Guanacaste

Location: 6 km from Puerto Humo district: San Antonio, canton: Nicoya, Province: Guanacaste, Costa Rica.
El Rosario GPS Coordinates: 10.318925,-85.387342 (10°19’8.13″N, 85°23’14.43″W)
Size: 440 ha (920 acres)
Schedule: 8:00 a.m. at 4 p.m.
Tempisque Conservation Area (ACT) Telephone: +506 2686-4967 / +506 2686-4968
INFOTUR Tourist Information: 1192

Click here to view directions from Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO), Alajuela, Costa Rica To Rosario, Guanacaste, Costa Rica at Google Maps

Mata Redonda Wildlife Refuge Costa Rica: created in January 7th, 1994, in order to protect tropical forest and wetlands areas in the lowlands of the Tempisque River Basin. It is located south of Palo Verde National Park in Santa Cruz of Nicoya, Costa Rica.

The Mata Redonda Wildlife Refuge is part of the Tempisque Conservation Area, so it is located in one of the hottest and driest parts of Costa Rica with an annual average temperature of 28ºC. It consists of seasonal palustrine wetland of the fresh-saline mix type and constitutes feeding and breeding habitat for over 60 species of resident and migratory water birds, such as Black-bellied Whistling Duck (Dendrocygna autumnalis), Blue-winged Teal (Anas discors), Roseate Spoonbill(Ajaia ajaja), Wood Stark (Mycteria Americana), Limpkin (Aramus guarauna) and jabiru (Jabiru mycteria).

The flora is very similar to the one visitors can find in Palo Verde National Park, with big trees such as the Spanish cedar(Cedrela odorata), the Pochote (Bombacopsis quinata), the Laurel (Cordia alliodora), the Cocobolo (Dalbergia retusa), the Ron Ron (Astronium graveolens) and the Guanacaste (Enterolobium cyclocarpum)amongst others.

The fauna is very similar too, and some of the most common mammals are the Howler and Capuchin Monkeys, Collared Peccaries (Pecari tajacu) and Coaties, besides crocodiles, frogs, iguanas and snakes.

There are no public park facilities at this national forest wildlife refuge. Other nearby Costa Rica Parks include Palo Verde National Park, Dr. Rafael Lucas Rodriguez Caballero National Wildlife Refuge, Cipanci National Widlife Refuge, Corral de Piedra Wetlands, Barra Honda National Park and Lomas de Barbudal Biological Reserve.

Getting to Mata Redonda Wildlife Refuge:

From San José, take the Pan-American Highway north to the junction of the road to La Amistad Bridge on the River Tempisque, turning toward the bridge and follow the Highway to Nicoya, turn to the right and continue for about 25 km to Puerto Humo and then turn left and continue for 6 km until you get to Rosario town on the banks of the Tempisque. It is possible to reach it in a four-wheel drive vehicle from the town of Rosario to the refuge. Now you can also take the new Caldera Highway to Puntarenas and then follow the Pan-American Highway.

From Daniel Oduber Quiros International Airport (LIR), drive south to the junction of the road to La Amistad Bridge on the River Tempisque, turning toward the bridge and follow the Highway to Nicoya, turn to the right and continue for about 25 km to Puerto Humo and then turn left and continue for 6 km until you get to Rosario town on the banks of the Tempisque. It is possible to reach it in a four-wheel drive vehicle from the town of Rosario to the refuge.

BY BUS

Take a local bus from San Jose – Nicoya through Tempisque, which takes about 4 hours making the stop at La Amistad Bridge (Empresa Alfaro-Tracopa, +506 2222-2666 / +506 2685-5032). From here you can take taxi to Mata Redonda Wildlife Refuge, which is about 25 minutes.

BY PLANE

You can also take a flight from the Juan Santamaria Airport to Daniel Oduber Airport, either with Sansa Airlines or Aerobell every day. From here you can rent a car and drive, or take a bus or taxi to Mata Redonda Wildlife Refuge, which is about 45 minutes.

