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   +506-2761-1800 Costa Rica & other countries

 

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+506-2761-1800 Costa Rica & other countries

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 Welcome to Selva Verde

A TRULY UNIQUE COSTA RICAN ECO-LODGE 

 

Florida Museum of Natural History Family Rainforest Camp, First Journey to Costa Rica and Selva Verde

A photo essay by Fran Whitlock and John A. Gregory

In June, Florida Museum of Natural History staff led the inaugural Family Rainforest Camp at Selva Verde Lodge, joined by young campers and their families from the US. Campers took part in workshops and a BioBlitz, and they used technology to share their experiences with museum campers back in Florida.

Among the participants was Fran Whitlock CTC, a long-time travel consultant for Holbrook Travel. But she wasn’t alone! Joined by her partner John Gregory and granddaughter Jaylee, Fran and her family of three set off for the family adventure of a lifetime.

Take a look at their story, told in images, below.

 On the way to Costa Rica

On the plane to Costa Rica—the adventure begins!
photo by Fran Whitlock

 

Hiking at Selva Verde

Hiking in the Rainforest at Selva Verde
photo by John A. Gregory

 

Wildlife sightings, up-close and personal...

 

Eyelash viper

Eyelash Viper
photo by John A. Gregory

 

Three toed Sloth

Three-toed Sloth
photo by John A. Gregory

 

 

Meeting with students

Connecting with local students at a school in Sarapiquí
photo by John A. Gregory

“The kids loved the school visit—they played tag, duck duck goose, and hide-and-go-seek together. The parents understood that no matter where children live, they all speak the same language with laughter,” said Fran.

 

Searching for frogs

Searching for frogs in the forest
photo by Fran Whitlock

 

Sharing discoveries with campers in Florida

Sharing discoveries with campers back in Florida
photo by Fran Whitlock

 

Hands-on chocolate making

Getting hands-on experience with chocolate making—from fruit to final product
photo by Fran Whitlock

 

Standing inside a tree

Standing inside the center of a tree
photo by Fran Whitlock

 

Reforestation project

Reforestation project: campers doing their part in planting trees
photo by Fran Whitlock

 

“The reforestation project was a favorite for parents and children alike. After listening to Willy Pineda’s talk on the biological corridor the campers understood the significance of this work for maintaining this important area and were grateful for the opportunity to help. The only downside was walking and working in the heat,” noted Fran.

 

Using a microscope

Getting a microscopic look at specimens found in the forest
photo by Fran Whitlock

 

Nocturnal hike

Nocturnal hikes in the rainforest
photo by John A. Gregory

 

Happy campers

Happy Campers!
photo by Fran Whitlock

 

“The best part of the trip for me was witnessing the change in Jaylee. In just a week’s time she came alive, it was like watching a beautiful butterfly emerge from a cocoon,” said Fran.

 

Featured Story view all

GBD2022-1Costa 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 )

SVLvelvetwormVelvet 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 )

GBD2022-1Costa 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...

 

   OUR STORY

holbrooks 1982 ourstory idx

The Selva Verde Story

Selva Verde began with one woman's dream of preserving nearly 500 acres of endangered tropical forest and the multitude of species that call it home.

READ MORE ...