Travel
to Costa Rica
Caño Negro National Wildlife
Refuge**(6):
This nearly 10,000 hectare refuge is
important as a wintering site for migrant waterfowl,
as well as a year-round habitat for resident wetland
species. From October to April, when the migrant birds
are at the refuge, the variety of species and sheer
quantity of individuals creates a spectacle
that even non-birdwatchers will marvel at. Among the
many birds usually present then are: Wood Stork, White
Ibis, Glossy Ibis, Black-necked Stilt, Anhinga, Black-bellied
Whistling-Duck, Great Potoo, Green Heron, Snail Kite,
American Widgeon, Northern Shoveler, and Blue-winged
Teal. One species that birdwatchers hope to see here
is the Nicaraguan Grackle, since in Costa Rica it
is found only in marshy areas just south of Lake Nicaragua.
During the winter residents' visit,
the habitat at Caño Negro undergoes a dramatic seasonal
change. With the water accumulated in the rainy season,
a shallow lake of some 800 ha. is formed. As the dry
season progresses from December to March, the lake
dries up. By April, all that is left is the main channel
of the Río Frio (Cold River).
On the San Carlos region we will drive
to the town of Los Chiles, near the Nicaraguan border.
Here our boat at the town dock will take us for the
approximately 15-kilometer trip upriver to Playuelas
on the northern edge of the refuge.
Fishing: The Río Frio is just
now becoming discovered by 
vacationing fishermen, and although it doesn't
yet have much infrastructure available, it has good
fishing for snook, guapote, alligator gar, drum, and
huge tarpon (up to 90 kg., by some sight estimates).
The legal fishing season for this area is from September
1 to March 31.
Climate: Daytime temperatures
are quite warm and it is usually humid. Although Caño
Negro is on the Atlantic side of Costa Rica, it is
far enough inland in the northern plains to have a
weather pattern with a short but distinct dry season
from January to April.