Location: district: Bolsón, canton: Santa Cruz, province: Guanacaste, Costa Rica. Zone postal code: 50302.

  

La Amistad Bridge GPS Coordinates: 10.247719,-85.22645 (10°14’51.79″N, 85°13’35.22″W)
Schedule: 8:00 a.m. at 4 p.m.
Arenal-Tempisque Conservation Area (ACAT) Telephone: +506 2695-5180 / +506 2695-5908
Tempisque Conservation Area (ACT) Telephone: +506 2686-4967 / +506 2686-4968
INFOTUR Tourist Information: 1192

Click here to view directions from Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO), Alajuela, Costa Rica TO La Amistad Bridge, Guanacaste, Costa Rica at Google Maps

Cipanci Wildlife Refuge Costa Rica: created on March 28th, 2001, in order to protect tropical forest, wetlands and mangroves ranging from Bebedero River to the confluence of Lajas, and from the Toro Island, on the mouth of the Tempisque River, to the mouth of the Charco River, and in order to hence the breeding of aquatic and terrestrial birds, fish, shrimp and reptiles, located between the cantons of Nicoya and Cañas in Guanacaste province.

These mangroves in general, plays a major role in maintaining ecological balance and biodiversity of their environment, fulfilling a critical role in providing power to tropical estuarine systems.

At Cipanci National Wildlife Refuge is possible to find a wide variety of birds, both aquatic and terrestrial, as the Scarlet Macaws (Ara macao), the Great Curassow (Crax rubra), the Wood Stork (Mycteria americana), the American White Ibis (Eudocimus albus), the American Darter (Anhinga anhinga), the Roseate Spoonbill (Platalea ajaja) and the Jabiru (Jabiru mycteria), the largest storks in the world. Moreover, within the common fauna found some mammals such as howler and capuchin monkeys, coatis, collared peccaries (Pecari tajacu) and squirrels, as well as frogs, iguanas, snakes and crocodiles, this being the most representative species of the site.

The Cipanci National Wildlife Refuge is part of the Tempisque-Arenal Conservation Area, so is in one of the hottest and driest parts of Costa Rica, with an average annual temperature of 28ºC. The flora is typical of the area, with more than 750 species of plants and a wide range of tree species such as the Pochote (Bombacopsis quinata), the Cocobolo (Dalbergia retusa), the Guanacaste (Enterolobium cyclocarpum), the Ron Ron ( Astronium graveolens) and the Spanish cedar (Cedrela odorata), among others.

Finally, the Cipanci National Wildlife Refuge is undoubtedly a buffer zone of protected wilderness areas, as well as an important nesting site for birds, not forgetting that it is a Tempisque protection zone. Besides, the refuge also offers a boat tour service through the Fishermen’s Association of Nispero community (Asociación de Pescadores de la comunidad del Nispero). It also has several programs for environmental education and forest fires, management, control, protection, research and volunteerism. Other nearby Costa Rica parks includes Palo Verde National Park, Lomas de Barbudal Biological Reserve, Dr. Rafael Lucas Rodriguez Caballero National Wildlife Refuge , Barra Honda National Park and Palustrino Corralde Piedra Wetlands.

Getting to Cipanci Wildlife Refuge:

From San José, take the Pan-American Highway north to the junction of the road to La Amistad Bridge on the River Tempisque, turning toward the bridge. Now you can also take the new Caldera Highway to Puntarenas and then follow the Pan-American Highway.

From Daniel Oduber Quiros International Airport (LIR), drive south to the junction of the road to La Amistad Bridge on the River Tempisque, turning toward the bridge.

By bus

Take a local bus from San Jose – Nicoya through Tempisque, which takes about 4 hours making the stop at La Amistad Bridge (Empresa Alfaro-Tracopa, +506 2222-2666 / +506 2685-5032). From here you can take taxi to Cipanci Wildlife Refuge, which is about 15 minutes.

