Hacienda Baru Wildlife Refuge

Last Updated: August 13, 2024

If you’re visiting Costa Rica’s central Pacific coast and looking for an off-the-beaten path hike, be sure to visit Hacienda Baru. Within easy reach from towns like Dominical, Uvita, or Manuel Antonio, this private refuge offers spectacular bird and wildlife viewing. We’ve hiked the trails at Hacienda Baru almost a dozen times. In this post, we will share everything you need to plan a visit.

family walking on trail through jungle

Hacienda Baru Quick Overview

Hacienda Baru Wildlife Refuge encompasses an impressive 330 hectares (815 acres) of land.
Within the jungle landscape live hundreds of species, including sloths, monkeys, peccaries (wild pigs), parrots, and toucans.
You can walk 7 km (4.3 miles) of trails through primary and secondary forest, wetland, grassland, and even along the beach.
The trails are more rugged and wild than other options in the area so be prepared for adventure and maybe some mud.
This reserve is a lot less busy and a good alternative to the popular Manuel Antonio National Park.
Hacienda Baru is located just five minutes from Dominical, 20 minutes from Uvita, and an easy, 45-minute drive from Manuel Antonio.

white-faced monkey laying on a branch

Background

Once a working cattle ranch that had been mostly cleared of forest, Hacienda Baru is now a thriving private nature reserve brimming with jungle. This is thanks to the foresight of founder Jack Ewing.

Ewing banned hunting on the property in 1976, sold all the cattle by 1990, and began reforesting the land. In 1995, Costa Rica declared Hacienda Baru a national wildlife refuge.

Today, the property is funded primarily by its small lodge, restaurant, and the nature and zipline tours they offer.

Wooden sign for Hacienda Baru

Trails & Viewing Tower

Hacienda Baru has four trails that you can explore on your own or with a guide. All are flat, except for Lookout Trail, and easily can be walked in a day. There is also a viewing tower.

Photo of Hacienda Baru Trail Map — Hacienda Baru Trail Map

The Pizote and Saino Trail Loop (Most Popular)

The Pizote Trail and Saino Trail make a nice 4.5 km (2.8 miles) loop through deep rainforest and swampy lowlands.

Along the Pizote Trail, you’ll cross small streams and go around giant trees. Some areas can be wet if it has rained recently. In the dry season (December to April), there is usually little to no water.

Large tree hanging over trail — A big tree on the Pizote Trail

Splitting off the Pizote Trail is the Saino Trail. This goes through some lower areas that can be very muddy and wet after rain. During a recent visit in June, we had to weave through many large mud puddles, getting our shoes soaked.

People walking through mud puddle — The wet & muddy Saino Trail (in June)

These conditions are perfect for collared peccaries (wild hogs), though, and we have seen large families of them.

A wild boar on the trail — Close encounter with a Peccary (Saino)

Besides the peccaries (sainos), other wildlife we have seen are white-faced monkeys, white-nosed coati (pizotes), agouti, and birds like the Great-Curassow and Yellow-throated Toucan, just to name a few.

Viewing Tower

Just a few minutes from the reception is a 7-meter (22 foot) tall viewing tower.

This elevated platform is definitely worth a stop, even if you don’t hike the whole Pizote Trail. The tower brings you up to canopy level where you can see birds and maybe even monkeys passing through.

Large metal tower in jungle — The viewing tower

Lookout Trail (Sometimes Closed)

If you follow the Pizote Trail to the end then cross the highway, you’ll come to the Lookout Trail. This 2.5 km (1.5 mile) trail ascends a steep hill. At the top, you can see views of Dominical Beach.

Be sure to wear hiking boots or sturdy sneakers if you venture here because it’s steep.

Note: During rainy months, the Lookout Trail may be closed due to poor trail conditions.

rustic steps going around a tree — The steeper Lookout Trail

Chirincoco Trail (Good for Birding)

The Chirincoco Trail starts on the opposite side of the reception. This 2 km (1.25 mile) flat trail passes through grassland, rainforest, and near the beach. The last section takes you along a dirt road with many mature trees.

View of trail/road — The last part of the Chirincoco Trail goes along this rustic road

The Chirincoco Trail’s multiple habitats make it especially good for birding. We have seen several types of flycatchers, hawks, parakeets, tanagers, trogons, and even the Grey-necked Woodrail (chirincoco), a ground bird about the size of a chicken.

Over 300 species of birds have been spotted on the Hacienda Baru property, so if you’re a birder, you’re sure to check some species off your life list.

Getting There

Driving

From Manuel Antonio and Points North

Head south along the Costanera (Highway 34). In about 45 minutes, you’ll pass the Rio Hatillo. The entrance to Hacienda Baru is just a few minutes past the small town of Hatillo. Look for a sign on the right, just before a gas station.

From Uvita and Points South

Head north along the Costanera (Highway 34). Pass the Dominical Bridge. Soon, you will see a gas station on the left. The reserve entrance is just after the gas station.

By Bus

From Quepos

From the station in downtown Quepos, take the bus going towards San Isido or Uvita. The bus will turn off the highway in small towns along the way. After it passes through Hatillo (about 1 hour), start looking for the Hacienda Baru sign on the right. If you pass a gas station, you’ve gone too far. Be sure to tell the driver when you get on that you want to get off at Hacienda Baru.

From Uvita

Take the bus going towards Quepos. You’ll pass through Dominical and then the intersection of Route 243 on the right. Shortly after you pass Route 243 and the Dominical Bridge, you will see a gas station on the left. The entrance to Hacienda Baru is just after the gas station. Be sure to tell the driver when you get on that you want to get off at Hacienda Baru.

Two turkey-like birds — A pair of Great Curassow

Hours

Hacienda Baru is open daily from 6:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Admission & Tickets

Self-Guided

Cost: $15 per person

You don’t need to buy tickets in advance, but if you are traveling a long distance, it is a good idea to call ahead or reserve online.

Guided Hikes and Birdwatching Tours

Guides for nature hikes, night tours, and birdwatching tours can be arranged through Hacienda Baru’s website.

Cost: $35-55 per person, depending on which guided tour

Essential Gear

Sunscreen

Insect repellent (natural options we like are Repel Lemon-Eucalyptus spray & doTERRA Terra Shield)

Hiking boots or sneakers

Water & snacks

Conclusion

Hacienda Baru is a great addition to any nature lover’s travel itinerary. Over 60 kinds of mammals and 300 kinds of birds have been spotted on the reserve. Every time we have visited, we have seen something different. And hopefully with this guide, you can too.