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Jaguar Rescue Center: A Sanctuary for Costa Rican Wildlife

A wildlife rehabilitation center near Puerto Viejo dedicated to rescuing, healing, and releasing Costa Rica's native animals.

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The Jaguar Rescue Center, near Puerto Viejo, is dedicated to rehabilitating injured and orphaned animals, including sloths, monkeys, and reptiles, with the goal of releasing them back into their natural habitats. Despite its name, the center has never housed a jaguar, but it provides crucial care and conservation efforts for a wide array of Costa Rican wildlife.

A brief summary to Jaguar Rescue Center

Local tips

  • Book your tour in advance, especially during peak season, to ensure you get a spot.
  • Arrive 15-30 minutes early to allow time for check-in.
  • Bring rain gear as tours take place rain or shine.
  • Wear comfortable shoes for walking on the trails.
  • Bring cash for tour balance and tips.
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Getting There

  • Taxi

    From Puerto Viejo, the quickest way to reach the Jaguar Rescue Center is by taxi. The ride takes about 5 minutes and typically costs between $9 and $12. Taxis are readily available in Puerto Viejo.

  • Bus

    Take the local bus from Puerto Viejo towards Manzanillo. The bus ride is approximately 15 minutes and costs around $2. Get off the bus at the main road in front of the Jaguar Rescue Center, near Villas del Caribe. From the bus stop, it is a short walk to the entrance.

  • Walking

    It is possible to walk from Puerto Viejo to the Jaguar Rescue Center. The walk is approximately 4.7 kilometers and takes about an hour. Follow the main road south from Puerto Viejo towards Playa Chiquita. The Jaguar Rescue Center will be on your left, in front of Villas del Caribe.

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Discover more about Jaguar Rescue Center

Nestled near Puerto Viejo de Talamanca on Costa Rica's vibrant Caribbean coast, the Jaguar Rescue Center is a haven for injured, orphaned, and displaced wildlife. Founded in 2008 by biologists Sandro Alviani and Encar Garcia, the center focuses on rescuing, rehabilitating, and releasing animals back into their natural habitats. Despite its name, the center's origin is rooted in a misidentification; the first animal they rescued was an ocelot mistaken for a jaguar. Today, the center cares for a diverse range of animals, including monkeys, sloths, reptiles, amphibians, and birds. The Jaguar Rescue Center operates as both a sanctuary for animals that cannot be reintroduced to the wild due to health or behavioral issues and as a rehabilitation center for those that can return to the wild. Visitors can take guided tours to learn about the center's mission, meet the animals, and support their conservation work. The center also engages in community outreach and environmental education programs. The Jaguar Rescue Center relies on donations, volunteer support, and tour fees to operate, as it does not receive government funding.

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