{"id":8482,"date":"2026-07-31T11:28:16","date_gmt":"2026-07-31T17:28:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vamosrentacar.com\/blog\/?p=8482"},"modified":"2026-07-31T11:30:54","modified_gmt":"2026-07-31T17:30:54","slug":"territorio-de-zaguates","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vamosrentacar.com\/blog\/territorio-de-zaguates\/","title":{"rendered":"Looking for a Unique Costa Rica Experience? Why Territorio de Zaguates Should Be on Your List"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"8482\" class=\"elementor elementor-8482\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-310aa41 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"310aa41\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-24fc15e elementor-widget elementor-widget-n-accordion\" data-id=\"24fc15e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;default_state&quot;:&quot;all_collapsed&quot;,&quot;max_items_expended&quot;:&quot;one&quot;,&quot;n_accordion_animation_duration&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;ms&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:400,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]}}\" data-widget_type=\"nested-accordion.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-n-accordion\" aria-label=\"Accordion. Open links with Enter or Space, close with Escape, and navigate with Arrow Keys\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<details id=\"e-n-accordion-item-3870\" class=\"e-n-accordion-item\" >\n\t\t\t\t<summary class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title\" data-accordion-index=\"1\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"e-n-accordion-item-3870\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-header'><div class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title-text\"> Territorio de Zaguates: What's Covered <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-icon'>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-opened' ><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-arrow-alt-circle-down\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M504 256c0 137-111 248-248 248S8 393 8 256 119 8 256 8s248 111 248 248zM212 140v116h-70.9c-10.7 0-16.1 13-8.5 20.5l114.9 114.3c4.7 4.7 12.2 4.7 16.9 0l114.9-114.3c7.6-7.6 2.2-20.5-8.5-20.5H300V140c0-6.6-5.4-12-12-12h-64c-6.6 0-12 5.4-12 12z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-closed'><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-arrow-alt-circle-right\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M256 8c137 0 248 111 248 248S393 504 256 504 8 393 8 256 119 8 256 8zM140 300h116v70.9c0 10.7 13 16.1 20.5 8.5l114.3-114.9c4.7-4.7 4.7-12.2 0-16.9l-114.3-115c-7.6-7.6-20.5-2.2-20.5 8.5V212H140c-6.6 0-12 5.4-12 12v64c0 6.6 5.4 12 12 12z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-3870\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-77f9bca e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"77f9bca\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-3870\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5ad3e61 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"5ad3e61\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7513ceb elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7513ceb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Territorio de Zaguates, the &#8220;Land of the Strays,&#8221; is the world&#8217;s largest free-range, no-kill dog sanctuary \u2014 over 1,000 rescued dogs across a 378-acre mountain farm near Carrizal de Alajuela, about an hour from San Jos\u00e9. Public walks with the pack are free when scheduled, but access has changed repeatedly, so confirm current status on their official channels first. A<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/vamosrentacar.com\/blog\/costa-rica-car-rental-vehicle-requirements\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">rental car<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is the only way in.<\/span><\/p><p><b>Quick Facts:<\/b><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Founded 2005; moved to the current farm in 2008<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Walks are free (donations welcomed) but run only on scheduled days<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">No bus service \u2014 a private vehicle is required; 4&#215;4 helps in green season<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fill your tank first: no fuel stations near the sanctuary<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">About an hour from<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/vamosrentacar.com\/blog\/san-jose-stopover-city-guide\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">San Jos\u00e9<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, close to<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/vamosrentacar.com\/blog\/costa-rica-airport-guide-sjo-vs-lir\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">SJO Airport<\/span><\/a><\/li><\/ul><p><b>Top 3 Ways to Engage:<\/b><\/p><ol><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Adopt or foster<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2013 Rehoming dogs is the sanctuary&#8217;s whole mission<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Donate<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2013 It runs entirely on donations; feeding the pack costs a fortune monthly<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Combine the day<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2013 Pair a Central Valley visit with<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/vamosrentacar.com\/blog\/poas-volcano-national-park\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Po\u00e1s Volcano<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or a<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/vamosrentacar.com\/blog\/costa-rica-coffee-farms\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">coffee tour<\/span><\/a><\/li><\/ol><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Always verify walk schedules before driving out. <strong>If you need any help with a Costa Rica car rental,<\/strong><\/span><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vamosrentacar.com\/contact-us\/\"> contact us now<\/a>!