Northern Lowlands - Caño Negro National Wildlife Refuge

(Local Name: Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Caño Negro) This refuge covers 9,969ha/24,623ac of land just south of the Nicaraguan border. The remote and sparsely populated area attracts many species of wildlife, and birders will be especially interested in the area. The Frío River flows through the refuge and during the wet season (May to December) the river overflows and forms an 800ha/1,976ac lake. Due to its remote location, this refuge is never crowded.

Waterfowl such as spoonbills, herons, ducks, storks and Costa Rican's largest colony of cormorants can be seen in the refuge. In addition, the Caño Negro refuge is the only place in the country where the Nicaraguan grackle regularly nests. Pumas,