Junquillal Bay Wildlife Refuge | Established Campground

June 11th, 2023 by vida.nomada.1

El lugar es increíblemente bello, el personal muy amable, hay diversidad de fauna que puedes ver. Hay baños, regaderas. área de camping, espacios para RV. claro que tiene costo, pero vale mucho la pena

April 4th, 2023 by ftorresbianqui

I don’t understand the last comments… this place is just Amazing. A real beach full of wilflife, incredible sunset. Fully recommended!

June 17th, 2022 by matthiasthespieler

We visited the park with our rooftop tent and originally planned to spend the night there, but we eventually decided not to.
The ranger told us he can make us a better price "if we pay in colones". Which we did and ended up paying 4000¢ after some discussions. Overall he was nice though. The park os beautiful and there is a campground which surely was nice 5 years ago, but now looks quite run down. There are toilets and showers which are working but reminded us of a prison.
There was one other couple camping in a tent, so I'm sure it's fine to stay there. But we decided to go back to the camping ground we stayed at the night before (Casa Soley) as we liked it more there.

April 23rd, 2022 by Megan

Isolated location almost to the Nicaraguan border, a few day visitors when we arrived but only one other group camping, quiet and secluded, no cell service. Lots of wildlife (iguanas, cappuccino monkeys, spider monkeys, birds) but also lots of bugs (tons of termites once it got dark at the RV/car camping spot). Water is like a bay so no waves, but beautiful crystal clear water, great for swimming. Amazing sunset and sunrise. Park ranger was super helpful and friendly. Bathrooms and showers were ok, potable water, sink at site. Entrance fee was most expensive we saw in all of Costa Rica - 4000 colones for locals and $15 for foreigners, $19 to camp. Wouldn't pay that price again. We also stayed there in order to surf Roca Bruja and Ollie's Point, but the roads through Santa Rosa and Murcielago National Parks are all closed for the past 5 years due to poor condition, so we probably wouldn't have gone all the way up there just for the wildlife refuge, there are better beaches further south.

April 23rd, 2022 by Megan

Isolated location almost to the Nicaraguan border, a few day visitors when we arrived but only one other group camping, quiet and secluded, no cell service. Lots of wildlife (iguanas, cappuccino monkeys, spider monkeys, birds) but also lots of bugs (tons of termites once it got dark at the RV/car camping spot). Water is like a bay so no waves, but beautiful crystal clear water, great for swimming. Park ranger was super helpful and friendly. Entrance fee was most expensive we saw in all of Costa Rica - 4000 colones for locals and $15 for foreigners, $19 to camp. Wouldn't pay that price again. We also stayed there in order to surf Roca Bruja and Ollie's Point, but the roads through Santa Rosa and Murcielago National Parks are all closed for the past 5 years due to poor condition, so we probably wouldn't have gone all the way up there just for the wildlife refuge, there are better beaches further south.

May 25th, 2021 by lesnamibiens

This place is Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays!

May 16th, 2021 by apriladrift

Arrived here on a Saturday at 4 pm. Still $19 USD per person to camp for the night. The manager led us to a great site near the beach (not directly on the beach). It was private and had its own sink! The beach is gorgeous and very clean. Tons of iguanas and cool birds. Very relaxing except for some bugs at night. Be aware no cell service and nearest gas in La Cruz and Liberia.

August 10th, 2019 by martingauthier

Quite frankly this place is heaven if and only if you truly want to disconnect from the world. Gabriel, the ranger, speaks great English. Say that you are sent by Martin from Canada and see his smile : ) - I saw parrots, lézards (lots of them and not dangerous is you don’t approach) and monkeys! The price is 19 USD a night but it’s worth every penny. 4 hiking trails if you count the ones on the beach. If you are lucky you might even see snakes, whales and crocodiles. Wild I told you, real wild. One of the most beautiful beach in Costa Rica you don’t want to miss it. Showers and toilets are super clean. Rangers all night so super safe. Hurry up, unfortunately places like this one won’t exist anymore on earth. The government allowed construction of ugly touristy resorts in the area. Dreams Las Mareas is an exemple near Playa El Jobo. When I see this I can’t help but see the beginning of the end for Costa Rica. Sad very sad! Enjoy Playa Junquillal but make certain to arrive before 5 o’clock (opens at 9 am)

May 5th, 2019 by derrickbentneil

Great place to spend a couple of nights. You sleep right in front of the beach. Quiet and calm except for nature noises which makes it awesome. There might be the occasional campers that makes noise but apart from that I loved it. There is a supermarket 4km before you get there which makes it easy to fill as you need. Best of all no cellphone service which helps disconnect from the world.

November 30th, 2018 by sebastiaan.knijnenburg

Beautiful, quiet and clean spot straight at the beach. Clean showers and toilets (bring your own paper). Ranger is very friendly, helped spotting some owls. Be careful with leaving food or small things outside, racccons were running off with them in a blink of an eye. Plenty of wildlife running around, capuchin monkeys, pelicans, etc. Some decent snorkeling as well.

July 30th, 2016 by Overland The Americas

Correcting coordinates... Nice beach but pricey.

July 6th, 2016 by Rondjewereld

Official name: Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Bahia Junquillal. Easy to reach by paved road. Only last few 100 meters are dirtroad. For foreigners US$ 19 per person per night. The ranger could not believe we wanted to stay (apparently a lot of people leave after hearing the price, but we knew in advance). Wonderful bay to relax on the beach or in the shade between trees, where there are picknick tables. Tent camping close to the beach, vans stay on the parking lot. Various showers and toilets close to ranger station. Simple but clean.

July 6th, 2016 by Rondjewereld

Official name: Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Bahia Junquillal. Easy to reach by paved road. Only last few 100 meters are dirtroad. For foreigners US$ 19 per person per night. The ranger could not believe we wanted to stay (apparently a lot of people leave after hearing the price, but we knew in advance). Wonderful bay to relax on the beach or in the shade between trees, where there are picknick tables. Tent camping close to the beach, vans stay on the parking lot. Various showers and toilets close to ranger station. Simple but clean.

February 19th, 2015 by jfdioverland.com

Beautiful but expensive, $19 per person. The park entry fee is charged per day rather than per visit, which is shame, if not for this we would have stayed a few nights.

September 10th, 2014 by claudiaquinzio

Really expensive usd 15 pp

April 21st, 2012 by Life Remotely

The park entry fee is a bit steep if you're only staying one night. Tons of animals and a very well maintained camping area with friendly and helpful park rangers. Sunsets on the beach are amazing.