In the Interior Uplands:
 Eco-Lodge in a Cloud Forest
Thumbnail description: Hosts Steve &
Paula Friedman offer lodging in a four-room lodge or an A-frame cabin high in the
mountains, in a pristine tropical cloud forest. Around the lodge is a trail modeled on the
Appalachian Trail system. Hiking the trail you see incredible wildlife and luxuriant
vegetation -- maybe even the beautiful Quetzal bird, sacred bird of the Aztecs. Birding is
great here, with a mix of rare endemics and common migrants. -
- Rural Tours near San José
Thumbnail description: Host John
Goldberg invites visitors to meet Costa Rica's "real places and real
people." He's set up a number of trips where you can see what life in rural Costa
Rica is like for the people who live there. You can learn how to cook local dishes, learn
local handicraft, see how crops are grown and harvested -- all from local people, and all
in breathtaking natural settings.
On the Caribbean Coast:
- Deep Jungle Lodging & Hikes beside Braulio Carrillo National
Park
Thumbnail description: Host David
Vaughan proposes a visit of 4 days/3 nights to his La Danta Lodge far from
civilization and even roads on the the lush Caribbean slopes of the Central Volcanic
Mountain Range. You stay in a rustic lodge and each day take hikes with the goal of seeing
local wildlife, plants, and attractions such as the 150-meter-high waterfall known as
Catarata La Danta.
An Organic Farm & A Private Rainforest Reserve
Thumbnail description: Host Rick Chatham and his
family own both a private rainforest reserve and a 15-acre (6-hectare) organic farm that
is both 15 minutes from San Jose and next to a national park good for birding and hiking,
as well as a private rainforest. The 700-acre (280 ha) rainforest occupies rolling hills,
steep canyons, pristine rivers and has plenty of exciting wildlife. Rick invites visitors
to stay at the organic farm, which has all the basic conveniences, or to lodge in cabins
near the reserve for an in-depth nature experience.
Cruising the Tortuguero Canals
Thumbnail description: Spend two days and a night gliding by riverboat through 45
miles of rainforest-draped canals on Costa Rica's Northern Caribbean coast enroute to the
small village of Tortuguero. Almost certainly guests will see caimans, turtles, sloths,
monkeys, toucans, parrots, iguanas, basilisk lizards, and a myriad of butterflies. The
trip is conducted by Costa Rica native Bony Scott.
Exploring Rainforest and Rivers Around an Isolated Lodge
Thumbnail description: Three days might be a good amount of time to set aside for
staying at this isolated "jungle lodge" near the Caribbean coast not far from
the Nicaraguan border. Here each day you will be personally attended to by the lodge's
native guide and naturalist, Oscar Enrique Artavia Munguia.
Certain river trips, hikes into the rainforest, and tours around the grounds are suggested
during a three-day proposed itinerary, but the final program mostly depends on the
visitor's interests. The lodge has helped the local economy as well as local ecology in a
very substantial manner.
On the Pacific Coast:
- Wildlife, Tours & Things to Do at Casa Bambu
Thumbnail description: Hosts Kirk & Lyn Ulbricht
own a two-story house of bamboo on the Osa Peninsula, in wildlife-rich, beautiful country
near the sea. Though the bamboo house has semi-open walls so you get good breezes, good
views of the vegetation, and close encounters with the animals, there is electricity, a
good kitchen, and other conveniences. At Casa Bambu you can simply hang around all day in
a hammock or participate in any number of tours, hikes, fishing trips and soft adventure
experiences. | visitor feedback
Hiking, Snorkeling, Horseback Riding & More, with
Green Lodging on Drake Bay
Thumbnail description: Host Jolanda Hess & David
Argüello provide rustic lodging and three daily meals, whcih are a mix of European
and Tico styles, with a lot of fresh vegetables and fruits. Located on the Pacific shore
in Costa Rica's deep south they make the most of being surrounded by Corcovado National
Park by offering a number of nature-oriented activities. Good directions are provided on
how to reach the lodging via car, bus, plane and boat.
Throughout the Country:
- Five Birding Trips in Very Different Habitats
Thumbnail description: Host Dennis Rogers is the
author of the popular bird-finding guide Site Guides: Costa Rica and Panama, so you
can bet that he knows where to find the birds you want to see. Here he describes 5 trips,
but he is quite flexible, able to customize day trips near San José, or much longer trips
anyplace in the country.
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