Costa Rica (Lonely Planet, 9th Edition) - Matthew Firestone [176]
The Minae/ACT office in Cañas has more information on the park. Boats leave from the Níspero dock, just north of the Tempisque ferry.
RAFTING
Gentle rafting trips down the Río Corobicí can be made with Safaris Corobicí (2669-6191; www.safaricorobici.com; Interamericana Km 193; departures 7am-3pm; ). Bookings can be made at its office on the Interamericana about 4.5km north of Cañas. The emphasis is on wildlife observation rather than exciting white-water rafting. The river is Class I–II (in other words, pretty flat) but families and nature-lovers enjoy these trips. Swimming holes are found along the river. Per person, based on a two-person minimum, a two-hour float costs US$38/19 per adult/child under 14 years, a three-hour bird-watching float covering 12km costs US$46/23, and a half-day 18km float including lunch costs US$60/30. The company also rents out a little guesthouse nearby.
The popular Ríos Tropicales (2233-6455; www.rinconcorobici.com; www.riostropicales.com; departures 7am-3pm; ) offers similar Class I–II family ‘float tours’ including its popular two-hour, flora and fauna viewing tour (US$40 per person, including snacks). For the more adventurous, there are Class III–IV white-water rafting trips (US$90 per person) on the Tenorio River that features a death-defying 3.6m (Class V) drop! Ríos Tropicales operates out of the Rincón Corobicí restaurant (Click here).
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Sleeping
Cañas is a cheaper place to stay than Liberia, though the following places cater more to truckers than travelers. Rooms have cold showers unless otherwise stated.
Hotel Capazuri (2669-6280; capazuri@racsa.co.cr; camping US$5, s/d US$25/45; ) Inconveniently located about 2.5km northwest of Cañas on the Interamericana, this is the place to stay if you have your own transport. This small Tico resort has rather frilly rooms, most sleeping three, with TV and private hot-water bathroom. There’s also a festive, onsite restaurant and a huge pool. The friendly management will also let you pitch a tent on the well-maintained grounds.
Cabinas Corobicí (2669-0241; cnr Av 2 & Calle 5; r per person US$10; ) At the southeastern end of town, this is a good budget option as the friendly management maintains comfortable, good-sized rooms with warmish private shower, and the area is fairly quiet at night.
Hotel El Corral (2669-1467; Interamericana; s/d US$22/44; ) Right on the Interamericana. Ask for your absolutely standard room (some with air-con, hot shower and/or TV) in the back, away from the highway noise. The attached restaurant (mains ₡1200 to ₡3000, open from 6am to 10pm) overlooks the Interamericana, so you can watch (and smell) the big rigs blast by while enjoying your casado.
Caña Brava Inn (2669-1294; recepcioncanabravainn@hotmail.com; cnr Interamericana & Av 5; s US$35-57, d US$71-113; ) The newest and most upscale hotel in town, Caña Brava has all the modern amenities including well-insulated rooms with flat screen TV, wi-fi, huge comfy bedding and contemporary decor. Pricier rooms have Jacuzzi. The hotel also houses an international restaurant (mains from ₡3200 to ₡6000), a small casino and the area’s largest disco (open from 6pm to 1am Wednesday to Saturday).
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Eating
Rincón Corobicí (2669-1234; mains ₡1700-6000; 8am-6pm) This attractive Swiss-run restaurant is 4km north of Cañas on the banks of the Río Corobicí, and is a great lunch spot. A terrace provides river and garden views, and a short trail follows the riverbank where you can take a cool dip. English, French and German are spoken here, and you can book tours with Ríos Tropicales for the Río Corobicí or other destinations in Costa Rica.
Hotel Cañas (2669-0039;