Rara Avis
	Rainforest Lodge & Reserve, Costa Rica
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RARA AVIS is Costa Rica's oldest and purest Rainforest Lodge. Whether you are learning to understand the rainforest with naturalist guides, swimming in crystalline jungle waterfalls, or simply relaxing and watching birds from the hammock on your balcony, Rara Avis is completely isolated from modern civilization. Riding in a covered tractor cart through the forest to get to the Waterfall Lodge draws you back in time from modern civilization of cleared cattle lands to an adventure deep in the forest.

Rara Avis was developed in 1983 to show that we can make rainforest economically productive and so save it from destruction. In Rara Avis, you will be in a remote pristine jungle - true wilderness - bordering Braulio Carrillo National Park and the Zona Protectora La Selva. At 700 meters (2000 ft) above sea level, the climate stays cool and comfortable year-round (77 degrees F or 25 degrees C). There is a lot of rain (it's a rainforest!), but mosquitoes are not a problem.

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, and we don't mean 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). 

RARA AVIS offers clean and comfortable lodging, deep in the heart of the jungle, with home-style Costa Rican meals, plus an adventurous learning experience different from ordinary tourism. At the same time, you will be encouraging the wise use of the rainforest --- the reason for the existence of Rara Avis. Because of the difficult access, we strongly recommend a minimum stay of two nights. The tractor leaves Las Horquetas every morning at 9:30 AM, arriving for lunch if all goes well. Departure by tractor from Rara Avis is at 2:00 PM, arriving in Horquetas at about 5:30 PM. Horses or jeep transportation can be arranged anytime during daylight (but require walking the three kilometers between the Waterfall Lodge and El Plastico).

The diversity of the plant and animal life in Rara Avis is stunning. Over 362 species of birds have been found at Rara Avis, including sunbitterns, snowcaps, umbrella-birds, great green macaws, parrots, and toucans. There is a good chance to see tapirs, monkeys, anteaters, or coatimundis if you walk silently through the forest, or to spot the tracks of  jungle cats. The treetops are festooned with vines, lianas, bromeliads, and orchids, and there are more kinds of plants, birds, and butterflies in our reserve than in all of Europe!

Rara Avis has achieved three levels of the Certification for Sustainable Tourism (CST) as a demonstration of its environmental and social stewardship.

[Home] [The Journey] [Lodges and Prices]  [A New Way to Save the Rainforest]  [What to Bring] [Fact Sheet] [E-mail Us] [Español]

  [Biodiversity in Rara Avis] [ Orchids of Rara Avis] [Birds of Rara Avis] [Mammals of Rara Avis] [Amphibians and Reptiles]

[Projects in Rara Avis] [Volunteer Positions] [News Letter] [Rara Avis Guestbook]

[Sandy Wiseman's Photo-Journey Through a Costa Rican Rainforest] [Costa Rican Rainforest Photo Gallery] 

[Links] 

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR RESERVATIONS
contact us by e-mail at raraavis@racsa.co.cr, through your travel agency, or at
P.O. Box 8105-1000, San José, Costa Rica.
TELEPHONE +506 764-1111
FAX +506 764-1114 
To contact a guest at the lodge, call +506-710-8032

Last updated October 16, 2006 by Amos Bien
© 1995-2006 Rara Avis S.A.