Birdwatchers are interested in the Carara National Park area because it presents two life zones and a variety of birds, including one of the largest remaining wild populations of Scarlet Macaw in Costa Rica.

The Carara National Park protects the river basin of the Rio Grande de Tarcoles, near Orotina, Puntarenas, on the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica. In the park, we find Primary and Secondary Rainforest, lakes, rivers and waterfalls. Pre-Columbian archaeological sites are scattered throughout the area.

There are two hiking trails in Carara National Park, one of them, the 2.7 mile Araceas Nature Trail that runs parallel the Rio Grande de Tarcoles and has short branches to the Laguna Meandrica and marshes.

The Quebrada Bonita Ranger Station is open for visitor attention from 8am to 4pm, and has potable water and restrooms.