<\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-72a06b2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"72a06b2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Territorio de Zaguates is known as the &#8220;Land of the Strays,&#8221; which is the world&#8217;s largest free-range, no-kill dog sanctuary, home to over 1,800 rescued dogs roaming freely across 378 acres (153 hectares) in Costa Rica&#8217;s mountains. Located about an hour from<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/vamosrentacar.com\/blog\/unlocking-the-charms-of-san-jose-costa-rica\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">San Jos\u00e9<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> near Carrizal de Alajuela, this nonprofit shelter offers visitors the moving experience of walking mountain trails alongside hundreds of happy, tail-wagging pups who&#8217;ve been given a second chance at life.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you&#8217;re an animal lover planning a trip to Costa Rica, this sanctuary offers something you won&#8217;t find anywhere else in the world. The shelter reopened to public visits in June 2025, making it an excellent addition to your<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/vamosrentacar.com\/blog\/central-valley-beyond-beaches-guide\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Central Valley exploration<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or a memorable day trip from the capital.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5716074 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"5716074\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Key Takeaways<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8fd2792 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"8fd2792\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Location<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Mountain region between Carrizal and<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/vamosrentacar.com\/blog\/costa-rica-volcanoes-poas-irazu\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Po\u00e1s Volcano<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, about 1 hour from San Jos\u00e9.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Population<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Over 1,800 dogs currently in residence.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>History<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Founded in 2005 by Lya Battle and Alvaro Saumet, relocated to the 378-acre farm in 2008.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Status<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Reopened to public visits in June 2025 after infrastructure renovations.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Access<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Private vehicle required as there\u2019s no public bus service to the sanctuary.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Cost<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Free public walks (donations welcomed).<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Best for<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Animal lovers, unique cultural experiences, families seeking meaningful activities.<\/span><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c9eed8f elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"c9eed8f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"518\" src=\"https:\/\/vamosrentacar.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Territorio-de-Zaguates-The-Basics-scaled.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-8471\" alt=\"Territorio de Zaguates quick facts: located about one hour from San Jos\u00e9 near Carrizal de Alajuela, home to over 1,000 rescued dogs though the count fluctuates, founded in 2005 and moved to a 378-acre farm in 2008, public walks are free when scheduled with donations welcomed, reachable only by private vehicle with no bus service, and run as the world&#039;s largest free-range no-kill dog sanctuary. Visitor access has changed repeatedly, so confirm current status through their official channels before planning a visit.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/vamosrentacar.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Territorio-de-Zaguates-The-Basics-scaled.png 1024w, https:\/\/vamosrentacar.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Territorio-de-Zaguates-The-Basics-350x177.png 350w, https:\/\/vamosrentacar.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Territorio-de-Zaguates-The-Basics-768x388.png 768w, https:\/\/vamosrentacar.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Territorio-de-Zaguates-The-Basics-1536x776.png 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" title=\"\">\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ee65232 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"ee65232\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">What Is Territorio de Zaguates and Why Is It Famous?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4b978b6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4b978b6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Territorio de Zaguates translates to &#8220;Land of the Strays&#8221; in English. In Costa Rica, &#8220;zaguate&#8221; refers to a mixed-breed dog, a mutt, or a stray, and this sanctuary has made it their mission to celebrate these unique dogs rather than treat them as lesser than purebreds.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The shelter gained international attention through viral videos showing their famous &#8220;dog hikes,&#8221; where hundreds of rescued canines run alongside human visitors through mountain trails. A 2018 Netflix documentary episode in the series <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dogs<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (Season 1, Episode 5) further boosted the sanctuary&#8217;s profile and brought supporters from around the world to this remarkable place.<\/span><\/p><h3><b>Who Runs the Sanctuary?