Sustainable Eco-Tourism in Costa Rica
The idea of creating a place for further conservation of nature and eco-development, in combination with sustainable tourism, education and scientific research has become reality with the integrated, holistic inspired Centro Neotropico SarapiquiS.

The complex is located in the lush Sarapiqui Rainforest near the little town of La Virgen de Sarapiqui. Along paved roads, easy accessible and only 85 km from San Jose. And it's also a convenient gateway to other top tourist attractions such as Volcan Poas (1hour), La Paz Waterfalls (45 min), Tortuguero (3.5 hours), Arenal Volcano and Tabacon hot springs (2 hours), Aerial Rainforest Tram (1 hour), La Selva Biological Station (20min), Sarapiqui River Tour (20min). It is a grand gateway to the awe-inspiring rainforest and the realm of the unbound nature of Central America.

A place to relax, to learn, to be challenged physically and mentally in a tropical setting of majestic rainforest and river, with neotropical birds and botanical gardens. A place to glimpse at pre-Columbian history, to experience the mythic rituals of the indigenous people and to enjoy its universal and memorable beauty.

The impact of the visitors on the environment is kept to a minimum. Tourism assures that the local economy is being stimulated without doing harm to the environment or depleting resources. For example at the center we have a special water treatment for the waste water from toilets, showers and kitchen. We also use solar energy to heat the water and a wind turbine will be installed soon to light the terraces and rooms at night.

ECOLODGE The architecture is inspired by the indigenous pre-Columbian construction techniques of the region, used by natives far more than 1000 years. The round palenques (or ranchos) are covered with a traditional thatched roof of palm leaves. The circular design symbolizes the circle of life - and intricate link between the cycles of the biodiversity within the rainforest.

The Ecolodge consists of five Palenques structures; four guests units, and one central building with the lobby, restaurant, bar, coffee gourmet bar, photo gallery, administration, and gift shop. Like an inverted flower, the four guest units are divided into eight spacious and deluxe rooms, jointed within the turret reaching an impressive height of 18 meters. All the units are located midst the lush gardens and orchards of the property. Many of the rooms have an outstanding view of the rainforest canopy; while others are nestled in the bright and fragrant gardens.

Guests will encounter the mysteries of the rainforest while enjoying a comfortable stay in the spacious Palenques of the SarapiquiS ecolodge (32 Rooms) with restaurant and bar. They will too be able to experience the extensive 1000 m² Museum (from April 2002 on), the surrounding botanical gardens, the unique archaeological park “Alma Ata” or explore the 300 hectare Tirimbina Biological Reserve. Students and visitors of all the ages are offered scientific encounters in natural history, botany or ecology in the modern education and learning center.

THE RESTAURANT “JOSE CASTULO ZELEDON" As the morning sun rises over an awakening forest, visitors may breakfast on the restaurant terrace, overlooking the Sarapiquí and the Tirimbina rainforest canopy. No matter what hour, the scenery here always creates the perfect ambiance to enjoy an excellent meal in our restaurant. From a buffet, decorated with exotic flowers and fruits, the guests may select a delicious meal based on local and vegetarian cuisine. Every day the chef creates delicious meals with fresh ingredients from our own organic grown plantations and orchards, such as pineapples, bananas, oranges and palmetto. ALFARO' S BAR As evening descends, and the forest alters to the nighttime mode, Alfaro’s Bar is the place to gather for camaraderie and reflection on the day's experiences. Antique artifacts and 19th century photographs recall a time when Anastasio Alfaro and his companions-explorers might have come to such a place to discuss the events of the day over their favorite glass.

