Costa Rica Guide

travel information and maps

  • Vacation Planning
  • Best Trips Ever>>
  • More Fun Than Humanly Possible
  • Costa Rica
    • Top Ten
    • Best Time to Visit Costa Rica
    • Things To Do in Costa Rica
    • Maps
    • Transportation
      • Rental Cars
        • Advantages of Driving
        • Disadvantages Driving
        • Code of the Road
        • Navigation & Drive Time
        • Rental Insurance Explained
        • Can’t Get There
      • Airports
        • Flights Worth Taking
        • LIR or SJO
        • Airfare Deals
        • Domestic Airlines
        • Domestic Air Tips
      • Taxis
      • Bus Schedule
    • Food
      • Typical Menu
      • Batidos & Refrescos
      • Gallo Pinto
      • Tamales
      • Ceviche
      • Ensalada Palmito
      • Sopa Negra
      • Vinagre Chilera
    • Weather
      • Seasons in Costa Rica
      • Current Storms in Costa Rica
    • Regions
  • Nature & Wildlife
    • National Parks
    • Wildlife Refuges
    • Ecozones
    • Best Places to See Wildlife in Costa Rica
  • Practical Info
    • Health & Safety
      • Health Tips
        • Altitude Sickness
        • Chikungunya
        • Natural Disasters
      • Crime
        • Cons & Rip-offs
        • Corruption
        • Violent Crime
    • Will My Phone Work?
    • Packing List
    • Passports & Docs
    • Money – How To?
    • How Much Does it Cost?
    • Travel Tips
  • Stories
    • Photos
    • Trek Across Costa Rica
    • Sendero de Oro
    • Quebrada Gata
    • Bicycle Touring
    • About Us
  • Move to Costa Rica
  • Free Travel Pack
no obligation custom trip plan & price quote

1-866-816-0197

· Copyright © 2023 ·

Karen Mogensen Nature Reserve

Karen Mogensen Nature Reserve

The trail follows the stream through a shallow valley for about a kilometer before starting up the side of a rocky ravine to the wall where the bridal veil waterfall tumbles into a deep green pool.  Two smaller falls drop into larger pools and the bottom one has a couple of great jumping rocks and a … [Read more...]

Ray & Sue

Cost · ToDo · Plan·Costa Rica Guide logo animated·Top10 · Best Time · Contact

Portalón Estero Rey National Wildlife Refuge

Portalón Estero Rey National Wildlife Refuge

In the lowlands along the coast south of Manuel Antonio and north of Dominical the Ríos Naranjo, Savegre and Portalón empty into the Estero Negro and Estero Garita respectively,  Between the two estuaries the water spreads into a shallow lake at Laguna Negraforral which is locally known as Estero … [Read more...]

Ray & Sue

Cost · ToDo · Plan·Costa Rica Guide logo animated·Top10 · Best Time · Contact

Hacienda Barú National Wildlife Refuge Photos

Hacienda Barú National Wildlife Refuge Photos

It's hard to imagine that we first rolled into Reserva Nacional de Vida Silvestre Hacienda Barú on our bicycles over 25 years ago.  Everything around is different, hotels have popped up, million dollar vacation homes line the ridge and the old teeth jarring, bone rattling, dusty 4WD road is now an … [Read more...]

Ray & Sue

Cost · ToDo · Plan·Costa Rica Guide logo animated·Top10 · Best Time · Contact

Rainmaker Biological Reserve Photos

Rainmaker Biological Reserve Photos

The Rainmaker Reserve is a fantastic alternative to some of the more popular attractions along the Central Pacific.  Enjoy amazing birds and wildlife in rain forest habitats similar to Manuel Antonio National Park without waiting in line two hours at the entrance.  Trade the crowded beaches for a … [Read more...]

Ray & Sue

Cost · ToDo · Plan·Costa Rica Guide logo animated·Top10 · Best Time · Contact

Hills of Portalón Wildlife Refuge

Hills of Portalón Wildlife Refuge

Fila Brujo, Nubes and Mata de Café form a wall of mountains north of playa Matapalo creating a basin that catches rain to fill Quebrada Salto and the Río Portalón building them from trickling streams to tumbling rivers in just a few short kilometers. On the south side of the Coastal highway … [Read more...]

Ray & Sue

Cost · ToDo · Plan·Costa Rica Guide logo animated·Top10 · Best Time · Contact

Bahía Junquillal National Wildlife Refuge Photos

Bahía Junquillal National Wildlife Refuge Photos

Bahía de Salinas, Playa Pochote, Isla Bolaños National Wildlife Refuge, Golfo Santa Elena, Playa Rajada, Playa Coyotera and Bahía Junquillal Beach and National Wildlife Refuge are the northern Pacific equivalent of Corcovado National Park on the Osa Peninsula.  Not as remote and not nearly as wet … [Read more...]

Ray & Sue

Cost · ToDo · Plan·Costa Rica Guide logo animated·Top10 · Best Time · Contact

Playa Hermosa-Punta Mala National Wildlife Refuge Photos

Playa Hermosa-Punta Mala National Wildlife Refuge Photos

After visiting it becomes obvious why the Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Playa Hermosa-Punta Mala has two distinctly different names - because it has two dramatically different halves.  Divided by the Río Tulín which merges into the Río Tusubres before spilling across the beach at the mouth of … [Read more...]

Ray & Sue

Cost · ToDo · Plan·Costa Rica Guide logo animated·Top10 · Best Time · Contact

Transition Dry to Rain Forest

Transition Dry to Rain Forest

The region between Puntarenas and Jacó beach on the central Pacific of Costa Rica has more diversity of plants, trees and animals than nearly any other region because of its unique transition zone  geography.  Along the coast to the north the tropical dry forests dominate in Guanacaste and on the … [Read more...]

Ray & Sue

Cost · ToDo · Plan·Costa Rica Guide logo animated·Top10 · Best Time · Contact

Caño Negro Photos

Caño Negro Photos

The wetlands and the Río Frío that feeds them are two of the very best places in Costa Rica to see and photograph wildlife. We've been to Caño Negro so many times I've lost count. We've bicycled, kayaked and taken motorized safari launches and every time we've seen something different and … [Read more...]

Ray & Sue

Cost · ToDo · Plan·Costa Rica Guide logo animated·Top10 · Best Time · Contact

Gandoca Manzanillo Photos

Gandoca Manzanillo Photos

Gandoca Manzanillo wildlife refuge has two distinct parts.  The beaches of Manzanillo, Uva, Chiquita  and Cocles are dotted with hotels, lodges, B&Bs, restaurants, bars and small businesses but south towards Gandoca after the end of the road is a whole other world.  Accessible only on foot the … [Read more...]

Ray & Sue

Cost · ToDo · Plan·Costa Rica Guide logo animated·Top10 · Best Time · Contact


toll free Costa Rica travel desk!
1-866-816-0197

CONTACT US

Wildlife Refuges & Reserves
  • Karen Mogensen Nature Reserve
  • Portalón Estero Rey National Wildlife Refuge
  • Hacienda Barú National Wildlife Refuge Photos
  • Rainmaker Biological Reserve Photos
  • Hills of Portalón Wildlife Refuge
  • Bahía Junquillal National Wildlife Refuge Photos
  • Playa Hermosa-Punta Mala National Wildlife Refuge Photos
  • Transition Dry to Rain Forest
  • Caño Negro Photos
  • Gandoca Manzanillo Photos



Costa Rica Guide on facebook
Costa Rica Guide on Facebook