Welcome to Selva Verde
A TRULY UNIQUE COSTA RICAN ECO-LODGE
Selva Verde is more than a lodge and more than a rainforest reserve. It is your gateway into a magical world of towering Almendro trees, Mantled Howler Monkeys, and Keel Billed Toucans. Immerse yourself in tropical nature as you hike through deep green forest or reflect quietly in a comfortable hammock. Rekindle your sense of wonder and discover the out-of-the-ordinary. Experience Selva Verde!
Located just 2 hours from San José, Selva Verde provides easy access to the wonders of the rainforest. Since 1986, we have been a haven for nature enthusiasts from around the world. Our abundant biodiversity, comfortable rainforest lodge, and exciting activities are ideal for adventure seekers, bird and wildlife watchers, students, and families. Come explore Selva Verde's 500 acres of vibrant tropical nature in the heart of Costa Rica's Sarapiquí county.
Education Programs
site-based study abroad
Selva Verde Lodge and Private Reserve provides an exceptional backdrop to explore topics of natural history or to use the surrounding environment as part of your international teaching strategies for global literacy. Selva Verde’s private reserve is the ideal basecamp for educational field programs in ecology, conservation, community development, and culture.
DESIGNED FOR STUDENT LEARNING
An ideal control site for graduate, undergraduate, or advanced high school studies, the site is equipped with classrooms, dormitory accommodation, Wi-Fi, and a basic wet lab facility, offering an ideal backdrop for annual student studies in a variety of research applications. In conjunction with the Sarapiquí Conservation Learning Center, an on-site educational non-profit organization, we can help you design a course to meet the academic needs of your group.
Fields of Study: Forest Fragmentation | Community Development | Climate Change | Ecosystem Analysis | Botanical Diversity | Mammal Diversity | Entomology | Ornithology | Agricultural Impact | Citizen Science
K-12 Curriculums
Discover the mysteries of the rainforest through our El Centro Natural ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS. Explore the link between COMMUNITY AND CONSERVATION Programs with the Sarapiquí Conservation Learning Center.
HIgher Ed CURRICULUMS
Selva Verde is an ideal base for university immersion programs and educator professional development workshops. Our rainforest reserve makes an ideal rainforest research site. Our close proximity to San Jose, OTS La Selva Biological Station, and several of Costa Rica's famous national parks allow access to extended learning and exploration. Please CONTACT US for information on how to create a unique field study for your students.
TROPICAL SCIENCE RESEARCH FOR FACULTY
Long revered for research in the natural sciences, Selva Verde provides a solution for faculty-led long-term tropical science research without expenses from consortium or member fees, while accessing both primary and secondary forest with ease.
IDEAL LOCATION FOR EXPLORATION
Selva Verde alone is home to 398 species of birds, 330 species of trees, 69 species of mammals, and countless other plant and insect species. It is also a part of the Mesoamerican Bio-Corridor, an international initiative to link forested land between Mexico and Panama to protect the abundant biodiversity of species and habitats in the region.
FAQs
frequently asked questions
Click on any of the frequently asked questions below to find out more about Selva Verde. Naturally, feel free to contact us if you have any other questions!
Our Community
SARAPIQUÍ, Costa Rica
Selva Verde Lodge is surrounded by one of the most vibrant communities in Costa Rica. Located at the junction of Puerto Viejo and Sarapiquí rivers, the area has been a favorite destination for nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers. Once you enter the area, it is not hard to understand why it is regarded as one of the most beautiful places in Costa Rica. The area is very close to several protected zones such as Braulio Carrillo National Park and La Selva Biological Station.
SARAPIQUÍ CONSERVATION LEARNING CENTER (SCLC) THE
The Sarapiquí Conservation Learning Center (SCLC) was founded in 1993 by the Holbrook family and Selva Verde Lodge. Today it is a fully independent US and Costa Rica registered non-profit organization. The SCLC’s mission is to link communities and conservation through education and ecotourism in the Sarapiquí region. The SCLC offers community programs such as English classes, computer literacy, environmental education and after-school activities. By offering local residents opportunities to improve their job prospects, the SCLC hopes the population is able to cultivate more sustainable occupations to improve their job prospects.