RAINFOREST MUSEUM OF THE INDIGENOUS CULTURES The 1000m² (= yards²) SarapiquiS Museum emphasizes the theme "Man and Nature" It is the largest on-site museum of rainforest ecology and indigenous and prehispanic history in Central America. Audio-visual and animation aspects all play an important role in the museum. Dynamic and contemporary, the museum makes use of state-of-the-art technology and presentation techniques and will remain etched in the minds of the visitors. A film theatre allows to enjoy documentaries of the natural and cultural history of the Neotropics. Main themes in the museum: Masks, gourds and mastate paintings Shamanism Weapons Healing sticks Beadwork Musical instruments The endangered rainforest

BOTANICAL GARDENS The gardens at the Centro Neotropico SarapiquiS are designed to reflect the richness of the rainforest. The first garden is "Chester's Field Botanical Garden" which holds 400 labeled plants. Here indigenous plants are grouped according to their ornamental, economic or medical use. The garden houses the largest collection of medicinal plants of Costa Rica. Around the main building the gardens are less formal, with emphasis on plants, hummingbirds and butterflies. In the old orange orchard the natural succession of epiphyte, orchids, ferns and other genera demonstrates a lesson in tropical ecology.

RAINFOREST The Tirimbina Biological Reserve is one of the last remaining stands of mid-elevation, premontane rainforest in northeastern Costa Rica. Teeming with the diversity of botanical and zoological species characteristic of such ecosystems, the rugged Reserve inspires awe in the scientist or visitor. Tirimbina has been the site of numerous biological research projects and serves as a living laboratory for study, as well as an accessible day trip.

An island with lush tropical vegetation lies between Centro Neotrópico SarapiquíS and the Reserve in the middle of the great Sarapiquí River. Varying in size with the volume of water rushing off the Barva volcano watershed, this island offers an easily navigated introduction to tropical forest ecosystems. The river itself is a rich and vital corridor for tropical wildlife. The gallery forest along the riverbank is a striking display of rainforest plant diversity. A 260m long suspension bridge connects the Centro Neotropico SarapiquiS with the Tirimbina Reserve. 6 km of trails wind through the Reserve for access by researchers and visitors. These trails are designed to approach areas of high interest for wildlife watching or viewing highlights of rainforest biodiversity. Because it is a conservation area, they are designed and maintained for the least possible negative impact on delicate ecosystems.  The greater proportion of the life of a rainforest thrives in the forest canopy. Tirimbina visitors experience a view of the richness of treetop flora and fauna from a 100m suspended canopy walkway spanning one of the many stream valleys in the Reserve.

Tirimbina Rainforest Center is dedicated to field-based education in natural history for adults and children, focused on the global interrelatedness of individual systems and species in the natural world. For this reason we share the Tirimbina Reserve as a place for illumination of some of the mysteries of the rainforest and for experiencing the innate response of humans to wildness and natural beauty. Under the supervision of a Tirimbina Rainforest Center Education Director, the Centro Neotropico SarapiquíS provides programs to serve resident guests, local or touring day visitors, teachers, students for day or extended visits, special interest adult groups, and volunteer naturalists and guides.

ARCHEOLOGICAL PARK "ALMA ATA" The archeological Park "Alma Ata" is the first park of its kind in Costa Rica. The Park is set in the orange orchard of the Centro Neotropico SarapiquiS and has been developed in coordination with the National Museum of Costa Rica. Scientific information is provided all along the trails in the park. A fascinating night tour with guide is schedule on daily basis. Two very skilled Costa Rican archaeologists did the excavation of tombs and the reconstruction of the 15th century village.

Centro Neotropico SarapiquiS Room Rates
		Until Apr 15 /08	Apr 16 - Dec 14 /08
Standard Rooms		$85	$70
Deluxe Room		$99	$79
Rates are per room based on single or double occupancy and do NOT include 16.39% tax Additional person $25 + tax (maximum 3 adults per room) Children 4-16 pay $15 if sharing room with two adults, children under 4 free of charge
The Tirimbina Biological Reserve   Guided walk Not guided walk Night walk $20 $15 $17
Museum of Indigenous Culture
	Without lunch With lunch $19 free $10 $26 $4 $17
Adults Children 0 - 7 Adolescents 8 - 16
Archeological Park   Adults Children 0 - 7 Adolescents 8 - 16 $7 free $3
The museum, archeological park and garden are daily open from 9am to 5pm Visit to Chester's Field Botanical Garden is free of charge

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