A wetland of lagoons and flooded forest near the Nicaraguan border, explored by boat on the Río Frío.
Costa Rica Tourism Board (ICT): Northern Plains guide, in English
Run by: SINAC, Arenal Huetar Norte Conservation Area (ACAHN).
Created: 4 January 1984 (Decree 15120-MAG).
Ramsar site: Since 27 December 1991, one of Costa Rica's first two.
Size: 9,969 ha in Los Chiles and Guatuso. About 44% is private land.
Hours: Every day, 8:00–16:00.
Fee: Non-residents US$5.65, adult or child. National adults ₡904, resident children ₡565. VAT included.
Wildlife: 307 bird species (101 migratory) and 160 mammal species, 90 of them bats.
Refuge: +506 8582 0362
Checked with official sources, as of 31 Oct 2026.
Waterbirds above all: the refuge counts 307 bird species, 101 of them migratory, and the endangered jabiru stork visits in small numbers. Caimans live in the lagoons, along with the gaspar, a gar often called a living fossil.
From San José, drive towards Ciudad Quesada and on to Los Chiles. At Jobo, about 7 km before Los Chiles, turn left at the sign and drive 19 km of gravel west to Caño Negro village. From Upala there is a 25 km gravel route.
The dry season, when the lagoon shrinks into separate pools and birds gather around them. In the rainy season the Río Frío overflows and the lagoon spreads over the plains.
US$5.65 per non-resident, adult or child. National adults pay ₡904 and resident children ₡565. VAT is included. Boat trips cost extra.
No. It is a mixed refuge: about 56% belongs to the state, mostly open water, and about 44% is private land.
Don't take plants, light fires, play loud music, or enter with weapons or under the influence of drugs. Bring sunscreen and insect repellent.
The blue river near Bijagua. A muddy 3 km trail to the waterfall and the place the color starts.
The newest volcano park, north of Bagaces. Not set up for visitors yet; the hot springs nearby are private.
The cone is the view, not the climb. Lava-flow trails and lake views west of La Fortuna.
Mud pots, fumaroles, and waterfalls an hour from Liberia. Las Pailas closes Mondays.
Two volcanoes and research stations north of Liberia. You arrange it with Santa Rosa first.
Wetlands on the Tempisque, full of birds from September to March. Gravel from Bagaces.
