Braulio Carrillo National Park covers a vast expanse of lowland and highland rainforest on the Caribbean slope of northeastern Costa Rica. Much of the park is virtually inaccessible, but a number of trails provide access for birders. A variety of reported thefts in more remote sections of Braulio Carrillo have dissuaded many birders from visiting the park. These incidents occur sporadically but regularly in remote areas. The area around the Quebrada Ranger Station just off the main highway toward Puerto Limon is considered completely safe, and that is where we go on our birding trips to the park.
The lowland rainforest at Braulio Carrillo is simply magnificent. Many birders report Braulio Carrillo to be one of the finest and most productive birding locales in Costa Rica. Unlike many tropical forests, where one can sometimes walk for hours without seeing hardly any birds, Braulio Carrillo literally teems with birds. The Sendero Las Palmas behind the Quebrada Ranger Station offers wonderful opportunities. Mixed-species bird flocks and a variety of antbirds and antpittas make birding there a joy. The Ridge Trail some 4 miles back towards San Jose is reportedly the best place to see Bare-necked Umbrellabirds but is less safe as a number of muggings, car thefts, and robberies have occurred in that area.
