Guardians of the Cloud Forest: Exploring the Wild Heart of La Amistad’s Transboundary Mountain Wilderness

Joseph Wilson
Jun 3
1 min read

The Talamanca Range-La Amistad Reserves / La Amistad National Park is a transboundary UNESCO World Heritage Site spanning the rugged mountain ranges of Costa Rica and Panama. Covering over 570,000 hectares, it is one of the most biologically diverse and ecologically significant areas in Central America. The park encompasses a wide range of altitudes, from lowland tropical forests to highland cloud forests and páramo ecosystems, creating an exceptional mosaic of habitats that support thousands of plant and animal species, many of which are endemic or endangered. As a key part of the Mesoamerican Biological Corridor, the region plays a crucial role in species migration and climate resilience. La Amistad is home to jaguars, tapirs, resplendent quetzals, and a vast array of amphibians and orchids. The park also has profound cultural importance, with several Indigenous groups, including the Naso, Bribri, and Ngäbe peoples, living within or near its boundaries and maintaining traditional lifestyles and knowledge systems. Despite its remote and relatively untouched character, La Amistad faces challenges from deforestation, agriculture, and climate change. Conservation efforts, often led by local communities and international partnerships, aim to preserve this unique natural and cultural landscape for future generations.