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Bahia Junquillal National Wildlife Refuge (Junquillal Bay National Wildlife Refuge ) was created on January 10th, 1995, in order to conserve and preserve a regenerative zone, as well as a dry forest that extends to the edge of the beach and coastal mangrove areas. The property known as Junquillal was donated in 1988 to be dedicated to the conservation of the environment 
as part of the Guanacaste Conservation Area (ACG in Spanish).
Located in La Cruz of Guanacaste, so it has an average temperature of 29°C (85ºF) and rainfall of 1500 mm. Per year. The refuge is a recreational area that includes a 2 km long beautiful scenic white sandy beach with gentle waves and clear waters, a small decline and beach vegetation almost virgin. Its location is ideal for those seeking tranquility and privacy. The clear waters and sandy shore extension lends itself to long walks and comforting, as well as for snorkeling, scuba diving, fishing, boating or swimming, although the cool water temperature as it gets the influence of an ocean current. Also, this beach in known for being nesting site for sea turtles such as the Green (Chelonia mydas), Olive Ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea)and Hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata), and very close to it were discovered the remains of a Pre-Hispanic settlement of a people, who farmed, hunted and gathered sea products.
Also as part of its attractions is bird watching, especially marine birds and Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) swimming a short distance from the beach from December to February, which can reach up to 15 m long. In addition, it is reported also the presence of gigantic but inoffensive whale sharks (Rhincodon typus).
Despite the small size of the Bahia Junquillal National Wildlife Refuge, you may see a wide variety of mammals such as White-nosed Coati (Nasua narica), raccoons (Procyon lotor), White-faced Capuchin monkeys (Cebus capucinus), spider monkey (Ateles geoffroyi), howler monkeys (Alouatta palliata) and White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), as well as Black Spiny-tailed Iguanas (Ctenosaura similis) and several species of lizards, Halloween crabs (Gecarcinus quadratus) and Mouthless crab (Cardisoma crassu).
Among the most common birds are several species of hawks, sparrows, Orange-fronted Parakeets (Aratinga canicularis), Yellow-naped Parrots (Amazona auropalliata), White-throated Magpie-Jays (Calocitta formosa), Brown Pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis), Magnificent Frigatebirds (Fregata magnificens), and during the rainy season is possible to see Roseate Spoonbill (Ajaia ajaja).
The vegetation is characterized by trees remaining from the original dry forest. On the beach are Piñuelas (Aechmea magdalenae), Manchineel tree (Hippomane mancinella), Beach bean (Canavalia maritima) and Bayahonda (Prosopis juliflora). As part of secondary forests are the Guanacaste tree (Enterolobium cyclocarpum), Rain Tree (Samanea saman), Brazil (Ematoxylum brasiletto) 
and the Gliricidia (Gliricidia sepium). Mangroves are home to several mangrove species, including red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle), buttonwood mangrove (Conocarpus erecta) and black mangrove (Avicennia germinan).
Bahia Junquillal National Wildlife Refuge has good infrastructure. The refuge administration is located 5 km north of Cuajinquil, along a gravel road, in this community is a market. Beside the administration is the camping area, up to 8 people, with tables, drinking water, showers, grills and restrooms, besides, the refuge has trails and parking. Other Costa Rica nearby parks include Isla Bolaños National Wildlife Refuge, Santa Rosa National Park, Guanacaste National Park, Iguanita National Wildlife Refuge and Rincón de la Vieja National Park.
Getting to Bahia Junquillal Wildlife Refuge:
The refuge is part of the Santa Elena Gulf, located 58km (92 miles) north of the city of Liberia, 34km (54 miles) southwest of La Cruz, following the Pan-American Highway, or 18km (29 miles) from Puerto Soley. Follow the Pan-American Highway up to the Civil Guard station in the district of La Cruz and go further 10km (16 miles) to the fishing community of Cuajiniquil and from that community continue 4km (6 miles) further north to reach the beach refuge. From San Jose to Liberia, it takes about 4 hours, and from Liberia to Cuajiniquil about 1 hour by car.
From Daniel Oduber International Airport (LIR), follow the highway to Liberia and follow the Pan-American Highway up to the Civil Guard station in the district of La Cruz and go further 10km (16 miles) to the fishing community of Cuajiniquil and from that community continue 4km (6 miles) further north to reach the beach refuge.
By bus:
You can take a bus from San Jose to Liberia, which takes about 4 hours (Pulmitan Liberia Terminal, 2222-1650) and then take a bus from Liberia to Cuajiniquil (González García Terminal), 4 km further from here by car or walking, access throughout the year.
By plane:
You can also take a flight from the Juan Santamaria Airport and the Liberia International Airport, either with Sansa Airlines or Nature Air every day. From here you can rent a car and drive to the refuge, which is located 1 hour from the refuge.
Location: La Cruz, Guanacaste, Costa Rica.
GPS coordinates: 10.968756,-85.688008 (10°58’7.52″N, 85°41’16.83″O)
Size: 505ha of land and 97ha marine (1.250 acres of land and 250 acres marine)
Altitude: sea level up to 10m (30 ft)
Schedule: from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Guanacaste Conservation Area Telephone (ACG): + (506) 2666-5051
INFOTUR Tourist Information: 1192
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