Rara Avis Rainforest Lodge

RARA AVIS is Costa Rica’s oldest Rainforest Lodge. The location, developed in 1983, is quite remote from modern civilization. To get there, you ride in a covered tractor on an uncomfortable rough and bumpy road through cleared cattle lands and forest, and then hike 10 miles to get to the Waterfall Lodge at 2,300 feet above sea level. You’ll then hike the rest of the way up in the rain and mud through a deep jungle trail (make sure to bring your rain boots!). Once there, you’ll see a remote pristine jungle near Braulio Carrillo National Park and the Zona Protectora La Selva at (10º16’53” N lat., 84º02’43” W lon).  

Rara Avis has remained pristine because of its inaccessibility: along the way you will see first-hand how rainforests have been cut down wherever they are near roads. 


The climate is moderate and comfortable ranging from 90°F  on a hot day to 65°F. Mosquitoes are usually not a problem, as there is bed netting in the rooms. Rara Avis has electricity 3-4 hours every night in the dining room and lodge office. Aside from that, you can enjoy sitting in a hammock reading a book, and relaxing, or swimming in the waterfall. The lodge offers hiking trips, including a night hike, or morning guided nature walk, and the resort is known as a great place for birding afficionados (the rare Quetzal bird, treasured for its iridescent feathers has been spotted at the lodge.) 

Rara Avis is a publicly held Costa Rican corporation known for its dedication to conservation when  “ecotourism” became known as way to combat deforestation. It’s truly an adventure to travel there, just remember that when you realize there are no real roads in most of North East Costa Rica.