Property
Selva Verde is a large and almost luxurious eco-lodge set in the lowland tropical rainforest.  It’s right on the Rio Sarapiqui and has a long suspension bridge over the river to its private old-growth rainforest reserve.  The comfortable rooms and 5 air conditioned bungalows are connected to the dining room and reception area with raised covered wooden walkways.  The new pool is gorgeous.  Many people opt for the meals plus room plan which includes 3 full buffet meals per day as there are not many restaurants in the area.  It’s convenient and the food is adequate but not amazing.

Location
Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui (sometimes called just Sarapiqui) is a small town in the lowland tropical rainforest.  The lodge is a few km outside of town and is about a 15-minute taxi ride to the town center that has a couple of restaurants, a big grocery store, pharmacy and other small shops.  2 hours from La Fortuna (home of Arenal Volcano) and 1 1/2 hours from the San Jose airport.

Sleeps
2-5.

Highlights
The complimentary morning guided birding walk is highly recommended.  The trails through the secondary forest are also free and a good place to spot the thumbnail sized black and green poison dart frogs.  Kids always find them first as they like to hang out on the ground.  The lodge can book lots of rainforest and cultural activities in the area for you including a guided rainforest walk, horseback riding, wildlife boat ride on the Rio Sarapiqui, whitewater rafting, a family cooking class, jewelry making with rainforest seeds, etc.

Good to know
A bit pricey but the accommodations are comfortable and attractive and you only have to walk out the door to go for a walk in the rainforest.  Make reservations for activities at least 24 hours in advance.  The lodge is associated with the nonprofit Sarapiqui Conservation Learning Center that offers the cooking, jewelry making, salsa dancing courses and more.  We’ve done the cooking class with kids 4-8 which was a hit— making empanadas and tortillas is just like playing with clay!

Contact
http://www.selvaverde.com/lang/en/

September 18th, 2008 | by Jenny Jensen