Juan Castro Blanco National Park facts for kids

The Juan Castro Blanco National Park is a special protected area in northern Costa Rica. It's part of the larger Arenal Huetar Norte Conservation Area. This park is a wonderful place to explore nature!

Where is the Park?

This amazing park is found in the northern part of Costa Rica. It's about 100 kilometers (62 miles) north of the capital city, San José. You can find it east of Ciudad Quesada in the Alajuela Province.

What's Inside the Park?

Juan Castro Blanco National Park was created in 1992. It covers a large area of 145 square kilometers (about 56 square miles). The park is home to two main types of forests: rainforests and cloud forests.

Volcanoes and Rivers

The park has some interesting volcanoes. You can find the active Platanar Volcano here. There's also the dormant Porvenir Volcano, which means it's sleeping for now. The El Viejo Volcano is also in the park, but it's no longer active.

Many important rivers start their journey within this park. These include the Aguas Zarcas, Platanar, Tora, Tres Amigos, and La Vieja rivers. You can also find a beautiful place called Lake Pozo Verde inside the park.

Animals and Plants

This park is full of life! It has a huge variety of plants and animals.

Amazing Plants

You'll find many different kinds of orchids growing here. These beautiful flowers add lots of color to the forest. The park also has natural hot springs, which are warm pools of water heated by the Earth.

Wonderful Wildlife

Scientists have recorded at least 57 different species of mammals in the park. Some of the cool animals you might find include the powerful jaguar and the unique tapir. You might also spot ocelots, slow-moving sloths, and noisy howler monkeys. Look out for red brocket deer and at least 22 kinds of bats!

The park is also a birdwatcher's paradise, with over 233 species of birds. Some birds live here all year, while others are migratory and just visit. The national bird of Costa Rica, the clay-colored Thrush, lives here.

Endangered Species

Some very special and rare animals live in Juan Castro Blanco National Park. These include the stunning Resplendent quetzal with its long tail feathers. You might also see the Great curassow, the red brocket deer, and the Black Guan. Protecting this park helps keep these amazing creatures safe!

Visiting the Park

If you love hiking and nature, this park is a great place to visit.

Trails and Exploration

The park has many trails that wind through the forests. These trails give visitors a chance to see all sorts of plants and animals up close. It's a fantastic way to explore the natural beauty of Costa Rica.

Facilities for Visitors

While there are many trails to explore, the park does not have public facilities like restrooms or visitor centers. It's a wilder, more natural experience, so be sure to plan ahead for your visit!

See also

In Spanish: Parque nacional Juan Castro Blanco para niños