|
Surrounded by lush green forests and banana plantations, this
main city was once just a small port town. Located at the junction of
the Puerto Viejo River (Río Puerto Viejo) and Sarapiquí River (Río
Sarapiquí), this growing area is quickly becoming a main destination
for adventure-seeking tourists and nature enthusiasts. And for good
reason as this area has soo much to offer.
Several
protected zones such as Braulio Carrillo National Park and La Selva
Biological Station are within a close distance as well as the adventure
prone Sarapiquí River. At one time, Puerto Viejo was a small port
community that exported goods down the Sarapiquí River through the San
Juan River (Río San Juan), eventually docking in Limón and other
locations on the Caribbean coast. Now, this same river is a major
factor for the ecotourism in the area!
At the base, north of
the Central Volcanic Mountain Range, Puerto Viejo de Sarapiquí is the
gateway to many outstanding locations and activities in the area. Many
popular and still active volcanoes, like the Poás Volcano, along the
ranges to the southwest are within driving distance. Driving a little
further to the east gets you to Tortuguero National Park and Barra del
Colorado National Wildlife Refuge on the Caribbean coast. Puerto Viejo
has also been recognized for the banana, cocoa and coffee crops it
produces. Once you enter the area, it is not hard to see why it is
regarded as one of the most beautiful places in Costa Rica.
This
small city provides a wonderful launching point for thrill-seekers
looking to have a little fun. Birthing from high atop the Poás Volcano,
the Sarapiquí River provides incredible class I through IV white-water
rafting and kayaking that will keep your heart pounding. Many
outfitters are available as the river produces consistent rapids that
attract adventurers from all over the world. A more tranquil option
would be one of the many river excursions available exposing the dense
vegetation and scenic wildlife. An option for nature lovers is El
Gavilán, a 450 acre (182 ha) private reserve which is reachable by boat
from the slithering Sarapiquí River. Common on the river are water
taxis transporting visitors who have the opportunity of seeing caiman,
sloths, monkeys and even crocodiles along the shore. The river supplies
copious activities for the whole family.
An amazing spectacle
for all the senses is the Peace Waterfall Gardens (Parque Natural
Catarata La Paz). The series of five waterfalls are some of the most
spectacular in the country. The grounds also have the world largest
butterfly observatory, a garden with 24 different species of
hummingbirds and outstanding facilities in the Peace Lodge. Surrounded
by tranquility and beauty, the experience here is once in a lifetime.
To access this area, head about an hour north from San José past the
town of Vara Blanca 3 miles (2 km), the entrance is on the left hand
side. Coming from Puerto Viejo de Sarapiquí, head southwest along Hwy 4
passing through San Miguel and Cariblanco. The gardens are on the right
hand side before Vara Blanca.
The beautiful Rara Avis is almost
2,500 acres (1,000 ha) of pristine virgin rainforest. Adjacent to
Braulio Carrillo National Park and La Selva Biological Station, Rara
Avis was created in an effort to preserve the natural rainforest and
explore the economic value it possess to thwart any future destruction
thereof. Many (muddy) hiking trails are set up to explore the area.
Monkeys, coatimundis and anteaters are the most commonly viewed
mammals. Another 102 species of reptiles and amphibians and over 360
species of birds make up the biodiversity in Rara Avis. Many projects
in conservation and biodiversity can be witnessed first-hand. From
Puerto Viejo de Sarapiquí, head south 11 miles (18 km) to the town of
Las Horquetas de Sarapiquí. From here, it is possible to arrange
transportation by horseback or tractor to take you the rest of the way.
Traveling west from Puerto Viejo de Sarapiquí 4 miles (6.4 km)
towards the town of Chilamate will allow you to access Selva Verde.
Bordering with Braulio Carrillo National Park to the south, this
private reserve encompasses 475 acres (192 ha) of lowland rain forest.
The shadowy terrain is full of wildlife—namely amphibians and reptiles,
as well as a wide-variety of birds that swoop through the forest
canopy. There are boardwalks and trails that wind through the reserve
and there is even a butterfly garden to let you gain close access to
some beautiful creatures.
To comfortably observe the ongoing
efforts of balancing eco-tourism with the delicate conservation of
Costa Rica’s environment, the Sarapiquís Neotropic Center (Centro
Neotrópico Sarapiquís) is an outstanding choice. Located west of Puerto
Viejo de Sarapiquí along Hwy 4 is where you’ll find this unique
experience. An ecolodge, museum, botanical garden, archeological park
and education center are all provided as well as mid-elevation
premontane rainforest for exploring.
hotels
|
