Braulio Carrillo National Park
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Braulio Carrillo National Park
Braulio Carrillo National Park

Braulio Carrillo National Park

Braulio Carrillo National Park, Heredia Province

The Basics

Divided by one of Costa Rica’s busiest highways, Braulio Carrillo National Park is easy to access. One of the best ways to explore the area is to take the Aerial Tram, which is located on the park’s eastern side. Tram tours take you to three levels of rainforest, from the floor to the canopy, and include hikes as well as stops at a butterfly and hummingbird habitat, a reptile terrarium, and an orchid refuge.

Other tours include a cruise along the Sarapiqui River and a stop at animal sanctuaries in the nearby Black Madero wildlife reserve. To turn up the adventure, zipline over the forest canopy or take a whitewater rafting tour on the Chirripó River, which includes more than 20 class III rapids.

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Braulio Carrillo National Park 6-in-1 Pass with Optional Transfer from San Jose
Braulio Carrillo National Park 6-in-1 Pass with Optional Transfer from San Jose
USD107.00 per adult
Traveller Favourite
Flying high over the rain forest canopy
Pick up good and it’s a bit of a drive out to the National Park. Safety is priority on the zip lines. It’s a nice get away out of the city. Beautiful scenery and facility. Recommend
Gerald_J, Nov. 2022

Recent reviews from experiences in San Jose

star-5
Zipping above the forest.
James_V, Feb. 2023
Day Trip from San Jose to Braulio Carrillo Canopy Tour
The description and assistance from the zip lining crew was outsfanding. The view of the forest and river were absolutely great. Outstanding professional job of the entire zip lining crew.
star-4
Find your own transportation.
Raymond_P, Jan. 2023
Braulio Carrillo National Park 6-in-1 Pass with Optional Transfer from San Jose
Excellent experience. The only problem was that transportation. The way to the park was just over 1.5 hits and the way park to the hotel was about 2. The drops in San Jose to pick up the other passengers were really pretty miserable. Would have probably tried to find my own transport if I knew that was going to be the case.
star-5
Magical ride in the rainforest
Deirdre_G, Jan. 2023
Rainforest Adventures in Costa Rica Aerial Tram Tour Braulio Carrillo
Our family went to Braulio Carrillo our first morning in Costa Rica. The aerial tram ride was emersion into the rainforest and was fulfilling to the senses in every way. Our guide was knowledgeable and fun. We enjoyed every minute and it was a magical experience.
star-5
AMAZING
MontserratL_F, Jan. 2023
Rainforest Adventures in Costa Rica Aerial Tram Tour Braulio Carrillo
That was wonderful experience. And our tour guide Jaime was AMAZING..I wish the experience never ended.
star-5
An experience not to miss!
ChristyJ_B, Mar. 2023
Braulio Carrillo National Park 6-in-1 Pass with Optional Transfer from San Jose
The tour of the national park was a wonderful experience. We were so excited to see unusual animals, like a tapir and coati, besides sloth and many different birds. Because this is natural, not a zoo, we felt very fortunate. The tram ride thru the canopy was lovely. We got to see different levels of the eco system. The zipline was fast and exciting, including one of the longest lines in the country! My only criticism was the that the drive host and driver only engaged occasionally with our small group. Neither described scenery or location info. The driver made me feel uneasy during the extremely foggy and wet weather conditions on the way home.
star-5
The tour guide and...
James_D, Aug. 2022
Zipline Tour in Braulio Carrillo National Park From San José
The tour guide and experience was amazing and very welcoming. I would highly recommend you try this and book this excursion. The food was also amazing
star-5
Very knowledgable guide...
Lena_H, May 2022
Day Trip from San Jose to Tortuguero National Park (Canals)
Very knowledgable guide who really made an effort to find animal both on the beautiful canal tour and at the rainforest walk.
star-4
Motion sickness
atlfergusons, Apr. 2022
Day Trip from San Jose to Tortuguero National Park (Canals)
We saw 3 wild sloths on our way, Carlos and Giovanni stopped the van on the road for us to take pictures. Bring money for bathroom breaks. Food and drinks were good. Bring motion sickness medicines because the van ride round trip is life threatening, Carlos was passING cars on the shoulder, across double lines, and played with the radio while driving. I will say it was a good time and I'm glad we went, but that bucket list has been checked off.
star-5
Fun Place for Zip Lining Near San Jose
Cathy_A, Feb. 2023
Braulio Carrillo National Park 6-in-1 Pass with Optional Transfer from San Jose
We had a great time in Braulio Carrillo Nat Pk Zip Lining. Only about 1 hour's drive from San Jose, it was nice to have a driver on a foggy, rainy morning who knew the roads. It was our first-time zip lining. Our guide was very good at explaining what to do and helped us with our harnesses. He made it fun. Your belongings go into a locker: backpack, wallet, camera, etc. You pay $3 for the rental of a little lock and key. Some people hung their phones around their necks and tucked them inside their shirts, (but if it poured rain, that could be a problem.) We are nearly 70 years old and had no problem zip lining. We saw leaf cutter ants carrying leaves along one path. (I wished I had my camera then). We loved the nature walk and saw a group of 10 white nosed coti that crossed the path in front of us which was a great experience. The buffet was open-air, like all the buffet places, with a hand washing stand outside the bathroom. It was easy to keep germs at bay. The food was good. The staff was friendly and helpful. We would go back again!
star-5
The BEST Day!
Haley_H, Jan. 2023
Braulio Carrillo National Park 6-in-1 Pass with Optional Transfer from San Jose
We had the absolute best time on this tour, it was everything we hoped for and more! We started with the pick-up right from our hotel, and travelled to the National park. Our morning was ziplining, truly no words for our how amazing and fun this was! We then had a very tasty lunch included. The gondola ride was after lunch and was so peaceful riding through the rainforest. We saw some birds and stunning scenery while our guide taught us facts about the area. After that we went on a 45min walk through part of the forest to see some of the exhibits. Highly recommend this tour! All of our guides were super professional and friendly. An unforgettable day!
star-5
Good experience
chloehollindrake, Apr. 2022
Rainforest Adventures in Costa Rica Aerial Tram Tour Braulio Carrillo
Really enjoyed this tour. The guide was really friendly and gave us some tips and talked us through Costa Rican history on the way to the tour as well as being knowledgeable whilst we were on the tram. Would recommend
star-4
Recommended for a relaxing day with zip lining fun.
Paul_S, Jan. 2023
Braulio Carrillo National Park 6-in-1 Pass with Optional Transfer from San Jose
It was the 1st time I experienced zip lining. A great way to celebrate ones 72nd birthday. Lots of fun..nothing to be scared about. It's not to do if you have trouble walking up any steep inclines, have a bad back or heart condition. The quiet tram ride tour was relaxing and serene. The nature hike was also nice. I will say our tour guide was excellent with information and looked after us all day. Lunch was included and the food was very good. Nothing not to like. The only negative part was this. It is advertised as 6 in 1. Well, the zip line and Tram were 2. There were 2 nature hikes. One about 1- 1/2 hrs and one about 45 min. ..So that is #'s 3 and 4. On the path on the 45 min. walk there is a small area with about 12 glass terrariums with a few snakes and or frogs.. That's what they call #5. Further down the path we stopped into a small cage like atrium with some butterflys. That's what they call #6. Overall..its a nice and relaxing way to spend a day. Note: Nov. To Feb. is the dry season. Had we gone during the rainy period it would not have been miserable and not a fun time for us..Yeah, I know..it's a rain forest..but spending hours treking through or zip lining in the rain forest is not that appealing..plus an hour or so driving both ways. We did give a $10.00 donation to look at 4 rescued sloths. They took about 30 pictures of us gearing up and zip lining that they email to you for $40.00. We declined. They also take a picture of you on the tram upon your return. A 5x7 is $10.00. The gift shop..needless to say, is very expensive. Nothing you couln't find at the duty free A/P shops or elsewhere for less.
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Things To Know Before You Go

