RARA AVIS FACT SHEET

THE PROJECT: RARA AVIS is designed to show that rainforest is a valuable economic resource that should not be destroyed and that can produce substantial economic benefits for the surrounding communities. As such, we are operating a rustic lodge, biological station, and a more comfortable lodge; we encourage tourism, biological research, and the development of new ways to use the rainforest without destroying it.

LOCATION: We are located in Costa Rica, the healthiest, safest, and most peaceful country south of Canada, 40 km (24 miles) due north of the capital, San José; 100 km (60 mi.) by road. We border Braulio Carrillo National Park and the Zona Protectora La Selva. We are a long day's hike from the La Selva Biological Station and Selva Verde Lodge.

RARA AVIS is at 600-700 meters above sea level (2000 ft): high enough to be cool and comfortable (76 degrees F, 24 degrees C year-round); low enough to be real rainforest. Because of the cool temperature, there are few mosquitoes.

LODGING FACILITIES:

Waterfall Lodge: A comfortable but rustic lodge with eight rooms set in the jungle, each with a private bath and wrap-around balcony. Each room is a corner room and has a double bed, a single, and one or two fold-down bunks or loft beds. The lodge is located about 200 meters (600 ft) from our double waterfall and Don Perry's web; about 3 km (2 mi.) up a corduroy road from the Albergue El Plastico. Tourists in good physical condition can swim at the base of the waterfalls in good weather. CAPACITY: 16 @ double occupancy, 28 @ quadruple occupancy.
Albergue El Plastico (Penal Colony Lodge): This romantic old building was the site of a jungle prison colony many years ago. We have restored the building, maintaining its layout and traditional architectural features, but adding flush toilets and showers (shared), kerosene refrigeration and lighting, and radio communication with the outside world. There is a separate classroom building with one large open room. It is generally used by biologists and student groups. CAPACITY: 30 people in bunkbeds in seven rooms.
La Cabina: Rara Avis' private cabin has two bedrooms and two bathrooms and is complete with hot water and solar-powered electric lights. The cabin has a large deck overlooking a jungle river and provides a perfect spot for birdwatching or relaxing in a hammock. The cabin is a ten-minute walk along a rainforest trail to the lodge and dining hall.

TRAILS: We have an extensive series of trails through untouched virgin forest, ranging in difficulty from easy to very difficult. Each group is accompanied by one of our staff naturalists to help understand and see the complex, incredibly diverse life of the jungle.

MEALS: We provide three hearty country-style Costa Rican meals per day as part of our basic charge. The meals consist of chicken or meat, rice, black beans, salad, fresh fruit beverage, coffee or hot chocolate. All meals are family style. Special menu requests will be honored within reason if we are given advance notice.

ACCESS: We are located 15 kilometers (10 mi.) from Las Horquetas de Sarapiquí which can be reached by bus, car or taxi. Tractor transport to RARA AVIS leaves Las Horquetas at 9 am arriving at the Waterfall Lodge at 1 pm and leaves the Waterfall Lodge at 2 pm arriving in Las Horquetas at 5 pm. Horses may be rented for the first 12 kilometers (8 mi.), 3 km on foot. For further information please see our more detailed access information sheet.

WHAT TO BRING:

rubber boots or other waterproof, mud-proof footwear (we have many pairs available for loan or they are available inexpensively in Costa Rica for shoe sizes less than 12 U.S.)
long pants (2), preferably cotton-polyester work pants
long-sleeved shirt (1 or 2)
T-shirts or short-sleeved shirts (2)
several changes of calf-high synthetic socks
raingear
hat & sun-screen
flip-flops or sandals to wear around the lodge
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
insect-sting kit if you have a dangerous sensitivity to stings

Your clothing should be suitable for mud and rain.

WILDLIFE: Although we have many species of birds and mammals, we are part of a single contiguous expanse of over 1000 square kilometers of forest. Wild animals can hide from people when they have a large territory, and although you may see tracks of wild cats and tapirs, the only mammals you are likely to see face to face are coatimundis, anteaters, and monkeys.

FINAL NOTE: This is the real thing: virgin jungle far from any town. It can rain a lot and there can be a lot of mud. Both the tractor ride and horseback can be hard on people with back problems, however. Our trails can be rough for people who are not in good physical condition, although we have had happy visitors from 2 to 86 years old--but in good shape. On the other hand, the forest is spectacularly beautiful, and we have seen 340+ species of birds, as well as jaguars, ocelots, peccaries, monkeys, and much more on our large and untouched piece of rainforest.

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