Home
Costa Rica
PLAN MY VISIT
Costa Rica Destinations HotelsThings to do Transport Maps Vacations Team
  • Top Destinations
PLAN MY VISIT →
  1. Home
  2. Costa Rica
  3. Destinations
  4. Caribbean

Barra del Colorado Wildlife Refuge, Costa Rica

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 del Colorado Wildlife Refuge Costa Rica
←→

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.

Wildlife Sightings

Boa ConstrictorBoa Constrictor
Fin WhaleFin Whale
Narrow-headed Vine SnakeNarrow-headed Vine Snake
←→
Excellent!
Trustpilot Rating
Based on 528 reviews
Trustpilot
A Truly Memorable Vacation!
Erick was instrumental in helping make our vacation to Costa Rica a great one. The excursions were great and all transpo...
Sep 22, 2021
– Rob D.
Trustpilot Rating
A perfect, seamless, stress-free, fun filled trip!
Aside from telling them what I was looking for from my experience, I didn't have to do any work at all! If only all trav...
Aug 05, 2021
– Kacie C.
Trustpilot Rating
Trip of a Lifetime!
Anywhere.com came highly recommended and therefore expectations were high. Our two week stay in La Fortuna, Monteverde, ...
Aug 03, 2021
– Laura O.
Trustpilot Rating
Awesome vacation, everything went smoothly
Our agent (Erick) planned a great trip for our family of 5. All the tours were excellent, all the transport and lodging ...
Mar 17, 2020
– David
Trustpilot Rating
Very good first experience
We used Anywhere.com to help arrange a full-day visit to Monteverde Cloud Forest in Costa Rica. We did this only a few ...
Mar 16, 2020
– Lew W.
Trustpilot Rating
I gave Anywhere a 48hr turnaround time…
I gave Anywhere a 48hr turnaround time before our departure to provide an itineary based on what we already researched a...
Mar 14, 2020
– Thomas hi.
Trustpilot Rating
Monteverde reserve guided hike was…
Monteverde reserve guided hike was great. Fraser was knowledgeable and friendly.
Mar 13, 2020
– Joan
Trustpilot Rating
The Best Guidea
Anywhere is the best. Their attention to detail and knowledge is unmatched. The guide was very attentive, knowledgeable,...
Mar 12, 2020
– Howard Z
Trustpilot Rating
I can't thank Anywhere enough!
I can't thank Anywhere enough for providing me with a fantastic, stress-free vacation.
Mar 11, 2020
– Christoph.
Trustpilot Rating
The overall experience with Anywhere.com in Costa Rica was FIVE STAR.
The overall experience with Anywhere,com was definitely worth five stars. The choice of where to go and what to do provi...
Mar 09, 2020
– John and .
Trustpilot Rating
Our trip to Costa Rica was impeccably…
Our trip to Costa Rica was impeccably planned. Lizza and the rest of the team at Anywhere.com did a great job planning o...
Mar 09, 2020
– Kevin
Trustpilot Rating
Anywhere did a great job of helping us…
Anywhere did a great job of helping us plan our trip. All of the pick ups, hotels and tours were great. The guides wer...
Mar 09, 2020
– Kristine
Trustpilot Rating
I had no time to plan a vacation and…
I had no time to plan a vacation and the time was fast approaching. Emailed Anywhere, told the I wanted jungle and ocean...
Mar 09, 2020
– Cecelia
Trustpilot Rating
Loved it!
It can be hard to go through a company only online to book a trip. But this is one to do it with!!!! So easy and they ar...
Mar 08, 2020
– Miranda
Trustpilot Rating
A great adventure
We loved our experience on the zip lines,felt very safe and cared for. All4 of us 60+ Year olds highly recommend this f...
Mar 06, 2020
– Patricia
Trustpilot Rating
Costa Rica Vacations
  • Adventure
  • All-inclusive
  • Beach
  • Budget
  • Eco-tourism
  • Family
  • Group
  • Honeymoon
  • Luxury
  • Nature
  • Private
  • Rainforest
  • Romantic
Highlights
  • Top Destinations
  • Beaches
  • Rainforests
  • Cloudforest
  • Volcanoes
  • Waterfalls
  • Surfing
  • Leisure
  • Off the Beaten Path
  • Airports
Costa Rica Travel
  • Maps
  • Safety
  • Weather & Climate
  • Sustainability
  • Holiday Season
  • Currency
  • Driving & Car Rental
  • Getting Around
PLACES TO GO
  • Arenal Volcano & Hot Springs
  • Monteverde Cloudforests
  • Manuel Antonio Beach & Jungle
  • Tamarindo Beach
  • Santa Theresa & Malpais Beaches
  • Puerto Viejo Beach
  • Nosara Beach
  • Jaco Beach
  • Tortuguero Rainforest
  • Corcovado Rainforest
  • Rincon de la Vieja Volcano & Waterfall
  • Nicoya Peninsula
  • Guanacaste Beaches
  • Osa Peninsula
THINGS TO DO
  • Hot Springs
  • Zip Lines
  • Suspension Bridges
  • Horseback
  • Rappel
  • Wildlife
  • Hiking
  • Chocolate Farms
  • Whitewater Rafting
  • Coffee Farms
  • Butterfly Gardens
  • Surfing
  • Sport Fishing
  • Birdwatching
  • Scuba Diving
  • Catamaran Cruise
  • Indigenous Culture
  • Yoga
  • Wellness
  • Cave Exploration
Trustpilot 5 of 5 rated service
Trustpilot "Excellent"
Plan My Visit→+1 (888) 456-3212
MessengerContact AnywhereWhatsapp ContactCall USA: +1-888-456-3212

© 2022 Anywhere Inc. All rights reserved.Privacy Policy