How to Get to the Real Caño Negro — It's Easy, and It's Worth the Drive
How do I reach Caño Negro Refuge?
As we say many times, you can drive to Caño Negro in your car every day of the year.
Yes, you simply drive there. That’s the simple answer. You can drive to the village of Caño Negro in your own car, every day of the year, via Route 138.
Here’s what you need to know:
The Río Frío is the river that feeds the Caño Negro lagoon. It’s part of the same ecosystem, but it is not the Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge.
Many tours operate from Los Chiles and San Emilio — towns that are kilometres away from the refuge. These tours navigate the Río Frío, but they do not take you inside the Caño Negro lagoon.
If you’re not in the village of Caño Negro, you’re not visiting the Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge.
To experience the real Caño Negro — the RAMSAR wetland, the 800-hectare lagoon, the over 300 bird species — you need to be inside the refuge.
Be aware! The location "Rio Frio" and the Refuge of Caño Negro — Two Different Destinations
Understanding the geography is key to planning your visit:
| The Río Frío | The Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge |
|---|---|
| Operates from Los Chiles and San Emilio | Located at Caño Negro village (Route 138) |
| Navigates the Río Frío — a river | Located on the Caño Negro lagoon — a RAMSAR wetland |
| Kilometres away from the official refuge | Inside the official refuge boundaries |
| Good wildlife viewing, but limited | Over 300 bird species — the real biodiversity hotspot |
To experience Caño Negro, you need to go to Caño Negro.
How to Drive to Caño Negro
The Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge is located on the northern plains of Costa Rica, between Los Chiles and Upala. The main road is Route 138. The road is bumpy, and the area feels remote — but that’s exactly why the refuge is so rich in biodiversity.
Here are the driving times from popular destinations:
- From Arenal (La Fortuna): about 2.5 hours
- From Puerto Viejo de Sarapiquí: about 2.5 hours
- From Tenorio Volcano: about 1.75 hours
- From Bijagua: about 1 hour
Note: Los Chiles and San Emilio are not Caño Negro. They are towns kilometres away from the refuge. If you’re heading to Los Chiles or San Emilio, you’re heading to the Río Frío — not to Caño Negro.
How do I reach Caño Negro Refuge from
Arenal Volcano - La Fortuna
If you are in the area of the Arenal volcano (La Fortuna), drive north along with route number 142 to El Tanque. Turn left to the next cross and turn right on route number 4 to Muelle, then turn left and take the route 35 north in the direction to Los Chiles, and when you arrive at El Jobo (about 7 km before Los Chiles, turn left on the route 138 to Caño Negro.
How do I reach Caño Negro Refuge from Bijagua
If you are in Bijagua, follow route number 6 to the north up to the intersection to route number 730. Take right and follow the route up to the intersection with route number 4. Take left and after a few hundred meters, take left in route 138 to Caño Negro Refuge.
If you are in Guanacaste, go to Bijagua, and then follow the same instructions.
How do I reach Caño Negro Refuge from Tenorio National Park
If you are around Tenorio National Park, drive to the Park entrance, and from there follow the street to Katira. There, turn left on route 4 to Colonia the Puntarenas, and at the next intersection turn right on route 138 to Caño Negro Refuge.
How do I reach Caño Negro Refuge from
the Atlantic coast - Puerto Viejo de Sarapiquí
If you are in the Atlantic coast, go to Puerto Viejo de Sarapiquí. From then continue west on route 4 up to Muelle de San Carlos intersection. There take north in the direction of Los Chiles on route number 35. Before Los Chiles, about 7 km, at El Jobo take left on route 138 to Caño Negro Refuge.
Cano Negro Experience
Looking for full day caño negro boat tour?
You can visit Caño Negro in one day. But why rush?
A typical day trip from La Fortuna means spending more than 5 hours on the road, arriving late in the morning, and leaving before the best hours begin.
By staying overnight at Hotel de Campo, you’ll have time for multiple boat tours, relaxed meals, wildlife spotting from the hotel gardens, and unhurried exploration of the refuge — all without the exhaustion of a rushed day trip.
More time in nature. Less time on the road. A better experience.
Looking for a All-in-One Package?
With Hotel de Campo you can enjoy a Wonderfull vacation in Costa Rica at the National Refuge of Caño Negro, choosing between 6+ packages. Or customize your own.
Made for birdwatcher & photographer
We prepare 3 packages from 1 to 3 nights, with up to 15 hrs of private birding and photography tours. You can customise these vacation packages.
Made for nature lover
We prepare 3 vacations packages from 1 to 3 nights, that include up to 5 hrs of boat tours in Caño Negro. This packages doesn’t include private trip, but you can upgrade it
Contact us
If you have any other questions about your vacation in Costa Rica and would you like to visit Caño Negro please write to us
Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge Facts
No, it’s not difficult at all. You can drive to Caño Negro in your own car every day of the year. The refuge is located on the northern plains of Costa Rica, between Los Chiles and Upala, and is accessible via Route 138. The road is bumpy, and the area feels remote — but that’s exactly why the refuge is so rich in biodiversity.
The Río Frío is the river that flows into the Caño Negro lagoon — but it is not the refuge itself. Many tours from La Fortuna operate only on the Río Frío, outside the official boundaries of the Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge. While the river offers good wildlife viewing, it does not provide the full experience of the lagoon ecosystem, the RAMSAR wetland, and the spectacular concentrations of birds that gather during the dry season. To experience the real Caño Negro, you need to be inside the refuge, on the Caño Negro lagoon.
The drive from La Fortuna (Arenal Volcano) to Caño Negro takes approximately 2.5 hours. The route follows Route 142 to El Tanque, then Route 4 to Muelle, and Route 35 north towards Los Chiles. Before Los Chiles, at El Jobo, turn left on Route 138 to Caño Negro. The road is bumpy but navigable in any car.
A day trip from La Fortuna means spending more than 5 hours on the road, arriving late in the morning when wildlife activity is lower, and leaving before the best hours begin. By staying overnight at Hotel de Campo, you’ll have time for multiple boat tours, relaxed meals, and unhurried exploration of the refuge — all without the exhaustion of a rushed day trip. You’ll see more wildlife, get better photos, and truly experience the refuge.
The Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge is home to over 300 bird species, including iconic waterbirds like the Jabiru, Agami Heron, Roseate Spoonbill, and Pinnated Bittern. You’ll also find three species of monkeys (howler, white-faced capuchin, and spider monkeys), spectacled caimans, sloths, anteaters, green iguanas, and the “Jesus Christ lizard” (basilisk). The refuge is a RAMSAR Wetland of International Importance, recognised for its exceptional biodiversity.
Yes, Caño Negro is accessible year-round. The dry season (December to April) offers spectacular wildlife viewing as water recedes, concentrating wildlife around the remaining pools. The rainy season brings lush green landscapes and fewer visitors, offering a more intimate experience. Each season offers a unique perspective on this incredible wetland ecosystem.
Hotel de Campo is the only hotel located on the side of the Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge, right in front of one of the largest lagoons of the Caño Negro wetland. From Hotel de Campo, you can enter the refuge directly. You wake up in the heart of the RAMSAR site, with wildlife at your doorstep. No long drives, no early morning transfers. Just you, the birds, and the real Caño Negro.
