Heliconias Cerro Escondido Nacientes Palmichal Tourist Inns in Costa Rican Communities Sueños del bosque Curubanda Las Orquídeas Bribripa Kaneblö Canto de Ballenas Danta Corcovado Lodge
We invite you to experience our rural tourism and live in our communities Sense Enjoy Submerge Savor Recover Experience Costa Rican culture and share in their local and country life. It is a real-life, hands-on experience with a personal touch Together we will witness our land s rich biodiversity Encounter an authentic cultural exchange And be introduced to our ancestral traditions Edited by: Planning Department Tourism Planning and Development San José, April 2011
Rural and community tourism in Costa Rica: A road towards sustainability Destinations and genuine products designed for both national and internationally environmentally-conscious audiences. The Costa Rica Tourism Board congratulates young entrepreneurs working in rural and community tourism, for their undying support to sustainable tourism. The essence of rural & community tourism: Diversifies Costa Rica s tourism offerings. Brings added value to agricultural production. Promotes the protection of natural resources and the identity of our rural communities. Motivates pride and heritage conservation among local families. Promotes the undertaken families work. What Community-Based Rural Tourism Offers Lodging at an inn in a rural community. Local foods in dining halls, rural touristic restaurants, farms, etc. Tours in communities coordinated by local travel agencies. Camping expeditions in themed tourist and protected areas.
Cerro Escondido 2,200 acres of protected forest! Location: Nicoya Peninsula. Lepanto, Puntarenas. Cerro Escondido is a welcoming lodge settled in the middle of the forest in the Karen Mogensen Reserve, in the Nicoya Peninsula. Discover the primary forest, natural springs, and the impressive Velo de Novia Waterfall. 2 cabins with four rooms. Each cabin has a large balcony and private bath. Capacity: 18 people. Solar energy Meeting rooms Vegetarian and traditional meals Hiking trails Horseback riding Orchid garden Excursions to Venado Island Eco-museum Tel. (506) 2650-0607 / Fax (506) 2650-0201 asepalec@racsa.co.cr www.asepaleco.com Jicaral Lepanto Posada Cerro Escondido Cóbano Golfo de Nicoya Gigante Pochote Puntarenas Paquera Curú FOR RESERVATIONS AND MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT ACTUAR Tel. / Fax (506) 2290-7514 info@actuarcostarica.com www.actuarcostarica.com
Curubanda 850 acres of protected forest! SANTA CECILIA VOLCAN OROSI POSADA CURUBANDA VOLCAN RINCON DE LA VIEJA PARQUE NACIONAL SANTA ROSA QUEBRADA GRANDE POTRERILLOS LIBERIA AEROPUERTO Location: Guanacaste, Liberia, Quebrada Grande, 13 km. on the way to Dos Ríos de Upala, Finca Nueva Zelandia Tel. (506) 8331-3958 Fax (506) 2691-8177 www.curubanda.com reservaciones@curubanda.com Tel. (506) 2290-7514 info@actuarcostarica.com An oasis between two volcanoes! Curubanda is a rural mountain inn located between the Rincón de la Vieja Volcano and the Cacao Volcano. Curubanda is located on a farm whose owners combined farming and agriculture with tourism and primary and secondary forest protection. Experience the authentic sabanero lifestyle of the Guanacaste region in Curubanda! Curubanda Rural Inn: Four well-furnished rooms with private bath. Capacity: 12 people Restaurant Guided hikes to the volcanoes and waterfalls Horseback riding Bird and mammal watching Hot springs Cow milking
