Rara
Avis is a remote virgin forest area of more than 2,471
acres at the eastern side of the Braulio Carillo National
Park and is protected by a private initiative. The biological
research station is an excellent example that the rainforest
can be made economically productive and so be saved
from destruction. In Rara Avis, more than 330 different
kinds of birds have been discovered, and besides innumerable
kinds of bromeliad, orchids and lianas you are most
likely to see monkeys, anteaters and coatimundis. Though
you may spot tracks of tapirs and jungle cats, these
animals are hardly to be seen, since the huge forest
area gives them enough space to withdraw from „invaders".
Waterfall Lodge: A comfortable but rustic lodge with 8 rooms
set in the jungle, each with a private bath and wrap-around
balcony. Each room is a corner room and has a double bed,
a single, and one or two fold-down bunks or loft beds. The
lodge is located about 200 meters (600 ft) from our double
waterfall, about 3 km (2 mi.) up a corduroy road from the
El Plastico Lodge.
River-Edge Cabin: A beautiful ten-minute's walk from the dining
room, even deeper in the forest, lies our secluded two-room
River Edge Cabin -- ideal for birdwatchers and honeymoon couples.
Each room has two double beds, a private bath with hot water,
and solar-electric lighting. The shared balcony with hammocks
offers an unequaled view of the forest, accompanied by the
murmur of the river.
Casitas: These are rustic, but agreeable two-room cabins with
one bathroom and cold water shower each, also with a single
bed and a bunked or two bunk beds in each room, about five-minutes'
walk from the dining room. They are in an own private clearing,
a superb site for birding.
Facilities: Trails and nature walks, guest might be able to
swim in the large crystalline pools at the base of the waterfall
or visit our butterfly farm and small orchid garden (collected
from fallen branches).
Hotels & Lodges Poas Volcano
The
Poás Volcano soars 2.708 meters above
sea level and is one of the most spectacular volcanoes
of Costa Rica with breathtaking scenery. It is a sub
conical volcano with several calderic depressions near
the summit. The main crater is a huge depression that
measures almost 2 kilometers in diameter and 300 meters
deep. There is a little lake at the bottom of the crater,
with a diameter of 350 meters and temperatures that
range from 65-95?C. The high sulfur and acid content
reduces the pH almost to zero, which makes it possibly
the most acid natural water body of the world. To the
southeast, there is another cone known as Botos, which
was the center of volcanic activity until approximately
7500 years ago. Today it contains a spectacular cold-water
lake that measures about 400 meters in diameter. The
eruptions of the Poas volcano have been recorded at
least since 1747. This long history of eruptions includes
almost 60 episodes. The most violent one took place
on January 25th 1910, when an immense cloud of ashes
rose 8,000 meters into the air. The most recent period
of eruptions lasted from 1952 to 1954. Poás is
known to have the largest geyser in the world.
La Paz Waterfall Gardens: This large private
reserve features the World's largest butterfly observatory,
hummingbird and orchid gardens, and nicely designed,
safe trails along the La Paz River with 5 large waterfalls.
One will find lush, verdant green rainforest, lots of
colorful birds, flowers and butterflies.
La Paz is located on the slope of Poás Volcano,
about 1 hour from San José. It's quite large,
so you should plan on spending 3-5 hours here. You start
at the Welcome Center, walk down to the World's largest
butterfly observatory and then follow the extensive
trails along the La Paz River past 5 magnificent waterfalls.
All trails are either concrete or steel with handrails,
and are extremely well designed for people of all ages
and abilities. If you keep walking all the way down
the river to the end of the trail, then a shuttle picks
you up and drives you back up the road to the Welcome
Center.
The
rustic lodge is located 16 km from Poás Volcano in
the province of Alajuela at an altitude of approximately 1900
meters. It was originally built by an English family as the
principal house for the surrounding dairy farm, El Cortijo,
in Vara Blanca. The lodge is surrounded by cloud forest and
pasture, which can be explored via a network of hiking trails.
The lodge comprises of eleven charming and comfortable bedrooms,
including a luxurious master suite with a sunken stone bathtub.
The rooms have unsuited bathrooms and some accommodate more
than 2 people. They are situated in groups both within and
around the impressive farmhouse and have a luxury rustic flavor
with stonewalls, wood paneling, soft lighting and sumptuous
beds. They each have private access to the garden, which affords
an impressive view to the volcano, and most are within a few
meters of the rainforest surrounding the lodge. An open fireplace
in the lounge creates a relaxing atmosphere for cozy evenings.
Furthermore, there are spacious facilities for board games
and other activities such as mountain biking, a pool table
or table tennis are available for rainy days.
Peace
Lodge was opened in 2003 and belongs to the area of La Paz
Waterfall Gardens, located about 45minutes by car away from
San José and 15 minutes from the National Park Volcano
Poás. The Lodge offers 1 Villa, 4 Deluxe and 6 standard
rooms. All 11 rooms are furnished in an extraordinary and
naturalistic style and feature a gas-fireplace, private bathroom,
Jacuzzi, satellite TV, Stereo, refrigerator, coffee maker
and private balcony with hammock and view of the surrounding
tropical forests. The area of the La Paz Waterfall Gardens
with natural trails, flower bird- and orchid garden is located
right next to the Lodge.
Hotels & Lodges Turrialba Volcano / Guayabo
Turrialba
Volcano, (3,349 m) the southeast most of Costa Rica's
Holocene volcanoes, is a large vegetation-covered strato-volcano
located to the northeast of Irazú volcano. Three
well-defined craters occur at the upper end of a broad
summit depression that is breached to the northeast.
