Nicoya Peninsula - Barra Honda National Park Parque Nacional Barra Honda

Barra Honda covers 2,295ha/5,669ac of land between the town of Nicoya and the mouth of the Tempisque River. The limestone area is famous for its underground cave system, the reason the national park was created. There are 42 caves in Barra Honda, only 19 of which have been explored. The combination of rainfall and erosion created the caves, some of which are over 200m/656ft in depth.

Tropical dry forest and deciduous vegetation are found above the caves. Barra Honda is a very hilly area, and there are many hiking trails. Trails to the summit of Barra Honda Hill provide excellent vistas of the Gulf of Nicoya and the Tempisque River.

Waterfalls with calcium formations can be seen in the rainy season. Animals in the area include several bird species, howler and white-faced monkeys, coatimundis and striped hog-nosed skunks.

The caves feature stalagmites, stalactites, and other rock formations with interesting names such as organs, fried eggs, soda straws, popcorn, shark's teeth and pearls. Many creatures such as bats, salamanders and other invertebrates live in the caves and streams that run through them.

The caves most often visited are Terciopelo, Santa Ana, Trampa, Nicoya, and Pozo Hediono. Pre-Columbian human skeletons were found in the Nicoya Cave, although their origins have yet to be determined. The caves at Barra Honda National Park attract people from around the world interested in speleology and geology.