By plane:

You can also take a flight from the Juan Santamaria Airport to Daniel Oduber Airport, either with Sansa Airlines or Aerobell every day. From here you can rent a car and drive, or take a bus or taxi to Cipanci Wildlife Refuge, which is about 45 minutes.

Location: 19 km (12 miles) south from Bagaces, district: Bagaces, canton: Bagaces, province: Guanacaste, Costa Rica. Zone postal code: 50401.
Bagaces GPS Coordinates: 10.520894,-85.254769 (10°31’15.22″N, 85°15’17.17″W)
Size: 18.418 ha (45,492 acres)
Altitude: from sea level up to 200m (656ft)
Schedule: from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Hacienda Palo Verde Telephone: +506 2671-1290 and +506 2671-1455
Organization for Tropical Studies Telephone: +506 2524-0607
Fax: (506) 2671-1062
Tempisque Conservation Area (ACT) Telephone: +506 2686-4967 / +506 2686-4968
INFOTUR Tourist Information: 1192

Click here to view directions from Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO), Alajuela, Costa Rica TO Palo Verde National Park, Guanacaste, Costa Rica at Google Maps

Palo Verde National Park Costa Rica: created on April 30th, 1978, in order to protect forested areas and an extensive marshland between the Tempisque and Bebedero rivers, approximate 30 km west of the Cañas city in Guanacaste. Palo Verde National Park is a diverse patchwork of habitats located at the head of the Nicoya Gulf in the flood plain of the Tempisque River.

The Palo Verde National Park is form by a group of twelve habitats created by the topography and the conditions such as the drainage, the rivers overflow and the tides effects. This habitats includes freshwater and saltwater lagoons, wetlands, marsh and swamps, pasturelands, black mangrooves, rough-leaf tree grasslands, thorn scrub, lowland mixed deciduous forest, hillside mixed forest, riparian forest, savannah woodland, swamp forest, evergreen forest and the tidal estuarine ecosystem of the lower Tempisque River, making it one of the most varied national parks in Costa Rica. Besides, this park provides an important wintering ground to migrant North American waterfowl.

This area is subject to inundation’s of big magnitude. During the rainy season, and because of the little natural drainage the hill has, the place flood by effect of the combination action of the rain, the tides and the overflow of the rivers Bebedero and Tempisque, which tidal rises and falls up to four meters and is navigable for about 36 km, as far as the confluence with the Bolson River. In some occasions, the whole zone converted in a large lagoon. In the dry season, from mid-November through mid-May, the waters shrink back to scattered pools, making it one of the hottest and driest parts of Costa Rica with an annual average temperature of 28ºC. If visiting during the dry season, be sure to drink plenty of liquid and try to avoid staying in direct sunshine for very long so as to eliminate the risk of heat exhaustion, or worse, heat stroke.

Over 150 types of trees have been recorded, including the Palo Verde (Parkinsonia aculeata) meaning “Green Tree”, beacuase its levees, branches and part of the trunk are light green color. Between the biggest trees are the Wild Cashew or Espavé (Anacardium excelsum), the Kapok (Ceiba pentandra), the Pochote (Bombacopsis quinata), the Spanish cedar(Cedrela odorata), the Cocobolo (Dalbergia retusa), the Laurel (Cordia alliodora), the Tempisque (Sideroxylon capiri), the Guanacaste (Enterolobium cyclocarpum), the Rain Tree (Samanea saman), the Ron Ron (Astronium graveolens), the Ceibo Barrigón (Pseudobombax septenatum), the Guayabón (Terminalia oblonga), the Níspero or Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) and the Holywood Lignum-vitae (Guaiacum sanctum), tree of precious wood endanger extinct.

