Bahía Junquillal Wildlife Refuge
Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Bahía Junquillal · Wildlife refuge
Before you go
Days and hours
De miércoles a lunes de 8:00 am a 6:00 pmOur translation Wednesday to Monday, 8:00 am to 6:00 pm
Entry fees
Extranjeros: $13.56Our translation Foreigners: $13.56
Nacionales: ₡2260 Niños (2-12): ₡1130Our translation Nationals: ₡2,260; children (2 to 12): ₡1,130
Tickets and reservations
Para reservas y más información: https://reservaciones.acguanacaste.ac.cr/es/junquillalOur translation Reservations and information: https://reservaciones.acguanacaste.ac.cr/es/junquillal
Check before you go. Hours, fees and rules change. Confirm on SINAC: Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Bahía Junquillal; we last found these words there on October 16, 2026.
Planning a visit to Bahía Junquillal Wildlife Refuge
SINAC describes Bahía Junquillal as a 2 km white-sand bay with a three-star Bandera Azul Ecológica award, a camping area for 80 people, picnic and camper areas, and kayak rental by the half hour. It opens Wednesday to Monday until 6:00 pm, so Tuesday is the closed day.
SINAC's page gives two swimming notes side by side. It describes the bay as calm and recommends swimming up to the marked point, and it also warns that strong currents are common here and asks swimmers to take care and be supervised. The water belongs to a protected marine sector, and fishing and taking marine life are not allowed.
Our explanation of the quoted facts on this page; it adds no facts of its own.
What it's known for
comprende una playa de gran belleza escénica que cuenta con la categoría de Bandera Azul Ecológica con tres estrellasOur translation It includes a beach that holds the Bandera Azul Ecológica award with three stars.
Área de Acampar: Esta actividad se puede realizar en la zona destinada, se debe de seguir las recomendaciones de los funcionarios de Aso Junquillal que están en el sector, presenta una serie de facilidades; mesas, parrillas y pila para uso, esta área tiene una capacidad para 80 personas.Our translation Camping area: camping is allowed in the designated zone, following the guidance of the Aso Junquillal staff in the sector; it has tables, grills and a sink, and holds 80 people.
Where it is and how it began
está ubicado cercad de la comunidad de Cuajiniquil en La CruzOur translation It is near the community of Cuajiniquil in La Cruz.
La propiedad conocida como Junquillal fue donada en 1988 por la compañía Ranchos HorizontesOur translation The Junquillal property was donated in 1988 by the Ranchos Horizontes company.
El Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Bahía Junquillal fue creado el 10 Enero 1995, mediante decreto ejecutivo #23867-MIRENEM.Our translation The refuge was created on January 10, 1995, by executive decree #23867-MIRENEM.
cuenta con una extensión de 505 hectáreasOur translation It covers 505 hectares.
Check before you go. Hours, fees and rules change. Confirm on SINAC: Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Bahía Junquillal; we last found these words there on October 16, 2026.
Beach, water and boats
Es una playa que cuenta con arena blanca, tiene una extensión de 2 kilómetrosOur translation A white-sand beach, 2 kilometers long.
se puede nadar con mucha tranquilidad por ser una Bahía, se recomienda hacerlo hasta el punto marcadoOur translation Swimming is calm because it is a bay; SINAC recommends staying inside the marked point.
Nadar con precaución y vigilancia debido a que fuertes corrientes son comunes en este lugar.Our translation Swim with caution and supervision, because strong currents are common here.
Alquiler de kayak doble: ₡8 000 (30 minutos)Our translation Double kayak rental: ₡8,000 (30 minutes)
No se permite pescar ni extraer vida marina: las aguas son parte del Sector Marino Protegido.Our translation No fishing or taking marine life: the water is part of the Protected Marine Sector.
Check before you go. Hours, fees and rules change. Confirm on SINAC: Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Bahía Junquillal; we last found these words there on October 16, 2026.
Trails and camping rules
Sendero El Carao: Es apto para todo tipo de público, de forma circular, su principal atractivo es el Bosque SecoOur translation El Carao trail: suitable for everyone, a loop, mainly dry forest.
tiene una longitud de 600mts, duración de 15 minutosOur translation 600 m long, about 15 minutes.
Área de Campers: Esta zona presenta una serie de facilidades para las personas que traen su vehículo camperOur translation Camper area: facilities for visitors who bring a camper vehicle.
Área de Picnic o Área por el díaOur translation Picnic or day-use area
Apague las luces a las 9:00 p. m. para no afectar la fauna nocturna.Our translation Lights off at 9:00 pm so as not to disturb night wildlife.
Cocinar únicamente con gas o carbón.Our translation Cook only with gas or charcoal.
Check before you go. Hours, fees and rules change. Confirm on SINAC: Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Bahía Junquillal; we last found these words there on October 16, 2026.
Other protected areas on this site
A plain list in alphabetical order, not a recommendation.
Source for this page: SINAC: Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Bahía Junquillal. Quotes are SINAC's words in Spanish; the English lines under them are our translations.