<\/b><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lya Battle, born in Canada, and Alvaro Saumet from Colombia founded the shelter in 2005 when they began taking in abandoned dogs at their Costa Rica home. When Battle inherited property from her grandfather, they moved operations to the current 378-acre farm in 2008. What started as a shelter for geriatric dogs quickly expanded to care for dogs of all ages as more strays arrived.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Today, the sanctuary operates as a U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and employs over 20 full-time staff members who manage daily operations, veterinary care, and the massive task of preparing and distributing roughly 860 pounds of food daily.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-734de7f elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"734de7f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">How Do You Get to Territorio de Zaguates?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-41c26eb elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"41c26eb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The sanctuary is located in the mountains between Carrizal and<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/vamosrentacar.com\/blog\/poas-volcano-worth-the-drive-from-san-jose\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Po\u00e1s Volcano<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, making it accessible only by private vehicle. There&#8217;s no bus service to this mountainous neighborhood, which is part of why the area has remained relatively untouched by mass tourism.<\/span><\/p><h3><b>Driving from San Jos\u00e9<\/b><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The drive takes approximately one hour from downtown San Jos\u00e9. You&#8217;ll head northwest toward Alajuela province, then climb into the mountains near Carrizal. The roads are paved and manageable with a standard rental car during <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/vamosrentacar.com\/blog\/costa-rica-dry-season-guide\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">dry season<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, though a<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/vamosrentacar.com\/blog\/costa-rica-car-rental-vehicle-requirements\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">4&#215;4 provides extra confidence<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> on mountain routes, especially if you&#8217;re visiting during <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/vamosrentacar.com\/blog\/costa-rica-green-season-guide\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">green season<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you&#8217;re flying into<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/vamosrentacar.com\/blog\/choosing-the-right-international-airport-in-costa-rica\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Juan Santamar\u00eda International Airport (SJO)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, Territorio de Zaguates makes an excellent first-day or last-day activity since it&#8217;s located in the same general region as the airport. You could combine a morning visit with an afternoon<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/vamosrentacar.com\/blog\/costa-rica-coffee-farms\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">coffee plantation tour<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in the nearby Heredia highlands.<\/span><\/p><h3><b>What to Know Before You Go<\/b><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Because the sanctuary operates in a residential mountain area, you cannot simply show up and expect entry. Always check their<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/territoriodezaguates\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">official Facebook page<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.territoriodezaguates.com\/visit\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">website<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for current visit schedules. Walk schedules may change, and the sanctuary occasionally closes for maintenance or special circumstances.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pro tip: Fill your gas tank before heading into the mountains. There are no fuel stations near the sanctuary, and mountain driving consumes more fuel than you might expect.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-79f7133 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"79f7133\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"563\" data-src=\"https:\/\/vamosrentacar.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/What-to-Know-Before-You-Go-scaled.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-8470 lazyload\" alt=\"Before visiting Territorio de Zaguates: confirm the walk schedule first through their official Facebook page since access changes repeatedly and showing up unannounced may mean closed gates; you need your own vehicle because no bus serves the mountain, with a 4x4 helping in green season; fill your gas tank first as there are no fuel stations nearby; and if bringing your own dog, only do so if they are comfortable in large groups on uneven terrain.\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/vamosrentacar.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/What-to-Know-Before-You-Go-scaled.png 1024w, https:\/\/vamosrentacar.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/What-to-Know-Before-You-Go-350x192.png 350w, https:\/\/vamosrentacar.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/What-to-Know-Before-You-Go-768x422.png 768w, https:\/\/vamosrentacar.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/What-to-Know-Before-You-Go-1536x844.png 1536w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" title=\"\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1024px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1024\/563;\">\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-eb5018c elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"eb5018c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">What Happens During a Visit to the Dog Sanctuary?