Nowhere in Costa Rica can you experience and do so much in so little time!  Finca Baru Pacifico Wildlife Refuge, better known as Hacienda Baru, has just about everything within it's 815 acres.  This is both a private and state owned refuge.  Hacienda Baru is owned by Jack Ewing (author of the famous book-“Monkeys are Made of Chocolate”) and his wife Diane.  You can do day visits to the refuge or you can stay right at the Hacienda Baru.  Since travel time can take up so much of your short stay in Costa Rica, my recommendation is to stay at the Hacienda Baru to take advantage of the many tours and activities offered right there.

The Finca Baru Pacifico Wildlife Refuge consists of primary and secondary rainforest, a beautiful deserted 2 mile white sand beach, wetlands, grasslands, and mangrove estuaries.  There is a large variety of flora and fauna including 310 species of birds (including toucans), and 57 species of mammals including white faced monkeys (usually on the trees right outside your door in the morning!), 2 & 3 toed sloths, wild pigs, and coatimundies.  You may even see a boa!
You can stroll on the pristine beach, lined with palm trees, and watch as hundreds of pelicans skim the water.  You may observe humpback whales in the ocean from Dec-April, or dolphins year round.  Olive ridley and hawksbill sea turtles nest on the beach from May-Nov.  Or  you may want to kayak in the mangrove or the ocean.  Make sure to visit the orchid and butterfly gardens to take some of the most beautiful pictures of your trip. You can always stroll on the many trails on the property to enjoy a truly peaceful experience in the lush tropical forest.

The nature and adventure tours offered have something for everyone!  Hacienda Baru offers canopy tours, tree-climbing tours, overnight camping trip on the beach or in the jungle!, hiking tours, mangrove and beach walking tours, and bird-watching tours with a stop at the bird - watching tower.  Of course on all tours your guide will point out the unique flora and fauna that you would never see on your own.

The El Ceibo Café at Hacienda  Baru serves breakfast (free to overnight guest), lunch, and dinner.  This is a great vacation time saver!  The gift shop carries a wide variety of items you may need from essentials to souvenirs.  This is a great vacation time saver as you really don’t need to leave the Hacienda Baru during your stay.

Hacienda Baru is a 4 hours drive from San Jose, and about 24 miles SW of San Isidro de El General, or 26 miles south of Quepos  -  2 miles north of Dominical.  It is situated between Manuel Antonio National Park and Corcovado National Park, established in 1985.