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By car · Full day · about 181.3 km in total

To Caño Negro via Guatuso

Guatuso's main town on the Frío River and the village of Caño Negro, next to the wetland. The refuge and boats are paid and optional.

Caño Negro is the northern zone's best-known wetland. Walking around the village is free; the wildlife refuge (SINAC) and boat trips are paid. The last stretch is gravel, so plan your return time carefully.

Step by step

  1. San Rafael de Guatuso

    Free

    Guatuso · 46.5 km from the central park

    Stop in downtown Guatuso, by the Frío River.

    View page · Directions with Google Maps

  2. Caño Negro village and its sunsets

    Free with conditions

    Caño Negro

    44.2 km · 1 h from the previous stop

    Walk around the village. If you want to enter the refuge or take a boat trip, it is paid separately.

    View page · Directions with Google Maps

Back to La Fortuna: 90.6 km · 1 h 38 min

Route map

The plan's stops. Distances are driving estimates calculated with OpenStreetMap.

Before you set out

  • The access roads to Caño Negro are gravel. If you stay for the sunset, the drive back is long and in the dark.
  • Before going down to the Frío River, check the Guatuso municipality's river alert system.
  • Refuge entry (SINAC): national adult ₡904; foreigner US$5.65.

Sources

  1. ICT — Guía turística Llanuras del Norte (flipbook, p. 68) Official

    ict.go.cr · checked on

  2. Visit Costa Rica (ICT) – Mini guía de Caño Negro (PDF) Official

    visitcostarica.com · checked on

  3. SINAC – Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Mixto Caño Negro Official

    sinac.go.cr · checked on

  4. ICT — Guía turística Llanuras del Norte (flipbook, p. 38) Official

    ict.go.cr · checked on

  5. Municipalidad de Guatuso – SATRI, alerta temprana de ríos Frío y Venado Official

    munigt.seprogo.com · checked on

  6. Enrutador FOSSGIS/OSRM sobre datos de OpenStreetMap (routing.openstreetmap.de) Map

    routing.openstreetmap.de · checked on

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