The famous cave systems under the Barra Honda peak, formed during the Miocene era, form the major attraction of this national park. The Barra Honda National Park was established in 1974 with a view to protect these limestone caves, formed about 70 million years ago. The limestone caverns were formed when the islets from the Miocene Era rose above the plains of the river.
The Barra Honda National Park covers an area of about 2295 hectares and is distinct among all other Costa Rican National Parks. The caverns of the Barra Honda National Park had been brought to light about 20 years ago, but surprisingly many signs of human inhabitation have been found in the Nicoya cave. Till date, about 42 caves have been discovered and it is believed that maximum portion of the national park is yet to be explored. The main attraction of the Barra Honda National park are the soda straws, pearls, roses, needles, cave grapes, curtains, terraces, stalactites, stalagmites and other calcareous formations in the limestone caverns. The entrance to the caves is a risky deal, and one should not try to enter without proper equipments and a guide. Thankfully, the caves are in quite a good condition due to the vertical entrance. The caverns have varying depths ranging from a few feet to about 240 meters. The deepest cavern, explored till date, is the Santa Ana cave, which has a unique display of stalactites and stalagmites named as 'hall of pearls'. Another cave famous for its decorative display is the Terciopelo cave. Certain stalactite and stalagmite formations emit musical sounds when struck. Other famous caves include Mushroom Hall, Hall of the Caverns Pozo Hediondo. The halls are inhabited by bats, salamanders and endemic fish species. The ground above the caves is home to howler monkeys, deer, macaws, agoutis, peccaries, kinkajous, anteaters and many species of birds, like scarlet macaws.
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