Refugio de Vida Silvestre Junquillal — Attraction in Santa Elena

This place was super interesting in November. We were offered a reduced entry fee as we were only going to be there for a couple of hours ($6). There was a trail heading from the beach campground to a lagoon with amazing shore birds, and cool tiny crabs. The lagoon trail exits down the beach and we continued to a rocky area where there were tide pools with crabs and fish. Sandpipers on the beach and plenty of hawks around as well. There were a handful of people there and the beach was lovely. Not sure what it would be like in high season, as the campground is on the shore, with small campsites lined up, very close to each other. There are not that many sites however. There are unadvertised bathrooms here...a bonus as most beaches in the area...

Great location for a day trip or overnight camping. Awesome beach moderate waves and plenty of room to enjoy the sand and water. There are many picnic spots complete with BBQs and tables as well as banos and showers and sinks for washing up after your meals. Two trails offering both hillside and beach environments with moderate to easy...

As with most National Parks in Costa Rica, tourists are ripped off financially. Non-resident pay $15 for park entry, while residents pay only about $4. What does $15 buy you - nothing, no map, no information, not even someone who speaks English. Go to the park but stay outside to see white-faced capuchin monkeys, lots of birds...