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5141f5e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5141f5e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The signature experience at Territorio de Zaguates is the public walk, which is a group hike through the mountain property with hundreds of dogs running, playing, and enjoying their freedom alongside visitors.<\/span><\/p><h3><b>The Walking Experience<\/b><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">During these walks, you&#8217;ll trek through mountain trails surrounded by wagging tails and happy dogs of every imaginable mix. Some dogs will run ahead, others stay close, hoping to be petted, and many just seem thrilled to have human companions on their adventure. The walks typically last 2-3 hours and cover moderate terrain with some elevation changes.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You&#8217;re welcome to bring your own dog, although make sure they&#8217;re comfortable around large groups of other dogs. Walkers of all ages can participate, but be prepared for uneven mountain terrain and the occasional enthusiastic greeting from an excited pup.<\/span><\/p><h3><b>Beyond the Walks<\/b><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Even when public walks aren&#8217;t scheduled, the sanctuary offers other ways to engage:<\/span><\/p><p><b>Adoption<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: The primary goal of Territorio de Zaguates is to find homes for its residents. If you fall in love with a particular zaguate, you can inquire about adoption procedures through their WhatsApp contacts (English: Marcela at +506 8883-9337; Spanish: Mar\u00eda Fernanda at +506 8484-7329).<\/span><\/p><p><b>Fostering<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Some dogs arrive in terrible condition and need personalized care while they heal. Foster families provide that crucial TLC that accelerates recovery.<\/span><\/p><p><b>Donations<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: As a 100% donation-based sanctuary, financial support keeps operations running. Weekly food costs alone reach approximately $7,000, plus veterinary care, medications, staff salaries, and facility maintenance.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-934fa9c elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"934fa9c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Why Does Costa Rica Have So Many Stray Dogs?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6907e70 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"6907e70\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Costa Rica faces a significant stray dog challenge, with estimates suggesting over two million strays across the country. Several cultural and practical factors contribute to this problem.<\/span><\/p><h3><b>Historical Context<\/b><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Traditionally, many Costa Ricans viewed dogs primarily as guard animals rather than family pets. Dogs were often tied up outside, left to roam freely, or abandoned when families moved or circumstances changed. Spaying and neutering weren&#8217;t widely practiced, which led to rapid population growth among street dogs.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Additionally, a cultural preference for purebred dogs meant mixed-breed strays were often overlooked as potential pets, which is something Territorio de Zaguates has worked hard to change through their creative &#8220;unique breed&#8221; marketing campaign.<\/span><\/p><h3><b>Legal Protections<\/b><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Costa Rica has strengthened its<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.animallaw.info\/countries\/costa-rica\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">animal welfare laws<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> significantly over the years. The Animal Welfare Law of 2017 established fines and prison sentences for animal abuse, while<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.senasa.go.cr\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">SENASA<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (Costa Rica&#8217;s National Animal Health Service) oversees animal welfare enforcement. These legal changes reflect growing awareness and changing attitudes toward pet ownership and animal treatment.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Territorio de Zaguates actively promotes education about responsible pet ownership, spaying\/neutering, and treating dogs as family members rather than disposable property. Their &#8220;When you adopt a mutt, you adopt a unique breed&#8221; campaign has helped shift perceptions about mixed-breed dogs throughout Costa Rica.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7d342dd elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"7d342dd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-src=\"https:\/\/vamosrentacar.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/territorio-de-zaguates-rescue-dog-costa-rica-scaled.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-8543 lazyload\" alt=\"Close-up of a friendly tan-and-black rescued street dog, similar to the dogs at Territorio de Zaguates, Costa Rica\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/vamosrentacar.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/territorio-de-zaguates-rescue-dog-costa-rica-scaled.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/vamosrentacar.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/territorio-de-zaguates-rescue-dog-costa-rica-350x233.jpg 350w, https:\/\/vamosrentacar.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/territorio-de-zaguates-rescue-dog-costa-rica-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/vamosrentacar.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/territorio-de-zaguates-rescue-dog-costa-rica-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/vamosrentacar.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/territorio-de-zaguates-rescue-dog-costa-rica-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" title=\"\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1024px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1024\/683;\">\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-39fdd99 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"39fdd99\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Can You Combine This Visit with Other Attractions?