane and they are very knowledgeable the uses of medicinal plants. Additionally, self-sustaining agriculture gives the tribe the maize, bananas, rice and beans that are their traditional food and part of their diet.
The Cabécar people have opened their doors to ecotourism as a way to preserve their culture. Many tours start in Amubri, which is located five miles west of Bratsi. Visitors here are taken to the reserve’s border in order to learn more about the Cabecar’s lifestyle. You will hike though dense forest, learn how they weave a cane hut’s intricate thatched roof.
Furthermore you will know which plants are good for nausea, headache and other common illnesses.
There are other tours that leave from San Jose via Turrialba and include whitewater rafting on the Pacuare River, camping, and an overnight visit with a Cabécar community. It is important to reserve the tours in advance because visitors are not allowed to arrive at the reserve’s border and explore on your own. Several Cabécar communities will also have traditional handcrafts for sale.
In order to visit the Talamanca Cabécar Indigenous Reserve, you have to book a tour leaving from Limon, Cahuita, Puerto Viejo, or San Jose. Keep in mind that it is not possible to reserve on your own. There are no park rangers or other officials to approve the entrance of independent visitors.
Come to the reserve and learn about their culture and traditions!
Excellent Entertainment in the Northern Area of Costa Rica
Costa Rica is a country that offers a lot of recreational activities and entertainment. For example in North Puntarenas there are many excellent restaurants that serve everything from pizza and burgers to local food. There are also many “sodas” and cafes that you must try in order to get a tasty but affordable meal with the characteristic Costa Rican flavor. Costa Rica car rental
Along the Central Pacific Coast, restaurants can be found almost anywhere along Highway 34. There are restaurants for all budgets. It is important to know that seafood is extraordinarily good in North Puntarenas. The reason for this is that fish, crabs and lobsters are freshly caught by the local fishermen, who immediately sell them to the restaurants along the shore. Car rental Costa Rica
Additionally, you will find many bars in Jacó, which is one of the main party towns. There are also a number of lively bars in Quepos for you to have a great night out.
In North Puntarenas, spas are found at several of the most important hotels located along the Central Pacific Coast. Most of these hotels also provide many recreational facilities such as tennis, horseback riding, and a variety of water sports. On the Nicoya Peninsula, there are some hotels and resorts that also have spas. You can find them in the Mal Pais and Santa Theresa area as well as at Tambor. You can also find spas up north in Monteverde.
Guanacaste offers first-class recreational activities and entertainment. The spas here offer excellent body massages in some of the most stunning locations. Several of these spas are located right along the beachfront and offer some amazing views of the sunsets over the Pacific Ocean. There are also many day spas in the province as well.
Visitors can also find several excellent restaurants in Guanacaste. Many of them are part of a hotel, lodge or inn. Fresh seafood and fish are very common as many restaurants are close to the beach. On the beaches you can also find many sodas, bars, cafés and food stalls that sell great food at reasonable prices. It is a good idea to try the food here as the Tico influence gives it a unique flavor. You must also try the “gallo” or tortilla sandwiches because they are very popular throughout the province.
If you want to party, there are many excellent bars in Guanacaste and beer is very popular out here. Along the Guanacaste coast, some of the best bars are located in Tamarindo, which is a lively town. In the town of Nicoya, you can find bars that serve excellent “bocas” or snacks and great drinks.
Costa Rica is more than just a nature heaven, the country has a lot of activities to keep even the most avid partygoer entertained. There are several places across the country with many things to do especially after the sun sets.
Come to Costa Rica and have a great time!
The Exciting Canopy Tours in Costa Rica
Canopy tours, which are also known as zip line adventures were developed by scientists in the United States to study the canopies of trees without distressing the life above. The rain forest became the best target for this method due to its complex ecosystems. In Costa Rica this has been done in the Biological station La Selva for scientific studies with favorable results. Costa Rica car rental
As a sport, canopy tours became very popular in Costa Rica, during the mid 1990’s and have also spread to several parts of the world. This is considered adventure sport as “flying” 40 or 50 meters among tree tops of the tropical rain and cloud forests poses some risks. It is very important to use common sense when you get involved in this activity. Be sure to look for companies that have a good reputation and that follow rigorous safety precautions before trying it. In order to have a safe ride, always make sure you are securely fastened into your harness and that you have two straps one for the ride and the other for backup.
