Barra del Colorado Wildlife Refuge
Nestled in the northeastern corner of Costa Rica , on the Nicaraguan boarder, is this massive 225,365 acre (91,200 ha) national wildlife refuge-the largest in the nation. The reserve is a vast network of slow-moving waterways that feed into stagnant saline pools, lagoons, and swampy marshlands. Much of this refuge is inaccessible to eco-tourists due to poor roads and infrastructure which have kept Barra Del Colorado an isolated wonder.
Barra, as the region is often referred to by locals, shares a close relationship to its sister park, Tortuguero National Park , which gives sanctuary to similar plant and animal species. The two parks are administered by officials as a single Regional Conservation Unit due to the parks close proximity. However, despite these numerous similarities, Barra is more remote and consequently receives fewer annual visitors. Accommodations at Barra are a bit pricier compared to Tortuguero , and there aren't as many entry points into the park.
While eco-tourists are just beginning to realize Barra's amazing potential as a site to observe biologically-rich flora and fauna, sport fishermen have been frequenting the park for decades, taking advantage of the many types of fish that negotiate the park's rivers and make its lagoons their home. While the region's many lodges have begun catering towards eco-tourists as well, they still make the majority of their income from fishing. The locally caught fish provide the surrounding villages with their primary food staple.
Because of the region's relative isolation, getting here and away can be quite a task. Flights are offered to and from Juan Santamaria International Airport in the town of Barra del Colorado, or visitors can elect to access the reserve through the many waterways that intersect it. An extensive canal system beginning in Moin, just north of Puerto Limon , provides water access to Barra Del Colorado as well. The western part of the park is also accessible by road, pending weather conditions, all the way to Puerto Lindo.
Lodges dot the massive reserve, providing visitors with some ability to choose where they stay. A handful of lodges provide luxurious accommodations.
Where to stay in Barra del Colorado Wildlife Refuge
From boutique lodges to luxury resorts, every Barra del Colorado Wildlife Refuge accommodation is hand-picked by our local insiders for location, comfort, and character.
Turtle Beach Lodge
Turtle Beach Lodge is located in the Province of Limon in the Tortuguero National Park. Getting to Tortuguero is a wondrous trip as you need to use a plane or boat to arrive there. It's about a three and a half hour boat ride from Puerto Limon, where you can find an active night life, restaurants and bars. A unique difference from this town compared to the rest of Costa Rica is its heavy Afro- Caribbean influence and culture.
Tortuga Lodge and Gardens
The Tortuga Lodge and Gardens is on Costa Rica's northeast Caribbean coast, just offshore of the port town of Limon. Limon is a lively town with a distinct Jamaican influence in the ambiance and foods. The draw of Tortuguero is its slow-moving tropical rivers, astounding rainforests, and the Tortuguero National Park, one of the most important nesting sights of the Green Sea Turtle.
Laguna Lodge
Laguna Lodge lies along Costa Rica's northern Caribbean Zone, an exclusive location on a narrow strip of land between the sea on one side and the Tortuguero-Lagoon on the other. This Region is the most important nesting site in the entire Western half of the Caribbean for the green sea turtle. The Caribbean provides a unique mixture of cultures from the Indigenous to Jamaican influences bringing you a completely different side of Costa Rica.
Manatus Hotel
Manatus Hotel is an all-inclusive hotel in Tortuguero National Park. It is located between the canal and the coast.
Hotel Mawamba
Hotel Mawamba is located in Tortuguero, on a piece of land between a canal and the ocean, just a short walk from the beach. Tortuguero is a network of lake and canals and is accessible only by boat or air. Because of its remote isolation, this hotel offers an exclusive look at a tropical environment that serves as an important nesting ground for sea turtles.
Pachira Lodge
The Pachira Lodge is located on the Caribbean Coast of Costa Rica near the National Park of Tortuguero. The lodge is surrounded by a network of very scenic canals and is considered one of the most exotic regions of the world, characterized by its rich flora and fauna. Arriving at this paradise is an exciting and unique experience as it consists of either flying or busing into the coast near Limon and then taking a short boat ride to Tortuguero.
Evergreen Lodge
The Evergreen Lodge is located in the northeastern corner of Tortuguero. This hotel has eco-friendly accommodations and is surrounded by nature.
Aninga Lodge
A neat place to stay in a truly exotic location, Aninga Lodge offers private cabins connected by raised walkways. Keep a lookout for birds, mammals, and other animals while you stay and explore here—Tortuguero is absolutely teeming with wildlife.
Flora & fauna in Barra del Colorado Wildlife Refuge
The wildlife and plant life you might encounter in Barra del Colorado Wildlife Refuge, from iconic species to the rare finds our local insiders know where to look for.
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Your insider team designs the trip around what you care about, then supports you in-country with private logistics, vetted partners, and concierge help when plans change.