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-72bbac6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"72bbac6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Absolutely. The sanctuary&#8217;s location in the<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/vamosrentacar.com\/blog\/central-valley-beyond-beaches-guide\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Central Valley highlands<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is near several excellent day trip options that complement an animal-focused experience.<\/span><\/p><h3><b>Nearby Coffee Experiences<\/b><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The mountains around Heredia and Alajuela produce some of Costa Rica&#8217;s finest coffee. After your morning dog walk, consider stopping at nearby plantations for tours that explain the journey from bean to cup.<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/vamosrentacar.com\/blog\/costa-rica-coffee-farms\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Finca Rosa Blanca<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in the Heredia highlands offers organic coffee tours with beautiful Central Valley views.<\/span><\/p><h3><b>Volcano Day Trips<\/b><\/h3><p><a href=\"https:\/\/vamosrentacar.com\/blog\/poas-volcano-worth-the-drive-from-san-jose\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Po\u00e1s Volcano National Park<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> sits just northeast of the sanctuary area. With advance reservations through SINAC, you can witness one of the world&#8217;s largest active crater lakes. The park&#8217;s 8:00 AM opening aligns well with an early start, so visit the volcano first when skies are clearest, then head to Territorio de Zaguates for an afternoon walk.<\/span><\/p><h3><b>Wildlife Experiences<\/b><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For more animal encounters, the<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/vamosrentacar.com\/blog\/central-valley-beyond-beaches-guide\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rescate Wildlife Rescue Center<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> near Grecia houses native and exotic animals rescued from across the country. It&#8217;s a different experience from Territorio de Zaguates as the focus is on native wildlife rather than domestic dogs but appeals to the same animal-loving travelers.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8dc6d13 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"8dc6d13\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"411\" data-src=\"https:\/\/vamosrentacar.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/How-to-Support-the-Sanctuary-scaled.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-8469 lazyload\" alt=\"Ways to support Territorio de Zaguates regardless of visit status: adopt a rescued dog since finding homes is the sanctuary&#039;s whole purpose and international adoption is possible, foster a dog that needs personalized care to heal, donate since the sanctuary runs entirely on donations with food alone costing tens of thousands per month, and spread the word by sharing their posts to reach adopters worldwide.\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/vamosrentacar.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/How-to-Support-the-Sanctuary-scaled.png 1024w, https:\/\/vamosrentacar.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/How-to-Support-the-Sanctuary-350x140.png 350w, https:\/\/vamosrentacar.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/How-to-Support-the-Sanctuary-768x308.png 768w, https:\/\/vamosrentacar.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/How-to-Support-the-Sanctuary-1536x616.png 1536w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" title=\"\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1024px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1024\/411;\">\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b07523b elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"b07523b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">What Should You Know About Supporting the Sanctuary?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ed1b70b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ed1b70b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Territorio de Zaguates operates entirely on donations, making every contribution meaningful. Here&#8217;s how support translates to impact:<\/span><\/p><h3><b>How Donations Help<\/b><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The sanctuary&#8217;s monthly expenses are substantial. Food alone costs approximately $28,000 monthly to feed over 1,800 dogs. Add veterinary care, medications, specialized treatments for sick or senior dogs, facility maintenance, and staff salaries, and you can see why ongoing support matters.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Every dog arriving at the sanctuary receives immediate veterinary attention: vaccinations, parasite treatment, and spaying or neutering. SENASA veterinarians conduct monthly inspections to verify that the health standards are maintained. Dogs with special medical needs receive ongoing care, and many wouldn&#8217;t survive without it.<\/span><\/p><h3><b>Ways to Contribute<\/b><\/h3><p><b>Direct Donations<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Through their<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/donate.territoriodezaguates.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">official website<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, you can make one-time or recurring donations.<\/span><\/p><p><b>Merchandise<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Purchase items from their<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bonfire.com\/store\/support-territorio-de-zaguates\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bonfire store<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to support operations while getting a memento of your visit.<\/span><\/p><p><b>Dog Food Purchases<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Contact them directly to arrange food donations that go directly to the pack.