LOCATION
These wild and amazing wetlands are located in the northern zone of Costa Rica, close to the small village of Los Chiles in the Province of Alajuela. Caño Negro Refuge is mainly conformed by the Caño Negro Lagoon and the Frio River. It has an extension of 10.000 Hs, and it is one of the most important biological areas of the country (4th on earth).
DESCRIPTION
Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge was declared “Wild Life Area of International Importance” in 1991. This Costa Rican ecological treasure is the natural habitat of more than 350 species of birds, as well as the emerald basilisk, iguanas, river turtles, caimans, jaguars, ocelots, giant anteaters, monkeys, and many others. Its vast wildlife concentration places Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge among the most important wetlands in the Americas.
Caño Negro is one of the first areas in giving special emphasis on the handle of biological resources according with the human life development, combining tourism activities with the protection of the natural resources and species.
CHALETS
The lodge is surrounded by exuberant tropical vegetation lagoon front, and has direct access to the pristine canals of the refuge. Caño Negro Wetlands Lodge features 7 log cabins, each with rustic furniture, fan, and private bath, bar & restaurant and a beautiful swimming pool chalets front.
ACTIVITIES
Hiking, bird watching, sport fishing, cross country, kayak tours, horseback riding, milk cows, make cheese, mountain bike, boat tours, kayaking, visit the turtle hatchery or just relax.
SPORT FISHING
World-Class Tarpon, Snook, Rainbow bass, Tropical garfish (Atractosteus tropicus) and Gars makes this location in Costa Rica a special place to fish. So, while fishing in the backwater lagoons, an array of wildlife such as monkeys, crocodiles and exotic birds can be seen. Some of the species available to fish are guapote, mojarra, and machaca.
Caño Negro is one of the best fishing places in the world. We offer an l8 foot boat with 50 Hp motor and fishing equipment.
Fishing license is required.
No fishing allowed from April 1st to July 31.
ATTRACTIONS
Caño Negro Lagoon, Rio Frio, Playuelas, Los Chiles, Nicaragua Lake, San Carlos town, Maleku Indian tribes, Arenal Volcano, Celeste River, Solentiname Island, San Juan River, Turtle hatchery, El Castillo town, Venado Caves, butterfly garden and more.
SERVICES
Bar, restaurant, swimming pool, telephone, fax, Wi-Fi, kayaks, canoes, fishing equipment, rods, natural sciences library, room service, wake up call, TV area, parking area, cabins, hot water, camping area, tours, local guides, tourist information, travel agency, transportation, laundry, car rental, Visa, Amex, Master Card, souvenir shop.
CULTURAL ACTIVITIES made by the Women Association of San Antonio (AMSA).
Handy crafts, souvenirs, typical dances, production & sale of butterfly pupae, butterfly garden, corn mill, paper recycling, bakery and imitation jewelers. All these places can be visited walking.
GARFISH CULTURAL FESTIVAL : going on last two weekends of October.
WEATHER & TEMPERATURE
During the rainy season when the rivers are overflowing their banks, most of the rain is falling further south, thus then flowing/running north into this region. Temperature between 26ºC and 32ºC.
There are advantages on visiting it any time of year.
Size of the Refuge:
24,700 acres (10.000 hectares, 38 square miles)
Elevations:
From 100 to 330 feet (30-100 meters)
Habitats:
Tropical lowland wet forest (rain forest), pasture, fresh water marsh, river, lake (some compare it to the Florida Everglades)
Inhabitants:
Birds Glossy Ibis, black-necked stilt, neotropical cormorants, American anhinga, northern jacana, American widgeon, wood stork, white Ibis, black-bellied tree duck, cattle egret, northern shoveled, snail kite, green backed heron, Nicaraguan grackle, roseate spoonbill, and blue-winged teal. Spiders, capuchin and howler monkeys, spectacled caiman, crocodile, jaguar, cougar, tayra, ocelot, tapir, white-tailed deer, jesus-christ lizard, black river turtle, iguana,
Fish Snook, guapote, alligator gar, drum fish, tarpon, and bull sharks.
TOURS
Bird watching / boat tour / Horseback riding tour / Canoe / Kayak / Hiking tour / Mountain bike / Solentiname Islands tour / Rio Celeste tour / Nicaraguan Lake / Playuelas tour / Maleku Indians / Sport fishing.
HOW TO GET THERE . . .
On your own car . . . from San Jose
Take the North road, pass the airport and keep on the way to Guanacaste. About 50 Km you will see the sings to “San Ramon”, turn right hand in the way to Bajo Rodriguez, then look for “Florencia” , “Muelle” and “Los Chiles”. 7 km before Los Chiles you will see a huge sign “Caño Negro Lagoon Lodge”.
From Florencia it is about 1:15 hour until the sign “Caño Negro Wild Life Refuge”. Here, you will turn to the left hand for about 30 minutes until the lodge.
On your own car . . . from Liberia
Take the road on the way to San Jose for about 40 minutes, then you will see the sign “Upala”, turn to your left hand for about one hour, once you get Upala, look for the sign “Guatuso”, cross the bridge over the Pizote river and keep on the road for about 15 minutes until you see the sign “Caño Negro Wild Life Refuge”, take your left hand for about 26 Km. Once you get the entrance of Caño Negro village, take to your left hand in the way to “Los Chiles” for 1 Km, then you will see the sign “Caño Negro Wetlands Lodge”.
Public bus transportation / from Liberia
Take the bus to Cañas, take the bus to Upala, then take the bus to Los Chiles and leave the bus in San Antonio of Caño Negro.
Public bus transportation / from San José
Take the bus to Los Chiles and then take another bus to Upala, get off the bus in San Antonio de Caño Negro.
Private transfer
We can arrange a minivan transfer to and from any where in the country. Ask for regular rates.
Flights
There are no scheduled flights to Los Chiles, but there is a functional airport where a charter airplane can land. We can arrange that service for you. Then we would pick you up at Los Chiles airfield and give you a transfer to the lodge. Rates vary depending on number of passengers (ground transfer) and type of airplane.
