Page 4 - CAÑO NEGRO TOURIST GUIDE

Introduction
volcanoes and, if you turn your head a little, you will also see the Arenal volcano.
The cantons of Los Chiles, Upala, Guatuso and La Cruz are part of the San Juan river basin (except for part of La Cruz, which is located on the Pacific slope). Accustomed to emphasizing what it separates, in this case as the political boundary between Nicaragua and Costa Rica, we tend to lose sight of the fact that the territory under consideration is part of a natural unit of operation. The San Juan River basin is one of largest in Central America, second only to the Usumacinta River. It has an area of 38,569 square kilometers, of which, 24,569 belong to Nicaragua and 14,000 to Costa Rica.
Tourist activities
Visitors can enjoy sustainable recreational, cultural and/or productive activities in the area. In general, the observation of nature includes visits to the lagoons to contemplate the flora, fauna and landscape. In some cases, horseback riding and guided hikes take place when the terrain is dry, always accompanied by amateur photography or filming. Adventure tourism is limited to excursions in kayaks, canoes and rowboats, as well as day and night tours with duly accredited local guides.
It is important to note that, since Caño Negro is a mixed refuge, tourism services offered by locals are available within its territory. These include lodging, meals and water transportation. There are other complementary services for both locals and visitors, including sodas, restaurants, cabins, grocery stores and bars, staffed almost exclusively by family members. Most of the services are located in the community of Caño Negro. Some services are also available in the communities of Playuelas, Las Cubas and San Antonio.
Bird watching
Caño Negro and the surrounding areas are home to a remarkable number of birds, making it a unique bird sanctuary for local and foreign tourists. It is estimated that more than 450 species of native and migratory birds can be observed in Caño Negro; having sighted 192 species in a single day is a good indicator of how important this wetland ecosystem and Ramsar Site is for this activity.
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