National park · Costa Rica
Caño Negro Wildlife RefugeRefugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Mixto Caño Negro
Visit Caño Negro for a 2‑hour boat tour (≈US$5 entry) in the dry season, or walk the 800 m Los Chocuacos elevated trail for land‑based birding; avoid July–Sept storms.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
100 km² (38 sq mi)38 sq mi (100 km²)
approximate
Established
1984
Best months
Dec–Apr
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 9Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) giv…
- Central America ↗Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) give one shared entry allowance, usually 90 days in total; leaving for Belize, Costa Rica or Mexico and coming back does not always reset it — check with immigration before a long stay.
- Central America ↗Cross land borders in daylight and early in the day; many posts close or empty of transport by late afternoon, and the approaches are where robberies happen.
- Central America ↗Several borders charge entry, exit or municipal fees in US dollars (Belize exit, Nicaragua entry and exit, Honduras entry); carry small, clean US notes and ask for a receipt.
- Costa Rica ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Costa Rica's immigration authority (Migración) or a Costa Rican consulate; proof of onward travel is commonly required.
- Costa Rica ↗Rental cars require mandatory local liability insurance, often not included in online quotes: check the full price before booking.
- Costa Rica ↗Do not feed wildlife, including monkeys and coatis; it is illegal and harmful.
- Costa Rica ↗Buy national park tickets (Manuel Antonio, Poás, Irazú and others) online from SINAC before you go; several parks do not sell at the gate and cap daily numbers.
- North Costa Rica ↗A rental car is the practical way to see the north; buses exist but are slow and infrequent outside La Fortuna.
- North Costa Rica ↗Rain is normal here year-round; pack for wet roads and carry cash for small sodas and parking.
At a glance
- Country
- Costa Rica
- Area
- 100 km² (38 sq mi)38 sq mi (100 km²)
- Figures vary by source and by boundary revision: roughly 99.69 km² of wetland and surrounding forest (check).
- Established
- 1984
- Best months
- Dec–Apr
- Permits
- For some areas
Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge protects a seasonal lagoon, flooded forests and marshes in the lower Río Frío basin near the Nicaraguan border. Its dry-season concentration of waterbirds—jabirus, roseate spoonbills, wood storks—makes it one of Costa Rica's best wetland birding sites. The refuge is reached by boat or the elevated Los Chocuacos trail from the village of Caño Negro, and is quieter than La Fortuna or the coastal parks.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Ramsar wetland · 1991Wetland of International Importance
Size and age
100 km² (38 sq mi)38 sq mi (100 km²) · national park since 1984
Figures vary by source and by boundary revision: roughly 99.69 km² of wetland and surrounding forest (check).
Why go
- Birdwatching hotspot with >300 species, especially waterbirds in the dry season.
- Boat tours let you see caimans, turtles, monkeys and the rare tropical gar.
- Elevated Los Chocuacos trail offers a land‑based view of wetlands without a boat.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayCaution
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepCaution
- OctCaution
- NovCaution
- DecBest
- JanDry, abundant birds
- FebDry, good water levels
- MarDry, comfortable heat
- AprEnd of dry season, still good water
- MayStart of rains, water rises
- JunRainy, roads can be muddy
- JulStorms possible, check forecasts
- AugStorms possible, check forecasts
- SepStorms possible, check forecasts
- OctRain tapering, still wet
- NovTransition to dry, variable water
- DecDry, excellent birding
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waterbirds (jabiru, spoonbills, herons, migratory ducks)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Monkeys (howler, capuchin, spider)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Caimans, turtles, gar fishAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From San José
Drive north via Route 1, 141, 35, then west on Route 138 to Caño Negro village (≈4.5–6 h).
4.5–6 h
Open the page →
From La Fortuna
Drive north on Route 35, turn west at El Jobo onto Route 138 (≈2–3 h).
2–3 h
Open the page →
From Upala
Take Route 138 west; last 25 km (16 mi) are gravel, 4×4 advisable in wet season.Take Route 138 west; last 16 mi (25 km) are gravel, 4×4 advisable in wet season.
check
From Los Chiles (bus)
Local bus along Route 138 stops in Caño Negro; schedules limited.
≈1 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Caño Negro village | Ranger station, docks, observation tower, lodges, restaurants. | Open with admission ticket |
| Los Chocuacos trail | ≈800 m elevated boardwalk across wetlands. | Included with admission |
| Boat launch area | Dock for guided boat trips on Río Frío and lagoons. | Guided tours only |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
4 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates approximate centre of Caño Negro village and refuge entrance.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Refuge admission (Costa Rican adult) | CRC 800 | person | Child rates apply |
| Refuge admission (non‑resident adult) | US$5 | person | Child rates apply |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Refuge entry permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- CRC 800
- US$5
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on SINAC – Caño Negro visitor area before you go.
Park rules
- Drones
- Not allowed without explicit park permission.check
- Guides
- Required for boat tours and any off‑trail activity.check
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited; use designated cooking areas only.check
- Feeding wildlife
- Strictly prohibited.check
- Stay on marked paths
- Wetland areas are fragile and can be dangerous.check
Where to stay
Near the park
Hotel de Campo Caño Negro
Small hotel with rooms, restaurant and pool; easy access to the refuge.
Near the park
Natural Lodge Caño Negro
Larger lodge with 42 rooms, restaurant and organized tours.
Safety
Heat and humidity medium
Mosquito‑borne disease low
Road conditions medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Ranger station and observation tower reachable by car with short walks.
- Boardwalk is level but can be slippery when wet; not suitable for wheelchairs.
Visiting lightly
- Hire local guides; fees support community conservation.
- Do not purchase wildlife parts or souvenirs made from protected species.
- Use refillable water bottles to reduce plastic waste.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge?
Adult admission is ₡800 (about US$5 for non‑residents); children have reduced rates.
What are the best hikes in Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge?
The 800 m Los Chocuacos elevated boardwalk is the main land hike; guided night walks are also offered.
When is the best time to visit Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge?
The dry season (December – April) offers the most reliable birding and lower water levels; avoid July‑September storms.
Do I need a guide for a boat tour?
Yes – all boat trips must be led by a licensed guide and are usually included in the tour price.
Can I bring my own food and drink?
You may bring snacks and water, but many lodges offer meals; check with your accommodation for kitchen use.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge
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