Costa Rica Guide
The Zona Norte
Rara Avis
RARA AVIS, a private rainforest reserve 17km south of Puerto Viejo and about 80km northeast of San José, offers one of the most thrilling and authentic eco-tourism experiences – if not the best – in Costa Rica. A pioneer in Costa Rica's ecotourism movement, the reserve features both primary rainforest and some secondary cover dating from about thirty years ago. Bordering the northeast tip of pristine Braulio Carrillo National Park, the area is home to a number of unique palm species. You'll also see huge ancient hardwood trees smothered by lianas, "walking" palms, primitive ferns and orchids.
Established in 1983 by American Amos Bien (a former administrator of the Estación Biológica La Selva), forest ranger Robert Villalobos and biologist Carlos Gómez, Rara Avis combines the functions of a tourist lodge and a private rainforest reserve, and is dedicated to both the conservation and farming of the area. Its ultimate objective is to show that the rainforest can be profitable, giving local smallholders a viable alternative to clearing the land for cattle. Rara Avis supports a number of endemic plants that have considerable economic potential, including geonoma epetiolata, or the stained-glass palm, which was until recently believed to be extinct. Another significant part of the Rara Avis mandate is to provide alternative sources of employment in Las Horquetas, 15km away, where most people work for the big fruit companies or as day-labourers on local farms.
Rara Avis also functions as a research station, accommodating student groups and volunteers whose aims include development of rainforest products – orchids, palms and so forth – as crops, as well as the silk of the golden orb spider.
Read more ▼
- Practical Information ▼
- Sports and Outdoor ▼