Maquenque National Wildlife Refuge, Wildlife refuge in Sarapiquí Canton, Costa Rica.

Maquenque National Wildlife Refuge is a protected area between Puerto Viejo de Sarapiquí and Pital with primary forest, wetlands, and four major lakes. The property offers numerous hiking trails, and the surrounding region has several ecolodges for overnight stays.

The area gained protection status in 2005 through decree 32405-MINAE following two decades of conservation work. These efforts grew from the need to safeguard populations of great green macaws.

Local communities around Boca Tapada keep traditional farming alive while contributing to conservation through ecotourism. This connection between local life and protection efforts shapes how people live in the region today.

The refuge is easy to explore with several marked trails suited to different fitness levels. It is best to hike in early morning hours when wildlife is most active.

The corridor linking Costa Rica and Nicaragua was first proposed in 1985 by the Sandinista government as SI-A-PAZ, the International System of Protected Areas for Peace. Maquenque became Ramsar Site 1918 in 2010. Its swamps hold stands of the palm Raphia taedigera, and almendro trees up to 60 m high feed the great green macaw.