Curú Wildlife Refuge

We first covered Curú back in 2012 as one of the best places on the peninsula to see animals. That still holds. It's small, quiet and close to the ferry, so it slots into a Nicoya trip more easily than most parks.

What it's like

Curú is a working farm and wildlife refuge on the eastern shore of the southern Nicoya Peninsula. The government gave it wildlife refuge status in 1981, but it's still privately managed. The 1,496 hectares take in dry and semi-dry forest, mangroves and a string of calm beaches facing the Gulf of Nicoya.

Wildlife is the reason to come. White-tailed deer are a common sight, and capuchin, howler and spider monkeys live in the trees. Armadillos and iguanas turn up often. Birders come for the orange-fronted parakeet, yellow-naped parrot, scarlet macaw and long-tailed manakin. More than 230 bird species have been recorded here. Montezuma Beach keeps a page on visiting Curú, and Costa Rica Journeys has its own Curú Wildlife Reserve guide if you want a second opinion before you go.

Things to do

There are 17 trails, from short flat walks to long and steep routes. The Finca de los Monos trail is a good choice for birds and small mammals early in the morning or near dusk. Some longer trails are best in the dry season, when they're less muddy.

The refuge also runs guided horseback rides to Playa Quesera and around the old hacienda. Local operators run boat trips from the area to Isla Tortuga for snorkeling, and kayak and bioluminescence trips are offered too. If you want to go below the surface properly, Scuba.cr covers diving around the country. Book those with an operator ahead of time, as they aren't run by the refuge itself.

Staying overnight

Curú has six simple cabins, sleeping 6 to 14 people each. Most have a basic kitchen area without equipment. The main advantage of staying is time: day visitors have to leave by 4 pm, while cabin guests can be out at dawn and dusk, when the animals are most active, and can join night tours. Day admission and cabin bookings are handled through the refuge's online booking system.

Getting there

From San José, drive to Puntarenas and take the car ferry to Paquera. The refuge entrance is about 30 minutes south of Paquera on the road toward Tambor and Montezuma. That makes it a natural first stop after the ferry, or an easy half day from Montezuma, Tambor or Santa Teresa.

Where it fits in a trip

Curú pairs well with Cabo Blanco at the other end of the peninsula: Curú for easy wildlife spotting, Cabo Blanco for a longer forest hike. If you're staying at Barceló Tambor, it's one of the closest outings. Our Nicoya Peninsula guide covers the rest of the area, and Montezuma Beach has a local's overview of the southern Nicoya Peninsula.