T7 Selva Bananito Lodge / Caribbean Talamanca Mountain Range - 3 days

La Amistad National Park, which stretches over to Panama, extends to an area of about 484,000 acres on the Costa Rican territory and encloses the complete southern part of the Cordillera de Talamanca (Talamanca Mountain Range). This nature reserve - hardly accessible and thus little explored - is one of the few that has preserved its original vegetation: dense rain and cloud forests to páramo (highland savannas). More than half of Costa Rica’s total wildlife is to be found here, and up to day about 1,000 different orchids as well as more than 10,000 other tropical plant species have been registered.

Selva Bananito Lodge is located at the foot of Cerro Mochila that belongs to the Matama mountain range, which is part of the Cordillera de Talamanca. Manú, the farm on which the lodge is built, partly borders La Amistad National Park. About two thirds (about 2,000 acres) are primary highland rainforest, protected as a private reserve. One third of the farm is devoted to low-impact agriculture and cattle management. The lodge’s 11 cabins have been carefully adjusted to its surrounding landscape and are sitting on a little hill with a magnificent view of Cerro Mochila on one side and the Rio Bananito on the other. They have been built on stilts in traditional Caribbean style; the construction material was obtained from wood discarded by loggers. The rooms dispose of solar-heated hot water; gas lamps are provided for reading. In the bar and restaurant, candles create a quiet and relaxing atmosphere. Enjoy with us this little paradise, which makes you experience adventure and almost untouched nature with all the luxury of a comfortable lodge!

Enjoy with us this little paradise in the Talamanca Mountains, which makes you experience adventure and almost untouched nature with all the luxury of a comfortable lodge!

Day 1

San José - Talamanca / Selva Bananito Lodge - (L,D)
Transfer from San José first through Braulio Carrillo National Park, then across huge banana plantations to the Caribbean coast to the town of Bananito about 12 miles south of Puerto Limón, from here transfers are provided by the lodge in 4X4 vehicles on an adventurous gravel road for another 10 miles through pastureland and forest, crossing a river several times. Upon arrival, the lodge’s staff will greet you with a tropical welcome cocktail. Before dinner, there is enough time to become familiar with the lodge’s surroundings. In the afternoon, explore the farm on horseback, through scenic farm land and along the Bananito River, and through the farm’s exotic heliconia garden. The active and adventurous can learn how to use the absolutely safe tree climbing equipment and venture to the canopy of a beautiful tropical tree, before dinner is served. Or maybe you prefer to take a swim in the river or just relax in one of the hammocks on your cabin’s terrace with a beautiful view of the surroundings and excellent bird watching.
ON Selva Bananito Lodge

Day 2

Talamanca Mountain Range (Caribbean Side) - (BF, L,D)
The trained hiker may start on a guided full day’s excursion following the Rio Bananito upstream deep into Selva Bananito Preserve. The last part of the hike ascending the hill is quite strenuous, but then you may enjoy lunch and fruit juices by the last of a series of charming waterfalls. Rappelling at the waterfalls is optional. Return to the lodge in the afternoon (duration of the hike: 7-8 hours, 12 km).
ON Selva Bananito Lodge

Day 3

Talamanca Mountains - San José - (BF)
Return to Bananito by 4x4, the take the shuttle bus back to San Jose for an afternoon arrival.

This tour unit is perfect to be combined with a stay on the Carribean Beach at one of the hotels in Cahuita or Puerto Viejo de Limón, Playa Cocles or Gandoca Manzanillo.