Are you going to travel to Costa Rica?
Would you visit Caño Negro Refuge?

This information will be very helpful at the time you organize your travel around Costa Rica.

About The Original Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge, you must know, that few unscrupulous companies do not take you to the National Refuge of Caño Negro. Instead, they take you to visit similar environments.

Unfortunately, they promote fake and wrong information. They refer to Caño Negro as “(…)one of the most difficult places to independently visit in Costa Rica. It is set in a remote area of the country and is often submerged in water from flooded rivers(…)” or ” In order to visit Caño Negro it is necessary to join a day tour(…)”.

The truth is that to visit Caño Negro, is not necessary to join a day tour. You can easily drive your car to Caño Negro town along road 138. Caño Negro Refuge and its little village are located mid-way between Los Chiles and Upala. The road is bumped? yes, it is. Caño Negro seems to be in a remote area? well yes. And is the reason why Caño Negro Refuge is so full of nature. This is the reason why Caño Negro is a prime hotspot for birdwatchers and nature lovers.

When you are properly looking for a pleasant journey to Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge for a boat tour, check first! Be sure that you are visiting the refuge and not any other surrounding area. First of all, to accomplish precisely this, you must travel to the Caño Negro town. Here is the only entrance to the National Refuge.

Said so, you will undoubtedly enjoy your delightful trip around our gorgeous river, lagoons, protected forest, extensive swamps. That, only the Original Caño Negro Refuge can generously offer. This national refuge includes all the habitats for hundreds of species of birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians.

So that, to properly discover Caño Negro, a boat tour is the best option all year round. Our boat trip operates into the national refuge of Caño Negro, not out site or closed areas. To achieve the best result, we custom organize them according to your interest, and we arrange only a private or semi-private tour.

Explore Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge

What is the best time of year to go to Costa Rica
and visit Caño Negro Refuge?

Nature is here all year round. So you should ask yourself what kind of activity you are looking for. Keep in mind that in Costa Rica we have 2 seasons: dry and wet (rainy) season. This change Caño Negro ecosystem, and consequently all the animal change their behavior.
So, if you are a birdwatcher, you should ask yourself if you are interested in some particular species, or you like any kind. Or if you love caimans, the dry season is the best moment.

If you have an open agenda, and you do not know when to travel to Costa Rica, write to us and we can help you make a decision.

Original Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge

What is there to do at the
Cano Negro wildlife refuge in Costa Rica?

Caño Negro Refuge is a superb hotspot
for birding, photography and nature-lovers

If you wonder when is the best time to visit Cano Negro, please keep in mind that Caño Negro Refuge is all about NATURE. Well, in general, Costa Rica tourism is based on ecotourism. Also is important to mention that activities are based on a boat tour in Caño Negro.
Said so, Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge is a major hotspot for birdwatching, is a superb destination for photographers, and in general, is a lovely hotspot for Nature Lover.

So, if you are looking for a place without mass tourists around, where you can enjoy nature peacefully, Caño Negro Refuge is the right place to be. If you are looking to make ecotourism in Costa Rica, definitely Caño Negro is a must to visit destination.

At Hotel de Campo we specialize in 2 major services: Birdwatching & Photography, and EcoLover boat tour.

Every day is Caño Negro Experience

As far as you choose The Original Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge

anhinga fish

Costa Rica Birding Experience

The Great Photography & Birding Hotspot In Costa Rica

Caño Negro is a fantastic Birding and Photography Hotspot.
If you wonder… Great Hotspot Where to watch birds in Costa Rica? Where are great birding hotspots in Costa Rica in one place?

The answer is the National Refuge of Caño Negro. Caño Negro Birding Tour. We are local, on-site, all around the year BIRDING. You can’t go wrong!

Caño Negro is one of a kind for a pleasant birding vacation in Costa Rica, where you can genuinely enjoy birding and/or photography.

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Real Caño Negro Boat Tour

The easy way to know
Caño Negro Refuge

First of all, be sure to visit The Original Caño Negro.
A boat tour in Caño Negro is the easiest and most comfortable way to get to know the national refuge of Caño Negro. The flora and fauna along the main river always offer extraordinary sights and chances for a great photo.
Be prepared to discover as many birds, monkeys, caimans, crocodiles, and turtles, basilisks as possible. Also, the 3 kinds of monkeys, such as the spider, howler, capuchin monkey, and slots. And sometimes, if you are very lucky, we can cross a jaguar.

full day caño negro boat tour

For an unique caño negro tour
The Easy EcoNature 1 night 2 days vacation package

If your goal is to enjoy nature without spending your time for 5+ hrs in a bus for a “Full Day Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge Boat Tour”, this package is for you.
This offer includes:
1 night at Hotel de Campo, just in front of one of the largest lagoons of Caño Negro Refuge.
A pleasant dinner
An excellent breakfast
and most of all, a fantastic boat tour inside the Refuge of Caño Negro.

Check our price, and compare between other offers

With Hotel de Campo is easy to make a guaranteed reservation. Just contact us, tell us when would you visit Caño Negro, and your reservation is confirmed.

The EcoNature vacation packages do not offer private tours (though you can request an upgrade), but our tours are never packed with people. Maybe 2 o 3 more couples will be with you. Also, for a family reservation, the tour will be private.
In case you are a birdwatcher and or photographer, please have a look at our special packages, or request a customized one.