<\/span><\/p><p><b>Spreading the Word<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Sharing their social media content helps raise awareness and reach potential adopters worldwide.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-046bdba elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"046bdba\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">How Does This Fit Into Your Costa Rica Trip?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ed6deb9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ed6deb9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you&#8217;re<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/vamosrentacar.com\/blog\/2-week-costa-rica-itinerary\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">planning a Costa Rica itinerary<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, Territorio de Zaguates works best as a Central Valley activity before or after exploring other regions.<\/span><\/p><h3><b>For First-Time Visitors<\/b><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many travelers treat<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/vamosrentacar.com\/blog\/san-jose-stopover-city-guide\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">San Jos\u00e9 as just a stopover<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, but the Central Valley deserves more attention. A visit to Territorio de Zaguates, combined with<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/vamosrentacar.com\/blog\/san-jose-museum-guide-downtown-treasures\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">San Jos\u00e9&#8217;s museums<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or a<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/vamosrentacar.com\/blog\/colossal-adventure-irazu-volcano-national-park\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">volcano day trip<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, creates a meaningful first impression of Costa Rica beyond the beaches.<\/span><\/p><h3><b>Practical Timing<\/b><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The sanctuary visit works well on:<\/span><\/p><p><b>Day 1 or 2<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: After landing at<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/vamosrentacar.com\/blog\/sjo-airport-confusion-solved\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">SJO airport<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, pick up your rental car and explore the nearby Central Valley before heading to more distant destinations.<\/span><\/p><p><b>Final Day<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: If your flight departs late afternoon or evening, a morning sanctuary visit makes a memorable farewell activity since the location is convenient to the airport.<\/span><\/p><h3><b>Getting Around<\/b><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Having your<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/vamosrentacar.com\/blog\/driving-in-costa-rica-road-conditions-tips\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">own rental vehicle<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is essential for visiting Territorio de Zaguates. The mountain roads require independent transportation, and shuttle services don&#8217;t reach this area. A standard car handles the paved routes fine in the dry season;<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/vamosrentacar.com\/blog\/costa-rica-car-rental-vehicle-requirements\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">4&#215;4 vehicles<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> provide extra security during the green season or if you&#8217;re combining with rougher destinations afterward.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e6300dc elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"e6300dc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-src=\"https:\/\/vamosrentacar.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/territorio-de-zaguates-adopt-rescue-dog-costa-rica-scaled.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-8541 lazyload\" alt=\"A calm senior rescue dog outdoors, similar to adopting from Territorio de Zaguates, Costa Rica\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/vamosrentacar.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/territorio-de-zaguates-adopt-rescue-dog-costa-rica-scaled.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/vamosrentacar.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/territorio-de-zaguates-adopt-rescue-dog-costa-rica-350x233.jpg 350w, https:\/\/vamosrentacar.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/territorio-de-zaguates-adopt-rescue-dog-costa-rica-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/vamosrentacar.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/territorio-de-zaguates-adopt-rescue-dog-costa-rica-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/vamosrentacar.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/territorio-de-zaguates-adopt-rescue-dog-costa-rica-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" title=\"\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1024px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1024\/683;\">\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3f0c7d6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"3f0c7d6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">What Makes This Experience Unique?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b7a9655 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"b7a9655\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Territorio de Zaguates isn&#8217;t a typical tourist attraction\u2014it&#8217;s a working sanctuary that happens to welcome visitors. This distinction shapes the experience in meaningful ways.<\/span><\/p><h3><b>Authentic Impact<\/b><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Unlike paid animal encounters, where you&#8217;re essentially buying access, your visit here directly supports homeless dogs. Every photo you share, every donation you make, and every adoption you consider has a real impact on animals who truly need help.