This Costa Rican Park Has Unparalleled Views Above And Under The Ground
By Dawn Hammon
VACATIONS
Costa Rica has spectacular beaches, volcanoes, jungles, and cave systems. The Barra Honda National Park is home to 42 caverns, but only two are open to the public.
If you want to do something unique in Costa Rica, try spelunking at Barra Honda. It incorporates hiking, rappelling down a ladder, and positioning yourself inside a cave.
The primary attraction at Barra Honda is Terciopelo, which you enter by harnessing up and lowering yourself down a 55-foot ladder to the floor below.
Inside, you'll see stalagmites and stalactites that began their slow growth 70 million years ago. Today, the formations resemble popcorn, roses, grapes, and shark teeth.
If cave exploration isn't your thing, you can still hike throughout the area. You’ll see unique plants and wildlife like birds, deer, coatis, agoutis, anteaters, and monkeys.
The web of trails at Barra Honda National Park weaves through the unique ecology of a dry tropical forest. A park pass costs $12 for entry without a tour.