The natural hydrologic system of Palo Verde create the right conditions to produce in the zone the most important concentration of birds in the country and Central America, which was the primary reason that the park was created. The whole area is a bird-watchers paradise, with over 300 species recorded. It is the dry season that is most attractive to birders, because the birds concentrate on the remaining wet areas, and at the same time many of the trees have lost their leaves, making it easier to spot wildlife, besides, there are fewer mosquitoes and bugs. In the park nest the Jabiru (Jabiru mycteria), a specie endanger of extinct, and also subsist the only population of Scarlet Macaws (Ara macao) of the Dry Pacific, as well as the Great Curassow (Crax rubra), the Long-tailed Manakin (Chiroxiphia linearis) and the Great Egret (Ardea alba). It is estimated that over a quarter of a million wading birds and wildfowl, many from North America, spend the winter months here. Among the resident species are some of the country’s larger, more exotic birds, such as the stunning Roseate Spoonbill (Platalea ajaja), the American Darter (Anhinga anhinga), American White Ibis (Eudocimus albus), Wood Stork (Mycteria americana), Black-bellied Whistling Duck (Dendrocygna autumnalis) and Northern Jacana (Jacana spinosa). From September to March, thousands of sea gulls, herons (Egretta), falcons, ducks (anas) and water rooster concentrate in the lagoons and neighbor areas to feed and reproduce.

The main nesting area is an island in the middle of the Tempisque River, known as the Pajaros Island, located in front of the park. This is home to the country’s largest colony of Black-crowned Night Herons (Nycticorax nycticorax) and for being a nest area for the Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus) and the Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis).

Some of the mammals most common are the Howler and Capuchin Monkeys, Porcupines, Coaties, White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus), Collared Peccaries (Pecari tajacu), Coyotes (Canis latrans), Variegated Squirrels, Tayra or Tolomuco (Eira Barbara), Central American Agouti (Dasyprocta punctata), Tepezcuintle or Lowland Paca (Cuniculus paca), Margays (Leopardus wiedii) and Pumas or Cougars (Puma concolor). Besides, near the Tempisque River you can observe crocodiles up to five meters long as well as frogs, iguanas and snakes such as the Boa constrictor (Boa constrictor), Tropical rattlesnake (Crotalus durissus) and the Central American Coral Snake (Micrurus nigrocinctus).

Geologically, the lower Tempisque River basin is unique in Costa Rica since the surrounding hills are of limestone and not volcanic rock. This material was originally formed by corals some 40 to 60 million years ago when the area was part of the ocean floor. Subsequent shifting of the continental plates has caused these low hills to rise to their present heights and also changed the course of the Tempisque River that once flowed directly out to sea in the general area of what is now the Tamarindo National Wildlife Refuge.

In the past century, extensive cattle ranching was the principal agricultural activity in the area that is now Palo Verde National Park. The haciendas were characterized by having large tracts of land on which the cattle roamed and grazed freely with little care. This meant that the natural forests suffered relatively minor disturbance and the human population level stayed quite low, since just a few men could handle a large herd. Thus, wildlife fortunately is still fairly abundant throughout the park and much of the original natural habitat has been preserved.

The park headquarters are based at the old “Hacienda Palo Verde”, which yards and old buildings are a reflection of the life of the “Sabanero Bajureño” and constitute an important element in the antic Guanacaste culture.

This protected area also incorporates the Lomas Barbudal Biological Reserve and the Dr. Rafael Lucas Rodriguez Caballero National Wildlife Refuge. Now the three, together with Barra Honda National Park and adjacent areas, form the Tempisque Megapark.

The park is operated by the Organization of Tropical Studies. There well-maintained trails lead from the station through the forest to lookout points over the river and marshland. It also has a small dock near to the administration center, where boats may be hired to view Pajaros Island, where landing is not permitted. Among the nature spots that are worth visiting are the look-outs on Catalina and Guayacán Peaks, two of the most spectacular in the country, as well as the Tiger Cave (in the refuge) and the Hollow Stone (in the park) which are magnificent limestone formations that are both caves and veritable handing gardens; and the Bocana Lake, which gives shelter to an incredible number of birds all year long.