It is also very important to collect as much information about a specific canopy tour as possible, because not all tours are the same. Some of these tours are thrill rides, while others provide a closer and more paced view of the rainforest, mixing in some hanging bridges, and guided walks along jungle trails. Car rental Costa Rica
There are many skywalks through out Costa Rica’s forests that have bridges strung across a valley from where you can walk above the canopy of trees and get an amazing view of the forest below. Nevertheless the most popular form of canopy touring is the kind where platforms are built into the strongest trees and a zip line is strung in between them. You are sent zipping across the forests from tree to tree on these lines via a safety harness.
The rainforest offers an unparalleled world full of interesting creatures that inhabit those beautiful regions. Some companies allow tourists to camp overnight in the platforms atop the trees. If you decided to go to a canopy tour, it could be a good idea to carry with you a light raincoat, light clothes, camera, binoculars, insect repellent. The rest of the equipment you may require will be provided by the company.
The list of companies that offer canopy tours in Costa Rica is big. Some offer high platforms and long rappels, others offer eco-themed adventures close to volcanoes and other important sites.
These tours are definitely meant for adventurous tourists who enjoy the adrenaline rush. They are an unforgettable experience and there’s nothing like canopying through a tropical forest. This is a great way to explore a truly unique habitat like the rainforests without disturbing the wildlife or endangering the trees themselves.
Terraba Sierpe Mangroves, An Incredible Ecosystem
The Terraba Sierpe Mangroves were designated as a Forest Reserve in 1977 and registered as a Wetlands International RAMSAR site in 1995. They are located near the Osa Peninsula about 45 minutes south of Uvita, Bahia Ballena. The mangroves have an extension of about 30,000 ha. and they are completely state-owned and managed by the Ministry for the Environment and Energy.
The wetland reserved is considered an essential habitat for several species which include birds, fish, shellfish, mammals and reptiles. The wetlands shelter birds such as herons, egrets, cotingas, and pandion haliaetus. The mammals include agouti paca and lutra annectens; and reptiles such as caiman crocodilus, crocodylus acutus and tree boas. Several of these species need this ecosystem to survive and to complete their life cycle which includes reproduction, growth and feeding. Costa Rica car rental
The Terraba-Sierpe wetland has a woodland ecosystem with systematically flooded swamps and mangrove forest, palm swamp forest, sandy beaches and cliffs. It includes the mouths of the Terraba and Sierpe Rivers and adjacent lagoons of Sierpe and Porvenir.
The Terraba River is the main source of freshwater into the estuarine system and it drains a basin of approximately 5,000 square kilometers. Its main tributary is the General River along with its tributaries. Car rental Costa Rica San Jose
Many products are extracted by organized groups, families and individuals within the Terraba Sierpe Mangroves. The most important income comes from harvesting the “pianguas”. Additionally, small scale artisanal line fishing is permitted in the estuary of the Terraba Sierpe. Tour operators also use the wetland as a bird and nature tour attraction, to promote the beautiful landscape, flora and fauna. Very few people live in the Terraba Sierpe Mangroves and the main settlements are located in the surrounding communities of Sierpe, Palmar and Cortes.
The mangrove vegetation of Terraba Sierpe plays a key role in erosion protection, both from run-off and wind erosion and in keeping water quality. Rainwater and run-off are stored in the wetland. Terraba Sierpe and its area of influence are geologically formed by materials from the Cretaceous, Tertiary and Quaternary periods.
The site is continuously flooded by tides, transferring fine mud’s rich in organic material. The average total tidal fluctuation is about 2 meters. The climate is very hot and humid, and precipitation is abundant from May to November. The average annual rainfall is 3,638 mm.
The Terraba Sierpe National Wetlands protects the extensive river mouth delta systems, estuaries and wetlands between the Terraba River and the Sierpe River on the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica, north of Drake Bay. The Diquis Valley is known for its archaeological relics, stone spheres from pre-Columbian times.
Sierpe offers the mangrove reserve and also some of the best fishing opportunities in Costa Rica throughout the year. There are many local hook and bait shops in town which rent out equipment to tourists regularly. Besides fishing, Sierpe also has some wonderful diving expeditions as well.
Come to this region and admire its extraordinary ecosystem.
