Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge

Is the extreme adventurer inside you raring to break free? Well, now's the perfect time to test your limits with a vacation to one of Costa Rica's most remote destinations. Located near the border of Nicaragua, the Cano Negro is one of the hardest places in Costa Rica to travel to independently. Only during the height of the dry season will you have the opportunity to explore this remote location. But the wait is well worth it as you'll discover unique species of flora and fauna as you tour through the area. There are literally thousands of birds for Costa Rica rental car travelers to see, so what are you waiting for? Unleash your extreme vacationer and travel to the Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge during your upcoming San Jose vacation.

Planning a tour to Cano Negro

Touring the Cano Negro requires planning. Costa Rica rental car travelers are encouraged to drive to Rio Frio, one of the country's most biologically diverse areas in order to start their adventure. Guided tours of the Cano Negro are offered beginning in this area during the dry season. Before you embark on the tour, be sure to take plenty of pictures of the local residents – migratory birds, three different species of monkeys, iguanas, sloths, and turtles can all be found roaming the streets.

The average tour from Rio Frio begins at about 7:30am. Your tour guide will pick you up from one of the local hotels and embark on an hour and a ½ drive to Los Chiles. This culturally mixed village is just 4 kilometers from the Nicaraguan border. Costa Rica rental car travelers are then asked to board the awaiting boats in order to embark on the adventure further. The remainder of the tour is described as a floating safari, and includes a visit to tropical rainforests, marsh areas, and pastures. The boat tour lasts for about 4 hours, with the entire trip finishing at about 4:30pm.

Costa Rica rental car travelers can book a tour of the Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge by calling 1-888-456-3212 or emailing info@arenal.net. Tour participants are encourage to wear light clothing on the tour, and to bring sunscreen and insect repellant along. The tour includes a homemade boxed lunch with regional fruits. Participants will also enjoy refreshments like natural juices, beers, canned drinks and bottled water. Costa Rica rental car travelers will enjoy their lunch lounging in the lush green countryside.

It's a bird, it's a plane...

Bird watching is one of the most popular reasons for embarking on the Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge tour. Costa Rica rental car travelers have the opportunity to spot dozens of different birds during the tour, especially during the winter months. Tour participants will often catch a glimpse of a glossy ibis, black-necked stilt, anhinga, American widgeon, wood storks, and the black-bellied whistling duck. The Cano Negro is also one of the best places in the world to see the Nicaraguan Grackle. Costa Rica rental car travelers will also see a variety of monkeys during the boat tour, as well as hundreds of amphibians and reptiles.

Explore the area on your own

Costa Rica rental car travelers don't have to depend on a tour to take them to the Cano Negro – they can drive there themselves! From San Hose, take the highway to Alajuela. From there, head towards Ciudad Quesada in your Costa Rica rental car. From there, drive towards Los Chiles, about 4 miles before you reach Los Chiles, you will see the turn-off to the new bridge that leads to Cano Negro. Remember, it's very dangerous to visit the area during the we season, especially if you're unfamiliar with the terrain. The wildlife refuge is located about 80 miles north of San Jose.