 The Islas Guayabo, the Negritos Islands
and the Pájaros Reserve are all a part of the Gulf of Nicoya.
All these islands are also accessible from the Port of Puntarena by
boat. These islands are some 118 kms far from the capital city of
San Jose. The four of them - (Negritos Island being two of them)
have been classified as reserves so as to protect the large species
of sea birds as well as the ecosystem existing here. These islands
are home for many birds specially pelicans, sea snipes, laughing
gulls and brown boobies.
The Negritos Islands
These two beautiful islands are covered with semi deciduous
forests. Mainly the trees comprising the vegetation here are flor
blanca, pochote and indio desnudo, frangipani, spiny cedar and
gumbo-limbo. The animals and birds living in this region include
the raccoon, parrots, doves and hermit crabs. Around the island
there are mackerel, dolphin tuna and oysters. You can also find
here monkey's creeper, a plant having medicinal properties. The
Negritos Island has certain traces of history. In the western area
there are remains of pre-Columbian pottery and species of trees
that were introduced on the island.
Guayabo Island
The island mounts to over 50 meters. The rocks forming this island
date back to some 60-80 million years back. Due to low rainfall the
vegetation covering the place is mostly stunted, having mainly
shrubs, bushes and small plants. The island forms the nestling site
for birds like the brown pelican, frigate birds, laughing gulls and
boobies. Not many animals can be found here. Mostly it's the
insects and small crustaceans like the crabs.
 Pájaros Reserve
The island is round and dome shaped. It has the same kind of
vegetation as Guayabo Island, short and stunted vegetation with
shrubs and low-growing forests. The main species growing in the
forests are guava, stinking toe and crown fig. The animals around
the beach are rock oysters, crustaceans and hermit crabs.
The climate is hot and sunny for most part of the year. The
rainy season lasts here from May to November. You could also go to
a trip through these reserves on a boat. There are daily cruises
from Puntarenas to the Tortuga Island, which pass through these
reserves. There is no provision for hiking or camping at this place
but there are marked trails around the base of Guayabo.
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