Location: Pacific coast, 2km (1 mile) from Dominical, district: Savegre, canton: Aguirre, province: Puntarenas, Costa Rica. Zone postal code: 60602.
GPS Coordinates: 9.261911,-83.871347 (9°15’42.88″N, 83°52’16.85″W)
Size: 330ha (815 acres)
Hacienda Baru National Wildlife Reserve Telephone: +506 2787-0003
Fax: +(506) 2787-0057
Central Pacific Conservation Area (ACOPAC) Telephone: +506 2416-7878
INFOTUR Tourist Information: 1192
Website: www.haciendabaru.com
Hacienda Baru National Wildlife Reserve Costa Rica has come a long way since 1970, when the Ewings first managed it as a cattle operation, undergoing a metamorphosis that now brings a wildlife refuge, which was created on October 6th, 1995, to protect tropical forest areas on the Pacific Coast, near Dominical. It is a private national wildlife refuge which includes primary forest, secondary forest, tropical wet forest, swamp forest, 
mangrove estuary, shrubbery, river bank and seashore.
Some visitors arrive in the tropical forest expecting boas to be hanging from the trees and jaguars to appear on the trails. Boas are on Barú’s reptile list, but no jaguars have been spotted here, though there are pumas, jaguarundi and ocelots.
But visitors still have plenty to see, with more than 310 species of birds counted, 57 species of mammals (including bats) and reptiles and amphibians that run the gamut from caimans to red-eyed tree frogs and tiny, colorful, poison-dart frogs. Also, Humpback whales pass by offshore from December to April, and Olive Ridley and Hawksbill sea turtles lay eggs on the beach from May through November. The hacienda helps with a nursery where about 2,500 baby turtles are hatched and released every year. Dolphins inhabit these warm waters too. Moreover, the refuge has about 250 orchid species and growing.
Day visitors are welcome at Hacienda Barú Wildlife Refuge, choosing from a variety of hikes with naturalists or native guides: a three-hour Mangrove and Beach Walk includes a look at reforestation with native species; the popular six-hour Rainforest Experience explores tropical wet forest; and two- to three-hour horseback rides take in tropical waterfalls, beach, jungle trails and pastures. More than a mile (2 km) of self-guiding trails over level terrain are free for overnight guests, with a nominal fee for day visitors. Day and overnight guests can kayak through mangroves, no experience necessary; try whitewater kayaking; or experience a guided night estuary tour by kayak.
Furthermore, an incredible experience awaits those who ascend into the canopy by rope. Harnessed and helmeted, the visitor is gently lifted more than 30m (100ft) to an observation platform, with fantastic views of canopy vegetation and surrounding forest guaranteed. Possibilities of wildlife to be seen are countless. For more adventure, choose tree climbing, with a naturalist guide beside you all the way.
Spend a night in the jungle, camping in tents next to a shelter with flush toilets and shower. Observe nocturnal animals; take a night hike or morning bird-watching. If your taste runs more to cabins, there are six two- and three-bedroom units with double and single beds, kitchenettes, fans, screened windows with shutters and bamboo sofas. Cabins are near both forest and beach.
In addition, there are areas of silviculture (tree farming) with many different species of commercially viable timber, fruit orchards and pasture. It is important to say that the refuge receives income to maintain and protect its 
natural treasure from only two sources: ecological tourism and tree farming.
Getting to Hacienda Baru National Wildlife Reserve
From San Jose, drive north towards Puntarenas on route #27. Take the Tárcoles-Jaco-Quepos-Manuel Antonio exit. Once in Quepos travel south for 32.5km ( 17.5 miles) on highway until the Hacienda Baru National Wildlife Reserve entrance. Take the exit to your right and go 100 meters on a gravel driveway to the reception office. Now you can also take the new Caldera Highway (route 27), taking the same exit to Tárcoles-Jaco-Quepos-Manuel Antonio and following the same directions until you get to the Hacienda Baru National Wildlife Reserve. The Caldera trip takes about 3 hours from San Jose while the other takes about 4.5 hours.
There is another route from San Jose through the Cerro de la Muerte. Drive south on Pan-American Highway for some 135 km (81 miles) to San Isidro. Continue 37Km on a winding, mountainous road to an intersection where you meet the coastal highway. Take the exit to your right onto the coastal highway heading towards Quepos. Hacienda Barú Natural Reserve is 2.5 Km up this road. You will find the entrance immediately after the Gas Station on the left. The whole journey takes between 4 and 5 hours.
From Daniel Oduber International Airport (LIR), drive south on the Pan-American Highway to Puntarenas. From there, take the new Caldera Highway and then the exit of Tarcoles/Jaco/Quepos/Manuel Antonio. Once in Quepos travel south for 32.5km ( 17.5 miles) on highway until the Hacienda Baru National Wildlife Reserve entrance. Turn right and go 100 meters on a gravel driveway to the reception office.
By bus
Take a bus from the route San Jose – Quepos / Manuel Antonio – Ballena National Marine Park, which takes about 4 hours (Transportes Morales, +506 2223-5567). Remember to let the bus driver know that you wish to get off on Dominical and then go to the Hacienda Baru National Wildlife Reserve, which can take about 15 minutes.
You can also take a bus from the route San Jose – San Isidro de El General, which takes about 4 hours, (MUSOC, +506 2222-2422) and then take another bus San Isidro de El General – Dominical, which takes about 1.5 hours, (Transportes Blanco, +506 2771-4744).
By plane:
You can also take a flight from the Juan Santamaria Airport to Quepos Airport, either with Sansa or Aerobell Airlines, both with daily flights. From here you can rent a taxi to Hacienda Baru National Wildlife Reserve, which takes about 20 minutes.
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