Finca Cántaros

Southern Costa Rica & Península de Osa


About 3km south of San Vito, Finca Cántaros is a recreation center and reforestation project. Over 7 hectares of grounds – formerly coffee plantations and pastureland – are now a lovely nature reserve with trails, picnic areas and a dramatic lookout over the city. Especially interesting are the pre-Columbian cemetery and a large petroglyph that was discovered on the property in 2009. Though its meaning and age are unclear, the petroglyph is estimated to be around 1600 years old.

Another point of interest is the 3000-year-old Laguna Zoncho: picnic at one of the small shelters and watch for rare birds. If birders wish to visit the finca before 6:30am, arrangements can be made in advance. The reserve's reception contains a small but carefully chosen selection of local and South American crafts.

Camping on the property is allowed (US$10 per person); call ahead if arriving on a Sunday.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Southern Costa Rica & Península de Osa attractions

1. Wilson Botanical Garden

1.8 MILES

The world-class Wilson Botanical Garden is internationally known for its collection of more than 2000 native Costa Rican species. Species threatened with…

3. Sitio Barriles

18.47 MILES

The pre-Columbian ruins at this site 6km west of Volcán along the Río Gariche date from between AD 300 and 900, when the settlement had as many as 1000…

4. Playa Cacao

19.19 MILES

Just a quick trip across the bay, this small beach offers a prime view of Golfito, with the rainforest as a backdrop. It's a pleasant spot to spend the…

6. Arte Cruz

22.64 MILES

On the west side of Hwy 41, some 3.5km south of Volcán, you’ll spot this workshop where master carver and artist José de la Cruz González makes and sells…

7. Casa Orquideas

23.44 MILES

This vibrant botanical garden is the product of 40 years of effort and off-the-grid living by an expat couple, who once cultivated cacao here. Nowadays,…

8. Finca Dracula

27.8 MILES

This orchid sanctuary, 500m from the center beyond the landmark Los Quetzales Ecolodge & Spa, is one of Latin America’s finest orchid collections, with…

  • placement: superzone
  • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [1, 1],
  • targeting:
    {
      "url": "costa-rica/southern-costa-rica/san-vito/attractions/finca-cantaros/a/poi-sig/1198185/358366",
      "destination": "Southern-Costa-Rica-&-Península-de-Osa",
      "continent": "Central-America",
      "country": "Costa-Rica",
      "region": "Southern-Costa-Rica-&-Península-de-Osa",
      "position": "superzone"
    }