Similar in many respects to the much larger Corcovado National Park, this small, 1,309-hectare refuge offers easy access to the tropical rain forest. In fact, to get to the forest from the town of Golfito, all you have to do is walk in any direction -- except into the ocean.

Due to its proximity to town, this forest has suffered the effects of hunting and many of the larger birds and mammals that are still found in Corcovado are no longer likely at the Golfito refuge. However, the plant life and the smaller species of fauna are very representative of the region's rain forests. The Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager is a small, darkish bird known only from this southern corner of the country and has not even been reported from neighboring Panama.

Other bird species with limited distributions that can be found in this area are the Yellow-billed Cotinga, Golden-naped Woodpecker, Orange-collared Manakin, Riverside Wren, and Baird's Trogon. Birdwatching can be quite good along the seven-kilometer gravel road that ascends to the radio towers on the ridge behind town.

Of interest to botanists and foresters is a tree species in the genus Caryodaphnopsis which has been discovered growing in the refuge but is unknown from anywhere else in Costa Rica. This genus, related to the avocado, is represented in the New World by one other species which occurs in the Peruvian Amazon. The rest of the genus is found in the Orient.

To get there: From San José take the Inter-American Highway south towards Panama. At the town of Río Claro, take the turnoff for Golfito. Total distance is 342 kilometers. Public bus service also exists between San José and Golfito.

Alternatively, two domestic commercial airline companies offer regular service between San José and Golfito.

Fishing: The Golfito region's reputation as a sportfishing destination is growing fast. At least 8 charter operators currently cater to fishermen that venture this far south. Billfish can be found most of the year, although they normally slack off between April and June. The remainder of the catch consists of jacks, mackerel, snappers, snook, and big roosters.

Climate: Like the rest of the southern Pacific lowlands, the weather is hot and humid with a short dry season from January to April.

History: When the United Fruit Company moved its banana growing operation to the southern part of Costa Rica in the mid-1930's, Golfito was chosen as the site for a port because of its protected waters. It also became the principal living area for many of the higher level administrators, including the international staff -- who imported many non-native ornamental plant species into the area, thus making Golfito of additional appeal for those with an interest in botanical curiosities.

Due to the rugged topography surrounding the port town, the area's forests were spared from conversion to banana monocultures and it was these forests that the government decided to protect with the declaration of the Golfito National Wildlife Refuge in the late 1980s, partly to assure the town's water supply.

As a result of a prolonged worker strike marred by violence, the banana company decided to abandon its activities in this region in the mid-1980's. This caused an immediate economic crisis for the local population. One of the government's attempts to help solve the situation was to stimulate tourism to this area so distant from the center of the country. A large duty-free shopping complex was built to attract Costa Ricans that often travel to Panama to buy at bargain prices. With the creation of the wildlife refuge it was also hoped that more foreign tourism would come to this small tropical port town.