Costa Rica National Parks

San Lucas Island Wildlife Refuge

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		Area		1,156 acres
		Location		Puntarenas Province
		Date of Creation		12 February 2001

Park Attractions

The Isla San Lucas Wildlife Refuge protects an island in the Gulf of Nicoya, just offshore from Puntarenas, on the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica.

Isla San Lucas was a penal colony until 1991. It had the reputation of being the roughest jail in Costa Rica and its 117 year history is rich with tales of violence. A network of underground prison cells hosted society's undesirables who ran the community, fished, farmed and did domestic chores. Today the prison walls are crumbling in ruins and a lonely caretaker might let you go around on the island.

Driving Directions

From San Jose, take the Interamerican Highway to the turnoff at Puntarenas. You must hire a boat to take you to the island.

Park Facilities and Hours

A caretaker lives on San Lucas Island, and is available for tours.

National Parks of Costa Rica

Other nearby Costa Rica National Parks are the Puntarenas Estuary Wetlands and the Pajaros Island Biological Reserve.