(82.027 ha), (1972). It`s situated on Santa Elena
peninsula, in Guanacaste province, 45 kilometres off Liberia. It`s devided into
two parts: Santa Rosa and Murcielagos sectors. It`s a major historic site in Costa Rica. There
are the ranch house which dates from the colonial period, was the scene of the
victorious battle fought on 20th March, 1856 against troops of filibusters (In May 2001 it was completely destroyed by fire).
There is so called: Naked Indian Route" (its name
derives from lining along it the gumbo-limbo trees, that locally are called
"naked indians"). In park there are 115 mammal species (white-tailed deer,
white-nosed coatri, howler and white-faced monkeys, collared peccary, jaguars,
tapirs), 100 species of amphibians and reptails, 253 species of birds (black
hawks) and over 10.000 species of insects.
Olive ridley, hawksbill, green and letherback turtles lay
their eggs on the beaches of the park. Nancite Beach on the Santa Elena
Peninsula is used by the olive ridley turtles from August to December when they
arrive in massive numbers.
