The Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Hacienda El Viejo is located in Filadelfia, Guanacaste, and is part of the Tempisque Conservation Area and is a private refuge belonging to the Azucarera el Viejo. Also known as El Viejo Wetlands is bordered by 5,000 acres of Wildlife Refuge, a tourist attraction surrounded by nature that “embraces” the Palo Verde National Park, RAMSAR site due to the richness of its wetlands and famous for being one of the places of greatest ecological diversity in the country and home to many endangered species. This colonial-style hacienda was built in 1881 and opened to the public in 2008 to offer an authentic cultural, gastronomic and adventure experience. With rodeos in the Costa Rican style, traditional dances, masquerades, typical foods, boat rides on the Tempisque River, make it an ideal setting to live an authentic Guanacaste experience. “El Viejo” offers different options of tours through its National Wildlife Refuge; surrounded by wonderful tropical dry forest, the most popular option is the boat tour on the Tempisque River that takes you through the wetlands where you can see crocodiles, monkeys and different birds. For the most adventurous canopy tour with 6 cables and 10 platforms with a majestic view, the trapiche to show the process of sugar cane and its derivatives, the rodeo will show the spirit of Guanacaste sabaneros to tame the bravest animals accompanied by the best traditional music. There are also bicycle tours, guided walks, hiking and zip line.