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Contact:
Karen Lewis
Owner/founder
Tel: 506 - 735-5130; 506 - 735-5281
Fax: 506 - 735-5179
PO Box 100
Mail drop: PO Box 025216-SJO706,
Miami, FL 33102
Pto. Jiménez
Costa Rica
info@laparios.com
www.laparios.com
Certified by:
Certificación de Sostenibilidad Turística (CST), Costa Rica (2003)
Type of accommodation:
Hotel, resort
Features:
Hot water
Laundry facilities
Pool
Private bathroom
Restaurant
Wheelchair accessible
Year founded: 1990
Number of employees: 62
Percent of employees who are local residents: 95%
Number of rooms: 16 bungalows
Type of destination:
Beach
Forest/rainforest
Able to accommodate:
Families
Gay/lesbian
Seniors
Singles
Singles with children
Description of the area:
Lapa Rios is located on the Osa Peninsula in southwestern Costa Rica. The Peninsula contains the finest example of lowland tropical rainforest in Central America . It is estimated that at least 50% of Costa Rica's species are found in the area. Various species of monkeys, tropical birds, and large mammals including tapirs and jaguars all call the Osa Peninsula their home. Lapa Rios is also located in a corridor of Corcovado National Park, home to a great number of endemic species and many representatives of South American species found nowhere else in Central America. The area also includes important marine resources, notably the Golfo Dulce, one of only four fjords in the tropics worldwide. Recently, observers have discovered that the Golfo Dulce is a calving area for both northern and southern Pacific populations of Humpback whales, a circumstance unknown anywhere else. The Sierpe-Terraba Wetland, to the north of the Peninsula, is amongst the largest mangrove forests on the Pacific coast of Central America, and has been designated as a Ramsar site for the protection of aquatic birds.
Click here for a list of wildlife species commonly seen at Lapa Rios.
Click here for a list of bird species commonly seen at Lapa Rios.
Available activities:
Bird watching
Canopy exploration
Eco/nature/wildlife
Educational, research, volunteering
Fishing
Horseback riding
Tours
Visits to conservation projects
Walking/hiking
How to get there:
Nearest international airport: San Jose
Nearest local / national airport: Puerto Jimenez
Distance, by land, to the nearest airport: 45 minutes
A four-wheel drive vehicle is recommended, essential during the Green Season (Sept.-Dec.)
Flying:
98% of the people who visit Lapa Rios fly on domestic daily scheduled air. It is relatively inexpensive and the flight is only about 40 to 50 minutes long. The airstrip is in Puerto Jiménez right next to the Lapa Rios office and from there you will travel in our 4X4 Lapa Rios safari truck for 45 minutes to get to the Reserve.
There are two local airlines offering domestic service to Puerto Jimenez from San Jose: Nature Air and Sansa. Sansa flights leave from a terminal next to the international airport and Nature Air flights leave from the other airport closer to San Jose in Pavas.
Click here for more information on available flights and times.
Driving:
During the Green Season, May to December, 4-wheel-drive is recommended. By road from San José take the Inter-American (Pan Am) Highway (Ruta 2) to San Isidro de General (2 - 3.5 hrs ) . An interesting rest stop for refreshments is at Ojo de Agua (Km # 76 , 1 -1.5 hrs) Continue through Buenos Aires (1 - 1.5 Hrs) to Palmar Norte (1 - 1.5 hrs). Thirty-three kilometers past Palmar Norte take a right turn at Chacarita. At Chacarita you will see a service station by the name of "Corcovado ". The right turn to Puerto Jiménez is directly after the service station. On this paved road you will drive 44 km to Rincon where the pavement ends. 33 more kms will take you through La Palma and eventually on to Puerto Jiménez (1 - 2 hrs). When in Puerto Jiménez, please check-in at the office. We are at the corner of the town cemetary and the landing strip. Ask anyone in the town where the Lapa Rios office is. Office staff will give you directions to Lapa Rios (another 3/4 - 1 hr).
An alternative route driving from San José is after San Isidro turn toward the Pacific, to Dominical (3/4 - 1 hr.) then follow the coast road south to Palmar Norte. This route is shorter and faster, but being repaved in 2006. Approximate travel: 7-10 hours depending on stops, sightseeing, weather, and road conditions.
Click here for more information on driving directions.
Making a difference:
By staying at Lapa Rios, guests support the conservation of the rainforest and provide direct employment and income to more than 50 families in the area. Lapa Rios also protects and preserves 1000 acres of primary and secondary rain forest in the Lapa Rios private reserve, in perpetuity; integrates and assists the local community through basic education and job training; maintains a commitment to sustainable hospitality design and practice; educates guests about conservation and preservation and about the rain forest and the local culture; fosters primary education among local children through The Carbonera School Foundation; creates an intimate experience that emphasizes environmental and intercultural education for guests, employees, and the surrounding community; and utilizes tourism to acquire and protect endangered rain forest.
Click here to learn more about our ecolodge’s sustainable practices.
General rates:
See below for attached document
Date this information was provided: April 2007
Additional information:
The “articles” page on our Web site features links to articles that have been published about Lapa Rios.
See more photos of Lapa Rios.
Lapa Rios Rates.pdf (26.3 KB)