<\/span><\/p><h3><b>Cultural Insight<\/b><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The sanctuary reveals important aspects of Costa Rican society: the challenges facing stray animals, the dedication of local animal welfare advocates, and the evolving attitudes toward pet ownership.<\/span><\/p><h3><b>Unforgettable Moments<\/b><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There&#8217;s something profound about being surrounded by hundreds of dogs who&#8217;ve overcome abandonment and now live freely on mountain trails. Many visitors describe it as one of their most memorable Costa Rica experiences and more touching than any beach sunset or zipline adventure.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-dbd0636 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"dbd0636\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Planning Your Visit: Quick Reference<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-790b461 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"790b461\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><b>Location<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Mountains near Carrizal de Alajuela, approximately 1 hour from San Jos\u00e9.<\/span><\/p><p><b>Getting There<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Private vehicle required;<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/vamosrentacar.com\/blog\/sjo-airport-confusion-solved\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">rent a car at SJO airport<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for easy access.<\/span><\/p><p><b>Current Status<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Open for public visits (reopened June 2025).<\/span><\/p><p><b>Visit Information<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Check<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/territoriodezaguates\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">official Facebook page<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for current walk schedules.<\/span><\/p><p><b>Cost<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Free (donations strongly encouraged).<\/span><\/p><p><b>What to Bring<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Comfortable walking shoes, water, sun protection, camera, and treats for the dogs (optional).<\/span><\/p><p><b>Languages<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: English spoken by staff member Marcela; Spanish by Mar\u00eda Fernanda and other team members.<\/span><\/p><p><b>Best Season<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Dry season (December-April) offers easier road conditions and more reliable weather for outdoor activities.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1d61df3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"1d61df3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-src=\"https:\/\/vamosrentacar.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/territorio-de-zaguates-rescue-puppy-costa-rica-scaled.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-8544 lazyload\" alt=\"Person gently holding a calm brown rescue puppy, similar to a dog awaiting adoption at Territorio de Zaguates, Costa Rica\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/vamosrentacar.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/territorio-de-zaguates-rescue-puppy-costa-rica-scaled.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/vamosrentacar.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/territorio-de-zaguates-rescue-puppy-costa-rica-350x233.jpg 350w, https:\/\/vamosrentacar.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/territorio-de-zaguates-rescue-puppy-costa-rica-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/vamosrentacar.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/territorio-de-zaguates-rescue-puppy-costa-rica-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/vamosrentacar.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/territorio-de-zaguates-rescue-puppy-costa-rica-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" title=\"\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1024px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1024\/683;\">\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8c0decb elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"8c0decb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5490f80 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"5490f80\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-22dca55 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"22dca55\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3><b>What Is the Meaning of Territorio de Zaguates?<\/b><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;Territorio de Zaguates&#8221; translates to &#8220;Land of the Strays&#8221; or &#8220;Kingdom of Strays&#8221; in English. In Costa Rica, &#8220;zaguate&#8221; is the local term for a mixed-breed dog, a mutt, or a stray. The name celebrates rather than stigmatizes these dogs, and reflects the sanctuary&#8217;s mission to change how Costa Ricans perceive mixed-breed pets.<\/span><\/p><h3><b>Can You Visit the Land of the Strays, Costa Rica?<\/b><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes, you can visit Territorio de Zaguates. The sanctuary reopened to public visits in June 2025 after completing government-required infrastructure renovations. Visit schedules vary, so always check their official<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/territoriodezaguates\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Facebook page<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.territoriodezaguates.com\/visit\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">website<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> before planning your trip. Don\u2019t drop in without checking the schedule first, as unannounced visitors may find locked gates.<\/span><\/p><h3><b>Where Is the Territory of Zaguates in Costa Rica?<\/b><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The sanctuary is located in the mountains between the town of Carrizal and Po\u00e1s Volcano in Alajuela province. It&#8217;s approximately one hour by car from downtown San Jos\u00e9 and about 45 minutes from<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/vamosrentacar.com\/blog\/sjo-airport-confusion-solved\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Juan Santamar\u00eda International Airport<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. The mountainous location means no public bus service reaches the area, and you&#8217;ll need a private vehicle to visit.