This obviously doesnt mean that the local community and municipality not longer take part in the development and protection of the park. There are cactus plants at the beginning of this stretch, which looks as if someone has created a garden. Catarata Parque Nacional La Cangreja. Walk five km inside the national park to reach the waterfall. A guide will help you understand the map and provide information about the trails. Experience this 6.8-mile out-and-back trail near Puriscal, San Jos. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. Some other species like Unonopsis theobromifolia a Anonaceae and Ternstroemia multiovulata, family Theaceae were described for the flora of the country in this area protective, although subsequently been collected in other areas including the Osa Peninsula. For the last 20 years, it [] Puriscal GPS Coordinates: 9.847961,-84.309414 (950'52.66N, 8418'33.89W) Size: 2240ha (5533 acres) Altitude: 350m (1050ft) to 1305m (3915ft) Rancho Mastatal Sustainability Education Center, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=La_Cangreja_National_Park&oldid=986279022, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 4.0, This page was last edited on 30 October 2020, at 21:34. La Cangreja National Park Costa Rica: virgin forest declared protected area in 1984 (Protected Areas in Costa Rica are areas with special regulation to protect the hydrographic and terrestrial resources and are meant to keep the environment). The Rincon de la Vieja National Park is around 25 km /15.5 miles drive from Liberia. The tickets need to be collected at the entrance of the Rincon de la Vieja National Park. For hiking the trail to the La Cangreja Waterfall, you will only be allowed if you start by 12 pm. Which trail has the most elevation gain in La Cangreja National Park? If you have a 4WD vehicle and want an adventure its a great stopover in the middle of a little used alternate route to Manuel Antonio National Park, Jac, Dominical or Uvita. The main entrance is located 35 kilometers southeast of the city of Santiago de Puriscal. Countries; Regions; Cities; Parks; Trails; Points of Interest; Maps. Ready for your next hike or bike ride? The roots protruding out of the soil have created natural stairs. Hiking in the Rincon de la Vieja National Park is an adventure you must do while you are staying in Guanacaste. La Cangreja Waterfall is the largest waterfall that you can hike to located within Rincon de La Vieja Volcano National Park. La Cangreja Waterfall: 252 Reviews, Map - AllTrails Plan your next outdoor adventure here! This waterfall is the largest waterfall located in Rincn de la Vieja National Park. The park protects abundant and crystalline water sources such as the Black River and Quebrada Grande, which flow between rock formations shaped by nature, allowing visitors to enjoy and relax while bathing or simply contemplating the surroundings. The site has great . You will find a closed gate on the way to the national park. Best Places to See Wildlife in Costa Rica, no obligation custom trip plan & price quote, Tortuguero Beach National Park & Sea Turtles Nesting. Take a bus from the route San Jose Quepos by Puriscal which takes about 2 hours, (Transportes Delio Morales, Phone: +506 2223-5567). We knew that the destination was near, as we could hear the river flowing below somewhere, hidden by the trees along the path. The site bears a striking resemblance to the forests of the Osa Peninsula, with a marked predominantly South American species. From San Jos, take the road towards Ciudad Coln-Puriscal. A large healthy rain forest creates its own weather. La Cangreja National Park is located in the province of San Jos, in the canton of Puriscal, in Mercedes Sur and Chires districts, between the coordinates: N 4956392 W 1072932. . The name La Cangreja refers to the caracteristic shape of the La Cangreja Hill, with 1305m high. Groups of birdwatchers generally report single day totals of 100 or more species. The park protects tropical forest in t Central Pacific Conservation Area (ACOPAC) Telephone: +506 2416-7878 The main entrance is located 35 kilometers southeast of the city of Santiago de Puriscal. La Cangreja National Park Costa Rica The park is situated in the village of Mastatal, 45 kilometers southeast of Santiago de Puriscal. Category:La Cangreja National Park - Wikimedia Commons Provisions