Heliconias The foreground to the Celeste River Heliconias has a private rainforest reserve with a total of 172 acres, where three types of trails have been developed with three hanging bridges. The longest bridge measures 350 ft. long and 120 ft. high with a capacity for 8 people. There are also local nature guides. Heliconias is owned by the Bijagüeña Agricultural Product Association and has a total of ten rooms, which are divided into two categories: six standard rooms and four suites. Tours to Celeste River and Caño Negro Guided tours to Tenorio Volcano and the Bijagua River Waterfall, among other places Horseback riding Danta Lagoon Mammal and bird watching Butterfly garden Liberia Agro-ecological land Trails Restaurant Parque Nacional Rincón de la Vieja Hacienda Santa María Guayabo Salitral Bagaces Guayabal La Fortuna San José de Alajuela Aguas Claras POSADA HELICONIAS Bijagua Volcán Miravalles Upala Santo Domingo Parque Nacional Volcán Tenorio Bajo Los Cartagos Angeles Tilarán La Palmera Finca Chompipera Pénjamo Finca El Carmen Silvestre Naranjal Caño negro San Jorge Los Angeles Finca Concepción Arenal Finca Torero Laguna de Arenal Finca Quemados Caño Ciego Caño negro Parque Río Chiquito Nacional Arenal Location: Alajuela, Bijagua de Upala, Asentamiento Campesino Carlos Vargas. Tel. (506) 2466-8483 info@heliconiaslodge.com www.heliconiaslodge.com Asoc. Bijagüeña de Productores Agrícolas - ABIPA Fortuna Tel. (506)2290-8646 Fax (506) 2290-8667 cooprena@racsa.co.cr www.turismoruralcr.com
Nacientes Palmichal Cradle of water and coffee San José, Acosta, Palmichal. 1 km este de Escuela de San Pablo Location: By car: take the Próspero Fernández Highway, starting in La Sabana and leading to Puriscal. Five miles before arriving to Santiago de Puriscal there is a turn off toward Tabarcia- Palmichal. Once you arrive there, go 1.5 miles east to the San Pablo de Palmichal community where you will find the Environmental School. Tel: 2418-4328 Fax. (506)2418-4335 Email: info@nacientespalmichal.com Website: www.nacientespalmichal.com facebook: NACIENTES PALMICHAL. Puriscal Reserva Indígena Huetar Quitirrisi Cruce de Tabarcia Tel. / Fax (506) 2290-7514 info@actuarcostarica.com www.actuarcostarica.com Gimnasio Nacional Parque La Sabana 5 Kms Tabarcia 14 Kms 17 Kms Ciudad Colón 1 Kms NACIENTES PALMICHAL LODGE Palmichal San Jose s very own take on rural tourism. Visit Tabarcia and Palmichal to see the other side of San Jose and discover the tranquil and simple life of the countryside and its people. Learn about the practices of the locals in the growing of coffee and oranges, as well as other fruits. Enjoy the riches of the land while learning about the history of this area so close to the capital. You will also learn about water conservation. Palmichal Springs, owned by the ADESSARU Association, has 8 furnished rooms, each for up to 4 people, with private bath and shower. Guided hikes Mammal and Bird watching Medical plant garden Visit the swine farm which functions as a biodigestor for producing biogas and biofertilizer. Tours to vegetable gardens with organic agriculture and worm culture Coffee Tours Trails Restaurant Natural Pools
Danta Corcovado In the heart of the Osa Peninsula! Guadalupe (La Palma), 5 miles from the Los Patos area of the Corcovado N.P. An 86 acre piece of land located in the heart of the Corcovado National Park and near the Guaymi Indigenous Reserve. At the Danta Corcovado there are also food and lodging services, as well as organized tours to various attractions in our beautiful Osa Peninsula. There is also information on how to explore the area on your own. There are 6 bungalows and two suites. The rooms are a magical combination of rustic and creative elements. Teakwood floors, fans, windows covered in twisted branches and screens, beds made from Surá wood with unique designs, coconut lamps for reading, mirrors with wood chips, bedspreads with clean and colorful towels, and many other interesting details. Tours to the indigenous Guaymi territory, kayaking in the Golfo Dulce, night tour, gold tour and chocolate tour. Guided hikes through the Corcovado National Park-Los Patos Mammal and bird watching Trails