The Amazingly Beautiful Cahuita National Park
Cahuita National Park is one of the most extraordinary parks in Costa Rica. It is known for its coral reefs and because it is a great place to snorkel. Here visitors will be able to see light yellow brain elkhorn, blue staghorn corals, sea fans, gorgonians and more than 500 species of fish. There are corals, fish, lobsters, clams and additionally, two sunken ships that will catch your attention.
Cahuita National Park has an extension of 1067 hectares and it represents habitats such as beach, mangrove, margin/edge, and marine tropical rainforest-lowland. Costa Rica car rental
The park was created in 1970 to protect the biggest coral reef off the Caribbean coast. However the reef has been striving to survive. The biggest damage was due to an earthquake in the early 1990’s that lifted the coral, exposing it to air and sun at low tide. Nevertheless, it still includes over 35 species of coral including brain, elkhorn and fan coral. You should definitely visit it when you are here.
Cahuita is located in Limón province 42 km south of Puerto Limón. It is about 211 km east of the capital city of San Jose. The best way to come here is to take the Guapiles Highway to Limon, and from here head south to the village of Cahuita. From the village head a further 6 km south along the road to Puerto Viejo to the town of Puerto Vargas, this is where the main entrance of the park is located.
The best time to come here is during the months of March, April, September and October, because it rains less during these months. Cahuita National Park is wet all of the year consequently it is a humid tropical zone forest. Costa Rica car rental 4×4
This huge national park protects more than 22,400 hectares of ocean and marine life, and is one of the most beautiful regions in the entire country. The most important attraction of the park is definitely its underwater world. Tourists from all over the world are lured by its great snorkeling and underwater diving opportunities. The park has white sand palm tree lined beaches and pristine waters, which are perfect for swimming and for having a great vacation.
Cahuita National Park is the habitat of many ecological zones, such as swamp forest, rainforest, littoral woodlands and costal flora. The marine life that is sheltered here includes sea urchins, angel queen fish, blue parrot fish, green turtles, eels, barracudas, sea cucumbers, shrimps, lobsters, sponges, manta rays, remoras, three species of sharks and Carey turtles.
Many mammals also inhabit the park, among them sloths, possums, monkeys, coatimundis, frogs, pacas, iguanas, basilisks, porcupines and many bird species such as ibises, herons, gulls and kingfishers.
Here in Cahuita you will find plenty of camping opportunities, several resorts, hotels and accommodations nearby as well.
Come to Cahuita National Park and have your dream vacation!
Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge, a Paradise for Migratory Birds
Caño Negro is an amazing natural refuge, considered by many scientists as the third most important wetland at a global level. It is home to a number of the world’s rare plant, animal and bird species.
It is located very close to the border of Nicaragua, in Alajuela province in the counties of Los Chiles and Guatuso. It is the habitat of many migrant and endangered fish, reptiles, birds and plants. Costa Rica car rental
A sweet water lagoon, Caño Negro has an extension of more than 800 hectares and is found between the Pacific lowland’s monsoonal climate and the Caribbean coastal area’s humid climate. It has high biological importance due to the wide variety of flora and fauna found here. The area is also an important migratory route for birds from the north. Over 200 species have been found here, as well as many endemic plants and animals. Rent a car in Costa Rica
Caño Negro was among the first national refuges to highlight the management of tourism activities with the biological resources of a region. It is a wonderful educational experience for all the visitors that come to the region.
During the rainy season from May to October, water from the mountains is plentiful and the Río Frío overflows its banks to form Lago Caño Negro. This lake is located in the middle of the flyway for migrant North and South American birds.
Therefore millions of birds arrive here to winter over during the dry season beginning in December. The water level falls gradually for the next three to four months until all that is left is the main channel of the Río Frío. This is when the migrant birds leave.
East of Los Chiles, the Río Medio Queso extends into a shallow wetland when rainfall is prolific. The region near the border is officially protected by the Corredor Fronterízo National Wildlife Refuge. The area is great for wildlife viewing.
This wildlife refuge shelters Emerald Basilisks, Giant Bear Ants, jaguars, ocelots, iguanas, river turtles, monkeys, pumas and caimans. It is inhabited by unusual birds such as northern jacanas, ibises, jabiru storks, anhingas, cormorants and roseate spoonbills.