The Palo Verde Ranger Station is open for visitor attention a has potable water and restrooms. Besides, the Organization for Tropical Studies operates a Biological Station in Palo Verde, which has a shelter for up to 36 people, a dining room, a classroom, laboratory, and also offers excursions. Other nearby Costa Rica parks includes Lomas de Barbudal Biological Reserve, Dr. Rafael Lucas Rodriguez Caballero National Wildlife Refuge ,Cipanci National Widlife Refuge, Barra Honda National Park and Palustrino Corralde Piedra Wetlands

Getting to Palo Verde National Park:

From San José, take the Pan-American Highway north to Bagaces. Turn left down a gravel road and travel south about 19 km to the park entrance, following the signs to the Palo Verde National Park. From the entrance it is another 9 km to the administration building at the old Hacienda Palo Verde. Now you can also take the new Caldera Highway to Puntarenas and then follow the Pan-American Highway.

Entering by boat from the Tempisque River is also possible. Six kilometers up river from the village of Puerto Humo (where boats can be hired), there is a rustic dock at a spot known as Puerto Chamorro, about 2km beyond the administrative area via a dirt road.

From Daniel Oduber Quiros International Airport (LIR), drive south for some 14 km from Liberia to Bagaces. Then turn right down a gravel road and travel south about 19 km to the park entrance, following the signs to the Palo Verde National Park. Now you can also take the new Caldera Highway to Puntarenas and then follow the Pan-American Highway.

By bus

Take a local bus from San Jose – Liberia, which takes about 4 hours making the stop at Bagaces (Pulmitan Liberia, +506 2222-1650). From here you can rent a car and drive, or take a bus or taxi to Palo Verde National Park, which is about 15 minutes.

By plane:

You can also take a flight from the Juan Santamaria Airport to Daniel Oduber Airport, either with Sansa Airlines or Aerobell every day. From here you can rent a car and drive, or take a bus or taxi to Palo Verde National Park, which is about 45 minutes.

Haga click en el siguiente enlace para leer está página en Español: Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Dr. Rafael Lucas Rodríguez Caballero Costa Rica

Location: near Bagaces, within Palo Verde National Park, district: Bagaces, canton: Bagaces, province: Guanacaste, Costa Rica. Zone postal code: 50401.
Bagaces GPS Coordinates: 10.520894,-85.254769 (10°31’15.22″N, 85°15’17.17″W)
Size: 7,354 ha (18,172 acres)
Altitude: from sea level to 200m (656ft)
Tempisque Conservation Area (ACT) Telephone: +506 2686-4967 / +506 2686-4968
INFOTUR Tourist Information: 1192

Address map: Click here to view directions from Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO), Alajuela, Costa Rica TO Palo Verde National Park, Guanacaste, Costa Rica at Google Maps
Rafael Lucas Rodríguez Caballero (March 24, 1915 – January 29, 1981) was a Costa Rican biologist, botanist, and artist known for his drawings of Costa Rican wildlife. He created a Department of Biology at the University of Costa Rica. In this department, which later became the School of Biology, he gave lessons in biology and botany, being the director for eleven years.

In addition to its scientific aspect, Rafael Lucas Rodriguez had a humanistic and artistic side, with a great talent for drawing, which he impose on his scientific work, reproducing in detail and full color, many species of Costa Rican flora, especially orchids. He also was the author of more than 1 000 full-color reliable plates.

Besides, Rafael Lucas was one of the creators of the prestigious Journal of Tropical Biology, the Organization for Tropical Studies and the Costa Rican Orchid Society. He also made some procedures to the Chancellor of the University of Costa Rica (UCR) and foreign organizations to save Charles Lankester Botanical Garden in Cartago, whose effort was crucial to the Lankester Botanical Garden was donated to UCR in 1973. He also won the Magón National Prize for Culture in 1977.

The Dr. Rafael Lucas Rodríguez Caballero Wildlife Refuge was created on October 1st, 1978, as an extension of Palo Verde National Park, located in the heart of the hottest, driest basin in the country, located at the head of the Nicoya Gulf in the flood plain of the Tempisque River.

