Santa Rosa National Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Santa Rosa National Park |
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| Parque Nacional Santa Rosa | |
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IUCN Category II (National Park)
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| Location | Guanacaste Province, Costa Rica |
| Nearest city | La Cruz |
| Area | 389.71 km2 (150.47 sq mi) (terrestrial) 425.60 km2 (164.33 sq mi) (marine) |
| Established | 1 July 1966 |
| Governing body | National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC) |
| Official name: Laguna Respringue | |
| Designated: | 6 May 1999 |
| Reference #: | 982 |
| Official name: Manglar de Potrero Grande | |
| Designated: | 6 May 1999 |
| Reference #: | 981 |
Santa Rosa National Park is a special protected area in Costa Rica. It is located in the northwestern part of the country, in the Guanacaste Province. This park was first created to protect the historic site where the Battle of Santa Rosa took place. It is about 36 kilometers (22 miles) north of the city of Liberia.
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What Makes Santa Rosa Park Special?
Santa Rosa National Park is one of Costa Rica's oldest and most important national parks. It was established on July 1, 1966. The park protects a large area of land and ocean, covering about 390 square kilometers (150 square miles) on land and 425 square kilometers (164 square miles) in the ocean.
Protecting Nature and History
The park's main goal is to protect the unique dry forests and coastal areas. It also preserves the site of a very important battle in Costa Rican history. This battle helped shape the country we know today.
Amazing Animals and Plants
Santa Rosa is home to many different kinds of animals and plants. It has one of the largest areas of tropical dry forest in Central America. This type of forest is special because it loses its leaves during the dry season.
- Animals: You can find many animals here, like white-faced capuchin monkeys, spider monkeys, and howler monkeys. There are also jaguars, pumas, and many kinds of deer.
- Birds: The park is a great place for birdwatching, with over 250 different bird species.
- Sea Turtles: The beaches within the park are important nesting sites for several species of sea turtles. These include the olive ridley sea turtle, leatherback sea turtle, and green sea turtle. They come to these beaches to lay their eggs.
Sea Turtle Nesting Sites
The park's beaches, like Nancite and Ostional, are famous for arribadas. This is when thousands of female olive ridley sea turtles come ashore at the same time to lay their eggs. It is an amazing natural event.
Ramsar Sites in the Park
Santa Rosa National Park includes two important wetlands that are recognized internationally as Ramsar Sites. These are special places because they are vital for many water birds and other wildlife.
- Laguna Respringue: This wetland was named a Ramsar site on May 6, 1999.
- Manglar de Potrero Grande: This mangrove area also became a Ramsar site on May 6, 1999. Mangroves are special trees that grow in salty water along coastlines.
Visiting Santa Rosa National Park
The park offers different activities for visitors who want to explore its natural beauty and learn about its history.
- Hiking Trails: There are trails that lead through the dry forest, where you can see wildlife and enjoy nature.
- Beaches: Some areas have beautiful beaches where you can relax or watch for wildlife.
- Historic Site: You can visit the old hacienda (ranch house) where the Battle of Santa Rosa took place. It has a museum that tells the story of the battle.
Images for kids
See also
In Spanish: Parque nacional Santa Rosa para niños
