Rara Avis
	Rainforest Lodge & Reserve, Costa Rica
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THE PROJECT: RARA AVIS is designed to show that rainforest is a valuable economic resource that should not be destroyed and  that can produce substantial economic benefits for the surrounding communities. As such, we are operating a rustic lodge, biological station, and a more comfortable lodge; we encourage tourism, biological research, and the development of new ways to use the rainforest without destroying it.

LOCATION: We are located in Costa Rica, the healthiest, safest, and most peaceful country south of Canada, 40 km (24 miles) due north of the capital, San José; 100 km (60 mi.) by road. We border Braulio Carrillo National Park and the Zona Protectora La Selva. We are a long day's hike from the La Selva Biological Station and Selva Verde Lodge.

RARA AVIS is at 600-700 meters above sea level (2000 ft): high enough to be cool and comfortable (76 degrees F, 24 degrees C year-round); low enough to be real rainforest. Because of the cool temperature, there are few mosquitoes.

LODGING FACILITIES:

Waterfall Lodge

A comfortable but rustic lodge with eight 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. Visitors in good physical condition can swim at the base of the waterfalls in good weather.
CAPACITY: 16 @ double occupancy, 28 @ triple and quadruple occupancy.

 

River-Edge Cabin

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.
CAPACITY: 4 individuals @ double occupancy or 8 in couples

 

The Casitas

These are four rustic, but agreeable two-room cabins, about five-minute's walk from the dining room. The cabins are in a private clearing in the forest, in a superb site for birding. Each room has two bunkbeds or a single bed and a bunkbed. Each cabin has its own bathroom, with cold-water shower.
CAPACITY: 2-4 people per room, four casitas, eight room, for a total of 28 people.

TRAILS & NATURE WALKS:  We have an extensive series of trails through untouched virgin forest, ranging from moderate to difficult. All trails have muddy and uneven footing. You may hike alone or accompanied by one of our staff naturalists who will help you see and understand the complex, incredibly diverse life of the jungle. An introductory walk is usually offered every afternoon. Each morning, a guided nature walk takes you through the forest. You’ll learn about birds and wildlife along the trails; you’ll learn about the jungle, not just the names of things. Later, you may 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). Or you could make arrangements with the climbing teacher to explore the canopy !

MEALS: We provide three hearty country-style Costa Rican meals per day as part of our basic charge. The meals consist of chicken or meat, rice, black beans, salad, fresh fruit beverage, coffee or hot chocolate. All meals are family style. Special menu requests will be honored within reason if we are given advance notice.

ACCESS: We are located 15 kilometers (10 mi.) from Las Horquetas de Sarapiquí which can be reached by bus, car or taxi. The nearby town of Río Frío is accessible by charter plane. Tractor transport to RARA AVIS leaves Las Horquetas at 9 am arriving at the Waterfall Lodge at 1 pm and leaves the Waterfall Lodge at 2 pm arriving in Las Horquetas at 6 pm. Horses may be rented for the first 12 kilometers (8 mi.), 3 km on foot. For further information please see our more detailed access information sheet.

WHAT TO BRING:

• rubber boots or other waterproof, mud-proof footwear (available in Horquetas for loan or purchase up to metric size 43 [11½ US]; larger boots must be purchased outside Costa Rica)
• long trousers (2), preferably cotton-polyester work pants; blue jeans never dry
• long-sleeved shirt, sweater or jacket for cool evenings
• T-shirts or short-sleeved shirts (3-4); light colors are preferable -- dark colors attract insects
• several changes of calf-high synthetic socks
• jogging bra for the tractor ride or horseback riding
• raingear -- umbrella, poncho or raincoat
• hat & sun-screen
• sandals or tennis shoes to wear indoors -- not on the trails
• flashlight (headlamp if you want to see animal eyeshine at night)
• insect repellent (roll-on sticks are best; concentrated DEET is worst because it dissolves cameras, clothing, and suitcases if it leaks.)
• bathing suit (Swim at the waterfall!)
• insect-sting kit if you have a dangerous sensitivity to stings
• binoculars
• camera with flash or high-speed film -- it is very dark in the deep forest.
• books to trade or leave in the lending library

Your clothing should be suitable for mud and rain.
We strongly advise against wearing tevas or other open footwear to walk in the rainforest. For safety, use boots.

WILDLIFE: Although we have many species of birds and mammals, we are part of a single contiguous expanse of over 1000 square kilometers of forest. Wild animals can hide from people when they have a large territory, and although you may see tracks of wild cats and tapirs, the mammals that you are most likely to see face to face are coatimundis, anteaters, and monkeys.

FINAL NOTE: This is the real thing: virgin jungle far from any town. It rains a lot and there is a lot of mud. Both the tractor ride and horseback can be hard on people with back problems or pregnant women, and are long and tedious for anyone. Our trails can be rough for people who have difficulty walking or who have poor balance, although we have had happy visitors from 2 to 86 years old--but in good physical condition. On the other hand, the forest is spectacularly beautiful, and we have seen 362 species of birds, as well as jaguars, ocelots, monkeys, and much more on our large and untouched piece of rainforest.