The Isla del Caño Biological Reserve (RBIC) is located on the Pacific continental shelf of Costa Rica, 16 km northwest of the Osa Peninsula in the province of Puntarenas.
Isla del Caño consists of 320 land ha and 5,800 ha sea. Its waters have one of the most extensive and in the best condition coral reef formations on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. There are five coral platforms (or low reefs) with extensions ranging from 0.8 to 4.2 hectares. It is an important area for raising humpback whales, both from the northern and southern hemispheres, as well as resident species of dolphins.
In the terrestrial area, remains of the stone spheres created by pre-Columbian civilizations are found. Isla del Caño was occupied by various human groups. It is believed that between 700 and 1500 B.C. It was used as a cemetery by Chiriquis societies, or as a permanent residence by the Quepos or Bruncas.
The beaches are sandy and stone and lack mangroves. The upper zone contains an undisturbed humid tropical forest and there are also secondary forests of different ages. In the forest 158 species of plants have been identified.
