If you are looking for the perfect little getaway for an hour or two, the 550-hectare Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Bahía Junquillal is the perfect place to spend your day. Just a skip away from Santa Rosa, the refuge has something for every visitor to enjoy.

Sightseeing
Bahia Junquillal hosts a private, protected beach and bay, which provide hours of uninterrupted swimming, snorkelling, boating and sun bathing for visitors who wish to spend a quiet day in the welcoming arms of nature. For the more active visitor there are several short hiking trails that lead to bird lookouts and mangroves swamps, with perfect views of the Volcán Orosí. While there is little room for wildlife in the small refuge, you may have an opportunity to see pelicans, frigate birds and even turtles, which are known to nest here seasonally. However, during the dry months, it is especially important to remember to bring your own water, since fresh water is in limited supply in Costa Rica during this time and the water in the refuge is turned on for only one hour each day.

Getting there
To reach it you start at Cuajinquil and continue down the road until you see the sign for Bahía Junquillal, turn right and follow the beaten dirt path down to the beach, the ranger station and the day and night camping areas.