Costa Rica Guide
Limón Province and the Caribbean coast
Reserva Selva Bananito
Twenty kilometres south of Limón, the eight-square-kilometre private Reserva Selva Bananito unfolds alongside the Parque Nacional La Amistad and protects an area of mountainous, virgin rainforest. The reserve is reached via an inland road from the main coastal highway that goes through the banana town of Bananito and then along a very rough track across several rivers (you'll need a 4WD). The reserve owners offer a slew of activities from horse-riding and tree-climbing to hiking and bird-watching (toucans, orioles and kingfishers have all been spotted in the reserve); prices range from $15 to $45. A wonderfully peaceful spot to wind down is the reserve's lodge ( 
253-8118, 
280-0820, 
www.selvabananito.com ; $140 per person per night including three meals). Eleven attractive, spacious cabins have large verandahs overlooking the forest and meals and drinks are served in the main ranch. Owned and run by the environmentally conscious children of a pioneering German farmer, the lodge is built from secondhand wood discarded by loggers, has solar-powered hot water (though no electricity) and donates a percentage of its profits to the Fundación Cuencas de Limón, which helps protect the local area and to develop educational programmes. If you don't have your own transport, you can call the lodge and arrange to be picked up from the bus stop at Salon Delia.