Finca La Isla

Tel: (506) 2750-0046
crgarden@mac.com

http://www.greencoast.com/garden.htm

About Finca la Isla:

An abandoned chocolate farm set where the land sweeps back from the Caribbean to steep, jungle clad hills was converted, beginning in 1987, into an experimental farm; our goals guided by permaculture and our drive to collect tropical plants. The garden areas, (approx. 4hect, 10 acres), combine natural settings with the large upper canopy trees dominating. Between forested zones are open areas of cultivated crops and landscaped gardens.  Corridors of rainforest make it into a fascinating nature park. Cultivated crops include well-known spices, (pepper, cinnamon, vanilla, ginger, etc.) and our collection of over 60 varieties of tropical fruits. Something is always in season and the sampling of these fruits is a highlight of most visits.

For many, the beautiful flowers and large, dramatic foliage forms are the most fascinating feature of the tropics. Of ornamentals, our specialty is the bromeliad. We work commercially with bromeliads and maintain almost a hundred varieties in a shade house and landscaped throughout the grounds. Heliconias, orchids, gingers, palms and many other families of beautiful plants and curiosities are represented. Our bromeliad gardens provide a refuge for poison dart frogs of which you can see four varieties within a 100 meter area. This is natural, and we believe that in Costa Rica you can only see this in Talamanca. The wealth of birds and butterflies is staggering. We have a small medicinal section and we investigate ethno botanical uses for plants. The garden is located on Black Beach before the road enters Puerto Viejo center.  Look for signs about 500 meters North of Puerto Viejo.

Includes: Tasting the fruits and natural chocolate as well as a juice drink
Smelling the spices and fragrant flowers
Viewing the frogs, birds, and plants
Learning about medicinals and ethno botanicals

Normal operating hours: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday

Rate: $5 per person (Self guide books available in English, Spanish, German, and French)

$10.00 per person with full tour (approx. 2 hours)

Minimum: 3 people on tours

Open outside of posted hours by reservation only.

Group, student discounts by prior arrangement.

ATEC (Talamancan Association of Ecotourism and

Conservation) - Fair Trade Ecotourism

BIRD WATCHING IN BLACK BEACH

Description: Be an early bird and go watch some birds. The earlier you start, the more birds you will see. The guide Mauricio’s peaceful spirit seems to call the tropical songbirds to him. Spend a morning watching birds, take a stroll around his farm, hike through his private forest reserve, which acts as a buffer to the Kèköldi Indigenous Reserve, the long tour takes you into Kèköldi. The farm and private reserve “Chimuri” is about 20 hectares bordering and buffering the Kèköldi Indigenous Reserve. Here the Salazar family has planted a variety of tropical fruit trees, hardwoods necessary for the wildlife here, tubers, breadfruit, pejiballe, local banana, the plantain which has lent its name to our Reserve, the “Chimuri” plantain. (Chimuri is the BriBri word for the sweet ripe banana or plantain.) Get to know this farm nestled in the jungle and hike through the other two-thirds of the property which is strictly protected primary and secondary forest. Follow a ravine and a river that criss-crosses the land and offers a view of several small waterfalls. See a traditional BriBri dwelling (ranchito) and learn about techniques of its construction and the BriBri daily life today and throughout history. You your self can pick the different seasonal fruits right from the tree. See the tree that produces a fruit that we could not live without chocolate! Depending on the season, you’ll have the opportunity to taste other tropical fruits that you may never have even heard of before mammon chino; a beautiful spiky red fruit, the Creole lime, the mangostan, the Columbian zapote, the custard-like biribá, and homegrown star fruit grapefruit, pineapple or banana, ask your guide about the banana industry and you’ll never eat a commercially grown banana again. Throughout the walk, you’ll encounter and learn about medicinal plants used traditionally by indigenous folks and fruits, plants and wild edible fruits that have been part of the indigenous diet since ancient times. This visit also allows you the chance to get to know some of Talamanca’s favorite birds: Toucans, parrots, hawks, mannequins, tanagers, hummingbirds, magpies, woodpeckers, as well as birds endemic to Talamanca and so much more. On the Chimuri Reserve, over 400 different species of birds have been recorded and your guide knows the songs and habits of them all! This tour can have a focus on the traditional Talamancan Farm, on bird watching, on Indigenous medicinal plants, on local developments, stainable and otherwise–BriBri folklore and history. This guide is one of ATEC’s founding members, an active participant in protection and conservation of Talamanca’s culture and nature, a fabulous story-teller and a treasure to our community.
Duration: 3-4 hours

