Wildlife Refuges

The protected land may belong entirely to the government, to particular individuals, or constitute a mixture of private and governmental lands.  There are 67 wildlife refuges in the country, and they are by far the most numerous category among the protected areas. However, they constitute only 18% of the total protected areas. Here is a list of wildlife refuges with location and the main habitat they are protecting is provided.  Also, detailed description of some is given.

Bahía Junquillal Wildlife Refuge

• Date of creation:  1995.
• Area: 505 ha

Location

Guanacaste Province, on the Pacific coast. It is located 58 km northwest of Liberia, 4 km North of Cuajiniquil, 34 km southwest of La Cruz via Interamericana Highway or at 18 km by Puerto Soley. It takes about 1 hour to get to Junquillal from Liberia.

Brief Description

This is a refuge dominated by secondary growth forest or dry forest remnants.  The best part of Junquillal is the 2 km length beach. Average temperature is 29 C (84.2 F), and annual precipitation is about 1500 mm. Mammals such as raccoons, coatis, capuchin monkeys, howler, monkeys or spider monkeys, can be easily seen in the refuge. Birds include parrots (Aratinga canicularis, Amazona auropalliata), Magpie-jay (Callocitta formosa), raptors, sandpipers, pelicans and other coastal birds. Whales may be observed at the end of the year.

Contacts and More info: http://www.acguanacaste.ac.cr/1999/ecoturismo/junquillal.html
Regional Ofice at Liberia (506) 2666-0630, Bahía Junquillal Wildlife Refuge (506) 2679-9692.

Barra Del Colorado Wildlife Refuge

• Date of creation: 1985
• Area: 81211 ha

Location

Limon Province, on the north Caribbean coast, near the Costa Rica-Nicaragua border. It is very isolated and can only be reached by boat or by plane.

Brief Description

The Barra del Colorado Wildlife Refuge protects important systems of wetlands, rivers, lagoons, flooded forest. It is quite famous for sport fishing (you will need a permit). The climate is hot and humid, average temperatures range between 26 and 28 C (79-82 F), with constant rain (annual precipitation is about 6000 mm). Flora of the region is very diverse, with about 58 endemic plant species. Fauna include the manatee, crocodiles, monkeys, and sloths.

Sources: Contacts and More info: http://www.acto.go.cr/bacolwildrefuge.html
Barra de Colorado Wildlife Refuge (506)- 2711-1201

Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge

• Date of creation: 1985
• Extension: 3833 ha

Location:

Limon Province, southern part of the Caribbean coast. You can get there following the Puerto Viejo Road towards the south. It is at 71 km from the city of Puerto Limon.

Brief Description:

Gandoca Manzanillo wildlife refuge protects wetlands, coastal areas and forest. It protects the habitat of the endangered manatee, as well as the nesting sites of several marine turtles, and coral reefs. One of the few remants of “cativo” (Prioria copaifera) forest is also protected by this refuge. The climate is hot and humid, and the precipitations decrease from January through april. This wildlife refuge protects a mixture of ecosystems: yolillales, mangroves, coral reefs, swamps, and flooded forest.  Therefore, it protects a vast diversity of animals, including toucans, frogs, tepezcuintles, coral fishes, lobsters, among others.

Contacts: Operative Center Manzanillo area: (506)- 2759-0600

Ostional Wildlife Refuge

• Date of creation: 1984
• Extension: 180 ha

Location:

Guanacaste Province, central to southern part of the Nicoya Peninsula it covers a coastal area - Playa Ostional and is part of the Tempisque Conservation Area. To get there go north from Nosara.

Brief Description:

The Ostional Wildlife Refuge protects important nesting beaches of the Olive Ridley Sea Turtle. The Olive Ridley Sea Turtle is unique as it arrives in very large numbers to lay their eggs in Playa Ostional's dark sand. The Refuge extends app. 16 km (10 mi) along the shores of Ostional, Nosara and Guiones beach.  Besides the rivermouths it is only the maritime zone with the maritime zone extending about app. 5 km (3 m) of coastline.

Source: National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC)

Wildlife Refuges of Costa Rica:

Here is a description of some of the facilities available on wildlife refuges, the location and a link to the official web page (when available). Click here to download this list as a pdf.

* Conservation Areas do not necessarily coincide with the Province.

Conservation Area*s acronyms