Santa Rosa
National Park
Central America (Guanacaste)Designated in 1971386 km²
The setting of the Battle of Santa Rosa in 1856, in which Costa Rica defeated the American filibuster William Walker
Area
386 km²
Protection category
IUCN II
Parque nacional —
Designated in
1971
Declared in 1971 as the first national park in the province of Guanacaste, Santa Rosa protects La Casona, an old cattle-ranch homestead that in 1856 was the setting of the Battle of Santa Rosa, in which Costa Rican troops defeated the forces of the American filibuster William Walker, who was attempting to annex Central America, in barely 14 minutes; the episode is still marked as a national day in Costa Rica. The park also protects one of the largest remnants of tropical dry forest in the whole of Central America.
Location
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Santa Rosa: 62 documented species
Mammals28Birds15Reptiles6Amphibians
Flora and ecosystems
Ecosystems found in Costa Rica, where Santa Rosa lies.
Tropical rainforestMarine / coastal
Experiences in this park
Birdwatching
Wildlife you can see now
What is worth looking out for this month in Costa Rica?
Now is a good time: Olive ridley arribada at Ostional (July to November (largest arribadas; smaller ones occur year-round))
Now is a good time: Sea turtle nesting in Costa Rica (July to October at Tortuguero (peak in August and September); March to July for leatherbacks)
Now is a good time: Sea turtle nesting in Costa Rica (July to October at Tortuguero (peak in August and September); March to July for leatherbacks)
Similar parks
Which other parks are like this one?
Same country: Costa Rica
Same country: Costa Rica
Same country: Costa Rica
Same country: Costa Rica
Keep exploring
Based on what we already know about this park.
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