The small, nondescript town of Bagaces is on Highway 1, about 22 kilometers north of Cañas [1]. Several adobe-brick houses date back several centuries. Otherwise, even the most diligent search will not turn up anything more interesting than a bust of ex-president General Tomás Guardia on a pedestal in the park honoring the city’s most illustrious child.
Bagaces is a gateway to Palo Verde National Park [2] (west) and Miravalles Volcano [3] (east). The Area de Conservación Arenal-Tempisque (ACT, tel. 506/2671-1290, www.acarenaltempisque.org [4], 8 A.M.–4 P.M. Mon.–Fri.) regional national parks office is opposite the junction for Palo Verde, next to the gas station on Highway 1.
There are a couple of budget options in town. One of the best is Cabinas Sanely (tel. 506/2671-1223, $24), 400 meters north of the central park. Its air-conditioned rooms have fans and cable TV, and it has secure parking.
Transnorte buses (tel. 506/2221-3318) depart San José [5] daily from Calle 12, Avenidas 7/9 at 5:30 A.M. and 2 P.M. (4 hrs).
Links:
[1] http://www.moon.com/destinations/costa-rica/guanacaste-and-the-northwest/canas-and-vicinity/canas
[2] http://www.moon.com/destinations/costa-rica/guanacaste-and-the-northwest/canas-and-vicinity/palo-verde-national-park
[3] http://www.moon.com/destinations/costa-rica/guanacaste-and-the-northwest/canas-and-vicinity/miravalles-volcano
[4] http://www.acarenaltempisque.org
[5] http://www.moon.com/destinations/costa-rica/san-jose