“El Viejo”, in English “The Old Man” is located in Filadelfia, Guanacaste, at it involves 5000 acres of Wildlife Refuge, recognized as such since 2008.

This old-style “hacienda” is a real “sabanero” home, which strives to offer tourists a rich cultural experience as well as great adventure tours. With Costa Rican style rodeos, traditional dances, masquerades, and of course typical Costa Rican food, the experience will certainly bring visitors closer to what the country is all about.

“El Viejo” offers different tour options through their National Wildlife Refuge; surrounded by wonderful tropical dry forest, the most popular choice is the Tempisque river boat tour that takes you through the wetlands where you can see crocodiles, monkeys and different birds. There’re also bike tours, guided walks, hiking and zip lining.

The hacienda house was constructed in 1881, it was once owned by Nicaraguan President Anastasio Somoza, it underwent a renovation that took close to 18 months, and is now functioning as a restaurant, this wonderful “casona” will take you back to the Costa Rica of Colonial times.

The touristic complex is located in a property owned by Azucarera El Viejo, one of Costa Rica’s most important sugar companies with over 5000 planted hectares, the refuge is part of their social and environmental responsibility projects, and they also produce clean electricity with the use of the sugar cane waste.

Hacienda El Viejo is very close to Palo Verde National Park, also a great option to visit, Palo Verde is home to some species of birds that are not found in other areas of Costa Rica, among them the Great Egrets,Roseate Spoonbills and Wood Storks; the best time to visit is the dry season (December through May).