Costa Rican Paramos

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Places you can visit to explore them.

The paramo in Costa Rica is home to 79% of the flowering plants recorded in the paramos of the Americas; therefore, it is extremely rich in biodiversity despite its small size. The paramos are characterized by inhospitable conditions that have led to unique adaptations and the existence of several endemic species that enrich our country’s unique biodiversity.

Costa Rican paramo illustrated by Gabi García.

What you will discover...

Here you'll learn about the characteristics and importance of Costa Rica's paramo, as well as tips for exploring it.

Characteristics of the paramos

What places to visit in Costa Rica to get to know paramos?

Importance of caring for paramos

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Characteristics of the Costa Rican paramos

The Paramo is a high-mountain region. The soils are rich in organic matter but low in nutrients, forcing plants to adapt to adverse conditions. These ecosystems are characterized by a cold climate, although drastic temperature changes can occur. Because humidity is constantly present due to rain, clouds, and fog, they are very humid during almost every month of the year.

They are home to magnificent wildlife such as pumas, jaguars, tapirs, ocelots, tolomucos, gray foxes, raccoons, hummingbirds, and countless other insects, amphibians, and reptiles. There are also more than 500 species of plants and more than 250 species of lichens.

Places to visit in Costa Rica to explore the paramos?

Chirripó National Park

Mountain Buena Vista known as Cerro de la Muerte

Mountain Cuerí

Cerro Las Vueltas biological reserve

Páramos of Talamanca

Clothing: 

Lightweight, quick-drying clothing, coats, a poncho, insect repellent, rubber boots or closed-toe shoes, and a change of both cool and warm clothes. We recommend wearing long pants and long sleeves to prevent sunburn and insect bites.

Tips:

Bring water, seeds, fresh fruit, binoculars, sunscreen, and insect repellent. Never venture in without speaking to local residents first. Avoid straying from the marked trails, as temperatures drop at night and in the early morning, and getting lost could be extremely dangerous.

Importance of caring for paramos

Water production: They retain and filter moisture from fog and rain, replenishing the country’s aquifers and major rivers. 

Biodiversity protection: They are home to endemic plants and animals (unique to the region) with special adaptations to withstand wind and low temperatures.

Climate mitigation: They capture and store large amounts of carbon dioxide in their soils and vegetation, helping to slow global warming.

To prevent their degradation, it is essential to avoid pollution; that is why it is important not to leave trash or debris behind when visiting the paramos. Do not light campfires or set fires that destroy the fragile vegetation of cushion plants and shrubs. Stay on authorized trails and follow the regulations to prevent soil erosion.

Links of interest:

If you want to find the perfect place for your vacation, enter the following link and complete the form with your preferences and the system will give you options of national parks, reserves and wildlife refuges in Costa Rica.

https://www.sinac.go.cr/ES/buscador/Paginas/default.aspx

You can also see the map of CR with the national parks and reserves by clicking here.

To know all the products we have with the "Forests of Costa Rica" click here. 

If you want to talk to us by whatsapp click here.