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Hacienda Baru National Wildlife Refuge

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Last Updated on Thursday, 21 May 2009 21:00

Location: 26 miles south of Quepos & 2 miles north of Dominical on the South Pacific Coast

See South Pacific Tourism Region

Size: 815 acres

Date of Creation: 1985

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About:

Situated two miles north of Dominical, Hacienda Baru serves as a crucial link between Corcovado National Park, Manuel Antonio National Park and Los Santos Reserve. Known as “The Path of the Tapir Biological Corridor”, this tract of protected land aims to create a passage of forest joining these parks and reserves so that tapirs and jaguars (which no longer inhabit Hacienda Baru) may someday pass through the region again.

The 815 acre sanctuary hosts a diversity of habitats including primary and secondary rainforest, mangrove estuaries, wetlands and grasslands. The refuge also encompasses Baru beach, a two-mile stretch of cocoa sand, scattered driftwood and powerful surf. The deserted shore has a wild and raw feel about it and is not safe for swimming due to strong riptides.

Hacienda Baru is a private and state-owned refuge and has been protected from farming and hunting for more than 30 years. It is now rich in biodiversity, hosting an impressive variety of tropical flora and fauna. Two and three-toed sloths, white-faced monkeys, coatimundis, and wild pigs are commonly seen. Avian species include toucans, trogons, mot mots, tinamous, as well as whimbrels, plovers, sandpipers, pelicans and frigate birds.

Activities:

Ecotourism is the primary source of income for Hacienda Baru, which attracts travelers with a variety of nature and adventure tours including a tree-climbing adventure, overnight camping trip, rainforest hike, canopy tour and several bird-watching excursions.

The wildlife refuge also has an onsite orchid gallery, butterfly garden, bird-watching tower and more than four miles of self-guided trails.

Facilities:

Travelers can lodge at Hacienda Baru in one of their six airy cabins which will accommodate up to six people. Each two-bedroom cabin has a kitchen with coffee maker, fans, safety box and screened-in porch. Baru Beach

El Ceibo cafe serves hearty traditional meals at reasonable prices. The restaurant is open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The refuge also has a souvenir shop, tour center and picnic areas.

Fees:

A $6 entrance fee includes access to trails, the butterfly farm and orchid gallery, and the birding tower. Cabins rent for $60 in the high season and $40 from May - November. Guided adventure tours range from $20-$60 per person.

Getting There:

From San Jose: The shortest route is via San Isidro del General and the Inter-American Highway. This will take you over the Cerro de la Muerte, the highest point on the Inter-American highway – 10,400 feet. This stretch of highway tends to get cloudy and rainy in the afternoons. When you reach San Isidro del General, watch for a sign to Dominical.

Turn right and drive through town following the road 23 miles to the intersection of the coastal road. At this junction turn right onto the signed dirt road towards Quepos. Hacienda Baru is 2 miles up this road. The journey takes between 4 and 5 hours, depending on road conditions and traffic.

From Quepos: The 28 mile stretch between Quepos and Dominical is currently still unpaved, though it is well maintained and no problem in a vehicle without 4WD. The journey takes around 1½ hours. You will find Hacienda Baru on the right, 2 miles after the village of Hatillo, just before the gas station.