Costa Rica's extensive system of national
parks and biological reserves contains areas which
have been set aside to specifically protect nesting
beaches for sea turtles, marshlands for wintering
migrant waterfowl, nesting sites for seabirds, volcanoes,
coral reefs, archeological sites, limestone caves,
and on and on. But if Lomas Barbudal was declared
a biological reserve to specifically protect anything,
then it is insects.
The 2,279 ha. of dry forest habitat
and patches of evergreen forests along the streams
in the reserve are estimated to hold 240 species
of bees; it's anybody's guess how many different
kinds of beetles, flies, and butterflies inhabit
this relatively small reserve.
However, if insects aren't your thing,
Lomas Barbudal has excellent birdwatching potential
for the species that occur in tropical dry forest
(e.g., Long-tailed Manakin, Turquoise-browed Motmot,
Stub-tailed Spadebill, Olive Sparrow, and Black-headed
Trogon). In the dry season, mammals can usually
be found enjoying the cool shade of the evergreen
forest along the Cabuyo River. Mantled Howler Monkeys,
White-throated Capuchin Monkeys, Variegated Squirrels,
Banded Anteaters, and Tayras (an all black member
of the weasel family) are among the possible species
that can be seen here.
When the hillside forests turn brown
and leafless in the dry season, some visual relief
is given by the colorful blossoms of flowering trees
that dot the landscape -- and provide pollen and
nectar to all those bees!
Getting there: From Bagaces,
continue north on the PanAmerican Highway for about
12 km. and look for a sign indicating the left turn
onto a gravel road that takes you the remaining
4 km. to the reserve entrance.
Climate: Hot year-round with
a pronounced dry season from December through April.
