 |
So Many Places To Visit!
|
------- |
Costa Rica |
COSTA RICA -- NATURAL AREA -----------------183[ARTICLE] | |||
Barra del Colorado, Costa RicaBy Estefanía Muriel for Ruta Pantera on 8/13/2025 10:16:26 AM |
||||
| Barra del Colorado is a remote enclave located on the northeastern tip of Costa Rica's Caribbean coast, in the province of Limón, bordering Nicaragua. It has been protected as a National Wildlife Refuge since 1985. Covering approximately 81,000 hectares, its territory includes rivers, lagoons, mangroves, and tropical floodplain forests. It is part of the Ramsar site known as the Northeast Caribbean Wetland. Its protection stems from the need to preserve endangered species such as the manatee, tapir, jaguar, and great green macaw, as well as to maintain ecological connectivity with Tortuguero National Park and reserves in Nicaragua. Historically, this area has been isolated, with little human occupation and dedicated primarily to sport fishing, which has allowed its natural wealth to remain intact for decades. What makes Barra del Colorado unique | ||||
|
What makes Barra del Colorado unique The Colorado Bar is Costa Rica's largest wildlife refuge and one of the country's most biodiverse ecosystems, home to the Antillean manatee, crocodiles, caimans, ocelots, tapirs, various monkey species, and more than a million migratory birds each year. Along with Tortuguero National Park, it forms a network of canals and rivers that allow navigation from the port of Moín to the mouth of the Colorado River, a unique waterway also used for connections to Nicaragua. | |||
|
Highlights you can't miss Visiting Barra del Colorado means dedicating full days to sport fishing, considered world-class for its catches of snook, tarpon, and, occasionally, shark, which travel up the San Juan River from the Caribbean. Hiring a local guide is essential to explore the canals and lagoons by kayak or boat, observing emblematic wildlife. As for restaurants, the area lacks extensive options; most visitors stay at ecolodges such as Pachira Lodge or Mawamba Lodge, which offer home-style meals or local buffets with prices ranging from $15 to $25 USD for typical dishes such as fish with plantains and coconut rice. During turtle season (between July and October), nocturnal arrivals can be observed in nearby areas, which is complemented by traditional Tortuguero festivities such as the green turtle release season, a cultural event highly valued by locals and tourists. Options to continue discovering Nearby is Tortuguero National Park, declared in 1970, famous for being the most important nesting area in the Western Hemisphere for green turtles. The usual access is by river from Barra del Colorado, and a canoe tour through its canals costs about $28 USD per adult. Also nearby are lagoons and wetlands declared a Ramsar site, and Calero Island, part of the refuge, offers mangrove landscapes and wildlife viewing via water trails. There are no formal museums or urban parks in this remote region, but SINAC information booths provide ecological interpretation and local guides explain the wildlife. A guided river tour costs between $25 and $40 USD per person. The best way to access the place Barra del Colorado is accessed from San José (approximately 225 km) by taking National Route 32 and then Route 247 to Cariari, followed by a 32-km gravel road to Puerto Lindo. From there, the public boat takes about an hour to reach Barra del Colorado, departing at 6:00 AM and 4:00 PM from Puerto Lindo, and returning from Barra at 5:00 AM and 3:00 PM. The total land journey takes between 3 and 4 hours. Alternatively, you can reach it by river from Tortuguero, navigating its canals, or by a 30-minute domestic flight from San José to an airfield near the barra del Colorado. Among the available accommodations are ecolodges such as Pachira Lodge (~$147 USD/night) or Mawamba Lodge (~$148–$167 USD/night), with breakfast included and canal transfer services. Travel within the refuge is done by small boats or kayaks; there are no internal roads for cars. The best time to visit is from February to April, when there is less rain, lower humidity, and easier wildlife viewing; March is the "least rainy" month. The climate is consistently warm (26–28°C) and extremely humid, with annual rainfall between 5,500 and 6,000 mm. Avoid the heavy rainy season (July, October–November) if you're looking for ease of travel. Practical and safety tips It's recommended to bring insect repellent, lightweight, quick-drying clothing, a raincoat, rain boots or sturdy sandals, and sunscreen. The trails are swampy and slippery; the boat is the primary means of transportation, so always listen to the guide's instructions. The refuge is safe, but it's advisable to avoid walking alone on trails at dawn or dusk to reduce encounters with alligators. Do not swim outside of supervised areas or during unguided hours. Stay hydrated and bring snacks, as services are basic. Bring cash in US dollars or colones, as there are no ATMs. The area is generally quiet, with no reports of crime against tourists, but always follow the advice of park rangers or lodge staff. | |||
| --rutapanter.com-- |
| Instagram: | Email contact: | Interest area: |
The Clean Giant of the Great Lakes
In the heart of North America, where crystal-clear waters mirror vast skies and boreal forests, Lake Superior rises as a natural colossus. According to a recent study by Lake.com, this body [read more.]
Clarksdale, Mississippi
Clarksdale, located in the heart of the Mississippi Delta, is known as the birthplace of the blues. This small town with a big soul preserves an authentic atmosphere that blends music histor [read more.]
