Western Juan Castro Blanco
More information
Juan Castro Blanco is a National Park part of the Arenal Huetar Norte Conservation Area. It spans both rain and cloud forest, and the steep topography is defined by mountains and dormant volcanoes whose summits stand just above 2.000 meters. The high level of rainfall (3500mm or 140 inches of rain per year) have earned it the nickname "Parque de Aguas" (The Park of Waters), with numerous creeks and several rivers pouring down from it into the surrounding valleys. The rivers and creeks on it's Eastern side pour into the Bajos del Toro area and will be covered within that region, but its Western sector is distinctive enough as to deserve its own focus.
The La Vieja and Tapezco river both form impressive canyons, and numerous smaller creeks provide good canyoning opportunities.
How to get there
The area can be accessed by car or by bus (a Bus to Ciudad Quesada, the largest town in the area). A 4WD is recommended in order to access some trailheads that may require navigating stretches of dirt roads that can be muddy or in bad condition. A Taxi from Ciudad Quesada could potentially be arranged for drop-off and pick-up on some routes. The area around Ciudad Quesada is probably the best bet for lodging opportunities, but the town of Zarcero also has a few lodging options.
External Links
- https://www.costaricainfolink.com/en/juan-castro-blanco-national-park-costa-rica/
- https://youtu.be/ZYDo6Ch8G9M
- https://www.facebook.com/toroscanyoning/
Topo Map of the Area
