Things to Do
Golfito Things to do: National Wildlife Refuge, Southern Costa Rica
By Explore Costa Rica Staff
Feb 13, 2009, 06:34

Golfito Tours, Attractions and Things to do: Southern Pacific Costa Rica:
Golfito National Wildlife Refuge
 

Golfito National Park Southern Costa Rica

Golfito National Wildlife Refuge extends over 1,300 hectares northeast of the Golfo Dulce. The Costa Rica National park includes a chain of mountains that climb 520 meters above sea level and then drops into The Golfo Dulce with the dramatic cliffs. These mountains form a very jagged coastline with steep cliffs 100's of meters high. The ridgeline is the result of the meteor, volcanic and sedimentary rocks of great antiquity. The heavy weather, abundant and almost constant rains feed innumerable waterways including the Esquinas River Estuary. These rivers encourage the growth of very tall trees laden with epiphytes.

Golfito National Wildlife Refuge - National Parks & Tours

Some Costa Rica wildlife species, such as Cristobal and Purple Heart are common here, but are becoming endangered. There are over 170 species of birds in the refuge, including Scarlet Macaws, Parrots, Brown Pelicans, Ibis, Herons and Owls. Other frequently seen animals are White-faced Capuchin, Titis, Spider and Howler Monkeys. If you get up and out early you can catch a glimpe of a Jaguraundi, Margay cat, Anteater, Agoutie, Pacas, and a few snakes Rainfall can be abundant during the year.

An important aspect of the refuge and it's proximity to Piedras Blancas National Park, is that all 3 parks are biologically connected, Corcovado, Piedras Blancas and Golfito National Wildlife Refuge. The Costa Rica park can be accessed via the Tower Rd. (Torres) near the cemetery or behind Banco Nacional – drive up to the steep turn to the left and access the hiking trail on the right hand side of the road. It might be best to park in town and walk up to the trailhead or pay a local Tico to park at their home to watch your car and personal belongings.

There is also great hiking opportunities on the North side of Golfito off the road to La Gamba. You can park at the small waterfall on the left side of the road and hike upstream. Always leave your personal belongings at your hotel and always lock your car.

Costa Rica established the National Parks System in 1970 to prevent the destruction of wilderness areas. Now 12 percent of areas in Costa Rica is protected as national parks, and a further 16 percent as Indian reserves, biological reserves, wildlife refuges and wildlife corridors. This means that more than a quarter of Costa Rica has been set aside for conservation.

Many species that are threatened or even extinct in neighboring countries still thrive here in the Golfito and Osa Peninsula area. In most of Costa Rica's National parks it is possible to see several different habitats within the course of a day. An international effort is underway to catalog Costa Rica's natural assets, but at the last count, this tiny Central American country was calculated to have just over 200 mammals (including six species of felines: jaguar, ocelot, margay, puma, jaguarundi and tiger cats), 857 species of bird, 10,000 insects and over 9,000 species of higher plants, including 1,200 orchids. Most of these species are to be found in The Southern Zone and around the Golfito area.

Most of the national parks are easily accessible to tourists and ecotourism is an important factor in generating the funds needed to continue the protection of the wilderness.

Costa Rica National Parks