Restaurant Wireless Internet Río Pavo a la Palma Caminando 5 horas Los Patos - La Palma Río Rincón PARQUE NACIONAL CORCOVADO Río Sirena Los Patos Río Tigre Corcovado National Park Location: By car: You can take either the Interamerican Highway San José-San Isidro-Palmar Norte-Chacarita or San José-Jacó-Dominical- Palmar Norte-Chacarita. Once you reach the Chacarita gas station, turn right on the road to Puerto Jiménez and just follow our footprints. For more information on transportation, check www.dantalodge.com/index2.html We are located at Guadalupe (La Palma), 8 km from Los Patos area of the Corcovado National Park in the heart of the Osa Península, the right place to explore the whole zone attractions. www.dantalodge.com Info@dantalodge.com Tel: (506) 2735-1111 Fax: (506) 2735-1212 Tel. (506) 2290-8646 / Fax (506) 2290-8667 cooprena@racsa.co.cr www.turismoruralcr.com
BRIBRIPA KANEBLÖ Culture, Indigenous Tradition, and 1,100 acres of forest! The Bríbripa Cultural Center is one of the best areas to learn about indigenous cultures in Costa Rica. There are beautifully decorated cabins in the Bribri style with a private bath and interior garden. At the Chokowe restaurant, we serve traditional Bribri dishes and other Costa Rica dishes. There are Cubaya arts and crafts, jewelry, and carved wood. Location: Buenos Aires, Puntarenas Pacifico Sur Bribripa Kaneblö Rural Inn: 3 beautifully decorated cabins in the Bribri style with a private bath and interior garden. The cabins have a terrace with a view of the mountains. 2 cabins have double beds and one has a full-size bed and 2 single beds. Tel: (506) 8937-4457 Email: bribrika@hotmail.com ACTUAR 2290-7514 info@actuarcostarica.com BRIBRIPA KANEBLÖ Ujarrás Buenos Aires Salitre Brujo Cabragra Tours of the native Bribri territory Indigenous arts and crafts store Bribri library: Bribripa Kaneblö with information on tradition and knowledge of all ethnic groups in Costa Rica Guided tours Mammal and bird watching Trails Restaurant U Pako tours (cultural activities), ceremony in the Ú Sule, visit the grasslands, mountains, river, among other places. You can also take classes on the Bribri language. You must stay for at least a week to take classes.
Canto de Ballenas Beach, music, poetry, and beauty An ideal tranquil and peaceful atmosphere where you can take relaxing vacations on the beach, in a co-op hotel near the Marino Ballena National Park, located on 25 acres. Location: Southern Coast highway 12 miles south of Dominical. After the Uvita River, take the first turn on the right-hand side to Punta Uvita Beach, 2,000 ft. after the sign showing the exact location. The lodge has 12 available rooms with a double and single bed or double and two single beds. Every room offers a private bath, fan, and terrace. The facilities are wheel chair accessible. Whale and dolphin tours, tours to Caño Island, Corcovado, Drake Bay, Horseback riding tours, and kayaking tours through the mangroves (Térraba- Sierpe) and surfing with instructors Guided hikes through the Bahía Ballena National Park Mammal and bird watching Trails Restaurant Wireless Internet Eco-spa Tel. (506) 2290-8646 Fax (506) 2290-8667 cooprena@racsa.co.cr www.turismoruralcr.com www.hotelcantoballenas.com Tel. (506) 2743-8085 hotelcantodeballenas@gmail.com Dominical Playa Hermosa Punta Uvita Playa Uvita P.N. Marino Ballena Playa Ballena Río Uvita Posada Canto de Ballenas Tortuga Abajo Coronado