Rate: $20 per person for the 3 hour tour

$35 per person for the 6 hour tour

BIRD WATCHING IN MANZANILLO

Description: Get up with the sun and head down to the Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge and add a bunch more birds to your life list with one of Manzanillo’s excellent guides 3 species of toucan, manikins, warblers, tanagers, raptors, humming birds and so much more.
Duration: About 4 hours

Rate: $35 per person

RAPTOR MIGRATION IN THE KEKOLDI INDIGENOUS RESERVE

Description: Enjoy the Kèköldi hike even more during the raptor migration from September to November and February to May. Hike to the highest point in the reserve, to the bird watching tower and observe the raptor migration. It’s possible to count thousands of birds of prey in a single day.
Duration: 5-8 hours

Rate: $27 per person for the 5 hour tour

$35 per person for the 8 hour tour

GREEN IGUANA TOURS:

Background: Many of the thousands of animal species that make the jungles of Costa Rica their home are in danger of extinction, among them the green iguana.

THE KEKOLDI INDIGENOUS FOREST RESERVE IGUANA PROJECT

Description: Help support this rustic iguana project with a self-guided tour or take a short guided interpretive hike around the Indigenous Forest Reserve.
Duration: 20 minutes or 2-3 hours
Location: The entrance of the Kèköldi Reserve, 5 km from Puerto Viejo, 15 minutes Difficulty: Easy
Rate: $5 per person for the 20 minute tour

$20 per person for the 2-3 hour tour

GUIDED TOUR OF THE IGUANA VERDE FOUNDATION

Description: On Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday morning, arrive at 10am to learn about the Green Iguana of Talamanca. Watch a short film and take a guided tour around the Foundation’s grounds. Proceeds go to educate local youth on the importance of protecting this key species. Special Hint: Bring a little cash, hand made souvenirs are available.
Duration: 2-3 hour tour or a self guided tour available any day before 5 pm
Location: Playa Chiquita, 5 minutes from C & J Cabinas

Difficulty: Easy
Rate: $15 per person with guide on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays

$5 self guided tour

TURTLE WATCHING IN TORTUGUERO

Description: Boat into Tortuguero through the maze of canals with our guide, a native of Tortuguero, and current president of ATEC. On this unique inland waterway you’ll spot also crocodiles, sloths, monkeys, and birds. On the night hike witness the ancient process of green turtle nesting during May to October. Enjoy Tortuguero, an excellent model of conservation-tourism, at the island’s only locally owned lodge and tour operation; All-Rankin Family Lodge. Have a great time with Willis’ silly sense of humor and his super eye for wildlife. We’re proud to say that he is ATEC’s president. You can’t wear repellant on the nighttime turtle watch and it’s a night time hike. Wear dark, long sleeved clothes.

COMPLETE 2 DAY PACKAGE:

Includes: Boat transport round trip, Lodging in cabinas: Private bath, hot water; near the beach, Three meals, Tours: Observe the nesting of the green turtle, Visit Turtle Conservation Museum, Morning of the Cano Palma Reserve
Rate: $125 per person

COMPLETE 3 DAY PACKAGE:
Includes: Experience all of the above, plus extra meals and a hike to the Cerro de Tortuguero.
Rate: $185 per person

EXTRA DAYS:
Includes: 3 meals and Lodging

Rate: $50 per person per day

TRANSPORT ONLY:
Rate: $65 per person

LODGING ONLY:
Rate: $20 per person per night

(Please see the Tour Director for more information on marine life and sea turtles)

LEATHERBACK TURTLE WATCHING IN GANDOCA

Description: (March-July) Learn how volunteers gather data on the Leatherback turtle nesting population. Includes transportation to and from your hotel. Return at 1AM more or less. Gandoca has run their sea turtle conservation project for more than 10 years. Enjoy the beach, observe the Leatherback (Baula) Turtles laying their eggs in the sand (from March to July), do some trekking by the Gandoca Lake and swamplands and watch a great diversity of local and migratory birds. Stay in cabins or in local family’s homes. No repellant allowed on the turtle watch and it’s a night time hike. Wear dark, long sleeved clothes. Visiting Gandoca contributes to the local community sustainable development and the Baula Turtle protection program.

OVERNIGHT PACKAGES
Includes: Lodging, 3 meals, local guide, Leatherback Turtle Watch (nesting season March-July)
Rate: $65 per person

NIGHTTIME TURTLE WATCH ONLY
Includes: Pick up at your hotel 6PM, transport to Gandoca, participation in the turtle protection program and watch, return to hotel at midnight or 1 AM.
Duration: 6-8 hours

Rate: $65 per person