ABOUT SARAPIQUÍ
The Sarapiquí region of Costa Rica is in close proximity to some of the most exciting destinations in Costa Rica. Sarapiquí is the tenth Canton of the province of Heredia and it is by far the largest, comprising almost three quarters of the entire province. Sarapiquí has a population of 55,000 and five districts: Puerto Viejo, La Virgen, Horquetas, Llanuras del Gaspar and Cureña. Sarapiquí is largely agricultural with a network of important waterways such as El Angel waterfall, La Paz Waterfall, El Congo lagoon, and the Sarapiquí River.
A PLACE TO EXPLORE AND LEARN
Sarapiquí is also a gateway to many outstanding locations such as the Poás Volcano, along the ranges to the southwest, and Tortuguero National Park, further to the east on the Caribbean coast. Selva Verde provides an extensive collection of activities from the lodge. Sarapiquí offers 6 of the 8 tourism categories established by the Costa Rican Tourist Board: traditional tours, natural history tours, adventure activities, sport fishing, elder tours, and bird watching tours. Its varied landscapes contain tremendous biodiversity; with 3000 species of plants, 398 species of birds, 450 species of ants, and 69 species of mammals, among many others.
Conference Center
Symposia, Seminars, and Retreats
Just 2 hours from San José, Selva Verde Lodge offers the amenities of an education and conferencing center in the heart of a rainforest reserve. The lodge offers total occupancy of 120-140 guests dependent on room configuration, and a variety of room types – from climate-controlled rooms to private bungalows, or situated on the forest edge or adjacent to the Sarapiquí River.
SELVA VERDE IS AN IDEAL SITE FOR:
Meeting Facilities
COMPLETE EVENT MANAGEMENT
Selva Verde Lodge, in conjunction with Holbrook Travel, offers full-service event management, hosting up to 200 participants for formal presentations, workshops throughout the property, and daily integrated activities focused on experiential learning, discovery, exploration, and community exchange. Event services include:
Selva Verde provides an exceptional backdrop to explore topics of interest to your organization or institution.
Selva Verde Activities - On Site
AT SELVA VERDE LODGE and Rainforest reserve
Our lodge is a wonderful place for discovering and learning about the abundant wildlife and biodiversity of the lush tropical rainforest. Choose from a variety of activities on our premises.
TO RESERVE ACTIVITIES, PLEASE READ BELOW.
Guided Nature Walk in the Selva Verde Rainforest Reserve
Experience first hand the wonder of exploring a tropical rainforest. Enjoy a personalized and leisurely ramble through Selva Verde's 500 acre private reserve with our knowledgeable naturalist guides. Learn more than just the names of rainforest plants and animals - discover their secret lives and fascinating natural histories. Be on the look out for monkeys, mot-mots, toucans, and poison dart frogs, and remember to bring your camera!
Time: 9:00 AM or 2:00 PM
Duration: 2 hours
Cost: Adults $35, Children 6-11 $17.5, under 5 free
Night Hike at SElva Verde Reserve
Join Selva Verde’s naturalist guides for an exciting exploration of the rainforest at night! Bring your flashlight and search the grounds and surrounding trails for nocturnal wildlife – including tree frogs, leaf mimicking insects, and nocturnal mammals including kinkajous and bats!
Time: 7:00 PM
Duration: 2 hour
Cost: Adults $35, Children 6-11 $17.5, under 5 free
EARLY MORNING BIRD WALK AT SELVA VERDE
Grab your binoculars and join our naturalist guide for an early morning bird walk on the grounds of Selva Verde. Morning is a very active time for the birds, so you can count on sighting several of the stunning tropical species that inhabit Selva Verde. Every morning is different, but they are all exciting! Your guide has a keen eye and a high-powered scope, so you can get close up views of birds you might not otherwise notice. Binoculars can be rented at reception.
