Barra Honda National Park
Barra Honda is unique among the National Parks of Costa Rica: its main attraction is an intricately large system of limestone caverns which house a multitude of capricious forms and figures.
The hill of Barra Honda hides many surprises
Barra Honda is a 450 m high, nearly flat mesa looming 300 m above the Tempisque valley. It mainly consists of coral reef aging over 60 million years. Tectonic faulting has uplifted the area from the seabed 70 million years ago and rains created underground waterways. The constant dropping of rainwater on calcium carbonate has then created these underground art galleries - fancies of nature grown over millenniums of years.
The caves of Barra Honda were only explored in the late 60ies and until now
only 19 of the 42 caves have been surveyed.
People before believed that Barra
Honda was a volcano because they misinterpreted the whirring of bat wings
for volcanic activity and the aroma of guano for sulfur.
The bat's cave, Pozo Hediondo (Fetid Cave), is home to thousands of these flying mammals. Half
an hour after sunset clouds of bats surge from their underground dwellings
to fly out into the night.
The caves of Barra Honda are well preserved as their vertical entrances are difficult to negotiate. Nevertheless have human skeletons and pre-Columbian artefacts been found in the 30 m deep Nicoa Cave.
Entrance to the Terciopelo cave
The deepest of the Barra Honda caves is Santa Ana which sinks to 249 meters. La Trampa (the trap) has the deepest precipice - a vertical entrance of 30 m length. Speleologists and spelunkers from around the world are drawn to Barra Honda.
One of the largest and most beautiful caves is Terciopelo which along with la Cuevita, is the only one accessible for the public. Tours must be accompanied by two local guides.
At the entrance to the cave you will be fit with a rappelling harness and helmet. The harness is only a security for the 17-meter descent on an aluminium ladder.
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Visiting Barra Honda:
The caves of Barra Honda can be visited year-through. Be at the ranger station between 7 a.m and 1 p.m. and bring enough drinking water and sun cream for the hike. A tour takes 3 - 4 hours and costs $ 45 p/p. It includes the entrance fee to the National Park, the equipment rental and two professional guides. Children beyond the age of 12 are only allowed to the Cuevita cave.
The hike to the caves takes approx 1 hour and is slightly steep and moderately difficult, depending on your physical fitness. On top of the flat-topped ridge a footpath winds through the forest and you might see deers, coatis, agutis, anteaters and monkeys. They guides will also point out species of trees and medicinal plants.
You can also just hike through the National Park. A network of trails leads through the dry tropical forest, one of the world's rarest habitats. The best time for nature exploring is dry season because most trees and shrubs are leafless which makes it easier to spot animals.
Camping is possible near the ranger station at the entrance. You can also stay in one of the three rustic cabins, each with bunks for six people.
For more information and reservations call at the ranger station: 659 1551
or write an email:
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Getting there by Car:
From the Tempisque Bridge drive 15 km towards Nicoya. A sign at the right side indicates the turnoff for the gravel road leading through Nacaome, Santa Ana to Barra Honda. Coming from the other side, from the main road of the Nicoya Peninsula, drive 1.5 km towards the Tempisque Bridge (called Puente de la Amistad con Taiwan) and then turn to the left. The road is in fairly good condition, only the last kilometer can be tricky in rainy season.
By Bus:
From Nicoya busses leave to Santa Ana at 11:30 a.m. and at 4 p.m. Return busses leave Santa Ana at 12 m and at 4:30 p.m. From Santa Ana it is a 1 km hike to the park entrance.
From Samara it's an easy day-jaunt to Barra Honda. Tour operators and hotels in Samara can help you to arrange a tour.