Puntarenas

This comprises a beach for turtles, remnants of forests on mountains parallel to the coast, and a mangrove swamp that is connected to the extensive mangrove swamp situated at the mouth of the River Savegre. In the wetland, large trees like the red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle) up to 40 m high can be seen. It is frequented by roseate spoonbills (Ajaia ajaja) and boat-billed heron (Cochlearius cochlearius). Leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) and olive ridley turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea) nest on the beach. The Costanera Sur Highway passes through the middle of this refuge.