Time: Daily at 6 am
Duration: 2 hours
Cost: Adults $45, Children 6-11 $22.5, under 5 free
LATIN DANCE CLASS
Dancing is the soul of Latin America! If you have ever wanted to learn Latin dancing then this is the class for you! Merenge, Salsa, and Cumbia dancing styles are all lead by local dance instructors, step by step. You will practice with a partner and everyone can take turns showing off their new dance moves. This activity is great fun, perfect for families and friends, and for groups to kick off or end a tour.
Time: 7:00 or 7:30 pm
Duration: 1 hour
Cost: Request price and availability at the frontdesk
HIKE THE ALMENDRO TRAIL
Are you fascinated with the frogs and other amphibians and reptiles of Costa Rica? Could you spend two whole hours just exploring the amazing frogs or snakes hidden in the litter, hanging under the leaves and croaking near a puddle? Selva Verde has more than 49 species of frogs (amphibians) and species of reptiles that hopefully you can see, some species, during the tour, our naturalist guide will share his knowledge about the amazing diversity and characteristics of frog life and other amphibians and reptiles. Some highlights include the strawberry poison dart frog, the green and black poison dart frog, and the red-eyed tree frog, snakes: fer-de-lance, terciopelo (Bothrops asper), Boa Constrictor ect.
Time: According availability of guide
Duration: 4 hours
Cost: Adults $85, Children 6-11 $43, under 5 free
HOW TO PLAN YOUR ACTIVITIES
It is always best to make advance reservations for all of our activities! Most activities may be booked at Selva Verde reception with 24 hours notice. Please make advanced reservations during the high season by CONTACTING US before your visit.
Green Season (May 1 - 31st, Aug 1 - Dec 14th)
High Season (Dec 15 - Apr 30, Jun 1 - Jul 31)
Groups: Traveling with 5 or more people? Please make advance reservations by CONTACTING US.
Special Note: Tips & discretionary gratuities for guides are not included in activity costs.
For Boxed Lunches: Please make arrangements with reception at least 24 hours in advance.
Costa Rican International Herpetological Symposium is back in its Fifth edition
After five years of obligatory absence, the Costa Rican International Herpetological Symposium is back in its Fifth edition.
Costa Rica is home to 5% of the planet's biodiversity. Though small in geographic area, Costa Rica has one of the highest densities of herpetofauna in the world with more than 440 species of reptiles and amphibians. The Symposium will feature presentations and workshops about conservation and herpetology by organizations and individuals. Come and learn about new findings and research from all over the Americas and beyond, or see how you can share your own work with conference participants and other interested people.
This is the 5th herpetological symposium at Selva Verde Lodge since they began in 2013. Read more...
Get your Registration Form here...
Regresa el Simposio Internacional de Herpetología de Costa Rica en su Quinta edición...
Obtenga su Formulario de Registro acá...
FROM THE BLOG ( VIEW ALL )
Velvet Worm Sighting in Selva Verde Lodge!
The night of September 9, 2022, during a night hike, our guide Randy Alvarado managed to spot in the primary forest of Selva Verde Lodge a species that is exceptionally hard to find in Costa Rica, a velvet worm (Onicóforo in Spanish). This is one of the oldest living beings in evolutionary terms, as it is known they exist since the Cambrian Period, more than 515 million years ago.
NEWS ( View All )
Costa Rican International Herpetological Symposium is back in its Fifth edition
After five years of obligatory absence, the Costa Rican International Herpetological Symposium is back in its Fifth edition.
Costa Rica is home to 5% of the planet's biodiversity. Though small in geographic area, Costa Rica has one of the highest densities of herpetofauna in the world with more than 440 species of reptiles and amphibians. The Symposium will feature presentations and workshops about conservation and herpetology by organizations and individuals. Come and learn about new findings and research from all over the Americas and beyond, or see how you can share your own work with conference participants and other interested people.
This is the 5th herpetological symposium at Selva Verde Lodge since they began in 2013. Read more...
Get your Registration Form here...
Regresa el Simposio Internacional de Herpetología de Costa Rica en su Quinta edición...
Obtenga su Formulario de Registro acá...
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