Juan Castro Blanco National Park
| Juan Castro Blanco National Park | |
|---|---|
Juan Castro Blanco National Park | |
| Location | Costa Rica |
| Nearest city | San José |
| Coordinates | 10°18′0″N 84°21′58″W / 10.30000°N 84.36611°W |
| Area | 145 km2 (56 sq mi) |
| Established | 22 April 1992 |
| Governing body | National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC) |
  Location in Costa Rica | |
Parque Nacional Juan Castro Blanco (Juan Castro Blanco National Park) is a national park in the Arenal Huetar Norte Conservation Area in Alajuela Province in northern Costa Rica,[1] about 100 kilometres (62 mi) north of San José It was established on 22 April 1992.[2]
History
Juan Castro Blanco Forest Reserve was created on 26 June 1975 with an area of about 13,700 hectares (34,000 acres). In 1989, it was designated a protected zone of 14,250 hectares (35,200 acres). On 22 April 1992, Decree No. 9279 made it a national park.[3]
Geography
Juan Castro Blanco National Park has an area of around 145 square kilometres (56 sq mi).[1] It contains three volcanoes: Planatar, Porvenir and El Viejo.[1]
The reserve contains the sources of the Aguas Zarcas, Platanar, Tora, Tres Amigos and La Vieja rivers,[4] and is an important watershed for the surrounding communities.[3] Lake Pozo Verde is also located within the park.[5]
Climate
The temperature generally ranges between 60 and 80°F (15 and 27°C). Annual rainfall averages 140 inches (3,600 mm).[6]
Flora and fauna
Half of the park consists of forests, including rainforests, with trees 30 metres (98 ft) high or higher.[3] Cloud forests support an estimated 2000 plant species, including over 200 documented orchid species.[4]
About 57 species of mammal are reported in the reserve and include: jaguars, tapirs, ocelots, sloths, howler monkeys, red brocket deer and at least 22 species of bats. Over 233 species of birds, resident and migratory have been recorded, including the national bird of Costa Rica: the clay-colored thrush. Around 64 threatened or endangered species are found in the park, including the great curassow and the red brocket deer. Over 44 amphibian species reside in the park.[3]
Visitor facilities
There is an extensive trail system that winds through the park. However, there are no other public facilities.[3][6]
References
- 1 2 3 "Juan Castro Blanco National Park". National Parks Association. 24 February 2025. Retrieved 19 May 2026.
- ↑ David Diaz-Arias; Ronny Viales Hurtado; Juan José Marin Hernández (2019). Historical Dictionary of Costa Rica. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 158. ISBN 9781538102411. Retrieved 20 May 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "Juan Castro Blanco National Park Costa Rica". costaricainfolink.com/. 6 May 2011. Retrieved 20 May 2026.
- 1 2 "Juan Castro Blanca". www.internationalparks.org. 3 April 2026. Retrieved 20 May 2026.
- ↑ Sally P. Horn; Erik N. Johanson; Mauricio Murillo Herrera; Kurt A. Haberyan; Taber Friedel; Chad S. Lane (July–December 2023). "Initial Limnology of Laguna Pozo Verde, Costa Rica: Bathymetry, Water, Sediments, and Diatoms". Cuadernos de Investigación UNED. 15 (2). Retrieved 20 May 2026.
- 1 2 "Juan Castro Blanca National Park". Área de Conservación Arenal Huetar Norte. Archived from the original on 26 April 2005.