Tel. (506)2661-8245 Fax: (506) 2639-9451 cabanaorquideas@costarricense.cr Tel. (506)2290-8646 Fax (506)2290-8667 cooprena@racsa.co.cr www.turismoruralcr.com Cebadilla Ciruelas Miramar Cuatro Cruces San Isidro Barranca Mata de Limón Esparza Las Orquídeas Orquideas Cloud forest, orchids, lichen, moss! Location: Montes de Oro County in the Puntarenas province. By bus, you can reach Miramar, however there is also access by car up to the Zapotal community. An impressively beautiful and scenic cloud forest lets you appreciate nature and serves as a great nook to relax and reflect. The cold, rain, and clouds here are pleasant when viewed amidst the accessible green forest. There are many species of plants and animals that only thrive under these conditions. Likewise, you will experience welcoming contact with the locals who will show you organic agriculture, eco-tourism, cheese making, and other activities. There are four cabins tucked away in a tranquil and harmonious atmosphere within the cloud forest. The cabins are furnished with private bath, hot water, closet, lamps, three beds, both single and full size. (Capacity for 14 people) Restaurant Visit the Orchid nursery Hiking tours Horseback riding tours Watch the cheese making process Homestays Hikes through the primary and secondary forests Bird watching Tours through the sugar cane mills Excursions to the waterfall Biodigestor management Nature guides in Spanish or English throughout the area
Sueños del Bosque Surrounded by the peace that the mountains provide A natural experience in the mountains of San Gerardo de Dota, where you can relax in comfortable rustic cabins with a lake view; relaxing while breathing in the pure and fresh air in a rural environment where you can enjoy outdoor activities, taste the coffee and the delicious traditional local foods. Sueños del Bosque Rural Community Tourism Inn: 6 cabins with private bathroom. Capacity: maximum 8 people per cabin. Cartago Restaurant Hiking Horseback riding Trout fishing Rustic ranches Gardens Tours to the fruit crops Bird watching Camping area Tel. (506) 2290-8646 Fax (506) 2290-8667 cooprena@racsa.co.cr www.turismoruralcr.com www.bosquesangerardo.com Tel. 506) 2740-1023 info@ bosquesangerardo.com San Gerardo de Dota Quepos Manuel Antonio Dominical Sueños del Bosque San Isidro El General San Gerardo de Dota, South Area from La Lidia School a kilometer and a half (.90 mile) south east.
The ICT s plan to support Community-Based Rural Tourism To lend support to local communities, small businesses (Pymes), locally-produced products, rural lodging, and local travel agencies. Consultation, Partnership, and Logistics Declaration of the Community-Based Rural Tourism for Small Businesses (Pymes). Educational and vocational support. Marketing, research and promotional support.
NICARAGUA La Cruz Los Chiles Santa Upala Rosa Rincón 2 Caño Negro de la Vieja V. Miravalles 35 1 3 Barra del Tortuguero V. Tenorio Colorado LIBERIA El Coco 4 Bagaces 21 Puerto Viejo CARIBBEAN Filadelfia La Fortuna SEA Cañas Tilarán Rara Avis Flamingo Palo Verde Arenal 4 Guácimo Tamarindo Santa Cruz Monteverde Juntas V Poás Braulio Pacuare Palma Zarcero Paraíso Carrillo Guápiles 32 Matina 18 Grecia Nicoya San Ramón V. Turrialba Matina Marbella 4 ALAJUELA V. Irazú Siquirres Moin Mansión PUNTARENAS 1 Nosara HEREDIA Hojancha 10 LIMON Carmona 1 Atenas SAN JOSE Ostional Esparza Carrillo Garza Playa Naranjo 34 Orotina Colón Turrialba 36 CARTAGO Sámara Puriscal Cahuita Paquera 5 Carara Tapantí Gandoca Arío Tambor S. Pablo Bribrí Manzanillo Jacó S. Marcos S. María Parrita 9 Chirripó Cabo Blanco Los Santos Sixaola Quepos Parque 1 Cerro Escondido Manuel San Isidro Internacional 2 PACIFIC 34 la amistad Curubanda Antonio OCEAN 8 3 Heliconias Dominical 2 4 Orquídeas 7 5 Nacientes Palmichal Cortés 6 Danta Corcovado San Vito 7 Canto de Ballenas Capital Province Capital 8 Bribripa Kaneblö Cities Neily Roads 9 Sueños del Bosque 6 Golfito Protected Areas Corcovado Puerto Jiménez PANAMA Costa Rica Tourism Board Tourism Planning and Development La Uruca, East of Puente Juan Pablo II PO Box 777-1000 Phone (506)2299-5800 Ext. 428 / 202 Fax. (506) 2231-0311 smonge@ict.go.cr ralfaro@ict.go.cr www.visitcostarica.com