for hand wash and basin are provided. La Cangreja Waterfall opening times and entry fees . Parque Nacional La Cangreja San Jos Province Costa Rica Mexico and Central America Hotels Expedia.com Plan your trip Photo by Pablo Sala Lodging near Parque Nacional La Cangreja, San Jos Province Stay close to nature from $43 Check-in Check-out Guests Search over 2.9 million properties and 550 airlines worldwide. From here you can take taxi or take another bus Santa Rosa Mastatal which takes about 45 minutes to La Cangreja National Park. In Puriscal, follow signs to Parrita/Quepos. Swimming is not permitted in the waterfall. It also presents 17 species of timber widely used commercially in Costa Rica, some of which are in danger of extinction like the hide of a bull (Tachigalia versicolor), garlic (Caryocar costaricense), the quira (Caryodaphnopsis burgeri), the IPE (Tabebuia guayacan) rum rum (Astronium graveolens), Nazarene (Peltogyne purpurea), cachimbo (Couratari guianensis), Christopher (Platymiscium pinnatum) and balsam (Myroxylon balsamum). New species sound like great news until you find out that theyre already almost extinct. At each end of the main Ro Negro trail it is clear and well maintained but near the middle where it gets less use there are some segments that would be impassable for many people. [2] Waterfall in La Cangreja National Park. The park protects just over 6,000 acres of low elevation tropical wet forest and higher elevation pre-montane moist forest up to 4,280 feet (1,305 meters) above sea level. In terms of vegetation biodiversity, La Cangreja is comparable to the Corcovado National Park, Costa Ricas most bio diverse reserve. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Some of the Other Waterfalls in Costa Rica, Cabuya, Costa Rica: The Last Town of Nicoya Peninsula. La Cangreja National Park | Sights & Attractions - Project Expedition Altitude: 350m (1050ft) to 1305m (3915ft) Typically its not advisable to stop along the way in Costa Rica because a car full of stuff makes such an inviting target for theft but Cangreja is an exception. The entrance fee is 1,500 for nationals and $15 for foreigners. 18 Reviews Want to find the best trails in La Cangreja National Park for an adventurous hike or a family trip? A stop over visit to La Cangreja is easily done even at the last minute but if you wish to climb the highest peak, just tell us in advance so we can get the required permits. These trails have an average 3.5-star rating from 17 AllTrails community reviews. Preliminary studies until 1993 were identified approximately 800 plant species. In a study on the floristic composition done in 1998 (Acosta, 1998) was achieved identify 193 species of trees, which are distributed in 126 genera and 56 families. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. In addition, noteworthy animals include agoutis, coatis, pacas, peccaries, deer, pumas, ocelots, green and black poison dart frogs and others. Costa Rica Tourism Board, Institutional Site, Costa Rica Convention Center, Promotional Site, Costa Rica Tourism Board | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Site Map. Costa Rica Tourism Board, Institutional Site, Costa Rica Convention Center, Promotional Site, Costa Rica Tourism Board | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Site Map. The fare is about 3,000 or $5. If you look at this hill from above, it gives the impression of an enormous crab (cangrejo in Spanish) of which the ridges leaving from the top seem to be the animal paws. It is beautiful to say the least! The current swirls like a natural jacuzzi but we skipped swimming thinking it would be the perfect spot to cool off before climbing the steep hill back to the car on our way back. This is to give you enough time to do the hike and back before the park closes. La Cangreja National Park - Visit Costa Rica The park is located 45 km southeast of Santiago de Puriscal, on the old Parrita road (Route 239). The final access to the waterfall is through couple of huge rocks. Tracopa (phone 2221-4214) operates a bus between downtown San Jos and Santa Rosa de Puriscal departing from Calle 5, Avenida 20 near the Plaza Vquez at 5:30 every morning. With a view over the rain forest down to Manuel Antonio National Park on the Ocean shore. One of those starts from the Park entrance and exit next to Hacienda las Vainillas: