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The Isla Bolaños National Wildlife Refuge was created on February 13th, 1981 as part of the Santa Rosa National Park, in order to conservate seabirds and to protect one of the few known nesting sites in the country for colonies of Brown Pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis), Magnificent Frigatebirds (Fregata magnificens) and American Oystercatcher (Haematopus palliatus). The refuge is part of the 
Guanacaste Conservation Area (ACG), in the Salinas Bay on the Nicaraguan-Costa Rican border. The windy ridges on the southwestern side of the island are isolated from predators and provide perfect launch pads for the adult’s fishing sorties into the coastal waters.
Brown pelicans are common along the Pacific coast from the northern United States to Peru and are often seen skimming the waves parallel to shore against the horizon. They nest at several sites in Costa Rica with the biggest colony on Guayabo Island, found nesting atop the trees in the northern reaches of the island. Besides, the Southern cliff is the region where about two hundred pairs of frigatebirds breed and residence at Bolaños Island. The most concentrated nesting activity occurs in January and February, but especially the frigatebirds have a protracted season and can be seen from November to June.
The island itself is an oval-shaped rocky mound. Its rugged terrain consists of numerous layers of sedimentary rock that are approximately 40 million years old. The island has white sandy beaches on the eastern tip of the island with mounds of seashells and clams. At low tide it’s possible to walk round the island and see at several species of crab that live and mate here, specially the large sized land crab. Besides, the waters around the island are a beautiful clear blue and support abundant marine life.
Isla Bolaños National Wildlife Refuge is one of the driest regions in the country receiving around 1.5m of rain annually. The low rainfall results in poor quality soil. The scarce vegetation is made up of stunted forest, which is very thick and difficult to penetrate. The forest, which completely loses its leaves during the dry season from January through March, consists mainly of Paira (Melanthera nivea) and some medium-sized trees which grows almost 2m high on very rock soils with very little organic material, such as Common Frangipani (Plumeria rubra) and Fig Trees (Ficus ovalis). These trees attract Frigatebirds and Pelicans when the fruit cycle gets 
completed, so they can both build nest of sticks and twigs in the top of them.
There are no facilities on the Isla Bolaños National Wildlife Refuge, and no visitation is permitted from December through March as not to disturb the nesting seabird colonies, so many visitors observe the seabirds from a boat (fishing launches can be hired at Puerto Soley to view the nests from offshore). At other times of the year, prior permission to land on the island must be obtained from the Park Service, either in San José or in Santa Rosa. The island has no marked trails but one can do hiking here during the season of low tides.
Getting to Isla Bolaños Wildlife Refuge:
From San Jose, follow the Pan-American Highway up to La Cruz. The refuge is located in Salinas Bay near the border with Nicaragua, 6km southwest from La Cruz town. Isla Bolaños Wildlife Refuge is only accessible by boat. Transportation may be hired in Puerto Soley for the 3km (1.9 miles) voyage to the island. From San Jose is about 6 hours by car.
From Daniel Oduber International Airport (LIR), follow the highway to Liberia and follow the Pan-American Highway up to La Cruz. The refuge is located in Salinas Bay near the border with Nicaragua, 6km southwest from La Cruz town. From Liberia to Puerto Soley is about 1 hour by car.
By bus:
You can take a bus from San Jose – La Cruz – Peñas Blancas, which takes about 5 hours (Transportes Deldú Terminal, 2256-9072).
You can also take a bus from San Jose to Liberia, which takes about 4 hours (Pulmitan Liberia, 2222-1650) and then take a bus from Liberia to La Cruz (Empresa Arrieta Terminal), 6km 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 Isla Bolaños Wildlife Refuge, which is located about 1 hour.
Location: 1.5 kms Off Punta Descartes, lying in the northwestern region of the country. Is some 281 kms away from the capital city of San Jose
GPS Coordinates: 11.040542,-85.668372 (11°02’25.95″N, 85°40’06.14″W)
Size: 25ha (62 acres)
Altitude: 81 meters high
Guanacaste Conservation Area Telephone (ACG): + (506) 2666-5051
INFOTUR Tourist Information: 1192
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