A quiet morning among Costa Rica's wild cats, and a closer look at the people who care for animals that can no longer go home.
In the small town of Cañas, in the province of Guanacaste, the Las Pumas Rescue Center offers a home to wild animals that, for various reasons, can no longer be released into their natural habitat. Here you come face to face with the wild cats of Costa Rica: the puma, the jaguar, the ocelot and the margay, along with several species of monkeys and birds.
This half-day visit is about more than watching animals. The sanctuary was founded thanks to the work of Lilly and Werner Hagnauer, and since 2003 a foundation has kept it running through visitor income, donations and the support of sponsors and partners. Walking the paths, you begin to understand what wildlife conservation means in practice in Costa Rica, and what it takes to care for animals that depend on human hands for the rest of their lives.
The visit starts at 10 a.m. and you meet directly on site. Your entrance ticket and the 13% tax on tourist activities are included, and our team remains available to answer your questions in English before and during your trip.
Your visit to the sanctuary in Cañas begins at 10 a.m., meeting on site. Step by step, you discover a center devoted to protecting wild animals that can no longer return to the forest. Behind each enclosure lies a story: a puma watching from the shade, a jaguar's slow, heavy stride, an ocelot or a margay curled up in the foliage. Monkeys call out from nearby, and birds add their colors to the scene. The refuge was created through the dedication of Lilly and Werner Hagnauer, and since 2003 a foundation has carried on their mission of wildlife protection and public awareness. You leave with a clearer picture of the challenges facing Costa Rica's wildlife, and of the patient, local work done for animals that cannot reclaim their natural environment.
No payment now: we confirm availability within 48 hours, then send you a secure Banco de Costa Rica payment link.
The visit begins at 10 a.m. You meet directly at the sanctuary in Cañas, Guanacaste.
No. Transportation is not offered for this excursion, so you will need to make your own way to the meeting point on site.
The refuge cares for several wild cats native to Costa Rica, including the puma, the jaguar, the ocelot and the margay, as well as different species of monkeys and birds. All are animals that can no longer be released into the wild.
Your entrance ticket to the sanctuary, the 13% tax on tourist activities and our assistance are included. Meals and drinks, tips, personal expenses, travel or repatriation insurance and transportation are not included.
The refuge was originally founded thanks to the work of Lilly and Werner Hagnauer. Since 2003, a foundation has ensured its continuity, funded mainly by visitor income, donations and the support of sponsors and partners.
A visit to the Las Pumas Rescue Center is a simple way to add depth to your time in Guanacaste: a few hours among wild cats, monkeys and birds, and a better understanding of how Costa Ricans protect the animals that share their land. If you would like to include this stop in your trip, or build a wider itinerary around it, our team in San Francisco de Heredia will be glad to prepare a quote tailored to your plans.