Sendero Rio Negro (6 Km). Its highest elevation is 1,305 meters above sea level, and its lowest is 300 MASL, with temperatures ranging from 24-40 C. Average annual rainfall ranges from 2,400-3,500 mm. La Cangreja can be retained by means of a plan of preservation, protection and sustained use, of which the task is the protection of La Cangreja and its buffer zone, by means of long term plans, to preserve the forest and to inspire to a sense of understanding, connection and responsibility with regards to the forest, to the people and to the adjoining communities. La Cangreja National Park, until 2002 the Cerro de la Cangreja Protected Zone, is a National Park in the Puriscal Canton of San Jos Province, in west-central Costa Rica. The small lookout area has some flat rocks to sit, relax and watch the water flow tirelessly into the pool and mix with the river, flowing through the forest and creating cascades on the way. As the surrounding trees have been logged over the past 50 years the flow in the rivers inside the park has plummeted. La Cangreja and Encanto Double Waterfall - AllTrails The only time a guide is required is if you wish to ascend the peak of Cangreja this is a strenuous trail through a lot of overgrown forests so guidance is essential but the views are incredibly rewarding! From San Jos, take the road towards Ciudad Coln-Puriscal. Spilling 130 feet (40 meters) in a white ribbon of water out of the green forest, the Cangreja Waterfall forms a clear blue pool at its base. Nature in Costa Rica.jpg 1,920 1,080; 620 KB. La Cangreja National Park - 7Wonders Real Estate Blog site Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 3 h 48 min to complete. La Cangreja National Park Costa Rica - CostaRicaInfoLink.com Parque Nacional La Cangreja According to users from AllTrails.com, the best place to hike in La Cangreja National Park is. The highest waterfall in the park is the double-fall of El Encanto (the spell) which attracts the hard-core hikers, whilst most visitors tend to stay along the 4mi trail that accosts the Rio Negro either way, youre hiking in untouched wilderness and crossing five gorges and an array of natural whirlpools and waterfalls you can swim in. Sort by: Show more photos. Enjoy hand-curated trail maps, along with reviews and photos from fellow nature lovers. Given the distinct lack of crowds, birding and wildlife spotting chances are quite impressive. Voted one of the Best Adventure Travel Companies(on Earth), by National Geographic Adventure. Given the Read More , Imagine a place so beautiful, tranquil, and refreshing that it enhances the health and well-being of anyone who lives Read More . La Cangreja National Park - San Jose's Lesser-Known Delight! La Cangreja Waterfall Moderate 4.6 (252) Rincon de la Vieja National Park Photos (268) Directions Print/PDF map Length 5.9 miElevation gain 1,085 ftRoute type Out & back Try this 5.9-mile out-and-back trail near Bagaces, Guanacaste. We never ended up trying the muscle soothing waters because it was raining when we returned. As you reach half away through the trail, the vegetation changes and the trees are shorter, probably due to the effect of the volcanic activity in the area. Location: district: Chires, canton: Puriscal, province: San Jos, Costa Rica. Given the distinct lack of crowds, birding and wildlife spotting chances are quite impressive. A suspension bridge keeps your feet dry for the moment but there are many rock hopping and log balancing water crossings ahead. Rincon de la Vieja National Park Guide | Costa Rica Experts *The Rincon de la Vieja Crater Trail is currently closed. The park has a low number of visitors the most-visited months are January to April, and the least-visted are August to November. Here are few things to keep in mind while hiking the La Cangreja waterfall trail: The Las Pailas sector of the Rincon de la Vieja National Park is a place to immerse yourself in its diverse nature. Consider taking the scenic route from SJO airport to the Central Pacific stopping for a hike and swim under a tropical waterfall half way. There is one at the entrance. There are ample signs on the way. The park is located 45 km southeast of Santiago de Puriscal, on the old Parrita road (Route 239). La Cangreja Waterfall, also known as blue lagoon, is 6.2-miles (10 km) total in and out (a couple of hours in each direction). On the other