Turrialba has been quiescent since a series of explosive
eruptions in the 19th century that were sometimes accompanied
by pyroclastic flows. Fumarolic activity continues at
the summit craters. It is possible to descend to the
crater bottom.
The town of Turrialba,
located at the bottom of the volcano is a good starting
point for White-Water Rafting on the Reventazón
and Pacuare Rivers. Tour Packages from/to San José
are available, please refer to our White-Water Rafting
section.
Guayabo National
Monument: Is one of the most important archeological
areas and the bigger in size that has been discover
in the country. Protect archeological structures like
mounds, bridges, aqueduct etc. Also protect drums of
high forest, typical of the rain forest. Costa Rica
because of its location and geographic structure plays
an importance place like a meeting area for different
pre-Columbian cultures. The archeologists have demonstrated
that Costa Rica received influences from the north like
from South America. The Guayabo National Monument covers
a big area, from the province of Alajuela in Costa Rica
all the way to Colombia.
Situated
on the slope of the volcano Turrialba at a height of about
2700m above sea level, this lodge is the perfect starting
point for long lasting hiking and horseback riding tours near
the volcano Turrialba, in which crater you can descend by
the way. The 23 rooms are partly located in the historic main
building of the farm and simply but cozily furnished. Further
rustic rooms with oven heating are available in double cabins
all around the main building. All rooms feature own bathroom/hot
water. A living room invites to spend the cool evenings cozily
in front of the wood oven. In the restaurant, typical Costa
Rican meals are served. Cheese, milk and many kinds of vegetables
are grown in the lodge’s own plantation. The lodge possesses
some good trained horses, which also allow beginners to take
part in tours.
Located
about 10 min. outside Turrialba. The 15 conveniently equipped
rooms are accommodated in a two-storied building and feature
private bathroom/ hot shower and a fan. A restaurant, souvenir
shop and laundry service are at guest’s disposal.
Situated
about 30 minutes away from the town Turrialba with view of
the volcano Turrialba and the Orosi Village, the Guayabo Lodge
offers 23 newly built tastefully furnished rooms. All rooms
feature wooden floor, private bathroom/hot water and balcony
or terrace. The hotel includes 2 lounges with fireplace, a
restaurant that offers international cuisine, a bar and laundry
service. Dutch Management.
This
elegant hotel, built in the style of a historical mansion,
is located about 15 minutes from the small town of Turrialba.
It offers its guests 16 rooms which all feature a private
bathroom/hot water, hair dryer, ceiling fan, telephone, satellite
TV, room safe and private balcony. The hotel offers a gourmet
restaurant with international cuisine, a conference room,
a library, a billard room, a Jacuzzi and a swimming pool.
Well-maintained, tropical gardens accomplish the relaxed atmosphere.
Hotels & Lodges Orosi Valley
Orosi
Valley is located one hour east of the capital San José.
There are two thermal volcanic springs right next to
the Lodge and several refreshing cold pools in the area.
You may explore the wild life of the Tapanti National
Park, go fishing trout’s in Purisil or just sit
on the porch of one of the small typical 'Soda' restaurants,
sip a fresh tropical fruit drink and watch the village
life. The oldest church in Costa Rica, built in 1743
by the Spaniards, with the adjoining museum of religious
artifacts, statues and vestments from colonial times
is located in downtown.
Orosi
Colonial Lodge is located in the center of Orosi Village,
in "El Valle de Orosi". The lodge offers six tastefully
furnished rooms which all feature a kitchenette, mini bar,
private bath with hot water, ceiling fan and queen size bed
with orthopedic mattresses. All rooms have a balcony or terrace
with a stunning view of the volcanoes Irazú and Turrialba.
The hotel includes a nicely decorated cafeteria where the
breakfast and various snacks including homemade cakes are
served. A gallery, which is integrated in the cafeteria and
where local artists present their works of art, accomplishes
the comfortable and individual atmosphere. German Management.
Hotels Central Region (West) - San Pablo de Turubares
AmaTierra
is nestled on 8 acres in the mountains of Costa Rica’s
central region, aprox. 1.5 hours west of San José and
aprox. 30 minutes east of Orotina. From AmaTierra, the central
pacific beaches Jacó and Herradura (south of Orotina),
can be reached in aprox. 1 hour.
AmaTierra offers comfortable lodging in 10 private casitas,
each with Jacuzzi bath tub, private terrace and garden with
outdoor seating. The rooms are tastefully decorated with hardwood
furniture and ceilings made of teak. The sleeping area has
a queen-size bed, and an additional double bed can be arranged
in the living room if needed. Room amenities include ceiling
fans, a refrigerator, coffee/tea maker, phone, complimentary
snacks and TV/DVD player (choose a movie, free, from over
250 in the owner’s collection). Wellness packages including
healthful meals, activities and wellness services can be offered.
The retreat offers an infinity-edge pool, dining/activity
room, a balcony with breathtaking views, and can arrange eco-tours,
horseback riding, yoga classes, holistic health services,
massage therapies and special events. AmaTierra offers daily
(except Sundays), gentle Hatha yoga classes for every body,
no matter the age or ability level. Yoga Retreats are given
from time to time. Massage therapies are tailored to the guest’s
individual needs, and include Shiatsu and Swedish massage,
sound therapy, deep tissue massage, exfoliation and detoxifying
mud treatments from Costa Rican volcanoes. The owner Jill
Ruttenberg is a registered herbalist (AHG) who specializes
in Chinese and western herbal medicine.
Hotel rates upon request.
If the hotel of your choice is not listed, please do not hesitate
to contact us! travelplanner@tierra-verde.com
Aventuras
Tierra Verde S.A.,
Apdo. 198-6100, Ciudad Colón, Costa Rica