In Sarapiquí, the exuberant natural beauty of the forest and the crop areas coexist with the joy and cordiality of its inhabitants.
Sarapiquí represents the 4,62% of the national territory and the 82% of the province of Heredia. Most its territory is rural, consisting of fields dedicates to agricultural production and mountains covered by forest and countless rivers.
Its territory hosts Wildlife Reserves, Forest Reserves, Protected Areas, Wetlands, National Parks and private Reserves. All of them protect the ecosystems where live more that 500 species of birds, 122 species of mammals, 100 species of reptiles, 48 species amphibians and 42 species of fishes. Among these species are quetzales, limpets, toucans, tapirs, pumas, white-face monkeys and anteaters. The vegetation of the forest is “always green”, with 800 species of trees and more than 6000 species of vascular plants.
Sarapiquí is a sustainable destination, where the resources obtained through tourism are reinvested in the development of the canton and in the conservation of the natural resources.
In addition, it is a scientific tourism destination, because its reserves are dedicated to the research of the tropical forest and transmit this knowledge to their visitors through courses and workshops.
In Sarapiquí people connect with nature in very diverse and always profound ways. Whether through adventure, navigating the rapids of the Sarapiquí River; in a contemplative way, admiring the great diversity of birds; studying ecosystems or visiting farms dedicated to sustainable agricultural production to learn about their methods and test their products. Sarapiquí has a lot to offer. This canton full of culture, tradition and knowledge, is a place that deserves to be visited.
History
The region that is now Sarapiquí was populated by Botos indigenous during the Precolumbian period.
Around the year 1820, the first expeditions took place in the territory, following the course of the Sarapiquí river until its mouth in the San Juan river. Due to the difficulty of the ground, it was not until after the Independence of Costa Rica in 1821, that a path was opened starting from Heredia and ending at the site where the city of Puerto Viejo is located today, on the west bank of the Sarapiquí River.
In the demarcation of parish district of Heredia published in 1862, Sarapiquí appeared as part of the district of Santa Bárbara of the canton of Heredia. Subsequently, it became the sixth district of the canton of Heredia by Law 20 on territorial division of 1915. Finally, in 1970, thanks to Law 4671, Sarapiquí became the tenth canton of the province of Heredia and Puerto Viejo, and it acquire the tittle of the city and head of the canton.
Was in Sarapiquí where the decisive battles of Sardinal took place, during the National Campaign in 1856, when Costa Rica army fought against the invasion of the filibusters commanded by William Walker. This battle was part of Costa Rica efforts to take the transit routes to block the access of the filibusters to the rest of the national territory though the Sarapiquí River. That’s how the enemy forces were forced to retreat to Nicaragua.
Sarapiquí has been historically considered a site of great natural wealth. At present, most of its territory remains rural and subsists mainly on agricultural production for national consumption and export. Besides, this region hosts numerous biological reserves and protected areas dedicated to the conservation and study of ecosystems that inhabit its forest. These sites are especially attractive to tourists who enjoy nature, knowledge and adventure.
Geographical Distribution
Sarapiquí is the canton with greater extension of the province of Heredia, its occupies 82% of the total of is territory and extends until the San Juan river that is border with Nicaragua. Their lands are mainly rural, only the head of the canton, Puerto Viejo, has a sufficient density population to be considered urban.
Sarapiquí is form by 5 districts:
1. Puerto Viejo (main canton)
2. La Virgen
3. Horquetas
4. Llanuras de Gaspar
5. Cureña
Weather
Sarapiquí has a typical climate of the tropical torrid zone, with warm or temperate temperatures and high humidity. It has two seasons:
- Rainy Season, goes from October to January and from May to August
- Dry season, goes from February to April and during the month of September.
Rainfall reaches 3500 mm to 4000 mm, except in the surroundings of the San Juan river where rainfall reaches 6000 mm.
The temperatures oscillate between 20 ºC and 30ºC with a relative humidity between 80% and 90%.