Dr. Rafael Lucas Rodríguez Caballero National Wildlife Refuge has a similar variety of habitats, from swampland to evergreen forest and dry forest, and wildlife that the one visitors can find in Palo Verde National Park. With more than 300 wading and waterfowl flock bird species have been recorded such as the Great Curassow (Crax rubra), and the only permanent colony of Scarlet Macaws (Ara macao) of the Dry Pacific tropics, which is also particularly replete with waterbirds, including the American White Ibis (Eudocimus albus), Roseate Spoonbill (Platalea ajaja), the American Darter (Anhinga anhinga), the Wood Stork (Mycteria americana), and Jabiru (Jabiru mycteria), the largest storks in the world, as well as sea gulls, herons (Egretta), falcons and ducks (anas).

Some of the most common mammals are the Howler and Capuchin Monkeys, Coaties, White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus), Collared Peccaries (Pecari tajacu), Coyotes (Canis latrans) and Variegated Squirrels, besides crocodiles, frogs, iguanas and snakes such as the Central American Coral Snake (Micrurus nigrocinctus), Tropical rattlesnake (Crotalus durissus) and the Boa constrictor (Boa constrictor).

The flora is very similar too, with big trees such as the Pochote (Bombacopsis quinata), the Spanish cedar(Cedrela odorata), the Cocobolo (Dalbergia retusa), the Laurel (Cordia alliodora), the Guanacaste (Enterolobium cyclocarpum) and the Ron Ron (Astronium graveolens) amongst others.

The Dr. Rafael Lucas Rodríguez Caballero National Wildlife Refuge is located in one of the hottest and driest parts of Costa Rica with an annual average temperature of 28ºC. Even though, dry season, from January through March, is considered by some to be the best time to visit the refuge, because access roads are then more passable, and visitors can more easily view the abundant water birds. Although, if visiting during the dry season, be sure to drink plenty of liquid and try to avoid staying in direct sunshine for very long so as to eliminate the risk of heat exhaustion, or worse, heat stroke.

Hiking and camping are permitted but there are no facilities. Other nearby Costa Rica parks include Palo Verde National Park, Lomas de Barbudal Biological Reserve , Cipanci National Widlife Refuge, Palustrino Corral de Piedra Wetlands, Mata Redonda National Wildlife Refuge and Barra Honda National Park.

Getting to Dr. Rafael Lucas Rodriguez Caballero Wildlife Refuge:

From San José, take the Pan-American Highway north to Bagaces. Turn left down a gravel road and travel south about 19 km to the park entrance, following the signs to the Palo Verde National Park. Now you can also take the new Caldera Highway to Puntarenas and then follow the Pan-American Highway.

From Daniel Oduber Quiros International Airport (LIR), drive south for some 14 km from Liberia to Bagaces. Then turn right down a gravel road and travel south about 19 km to the park entrance, following the signs to the Palo Verde National Park. Now you can also take the new Caldera Highway to Puntarenas and then follow the Pan-American Highway.

By bus

Take a local bus from San Jose – Liberia, which takes about 4 hours making the stop at Bagaces (Pulmitan Liberia, +506 2222-1650). From here you can rent a car and drive, or take a bus or taxi to the refuge, which is about 15 minutes.

By plane:

You can also take a flight from the Juan Santamaria Airport to Daniel Oduber Airport, either with Sansa Airlines or Aerobell every day. From here you can rent a car and drive, or take a bus or taxi to the refuge, which is about 45 minutes.

Haga click en el siguiente enlace para leer está página en Español: Reserva Biológica Lomas de Barbudal Costa Rica

Lomas de Barbudal Biological Reserve Costa Rica: created on March 5th, 1986, in order to protected interesting examples of dry tropical forest, along with patches of evergreen and riparian forests. This reserve is part of the Tempisque Conservation Area and it is located on the southwest part of Bagaces, north of Liberia in the Guanacaste province.

