History

The Isla del Caño Biological Reserve is located in the southern Pacific of Costa Rica, 16 km northwest of the Osa Peninsula in the province of Puntarenas.

Pre Columbian civilizations in Caño Island

The island was discovered in 1519 by Captain Juan de Castañeda, who explored the Nicoya Bay area.

Isla del Caño has a special meaning and is an important proof of the history of Costa Rica. Many evidence has been found on the island of the presence of people in pre-Columbian times.

Caño Island was occupied by various human groups. It is believed that, between 700 and 1500 B.C. It was used as a cemetery by Chiriquis societies, or as a permanent residence by the Quepos or Bruncas.

Researchers studying the island found evidence that there was a cemetery on the island in 700 and 1500 BC.

In the land area, there are remains of the stone spheres created by pre-Columbian civilizations.

The Biological Reserve

Caño Island protects 320 land hectares and 5,800 marine hectares. Its waters have one of the largest and best coral reef formations on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica.

Around the island it is possible to find coral structures with extensions ranging from 0.8 to 4.2 hectares.

It is an important area for humpback whales, coming from the north and south, as it is the place where they can feed and give birth to their calves.

The beaches are sand and stone and lack mangroves. The upper zone contains undisturbed humid tropical forest and there are also secondary forests of different ages. In the forest 158 ​​species of plants have been identified.