Macon, Georgia, USA
Macon, known as the “City of the Cherry Blossoms,” is a historic hub in central Georgia, situated along the Ocmulgee River. Founded in 1823, it was a key railroad and agricultural center [read more.]
Alabama, USA
Alabama, located in the heart of the American South, combines history, nature, and Southern culture in one diverse destination. From the white sandy beaches and turquoise waters of the Gulf [read more.]
Apalachicola, Florida, USA
Apalachicola, affectionately called “Apalach” by locals, is a hidden coastal treasure located at the mouth of the Apalachicola River along Florida’s Gulf Coast. Famous for its oyster h [read more.]
Jackson, Mississippi, USA
Jackson, the capital of Mississippi, is a vibrant center of history, culture, and Southern politics. Founded in 1821 and named after General Andrew Jackson, the city blends historic architec [read more.]
Mississippi, USA
Mississippi, known as "The Magnolia State" for its abundant magnolia trees, is a region rich in history, culture, and natural beauty. Located in the southern United States, it combines vibra [read more.]
Dominica, Caribbean
Dominica is an island country located in the Lesser Antilles of the Caribbean, situated between the French islands of Guadeloupe (to the north) and Martinique (to the south). Its capital and [read more.]
Granada, Nicaragua
Granada, also known as the "Great Sultana," is one of Nicaragua's most prominent colonial cities, renowned for its abundance of churches and religious facades. Founded in the 16th century, [read more.]
Isla Mujeres, México
Off the coast of Cancún, just 19.7 kilometers across the Caribbean Sea, lies Isla Mujeres, “a small paradise where Mayan history, island tranquility, and sustainable tourism converge” ( [read more.]
Holbox Island, Mexico
Holbox Island, whose name means "black hole" in Mayan and is pronounced "hol-bosh," is a peaceful island located in the Yucatán Channel, north of the peninsula, in the state of Quintana Roo [read more.]
Barra del Colorado, Costa Rica
Barra del Colorado is a remote enclave located on the northeastern tip of Costa Rica's Caribbean coast, in the province of Limón, bordering Nicaragua. It has been protected as a National [read more.]
Zihuatanejo, Mexico
Zihuatanejo is a former fishing village located in the bay of the same name, surrounded by the Sierra Madre del Sur mountains. It developed alongside Ixtapa since the 1970s, but retaining it [read more.]
Darién Region, Panamá
The Darién region, in the far east of Panama, is a strip of tropical rainforest that connects Central and South America and stretches from the Caribbean coast to the mountains bordering Col [read more.]
The Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá, Colombia
The Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá is an underground temple carved into a former salt mine, located in the Salt Park on the outskirts of Zipaquirá (Cundinamarca). Its modern architecture comb [read more.]
Christ the Redeemer, Rio de Janeiro
Christ the Redeemer stands atop Corcovado Mountain, within Tijuca National Park, dominating the Rio de Janeiro skyline with an imposing and serene presence. This monumental statue, 30 meters [read more.]
Fernando de Noronha
Fernando de Noronha is a small volcanic archipelago in the South Atlantic. It is famous for its golden sand beaches, crystal-clear waters, and abundant marine life; much of the territory (ap [read more.]
Florianópolis, Brazil
Florianópolis, affectionately known as Floripa, is the capital of the state of Santa Catarina, located partly on Santa Catarina Island and partly on the mainland in southern Bra
[read more.]
Fernando de Noronha
Fernando de Noronha é um pequeno arquipélago vulcânico no Atlântico Sul. É famoso por suas praias de areia dourada, águas cristalinas e abundante vida marinha; grande parte do territó [read more.]
Fernando de Noronha
Fernando de Noronha es un pequeño archipiélago volcánico en el Atlántico Sur. Es famoso por sus playas de arena dorada, aguas cristalinas y abundante vida marina; gran parte de su territ [read more.]
Chapada Diamantina, Brazil
Chapada Diamantina National Park, created in 1985 and managed by ICMBio, protects over 152,000 hectares of the Serra do Sincorá mountain range in the state of Bahia. Its territory encompass [read more.]
Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
Port of Spain, the capital of Trinidad and Tobago, is a vibrant and diverse city that blends a Caribbean atmosphere with a cosmopolitan energy. Located on Trinidad's northwest coast, this [read more.]
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico is a tourist destination full of history, vibrant culture, and stunning landscapes. As an unincorporated territory of the United States, it offers a unique blend of American, Spa [read more.]
The Colonial Capital of Santo Domingo
The Colonial City of Santo Domingo is the historic heart of the Dominican capital and one of the most important cultural destinations in the Caribbean. Founded in 1498 by Bartholomew Columbu [read more.]
El Yunque, Puerto Rico
El Yunque, officially El Yunque National Forest, is the only tropical rainforest in the United States National Forest System, open to the public in Puerto Rico. It occupies about 29,000 acre [read more.]
Eagles Bay, Dominican Republic
In the southwestern tip of the Dominican Republic, in the province of Pedernales, lies Bahía de las Águilas, a pristine jewel of the Caribbean Sea and part of Jaragua National Park. With m [read more.]
|
Waypoint Finder (Over 1,000 destinations in PanAmerica) |
|---|
