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Created to protect the flora and fauna found on the southern slopes of the Cordillera de Tilaran, the Peñas Blancas Wildlife Refuge is a 2400-hectare nature reserve. With the elevations of this refuge varying from 1400 meters down to 600 meters, there are many different types of forests found here, from tropical dry forests in lower sections of the park, to deciduous and moist forests in the middle. In the northern sections of this refuge, premontane forests can be found.
A key watershed for the area around the Ciruelas and Barranca rivers, the Penas Blancas Wildlife Refuge has a rugged and steep terrain, with the hiking trails here a challenge for any ordinary trekker. Most of the trails here are not well maintained, and thus make them quite difficult to follow.
The name Penas Blancas or ‘white cliffs,’ comes from the diatomaceous deposits that have been found here. Resembling white chalk, these deposits are actually remnants of algae that were once common to this area many thousands of years ago, when Central American was submerged under water.
A densely forested area, butterflies are the most common inhabitants of this refuge, and though wildlife is scare here, you can still spot a number of animals including pacas, monkeys, kinkajous, opossums, raccoons and red brocket deer. A variety of bird species can also be seen in this national refuge.
If you plan on visiting the Peñas Blancas Wildlife Refuge, the one thing that you need to keep in mind is that there are no visitor facilities here. And while camping is allowed, you need to be well stocked if you stay here, as the nearest town of Miramar is quite some distance away. The best time to visit this refuge is during the dry season from January through to April. To get to the Penas Blancas Wildlife Refuge, come here from the north along the Interamericana Highway to Miramar, from where you need to head east out of town to reach the park. If you are driving here by yourself, a four wheel drive is a must.
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