| Duration: | 1 Day(s) - 0 Night(s) |
| Tour Category: | Wildlife Safari |
The Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge and the Rio Frío are biologically humid areas considered to be one of the richest in biological diversity in Costa Rica. Here you can find a great variety of resident and migratory birds plus three different species of monkeys, also iguanas, sloths, turtles, and caymans. You will begin your adventure at Los Chiles village only 4 km from the Nicaraguan border, there you will begin a two-hour floating safari through the Tropical Rain Forest and pastures until we arrive at the marsh.
Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge:
A stunning natural refuge, Caño Negro is considered by many to be the third most important wetland in the world. Lying very close to the border of Nicaragua, the Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge is located in Alajuela province in the counties of Los Chiles and Guatuso.
A must-visit place when in Costa Rica, this sanctuary was named the ‘Wetland of International Importance’ in 1991 and is one of the most significant humid zones in the country. A nature lover’s paradise, Caño Negro is the habitat of many migrants and endangered fish, reptiles, birds, and plants.
Designated a ‘world protected area’ by conservation groups like Ramsar; Caño Negro is home to a number of the world’s rare plant, animal, and bird species.
A region of extreme biological importance due to the immense variety of flora and fauna found here, Caño Negro is also a key migratory route for birds from the north. To date, more than 200 species of birds have been found here, as well as several unique and distinct plants and animals.
During the green (rainy) season from May to October, water from the mountains is plentiful and the Río Frío overflows its banks to form Lago Caño Negro positioned smack in the middle of the flyway for migrant North and South American birds. Millions of birds arrive here to winter over during the dry season beginning in December. The water level falls continuously for the next three to four months until all that is left is the main channel of the Río Frío and the migrants depart.
East of Los Chiles, the Río Medio Queso spreads into shallow wetlands when rainfall is plentiful. The region near the border is officially protected by the Corredor Fronterízo National Wildlife Refuge, but the whole area is excellent for wildlife viewing.
This area has some of the lowest rainfall totals for Costa Rica. Even during the rainy season when the rivers are overflowing their banks, most of the rain is falling farther south than running into this region.
There are advantages to visiting any time of year. Many migratory birds arrive in December when the snow flies up north and depart in May. The dry season runs from January through April and it’s driest towards the end of this period.
