Caño Negro in Costa Rica northern highlands
Caño Negro is a wonderful wildlife refuge in Costa Rica, considered the third most important wetland in the world. If you are in Costa Rica you must visit it while you are in the country. This shrine was called “Wetland of International Importance” in 1991 and is one of the most important wetlands in the country. Conservation groups like Ramsar designated this place as a “world-protected area.” Caño Negro is the habitat for many rare species of plants, animals, and birds of all parts of the world.
Located near the border with Nicaragua, El Refugio Caño Negro is in the province of Alajuela in the counties of Los Chiles and Guatuso. It is located northwest of Costa Rica and thirteen kilometers southeast of the town of Upala and is unquestionably one of the sites of the greatest ecological diversity of the country. A paradise for lovers of nature, Caño Negro is the habitat of many fish, reptiles, plants and migratory birds that are endangered.
Being one of the rainiest regions in Costa Rica, this reserve is the home of the wild “Atrasctosteus TROPICUS” (fish) as well as the “Cayman crocodiles fuscus” (Alligator) and the rare “Nicaraguan grackle (bird). Caño Negro has a freshwater lagoon that is located in an area of 800 hectares between the monsoon climate of the lowlands and the humid climate of the area on the Caribbean coast. A region of extreme importance because of the wide variety of flora and fauna found here, Caño Negro is also a key migration route for birds coming from the north. Is interesting to mention that has been found more than 200 species of birds as well as various plants and animals really unique.
Caño Negro is the land of the emerald Basilisk, the giant ant bear, the ocelots, iguanas, river turtles, monkeys, and pumas. This wildlife refuge is also home to rare birds like the northern jacans, the Ibis, Jaribu Storks, Anhinga, cormorants, and many others.
Caño Negro is a great learning experience for everyone as it is the first national refuge which emphasizes the management of tourism activities with the biological resources for individuals and families. During the dry season can be reached by land, however, because it tends to flood when it rains, their access is difficult and should be done by boat.
If you want to get to Caño Negro, you have to fly to the City of San Jose and then drive north to Ciudad Quesada (San Carlos). From there you have to go to the town of Los Chiles on a road uncovered and from there to this huge and beautiful haven for wildlife. During the rainy season is best reached by boat from Los Chiles through the rivers Frio and Patos.