Isla del Caño

The Isla del Caño is a small island off the west coast of Costa Rica in the Pacific Ocean. It is part of the province of Puntarenas and the Corcovado National Park.

Geography

Isla del Caño is located 16 km west of Punta Llorona on the Osa Peninsula. The island is 3.2 km long and up to 1.5 km wide and has an area of 3.0 km ². Apart from a permanently manned Ranger Station, the island is uninhabited. It is surrounded by a cliff and rises to a maximum of 123 -meter-high level in the interior of. At the west end is a lighthouse.

Tourism

The coral reefs and marine life ( rays, dolphins, sea turtles, whales and numerous species of fish ) around the island are suitable for snorkeling and diving. Also the beaches of the island are popular. With the one-hour boat crossings of the Drake Bay possible and Manuel Antonio from, from there, however, are associated with a longer boat ride.

Conservation

Founded in 1978 to preserve the island 15 km off the coast are around 3 km ² land and 58 km ² marine area. The island is densely covered with tropical rainforest. There is an abundance of plants, 13 different land bird and a number of seabird species. The only mammals are pigs and Pacas.

History

In pre-Columbian Brunca Indians have erected tombs, whose excavations can be visited. On the island, some of the stone balls have been found from Costa Rica.