Curú Wildlife Refuge
Nature spot · Nicoya Peninsula
A family-run refuge of dry forest, mangroves and calm bays near Paquera where capuchin, howler and spider monkeys, deer and coatis are easy to spot.
- Cost
- about $15
- Time there
- 3 h
- Best time
- morning
- Kids
- 8 / 10
- View
- 7 / 10
- Crowds
- 3 / 10
- Swimming
- 7 / 10
- Effort
- 3 / 10
- Location
- 9.78857, -84.92285 — Google Maps
Tip
Come at 7 am when the animals are most active; the flat Monkey Farm trail is a good start, and you can cool off afterward at Playa Curú.
Be careful
Don't feed the monkeys and keep snacks packed away.
Getting there
Gate on the Paquera–Cóbano road, about 2 km from the beach and offices; day visits roughly 7 am–3 pm, entrance about US$15.
Places nearby
- Tortuga Island Tour (Isla Tortuga Tour Costa Rica)Tours & Adventure · from $70High-volume Isla Tortuga operator: snorkeling, a beach day and lunch on the island, with departures from Tambor and Montezuma, Santa Teresa and Puntarenas.
- Soda La EsmeraldaSodas & Local FoodA roadside soda on the Paquera-Tambor road with a solid Google rating from over 250 reviews - a handy refuel stop for traditional Costa Rican food.
- Bahía Rica (bioluminescent kayak tours & fishing lodge)Tours & AdventureA small wooden kayak-and-fishing lodge on the bluff 1.5 km east of the Paquera ferry landing, best known for its night kayak tour on Paquera's bio-bay, where every paddle stroke lights up blue-green plankton and you can even jump in and swim through the glow.
Sources: OpenStreetMap relation/10329714 · Wikidata Q5196146 · https://twoweeksincostarica.com/curu-national-wildlife-refuge · https://www.costaricavibes.com/curu-wildlife-refuge/ · https://visitcostarica.com/blog/curu-national-wildlife-refuge