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...]
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...]
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...]
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...]
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...]
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...]
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...]
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...]
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...]
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...]