The Río Frío has excellent fishing for snook, guapote, alligator gar, drum, and huge tarpon Fishing is permitted in the reserve from July 1 to March 31, you can get a license from the ranger station in Caño Negro village. Bear in mind that there may not be established high profile fishing guides operating, nevertheless if you round up a boat and provide most of your own tackle, Caño Negro is a great place to fish.
To get to Caño Negro, drive out north to Ciudad Quesada (San Carlos). From here, head to the village of Los Chiles and then on to this pretty wildlife refuge. You can also arrange a tour that leaves from La Fortuna de San Carlos next to Arenal Volcano.
Visit Caño Negro and admire is amazing wildlife!
The Mystic Tortuguero National Park
The most important attraction of Tortuguero National Park is definitely its turtles. Green Sea, Leatherback, and Hawksbill turtles nest on the beaches here. Costa Rica car rental
Green Sea Turtles are considered an endangered species because they are hunted for the adults’ meat and for turtle soup. Additionally their eggs are poached for their supposed aphrodisiac qualities. An interesting fact is that Hawksbill turtles have a natural defense against ending up in turtle soup. Their flesh and skin are extremely toxic and there’s no antidote for it.
The mass arrivals of the turtles known in Spanish as “arribadas” occur at night usually under a waning moon. Bear in mind that a guide is required to visit the beaches at night. If you are an independent traveler you can arrange tours through the kiosk in the middle of Tortuguero village or through your hotel. Car rental Costa Rica
Tortuguero was protected as a nesting sanctuary in 1963 and declared a National Park in 1970, mainly due to the efforts of the Caribbean Conservation Corporation and a turtle biologist named Archie Carr. He started a turtle-tagging program at Tortuguero in 1955 that still continues today.
An extraordinary region, Tortuguero and its surrounding areas get the heaviest rainfall in the country. The presence of parallel coastal banks here has given rise to the formation of lakes, channels and marshes. All these formations are home to an overabundance of fish and marine life.
Additionally, the wide network of freshwater creeks and lagoons behind the beaches of Tortuguero shelter seven species of river turtles, as well as the spectacled caiman, southern river otters, a number of crustaceans, and more than 50 species of freshwater fish. If you arrange a tour boat through the freshwater canals you might also see spider, howler and capuchin monkeys and dozens of species of birds. Even though they are difficult to spot, West Indian manatees also inhabit the area.
Heliconias are very popular in Tortuguero and they adorn the place in a very special way. Their flowers are similar to clusters of lobster claws and are pollinated by hummingbirds.
It is important to take into consideration that this is one of the rainiest areas of Costa Rica, and even in the dry season afternoon showers are common. Expect rain at any time of the year, but the three wettest months are December, June, and July, and the three driest are February, March and September.
In the Tortuguero village you will find lodging, restaurants, and tour operators.
Keep in mind that there are no roads to Tortuguero. It can be accessed by boat from Moín near Puerto Limon, or by small plane.
Tortuguero is a relaxed place with many lodges, hotels, and cabinas for all budgets. It is very important to book hotels and tours in advance as this is a major tourist destination.
While in the Tortuguero town you can go to a visitor center and museum. There are other activities that you might also enjoy such as hiking and canoeing.
Come to Tortuguero and enjoy its magical beauty!
A Wildlife Paradise, Curú Wildlife Refuge
Curú National Wildlife Refuge and Hacienda is situated on the southern Nicoya Peninsula of northwestern Costa Rica. The wildlife is abundant here and hosts stunning beaches as well as protected bays on the Nicoya Peninsula. The area shelters species such as white-faced monkeys, howler monkeys, spider Monkeys, scarlet macaws, white-tailed deer, collared peccary, coati, raccoons, coyotes, iguanas, and hundreds of species of tropical and migratory birds. Car rental Costa Rica
Curú has the country’s first private National Wildlife Refuge and is known for being an excellent example of a successful sustainable development program. Curú National Wildlife Refuge and Hacienda is overseen in a sustainable way in order to be able to produce a profit and provide local employment. In addition, it protects threatened and endangered forested habitats such as mangroves, tropical moist and dry forests, and coral reefs. Costa Rica car rental
The refuge also has other important attractions such as kayaking, snorkeling, and day trips to Tortuga Islands.
In 1999, a Costa Rican conservation organization known as Amigos de las Aves, started a Scarlet Macaw (Ara macao) restoration program in Curú. Thirteen Scarlet Macaws were released and independently foraged in the forest. The organization is very satisfied with the results because the survival rate has been over 90% year over year.