hand, the Indian history talks about a giant crab, which placed itself on the top of the hill during earthquakes and blocked passage for the villagers who wanted to go to the nearby hamlets. La Cangreja refers to the unique shape of the hill at its highest point at 1,305 meters above sea level. A careful hike through the narrow trail takes you to the river. La Cangreja National Park Dozens more species can be spotted on their way north or south along the Pacific Coast flyway or headed east or west to and from the Caribbean side of the Talamanca mountains. The park spans 2,570 hectares and houses 44 species of plants endemic to Costa Rica, including two that stand out: the Ayenia mastatalensis (Sterculiaceae) and Plinia puriscalensis (Myrtaceae), which produces fruit on its trunk that can be seen in August. The last part of the journey is a steep descent. The Rio Blanco flows through this part and there are couple of scenic river bridges to be crossed. Peeking from behind the rock was the La Cangreja Waterfall, another stunning waterfall in/near the Rincon de la Vieja National Park, Guanacaste. Discovering this treasure of nature, and feeling like youre just one of a handful of people whove ever seen it, definitely makes a visit all the more worthwhile. However, the rules do not allow it and hence, you cannot go across the pool to the other banks of the river. The study of a young American student, Ann-Marie Parsons, and other formal studies, confirmed that La Cangreja contains the last virgin natural areas that exist in the region of Puriscal. The forest is also the most important water supply for nearby communities and serves as well as climate stabilization. The main entrance gate is just north of the town of Santa Rosa and, although the trails are relatively well-maintained, there are some steep sections and some scrambling and crossing of rivers are required so a certain level of fitness and agility helps if you want to complete the main walking trail and reach every viewpoint. January 8, 2022. The park is open between Tuesdays and Sundays, 8am to 3 pm. It is almost inconceivable that you can enjoy all of this just a short drive from the capital city! The entry fees include taxes. We came across a gang of capuchins on the way. The farm also runs a private 200-acre wildlife refuge which was set up the same year that La Cangreja received its national park status. Frequently asked trail questions about La Cangreja National Park. Ready for your next hike or bike ride? Ready for your next walk or bike ride? The name of La Cangreja corresponds to the fact that, according to an indigenous legend, this place resembles a crab and the hills on its sides its pincers. Best Hikes and Trails in La Cangreja National Park | AllTrails The site has great . Plan in advance to make the most of this moderate level hike to the waterfall. This trail is estimated to be 10.9 km long. The security personnel checks the temperature before allowing the visitors to enter the ticket area. La entrada principal se ubica a 35 kilmetros al Sur Este de la ciudad de Santiago de Puriscal. Showing results 1 - 59 of 62. It requires some athleticism and quite a bit of strength, skill and determination to negotiate the very steep mud slicked ravines where erosion has destroyed the trail. The highest peak of La Cangreja (Spanish for the crab) is 4,280ft above sea level and, according to locals, looks like an enormous crustacean, which is how the park got its name. Over 2000 plant species, many of South American origin, may be found in this small but species-rich area. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 4 h 55 min to complete. We didn't realize how wild until we rounded a bend in the trail to catch a glimpse of a Puma disappearing around the corner ahead of us. Book Your Unique Costa Rica Adventure Today! Want to find the best trails in La Cangreja National Park for an adventurous hike or a family trip? Rincn de la Vieja National is open from 8AM to 4PM, Tuesday to Sunday. La Cangreja National Park may be small but what it lacks in size it more than makes up for in unmatched biodiversity and intensity of the experience. The upper portion of the waterfall gets visible as you reach the river. You will hear the sounds of the mighty river as you start descending. The trail starts out as a dirt road that drops steeply to the river. Thanks to this, the government also enlarged the area up to 2240 hectares; mainly to prize the realized efforts of the Ecotropica Foundation and a big amount of coworkers who helped. For this reason the crab got furious, but finally it surrendered by changing itself into a rock. If you want to hike to La Cangreja Waterfall, or the other waterfall in Rincn de la Vieja, the last entry to this trail is 12PM. The Ro Negro and Quebrada Grande run through the park. This blue color is because of the melted copper minerals from the volcano that makes water look like the sky color. 