Golfito - Golfito National Wildlife Refuge Refugio Nacional de Fauna Silvestre Golfito

This refuge was created to protect the Golfito watershed and encompasses most of the steep hills surrounding Golfito. The refuge covers 1,309ha/3,233ac and has succeeded in keeping the town's water clean as well as conserving rare and interesting plant species.

An Asian plant species that is very rare in Central America, called Caryodaphnopsis, is found in the refuge, as well as a species of cycad called Zamia. The latter are primitive plants known as "living fossils", since they were abundant before the time of the dinosaurs. There are many other species of orchids, heliconias, tree ferns and tropical trees such as the cow, copal, kapok and butternut tree.

Fauna that can be spotted includes birds such as toucans, parrots, trogons and hummingbirds. Mammals include pacas, raccoons, peccaries, monkeys and coatimundis. There are several hiking trails throughout the refuge. Rainfall in the area is very high, October is the wettest month and receives 700mm. January to mid-April is the driest time to visit the refuge.