They also document active nesting and in 2004 two juvenile birds between 4-5 months of age were seen flying with the flock. This is considered to be the first successful breeding of reintroduced Scarlet Macaws in Costa Rica. The macaws are monitored every day within the wildlife refuge and are commonly spotted foraging on beach almonds along Curú’s Wildlife Refuge.
The organization is planning future releases and their objective is to establish a viable population of these extraordinary birds in the area.
The Refuge also has projects to restore and conserve coral reefs. More than 15 years ago they started a reef restoration project in the Bay of Curú. For this purpose they used 7,500 old tires and important companies installed a PVC tube artificial reed in this bay. To date, this project has been a success and it has increased fish diversity and abundance and other marine life in the Bay.
In 2002, a new Psammocora stellata coral reef was found in the Bay of Curú. According to biologists, there are only three Psammocora stellata reefs in all of Costa Rica. Knowledgeable marine biologists are carrying out a scientific research project to map and study this unique Psammocora stellata coral reef in the Bay of Curú. According to them, it is the largest and healthiest of its kind in Costa Rica.
Curú also has a program called Monitoring Overwintering Survival. This is a cooperative effort among agencies, organizations, and individual bird-banders in Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean to run a network of mist-netting stations. Their objective is to monitor habitat-specific over-wintering survival rates for both migratory and resident landbird species coordinated by the Institute for Bird Populations. The goal of this 5-year study is to determine annual and over-wintering survival of both migratory and resident landbirds.
All these organizations are focused on learning more about how climate, weather and habitat characteristics influence all these birds. They will use this understanding to design conservation strategies to reverse population declines of Neotropical birds.
When you visit Costa Rica, come to Curú Wildlife Refuge, learn about their conservation projects, see them and be part of them.
One of the most popular tourist destinations in Costa Rica, the Nicoya Peninsula
The Nicoya Peninsula is separated from the mainland of Costa Rica by the Gulf of Nicoya and the Tempisque estuary. The northern half of the peninsula is part of Guanacaste province, and the southern portion is part of Puntarenas province. Guanacaste is known for its dry climate, and the southern part of the Nicoya Peninsula, which belongs to Puntarenas, receives more rain annually. Consequently this is a transitional zone between dry forest climate and tropical rain forest. For this reason the wildlife in southern Nicoya peninsula is common to both ecosystems. Costa Rica car rental
Nicoya Peninsula is the largest peninsula in the country, and is located south of the Northern Pacific Coast of Costa Rica. It has an extension of 140 km to the south where the landscape gradually gets moist and hilly.
This area is a very popular tourist destination, particularly for the adventurers. Here visitors will find amazing nature reserves, first-class eco-tourism, outstanding hotels and beach resorts, picturesque rural towns, beautiful sunsets. Additionally the area offers great water sports such as surfing, fishing, snorkeling and diving. Car rental Costa Rica
The city of Nicoya is considered to be the political and cultural capital of the Nicoya Peninsula. It was the first Spanish colonial city in Costa Rica. It is located 23 km south of the town of Santa Cruz and fiver hours away from San José, by car. The city was originally inhabited by Chorotega Indians, which was the country’s largest indigenous Indian community. Nicoya got its name from a prominent Chorotega chief who welcomed the Spanish conquerors when they first arrived here.
Nicoya is the center for commercial cattle in the province of Guanacaste. It has a relaxed and laid back atmosphere, great weather and gorgeous nearby beaches. For this reason this area is the perfect alternative to stay overnight and explore this interesting region and is dazzling attractions.
Many believe that Nicoya is among the oldest towns in Costa Rica, and its main attraction is definitely its 500 year old church Iglesia de San Blas, which is located in the center of town in the Central Park. This church was built in the 1600’s and it displays the work of renowned artists from the area.
Nicoya is a great place to spend the day and the town has many services and facilities such as banks, supermarkets, open-air markets and stores. There is a wide variety of accommodations, restaurants and hotels. When you come to Nicoya, don’t forget to buy their famous traditional pottery.
To get here by car from San José take the Inter American Highway and make a left turn toward the Bridge of Friendship,(this bridge was a donation of the Government of Taiwan to Costa Rica) for around 30 kilometers. This may be a much better route than going by the city of Liberia.