Cabo Blanco Absolute Natural Reserve, Nature reserve at the southern tip of Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica
Cabo Blanco Absolute Natural Reserve is a protected area at the southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula with multiple forest types, coastal sections, and walking trails. Rainforest, dry forest zones, mangrove areas, and beaches alternate throughout the park, offering visitors several distinct landscapes in a compact space.
The area was founded in 1963 and became Costa Rica's first protected nature reserve with support from European sources. These early beginnings show how the region recognized the need to preserve its natural resources from the start.
The reserve represents a space where visitors can experience the connection between forest and ocean, and understand how nature shapes the identity of this region. Local communities view this area as a legacy for future generations.
The grounds are exploreable on foot and trails are suitable for different fitness levels, ranging from easy to more demanding routes. There are no overnight accommodations on-site, so visitors should plan their time carefully and arrive from nearby towns.
The cliffs at the southern edge owe their white color not to the rock itself, but to the massive bird colonies whose droppings coat the surface. This unexpected source of the area's name reveals how deeply the ecosystem is shaped by the birds that nest there.
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