For this reason, it is recommended that if you are going to visit the park along this route, you do so only at one of the two park guard stations at the upper and lower end of the road. This circular trail that climbs through beautiful tropical rain forest behind the station building is steep, rocky, slippery and often quite muddy. However, if you're in good enough physical condition to handle the challenge, it can be well worth the effort. You can see all sorts of creatures here. The bird list is extensive, although many of them can be difficult to see in the forest interior.
Mammals are equally diverse and even more elusive.
It is situated in very similar habitat and although you pay more, you have much more in the way of facilities as well as bilingual naturalist guides. There are at least two other ways to enter Braulio Carrillo National Park. One is along the century-old stone road that more or less parallels the new highway. The other is via the Barva Volcano ranger station. From here it's another three kilometers down into the tiny valley of Bajo la Hondura, site of a former settlement.