Lomas de Barbudal Biological Reserve is often referred as the “insect park”, because of the immense variety of insects found here, where 240 species of bees have been recorded comprising almost 25% of the entire world’s bee species, along with 60 species of moths and over 60 species of nocturnal butterflies. The large, solitary bees that nest there are major pollinators of many tree and vine species in the forest. One of the more unique genus are the large, solitary, tunneling Centris bees (Abejas Antofóridas) that attracted G. Frankie to study the area in the late seventies.

However, if insects aren’t your thing, Lomas de Barbudal has excellent birdwatching potential for the species that occur in tropical dry forest such as Long-tailed Manakin (Chiroxiphia linearis), Turquoise-browed Motmot (Eumomota superciliosa), Stub-tailed Spadebill (Platyrinchus cancrominus), Olive Sparrow (Arremonops rufivirgatus), Elegant Trogon (Trogon elegans), Black-headed Trogon (Trogon melanocephalus), as well as the great Curassow (Crax rubra). In the dry season, mammals can usually be found enjoying the cool shade of the evergreen forest along the Cabuyo River, such as Howler and White-Face or Capuchin Monkeys (Alouatta Palliate and Cebus capucinus), Variegated Squirrels (Sciurus variegatoides), Numbat or Banded Anteaters (Myrmecobius fasciatus), White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus), Raccoons (Procyon lotor), Tayras (Eira barbara), Central American Agouties (Dasyprocta punctata), Armadillos (Dasypus novemcinctus), White-nosed Coati (Nasua narica), Greater Bulldog Bat or Fisherman Bat (Noctilio leporinus) and a lot of reptiles are among the possible species that can be seen here. As well, the reserve is one of the last strongholds habitats for endangered spectacular Scarlet Macaw (Ara macao), the Giant Anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) and the Collared Peccary (Tayassu tajacu).

When the hillside forests turn brown and leafless in the dry season, highlights the colorful blossoms of flowering trees that dot the landscape and provide pollen and nectar to all those bees. That is why the reserve also protects several species of endangered trees, such as Mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla), Panama redwood (Platymiscium pleiostachyum), Pochote or Spiny Cedar (Bombacopsis quinata), Ron-Ron (Astronium graveolens), Cocobolo or Rosewood (Dalbergia retusa) and Swamp Kaway (Platymiscium parviflorum), as well as the Nance or Golden Spoon (Byrsonima crassifolia) whose flowers provide an oily resin that the Centris bees use as mortar in tunnel construction, and the Corteza Amarilla (Tabebuia ochracea) which is renowned for the small yellow flowers that encase its naked branches following the first rains.

At the reserve you will know Don Daniel, the person who guards this wonderful place, an old dedicated man, who worries about the reserve protection and preservation. If you stay enough time, you will hear from him a lot of very interesting stories about the zone and his own life.

If you’re interested in hiking through the Lomas de Barbudal Reserve, stop at Friends of Lomas de Barbudal office in Bagaces, a non-profit organization which protects the area. Here visitors can pick up trail guides and study the small exhibits they have on the region. Also, at the reserve entrance there is a small museum called Casa Patrimonio (Heritage House) which can give you even more information of the area and details of the flora and fauna of the reserve.

A number of other unmarked trails and roads wander through the reserve, welcoming visitors to explore on foot. Guides are available at the park office to assist visitors in locating fauna. From the visitor’s center (Casa de Patrimonio) on the northwest tip of the reserve, the most popular walk is a short quarter mile upstream (300m) along the Río Cabuya to a swimming hole, or “poza” (in Spanish), containing many different fish, so snorkeling is well worth to take a look around, where you may feel a little like you’re swimming in your home aquarium when you see the Convict cichlid (Amatitlania nigrofasciata) or feel the Green swordtail (Xiphophorus hellerii) nibbling at your toes. This watering hole, besides being a perfect place for a cooling dip, attracts concentrations of wildlife in the dry season.

Along the southern edge of the reserve lies the Quebrada La Mula, a seasonal stream and forest area that once formed a continuous greenway between Lomas de Barbudal Biological Reserve and Palo Verde National Park.