  • Wear proper hiking attire, and bring rain gear; there are often short rain showers, even during the dry season.

  • Trails can get steep and muddy and are generally poorly maintained; even experienced hikers are advised to go with a guide.

  • A small entry fee is required.

  • Restrooms and picnic areas are available at the park’s three ranger stations.

  • The aerial tram is wheelchair accessible.

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How To Get There

Braulio Carrillo National Park is located in Heredia Province, in central Costa Rica, about 31 miles (50 kilometers) north of San Jose. The drive—via Route 1 or Route 3 to Route 126—takes about 2 hours. Buses from San Jose’s Gran Terminal del Caribe stop at the Carrillo/Quebrada Gonzalez entrance, where there are two trailheads.

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When To Get There

Peak season in Costa Rica is from mid-December to April, which is the dry season. During the rainy season, from May through November, the park’s paths may be very muddy, but visitors can see the jungle at its most green and catch local wildlife at its most active.

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Park Facts

Covering an expanse of 117,375 acres (47,500 hectares), Braulio Carrillo includes a wide variety of habitats, from rain and cloud forests to river ecosystems. More than 500 species of birds make their home here, including resplendent quetzals and black silky-flycatchers. The park also boasts the largest elevation differential of any of the country’s national parks, from 118 feet (36 meters) in the jungle to 9,514 feet (2,900 meters) at the summit of the Barva Volcano.

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Frequently Asked Questions
The answers provided below are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.
Q:
What are the nearest attractions to Braulio Carrillo National Park?
A:
Attractions near Braulio Carrillo National Park:
Q:
What else should I know about attractions in San Jose?
A:
As well as visiting the Braulio Carrillo National Park, check out these trip ideas to make the most of your visit: