Archive for the ‘Costa Rica Northern Highlands’ Category

Caño Negro National Wildlife Reserve in Costa Rica

Sunday, January 11th, 2009

Caño Negro National Wildlife Refuge in Costa Rica has an area of 9940 hectares. It is located in the canton of Los Chiles and Guatuso of the province of Alajuela in Costa Rica. Caño Negro is a wonderful wildlife refuge, which is the third largest wetland in the world. You must visit it while you are in Costa Rica. The shrine was called “Wetland of International Importance” in 1991 and is one of the most important wetlands in the country. Conservation groups such as the Ramsar designated it as “protected areas worldwide.” Caño Negro is a habitat for many rare species of plants, animals and birds in the world.

It preserves a very important sample of the wetland areas of the territory of Costa Rica, considered of international importance because it provide a shelter for large numbers of migratory species, endangered species and species of commercial importance. Caño Negro Lagoon is a shallow freshwater lake covering an area of 800 hectares. It is water drainage of the adjacent river Rio Frio and its tributary the Monica river.

- Costa Rica Boat Transport by sermarcr.com -

The area includes the lake and their surroundings are one of the most biologically diverse areas and it has vital importance for the maintenance of environmental quality in the north area of Costa Rica. In addition, the area is a habitat to many species of flora and fauna and natural communities, many of which are unique or endangered species that make the area a site of international importance, because, together with the wetlands south of Lake Nicaragua, is one of the more important samples of wetland of Mesoamerica.

This shelter is a source of food for migratory birds from the north. There are species of plants and animals that cannot be found in other parts of the country, an abundance of birds and fish for human consumption and is one of the few parts in Costa Rica where the marlin or gaspar can be found.
Caño Negro is the home of different species of animals such as the basilisk of emeralds, 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, Ibis, Jaribu Storks, anhingas, cormorants and many others.

Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge in Costa Rica is a great learning experience for everyone as it is the first national refuge which emphasizes the management of tourism activities without compromising the biological resources for individuals and families. During the dry season in CostA rICA you can arrive by land, however, because it tends to flood when it rains, their access is difficult and should be done by boat, but this is an interesting trip. To reach Caño Negro, you have to fly to San Jose and then drive north to Ciudad Quesada (San Carlos). From there go to the town of Los Chiles and hence the huge and beautiful haven for wildlife.