1072932. Costa Rica.jpg 578 579; 163 KB. However, the parking area at Cangreja is in plain view of the rangers, usually only has a few cars, and because of the gate and entrance road ladrones (thieves) would be pretty obvious when approaching. As noted above the park is only 20 miles from the capital and central valley in a straight line but the road is anything but straight. La Cangreja National Park is only 20 miles from downtown San Jos as the crow flies but its as remote and wild as any of Costa Ricas better known natural areas. While the most popular trail, Las Pailas, is great for exploring the secondary volcanic activities, the La Cangreja trail is rewarding for its amazing views along the trail, the shining white waterfall and the shimmering blue natural pool. Reaching it and exploring it thoroughly takes some perseverance much of the road is unpaved and trails can be challenging, but thats what you get when exploring an unspoiled and quite magnificent corner of paradise. Another trail Sendero Plinia has its entrance next to the Hacienda las Vainillas hotel: it gives direct access to lost in the wild rivers and waterfalls inside the Park. The 40 m / 130 feet highLa Cangreja plunges into a wide turquoise pool. How many trails are in La Cangreja National Park? From here you can take taxi or take another bus Puriscal Mastatal, which takes about 2 hours to La Cangreja National Park. The main 6km hiking trail crosses several rivers and streams flowing through the canyons and over rocks forming dozens of small waterfalls. However, some of the most diverse groups as ferns, orchids, aroids and bromeliads have been little studied. La Cangreja National Park. You can book your slot online, pay online or pay at the entrance. Where is the best place to hike in La Cangreja National Park? Other nearby Costa Rica parks include Fernando Castro Cervantes Wildlife Refuge, Carara National Park and Cacyra Wildlife Refuge. Few minutes and some difficult descent later, we reached the river guarded by huge boulders. Catarata la Cangreja trail - Review of Parque Nacional Rincon de la Ecologically the park is associated with others like Carara, Baru, Mala and Manuel Antonio along the central Pacific but is unique in protecting the last tiny unlogged island of mid-elevation forest between the coastal lowland parks and the high elevation cloud forest at Los Quetzales, Chirrip and Savegre. Enjoy hand-curated trail maps, along with reviews and photos from nature lovers like you. Other animals frequently observed in La Cangreja national park are Capuchin monkeys, Coatis, green and black poison frogs, and many others. Address map: Click here to view directions from Central Park, San Jose, Costa Rica TO Puriscal, San Jose, Costa Rica at Google Maps, Click here to view directions from Central Park, San Jose, Costa Rica TO Puriscal, San Jose, Costa Rica at Google Maps, Arenal Volcano Emergency Zone Forest Reserve Costa Rica, Donald Peters Hayes Wildlife Refuge Costa Rica, Cueva Murcielago Wildlife Refuge Costa Rica, Web Services by www.HospedajeWebCostaRica.Net. Wearing mask is compulsory in the ticket office. La Cangreja National Park is located in the province of San Jos, in the canton of Puriscal, in Mercedes Sur and Chires districts, between the coordinates: N 4956392 W 1072932. This park, located 35 km south of Santiago de Puriscal on route 239, was closed as a result of the pandemic on March 18, 2020, as were the rest of the protected areas, which have been gradually reopening in recent months. This trail is 10.9 km long with an elevation gain of 533 m. According to AllTrails.com, the longest trail in La Cangreja National Park is Cerro Cangreja. There are over a 160 resident species of birds in the park and it is also a stopover point for two different migratory routes.