Quebrada Honda, Guanacaste

View from a bus near Quebrada Honda

Located on the fringe of Barra Honda National Park, the charming town of Quebrada Honda is an ideal stop for travelers journeying through Guanacaste. Easily accessible via Route 18 northeast of Nicoya, Quebrada Honda is a quiet town with friendly locals and picturesque views. Visitors planning to visit Barra Honda National Park may want to use Quebrada Honda as a base of operations during their stay, as this quaint little town is a great place to stop for travelers who are passing through.

A Quintessential Rural Community

For visitors hoping to discover the real Costa Rica, Quebrada Honda will not disappoint. This tiny town has little in the way of amenities, but its proximity to Barra Honda National Park makes it an ideal place to stop before exploring the rugged expanse of this popular wildlife reserve. Other than the towns of Caballito to the north and Corralillo to the northwest, Quebrada Honda is the closest settlement to Barra Honda.

Route 18 runs directly through Quebrada Honda before passing into the southeast portion of the wildlife reserve. Although Route 18 is one of the more reliable roads in the region, conditions can still be a little rough during the wet season. If you plan to drive to Barra Honda National Park and Quebrada Honda, you may want to consider renting a four-wheel drive SUV, as the road can be rocky and rather narrow in some places.

Map of the Area

Click to enlarge map - Map of the Area

Barra Honda National Park

In addition to the exotic wildlife found throughout Barra Honda, the park is renowned for its extensive network of limestone caverns. With more than 40 separate subterranean caves, Barra Honda National Park is an ideal destination for ecotourism enthusiasts and travelers who want to see the bats that live in the caves firsthand.

As well as the network of underground caves, Barra Honda boasts several excellent hiking trails with picturesque views of the Tempisque Basin, which is perfect for active travelers who want to really get back to nature.

The Rio Tempisque

The banks of the Rio Tempisque river are a short drive from Quebrada Honda on Route 18. At approximately 90 miles long, the Rio Tempisque is one of the longest rivers in Guanacaste, flowing from Orosi Volcano to the north all the way to the Gulf of Nicoya. Here, travelers can enjoy leisurely cruises along the river on guided riverboat tours, and explore the nearby wetlands to see some of Guanacaste's most exotic species of bird.