Costa Rica (Lonely Planet, 9th Edition) - Matthew Firestone [199]
MARITZA BIOLOGICAL STATION
This is the newest station and has a modern laboratory. From the station, at 600m above sea level, rough trails run to the summits of Volcán Orosi and Volcán Cacao (about five to six hours). There is also a better trail to a site where several hundred petroglyphs have been found that are chipped into volcanic rock. As with most indigenous sites in Costa Rica, little is known about the origins of the petroglyphs, though the area was believed to be inhabited by the Chorotega (Click here). There is also another trail that leads to the Cacao Biological Station.
To get there, turn east off the Interamericana opposite the turnoff for Cuajiniquíl. The station is about 17km east of the highway along a dirt road that may require a 4WD vehicle, especially in the wet season.
CACAO BIOLOGICAL STATION
High on the slopes of Volcán Cacao (about 1060m), this station offers access to rough trails that lead to the summit of the volcano and to Maritza Biological Station. Cacao Biological Station is reached from the southern side of the park. At Potrerillos, about 9km south of the Santa Rosa park entrance on the Interamericana, head east for 7km on a paved road to the small community of Quebrada Grande (marked ‘Garcia Flamenco’ on many maps). A daily bus leaves Liberia at 3pm for Quebrada Grande. From the village plaza, a 4WD road that is often impassable during the wet season heads north toward the station, about 10km away.
PITILLA BIOLOGICAL STATION
This station lies on the northeast side of Volcán Orosi, which is on the eastern side of the continental divide. The surrounding forests here are humid, lush and unlike anything you’ll find in the rest of Guanacaste.
To get to the station, turn east off the Interamericana about 12km north of the Cuajiniquíl turnoff, or 3km before reaching the small town of La Cruz. Follow the paved eastbound road for about 28km to the community of Santa Cecilia. From there, a poor dirt road heads 11km south to the station – you’ll need a 4WD.
Return to beginning of chapter
Sleeping & Eating
INSIDE THE PARK
You can camp (per person US$2.50) near the stations, but there aren’t any facilities.
If there’s space, you may be able to reserve dorm-style accommodations at Maritza or Pitilla Biological Stations (2666-5051; dm US$15). The stations are quite rustic, with room for 30 people, and shared cold-water bathrooms. Meals are also available and should be arranged in advance.
OUTSIDE THE PARK
Hacienda Los Inocentes (2679-9190; d incl breakfast US$70; ) Part biological research station, part ecolodge, this 1000-hectare former cattle has a spectacular location below the Volcán Orosi and is slowly being reforested. The attractive hacienda building dates to 1890 and has 11 spacious wooden bedrooms with private (but separate) bathroom with solar-heated hot water, plus several larger separate cabins. The upper floor is surrounded by a beautiful, shaded, wooden veranda with hammocks and also volcano views – a good spot for sunset/moonrise. There’s also a bar, restaurant, pool and horse rentals. The staff can arrange guided hikes throughout the park as well as to the top of Volcán Cacao. It’s located 15km east of the Interamericana on the paved road to Santa Cecilia. Buses between Liberia and Santa Cecilia pass the lodge entrance twice a day. The hotel can arrange transfers.
Return to beginning of chapter
LA CRUZ
pop 4300
La Cruz is the closest town to the Peñas Blancas border crossing with Nicaragua (see boxed text), and it’s the principal gateway to Bahía Salinas (Click here), one of Costa Rica’s premier windsurfing and kitesurfing destinations. Although La Cruz itself is a fairly sleepy provincial town, its hilltop location is awash with scenic views of the coastline, and you can easily bus down to several stunning, isolated white-sand beaches on Bahía Salinas. La Cruz is an underrated place to spend the night before heading to Nicaragua.
Return to beginning of chapter
Information
Changing money at the border