<\/span><\/p><h3><b>Who Is the Owner of Territorio de Zaguates?<\/b><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lya Battle (Canadian-born) and Alvaro Saumet (from Colombia) founded and operate Territorio de Zaguates. They began taking in abandoned dogs in 2005 and relocated to their current 378-acre property in 2008 when Battle inherited the land from her grandfather. The sanctuary is registered as a U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and a Costa Rican Fundaci\u00f3n Sin Fin de Lucro.<\/span><\/p><h3><b>What Does &#8220;Zaguates&#8221; Mean in English?<\/b><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;Zaguate&#8221; is Costa Rican slang for a street dog, stray dog, or mixed-breed mutt. Unlike English, where &#8220;mutt&#8221; can carry negative connotations, the shelter has worked to make &#8220;zaguate&#8221; a term of endearment through their creative &#8220;unique breed&#8221; campaign, and each dog receives a one-of-a-kind breed name like &#8220;Alaskan Collie Fluffyterrier&#8221; or &#8220;Chihuapoodle Punky Hairas&#8221; to emphasize their special characteristics.<\/span><\/p><h3><b>Do Stray Dogs Still Exist in Costa Rica?<\/b><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes, Costa Rica has an estimated two million stray dogs. While<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/costarica.org\/sustainability\/animal-rights\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">animal welfare legislation<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> has improved significantly, including the 2017 Animal Welfare Law establishing penalties for abuse, the stray population remains a challenge. Cultural shifts toward responsible pet ownership, spaying\/neutering, and adoption are gradually addressing the problem, with organizations like Territorio de Zaguates leading educational efforts.<\/span><\/p><h3><b>How Can You Support Territorio de Zaguates?<\/b><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can support the sanctuary through direct<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/donate.territoriodezaguates.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">donations via their website<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, purchasing merchandise from their<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bonfire.com\/store\/support-territorio-de-zaguates\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">online store<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, adopting or fostering a dog, or simply spreading awareness through social media. The sanctuary is 100% donation-funded, with weekly food costs alone reaching approximately $7,000. Every contribution helps feed, shelter, and provide medical care for over 1,800 dogs.<\/span><\/p><h3><b>Can I Adopt a Dog from Territorio de Zaguates?<\/b><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes, adoption is the sanctuary&#8217;s primary goal. If you&#8217;re interested in adopting, contact Marcela (English) at +506 8883-9337 or Mar\u00eda Fernanda (Spanish) at +506 8484-7329 via WhatsApp. International adoptions are possible, though they involve additional logistics. The sanctuary also needs foster families for dogs recovering from illness or injury who need individualized care.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-27c1ac1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"27c1ac1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/reservations.vamosrentacar.com\/Search\/Init\/Vamos\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"700\" height=\"233\" data-src=\"https:\/\/vamosrentacar.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Cover-Vamos-Rent-a-car-1-e1752508323933.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-4528 lazyload\" alt=\"\" title=\"\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 700px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 700\/233;\">\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Territorio de Zaguates: What&#8217;s Covered Territorio de Zaguates, the &#8220;Land of the Strays,&#8221; is the world&#8217;s largest free-range, no-kill dog sanctuary \u2014 over 1,000 rescued dogs across a 378-acre mountain farm near Carrizal de Alajuela, about an hour from San Jos\u00e9. Public walks with the pack are free when scheduled, but access has changed repeatedly, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":8542,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"no","footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8482","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-posts"],"modified_by":"Zachary","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vamosrentacar.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8482","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vamosrentacar.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vamosrentacar.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vamosrentacar.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/12"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vamosrentacar.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8482"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/vamosrentacar.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8482\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8548,"href":"https:\/\/vamosrentacar.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8482\/revisions\/8548"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vamosrentacar.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8542"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vamosrentacar.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8482"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vamosrentacar.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8482"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vamosrentacar.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8482"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}