Santa Rosa was founded in 1972 as the country’s first national park. The 49,515-hectare park, which covers much of the Santa Elena peninsula, is part of a mosaic of ecologically interdependent parks and reserves.

Parque Nacional Santa Rosa is most famous for Hacienda Santa Rosa—better known as La Casona—the nation’s most cherished historic monument. It was here in 1856 that the mercenary army of American adventurer William Walker was defeated by a ragamuffin army of Costa Rican volunteers.

The park is a mosaic of 10 distinct habitats, including mangrove swamp, savanna, and oak forest, which attract more than 250 bird species and 115 mammal species (half of them bats, including two vampire species), among them relatively easily seen animals such as white-tailed deer; coatimundis; howler, spider, and white-faced monkeys; and anteaters.

In the wet season the land is as green as emeralds, and wildlife disperses. In dry season, however, wildlife congregates at watering holes and is easily spotted. Jaguars, margays, ocelots, pumas, and jaguarundis are here, but are seldom seen. Santa Rosa is a vitally important nesting site for ridleys and other turtle species.

The park is divided into two sections: the more important and accessible Santa Rosa Sector to the south (the entrance is at Km. 269 on Hwy. 1, about 37 km north of Liberia) and the Murciélago Sector (the turnoff from Hwy. 1 is 10 kilometers farther north, via Cuajiniquil), separated by a swathe of privately owned land.

Information

The park entrance station (tel. 506/666-5051, ext. 219, 8 a.m.–4 p.m. daily, $6 admission) at the Santa Rosa Sector sells maps showing trails and campgrounds. The park administration office (tel. 506/666-5051, fax 506/666-5020) can provide additional information.

The Dry Tropical Forest Investigation Center (Centro de los Investigaciones, tel. 506/666-5051, ext. 233), next to the administrative center, undertakes biological research. It is not open to visitors.