Original Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge

If you have any other questions about your vacation in Costa Rica. If you like to have +10 Best Costa Rica Travel Tips, please write to us

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Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge Facts

When is the Best Time to Visit Costa Rica for birdwatching?

The best time to have a Vacation in Costa Rica for birdwatching and ecotourism will depend on the type of vacation you want.
For nature lovers that like an ecotour to see a little bit of everything, all year round is good. Nature is always there to amaze you. You will not be disappointed even on a rainy day.
For a birding tour, if you are interested in any kind of bird, year-round is fine. But if you have any special interest in some spices, it will be better to coordinate the best moment of the year. Please contact us.

What is Rainy Season in Caño negro - Costa Rica Like?

The rainy season in Caño Negro – Costa Rica is from the beginning of May to the end of November approximately. The season begins with very light rain, occasionally. It is difficult to find an all-day rainy situation. Probably, the rainiest period is around October and November. But even so, it probably won’t rain all day.
In any case, as our tours are private, we would organize with you the best moment of the day to go discover the refuge.

Is Costa Rica Safe for Solo Female Travelers?

Costa Rica is a safe country and is a great place for solo travelers, especially when you are very into nature. This is because you will explore no crowded places.
In any case, as everywhere around the world, be organized, choose your destination carefully, and be safe.
About Caño Negro, we can ensure you it is an excellent destination for solo females.

How Much Should I Tip in Costa Rica?

TIP in Costa Rica is only included in the bar and restaurant bill. Any other products and services, it is not included.
I consider that TIP is a personal choice, based on the kind of service you receive.

Does Costa Rica Take USD?

USD is accepted in Costa Rica when it comes to tourism. The current exchange rate is around 650 colones to $1 but it changes daily. Google’s change is quite accurate.

What Should I Bring to enjoy an ecotour in Costa Rica - Caño Negro?

A good pair of binoculars. And if you are a photographer a lens is at least 400mm.
Why? Because only caimans you can see close. Everything else is far away

Do I Need a 4×4 to Drive to Caño Negro or around Costa Rica?

Preferably YES. 

It will depend on where you are going. For most tourist destinations and cities, there are paved roads. But these roads can be in ugly conditions. A 4×4 can be more comfortable. Even so, a regular car is ok. 

Driving to Caño Negro from the north (Los Chiles) the road is paved. But between Caño Negro and Upala, you will find 25 km of dirt road. 

But other remote and rural parts of the country do and these are Osa Peninsula, Nicoya Peninsula, and the Costa Ballena.

How Bad are the Mosquitoes in Costa Rica?

We do have mosquitos, everywhere. How many? It depends on where you go and the season. It is a tropical country.
My best recommendation: an electric burner for mosquitos. As you arrive in Costa Rica, go to a supermarket and purchase an electric burner for mosquitos. It is the best solution to clean your room and sleep well everywhere. And you will find spare all-round in Costa Rica.
You can find that use plaquette, or with liquid. I do prefer to travel around with a plaquette.
Repellent, always.

Where is the Best Place to Visit in Costa Rica for birdwatching and photography?

One of the best places to visit in Costa Rica for a nature lover, or a more specialized birder and photographer is Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge. Here you can enjoy special Vacations in Costa Rica birdwatching ecotourism.
This is an amazing refuge with a different scenario. We have a lagoons area, a river, and a mostly forest section.
This almost unique wetland, allows you to enjoy the different panorama and also switch between animal species: birds, sloths, monkeys, caimans, iguana, and so on.

Can I enjoy birdwatching and/or an ecotour on a rainy day?

YES. Rain is part of the ecosystem, and finally, birds and mammals are not very worried about that.
In any case, we do offer private tours and specially organized based on your interest. So, when you arrive at Hotel de Campo, we will organize the best moment to go explore the refuge

Is Caño Negro - Costa Rica Safe for Families?

Yes! Caño Negro and Costa Rica in general are great destinations for family vacations. Caño Negro is a very quiet place, very safe. It is a safe place to discover nature. Also, for families, our tours are always private. So, you will enjoy it for sure.
For a family vacation, we offer rooms with up to 3 beds (2 doubles and 1 single bed) and joined rooms. So, you will never be apart, but with privacy.

What is the currency of Costa Rica?

The currency of Costa Rica is the colon, colones plural.

What do I Need to Pack for Caño Negro - Costa Rica?

For an eco-tour vacation, I do recommend bringing clothes that dry fast and wick away moisture, good walking shoes, lots of sunscreen and mosquito repellent, sunglasses, a hat, a microfiber towel, and an insulated water bottle.
If you’re visiting in the rainy season, then we recommend bringing a waterproof rain jacket and a waterproof backpack or rain cover.

Which Shoes Should I Bring to Caño Negro - Costa Rica to enjoy eco-tours and/or a birdwatching tour?

For the rainy season, a waterproof hiking shoe. Also, and especially for wetland places and rainforests, a good pair of rubber boots. This is what the locals use. They protect you very well from rain and mud. And also, they dry up very fast.
During the dry season, very comfortable hiking shoes, always waterproof.

Do I Need a GPS to Drive in Costa Rica?

Not really. Costa Rica has only a few main roads, and normally to arrive at some destination, you will not have more than 1 or 2 options.
Instead of a GPS, I will use Waze, or Google Maps (not so accurate as Waze).
I am sure, that everybody can share with you their location with Whatsapp and Waze.

Looking for a full 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 2 to 4 nights, with up to 15 hrs of private birding and photography tour. You can customize this 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