Tapanti Rainforest

The Tapanti Rainforest, located on the wild and wet northern slopes of the Talamanca Mountain Range, is accessible via a good gravel road approximately 30 minutes from Orosi. Although not a large refuge there are reported over 150 rivers within it, which gives an indication of the area's wetness. It has two "life zones": lower mountain rain forest (lower mountain slopes) and pre-mountain rain forest (lowlands skirting the lower slopes). The forests are home to forty-five species of mammals, including tapir, paca, red brocket deer, eastern cottontail, kinkajou, raccoon, white-nosed coati, white-faced monkey, mountain hare (conejo de monte), agouti and such cats as ocelot, jaguarundi and tiger cat (an endangered species). You'll also find some 260 kinds of birds here: Quetzals, sparrow hawks, hawks, goldfinch, doves, hummingbirds, parrots, and falcons, etc. This is reportedly a phenomenal place to bird watch, so bring your binoculars (and raingear).  In the “dry season” when Ryan and I visited the park, we hiked from the main road down to the river and were able to refresh ourselves by swimming (it was freezing cold however).

(link to the following pictures of Tapanti)
1.view in Tapanti rainforest walking to river - #21 of Ryan’s 1st trip pictures
2.down at the river in the Tapanti rainforest with a local tour guide - #65 of Ryan’s 1st trip pictures