In northern Costa Rica, close to the Nicaraguan border, Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge is a watery wilderness of shallow lagoons, marshes and winding channels fringed by tropical forest. Part of the Arenal Huetar Norte Conservation Area, this internationally recognised wetland is best explored by boat, with excursions along the Río Frío revealing caimans basking at the water's edge, monkeys moving through the trees and birds gathering above the reeds. The dry season is especially rewarding for birdwatching, as shrinking wetlands draw resident and migratory species into closer view. The refuge also shelters elusive jaguars and white-tailed deer, while its freshwater habitats support an array of fish, including the prehistoric-looking tropical gar. Whether scanning the riverbanks for wildlife or drifting through the quiet backwaters, visitors experience one of Costa Rica's richest wetland ecosystems.