Visitors recognized the region as one of the last remaining stands of tropical dry forest where weather is hot year-round with a pronounced dry season from December through April. As is the case with Palo Verde National Park, dry season is the best time to visit the reserve, since birding is easier once the deciduous forests shed their leaves, leaving avian fauna in plain sight. Lomas Barbudal is at its most spectacular in March, when the Corteza Amarilla trees (Tabebuia ochracea) are totally covered with yellow flowers.

The riverside woodland that forms a fringe along the rivers and streams is evergreen and considered the densest and most divers in the area, which is especially rich in solitary wasps. Besides, the savannah, covered in grassland, is dotted with trees, forming a wonderful landscape. Other habitats here are xerophytic or extremely dry woodlands, which is very rich in cacti and land bromeliads, oak forest (Quercus oleoides) and regenerated forest.

Lomas Barbudal Biological Reserve is situated in the lower parts of the Tempisque River near Palo Verde Nacional Park. The offices are located on the banks of the River Cabuyo, 18 km from Bagaces. Near the offices, next to the River Cabuyo, there is a picnic area with tables and toilets and there also is a visitor centre between the offices and the river. Other nearby Costa Rica national parks includes Palo Verde National Park, Dr. Rafael Lucas Rodriguez Caballero National Wildlife Refuge and Barra Honda National Park.

Caution: visitors allergic to bee stings should not get in to the refuge without a bee-sting kit, as the swarming Africanized “killer’ bees are amongst the numerous species of bee that inhabit the park.

Getting to Lomas de Barbudal Biological Reserve:

From San José, take the Interamerican Highway north to Bagaces. Then turn southeast near km 221 (10 km northwest of Bagaces, 14 km southeast of Liberia) and drive for approximately 12km to the park entrance. A sign notifies visitors of the appropriate turnoff to the entrance of Lomas Barbudal Biological Reserve (4WD recommended). The visitor’s center at Casa de Patrimonio is 7 km south at the bottom of a steep hill that affords a panoramic view of the area you’re about to explore. Consider parking at the top and walking in to the visitors center when road conditions are marginal.

Alternatively, there is a very rugged 4WD road leading northwest from the entrance station of Palo Verde National Park. Check with the rangers for current conditions and regulations before setting out on this route. Now you can also take the new Caldera Highway to Puntarenas and then follow the Pan-American Highway.

From Daniel Oduber Quiros International Airport (LIR), drive south for some 14 km from Liberia to Bagaces. Then turn southeast and drive for approximately 12 km to the park entrance. A sign notifies visitors of the appropriate turnoff to the entrance of Lomas Barbudal Biological Reserve (4WD recommended). The visitor’s center at Casa de Patrimonio is 7 km south at the bottom of a steep hill that affords a panoramic view of the area you’re about to explore. Consider parking at the top and walking in to the visitors center when road conditions are marginal.

By bus

Take a local bus from San Jose – Liberia, which takes about 4 hours making the stop at Bagaces (Pulmitan Liberia, +506 2222-1650). From here you can rent a car and drive, or take a bus or taxi to Lomas de Barbudal Biological Reserve, which is about 15 minutes.

By plane:

You can also take a flight from the Juan Santamaria Airport to Daniel Oduber Airport, either with Sansa Airlines or Aerobell every day. From here you can rent a car and drive, or take a bus or taxi to Lomas de Barbudal Biological Reserve, which is about 45 minutes.

Location: 15 kilometers southwest of Bagaces, district: Bagaces, canton: Bagaces, province: Guanacaste, Costa Rica. Zone postal code: 50401.
Pijije GPS coordinates: 10.540903,-85.342181 (10°32’27.25″N, 85°20’31.85″W)
Size: 2,279 hectares (5,636 acres)
Tempisque Conservation Area (ACT) Telephone: +506 2686-4967 / +506 2686-4968
INFOTUR Tourist Information: 1192

Address map: Click here to view directions from Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO), Alajuela, Costa Rica TO Pijije, Guanacaste, Costa Rica at Google Maps