Rara Avis
	Rainforest Lodge & Reserve, Costa Rica
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WHAT TO BRING TO RARA AVIS:

• rubber boots or other waterproof, mud-proof footwear (available in Horquetas for loan or purchase up to metric size 43 [11˝ 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.

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.