The Sarapiquí River, or Rio Sarapiquí, in
Costa Rica is a
tributary
A tributary, or affluent, is a stream or river that flows into a larger stream or main stem (or parent) river or a lake. A tributary does not flow directly into a sea or ocean. Tributaries and the main stem river drain the surrounding drai ...
of the
San Juan River and forms the eastern border of
Sarapiquí Canton. The area around the river is mostly lowlands
tropical rainforest
Tropical rainforests are rainforests that occur in areas of tropical rainforest climate in which there is no dry season – all months have an average precipitation of at least 60 mm – and may also be referred to as ''lowland equa ...
, having lush vegetation with a large variety of plant, animal and insect life.
This river is navigable and is a local trading artery, and also supports fishing and tourism activity.
The river, which was previously called 'Siripiqui', is prone to flooding.
Around the river are plantations of coffee, sugar cane, bananas and cocoa trees.
The
2009 Costa Rica earthquake near
Cinchona greatly affected the Sarapiqui River.
Since the
privatisation of electricity production in the country, the river has seen a number of
hydroelectric dam
Hydroelectricity, or hydroelectric power, is electricity generated from hydropower (water power). Hydropower supplies one sixth of the world's electricity, almost 4500 TWh in 2020, which is more than all other renewable sources combined an ...
s being built along the watercourse. In 2012, corruption linked to the hydroelectric dams caused widespread outrage.
The river is considered a national monument because of the vital service it provided in transporting arms, goods and soldiers in the
1856 war against the filibusters.
References
Rivers of Costa Rica
Geography of Heredia Province
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