(4.700 ha), (1978). It`s situated in San Jose and
Puntarenas provinces, not far from the middle pacific coast. It`s a transition
zone between a dry region to the North and a wet region to the South.
In the northeastern sector of the reserve, the seasonal
floods of the river Grande de Tarcoles form several marsches. There is also
abandoned meander of the river that is about 600 metres long, 40 metres wide and
2 metres deep. It`s carpeted with water hiacynts and other aquatic plants and is
home to large crocodiles and numerous birds. The wildlife includes two-toed
sloth. Within its boundaries there are some archeological sites: Carara (a rectangular foundation made of river rocks and calcified stones) and Lomas Entierro (traces of village on several hills). In 2002 there was found the specie of moth which was named after astronaut Franklin Chang (Pheneus Changdiazi).
