Eco lodge accommodation in Costa Rica
| country: | Costa Rica |
| location: | Bijagua |
| price: | From US $55 - US $120 per cabin/cottage per night (sleeps 2-4). Price includes breakfast |
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introduction to Eco lodge accommodation in Costa Rica
We have developed as an ambitious project proudly owned and operated by a group of ten determined local families. We are pioneers in ecotourism in the Northern Region of Costa Rica (in the zone of Bijagua Upala between Volcan Tenorio and Miravalles).
In 1985 the land that the lodge now stands on was assigned for deforestation and land distribution by IDA (Instituto de Desarrollo Agrario) in order to distribute land to families in need. We managed to protect the rainforest here and have created a private nature reserve and Eco-lodge.Nature trail - Perfect for discovering the fauna and flora typical of the primary and secondary tropical forest. Rainforest suspension bridge tour - A guided tour to bring you closer to the wonderful biodiversity of the rainforest. The Laguna Danta Tour - Visit an extinct crater formed by the peak of Montezuma. The Nocturnal Rainforest tour - The best way to take a different look at the rainforest. The Ornithological Tour - Over 300 species of birds make this location a paradise for birders. The Botanical Tour - Lovers of nature can discover plants and trees of the rainforest. Discover Rio Celeste - famous for its bright blue waters, hot springs, and spectacular waterfall. Rio Celeste by Horseback. Travel to the national park by hose, a wonderful way to take in the local area.
Tours around Bijagua: The Butterfly Farm Tour. Sloths and Venomous Frogs Tour. The Sustainable Organic Farm Tour. The Rio Bijagua Tour. The Rio Zapote Tour.
Tours in the surrounding area: Tour of the Palo Verde National Park. Tour of Caño Negro Wildlife Reserve.
In 1985 the land that the lodge now stands on was assigned for deforestation and land distribution by IDA (Instituto de Desarrollo Agrario) in order to distribute land to families in need. We managed to protect the rainforest here and have created a private nature reserve and Eco-lodge.
special things to do and see here
Tours offered on site: Tours around Bijagua: Tours in the surrounding area:
rooms, food and facilities
Our eco-lodge consists of six cabins, four private cottages, a restaurant, volunteer station and conference centre/classroom set amongst beautiful native gardens and primary rainforest with a spectacular view over the valley of Bijagua and Lake Nicaragua.
Cabins: We have six rustic cabins each with private bathroom and hot water with a capacity of four people per room. There are great views from the corridor in front of the rooms.
Cottages: We have four architecturally designed private cottages each with spectacular views of Volcano Miravalles and Lake Nicaragua. Built within a rainforest setting each cottage has a spacious sleeping area, private bathroom with hot water and jacuzzi and a balcony with spectacular views.
Conference Centre and Classroom: Our Conference Centre/Classroom is an excellent place to do workshops, conduct lectures and run training programs. It has a 60 person capacity, water and electrical facilities. Hire rates are negotiable, please contact us for further details.
Meals: Our restaurant is open from 7:30am to 8:00pm and offers diverse Costa Rican and International cuisine. There is also bar service during these hours. It is also well situated so that you can enjoy an impressive panorama of the Miravalles Volcano. Meals are an extra $5 - $11 per day.
Rates 2008 - Nov 2009: All rates include a free home cooked gourmet breakfast (traditional/continental) in our restaurant.
Taxes included in the above rates.
Children 6-11 years of age receive a 50% discount.
190km from Juan Santa Maria International Airport Alajuela 80km from Daniel Oduver International Airport in Liberia 38km from Cañas 28km from Upala 3km from Bijagua
Directions by car (from San José):
Take the Pan-American highway north from San Jose. 7km north of Cañas, turn right at the intersection for Upala (route 6). Continue along this road until you reach Bijagua (approx 32km). Once in Bijagua, follow the main road until a small intersection on the right. Turn right at the intersection, pass the soccer field and high school on the right. At the following two y-intersections keep left. Follow the signs and drive 3km uphill to arrive at our lodge (a 4X4 is not required).
Directions by Bus (from San José)
Go to the Terminal Transnorte de Upala. Calle 12 (12th St) between Avenues 3 and 5 (Ph 2221-3318). Buy a ticket and take the bus from San José-Upala, x Canas Get off the bus in central Bijagua at a small intersection. There is a small supermarket on the corner called Super El Mercadito the old Banco Nacional and the police station. You can take a local taxi from in front of the El Mercadito to Heliconias (about 3km, US$5) or phone us at the lodge.
Alternatively buses can be taken to the bus station in Cañas (from various locations including Liberia and Fortuna, Puntarenas) and then another bus from Cañas to Upala (stopping in Bijagua). Buses from Cañas to Upala depart regularly.
Cabins: We have six rustic cabins each with private bathroom and hot water with a capacity of four people per room. There are great views from the corridor in front of the rooms. Cottages: We have four architecturally designed private cottages each with spectacular views of Volcano Miravalles and Lake Nicaragua. Built within a rainforest setting each cottage has a spacious sleeping area, private bathroom with hot water and jacuzzi and a balcony with spectacular views.
Conference Centre and Classroom: Our Conference Centre/Classroom is an excellent place to do workshops, conduct lectures and run training programs. It has a 60 person capacity, water and electrical facilities. Hire rates are negotiable, please contact us for further details.
Meals: Our restaurant is open from 7:30am to 8:00pm and offers diverse Costa Rican and International cuisine. There is also bar service during these hours. It is also well situated so that you can enjoy an impressive panorama of the Miravalles Volcano. Meals are an extra $5 - $11 per day.
Rates 2008 - Nov 2009: All rates include a free home cooked gourmet breakfast (traditional/continental) in our restaurant.
| Cabins | Cottages |
| Single $ 55 | Single $ 79 |
| Double $ 67 | Double $ 94 |
| Triple $ 86 | Triple $ 108 |
| Quadruple $ 100 | Quadruple $ 120 |
Children 6-11 years of age receive a 50% discount.
how to find us
Our lodge is located on the northern slope of Tenorio Volcano at 750 meters above sea level in the province of Alajuela. We are in north-east Costa Rica between Tenorio Volcano and Miravalles Volcano, overlooking the town of Bijagua and Lake Nicaragua. The journey to Bijagua is picturesque. Directions by car (from San José):
Directions by Bus (from San José)
Alternatively buses can be taken to the bus station in Cañas (from various locations including Liberia and Fortuna, Puntarenas) and then another bus from Cañas to Upala (stopping in Bijagua). Buses from Cañas to Upala depart regularly.
how this holiday makes a difference
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A group of twenty three local families came together to protect the land from deforestation and formed a community association called ABIPA (Asociación Bijagueña de Productores Agrícolas). With determination and commitment ABIPA was successful and stopped the imminent deforestation of 73 hectares (about 175 acres) of primary rainforest in 1991. IDA assigned the land to ABIPA as a new model of conservation in Costa Rica whereby rainforest is protected in private reserves and managed by local communities.
The community association own the land and the rainforest. We received a government grant for protection of the rainforest given certain conditions. Staff: Employees are trained on how to be guides and are shown educational presentations from various organisations and experts that visit. Staff have opportunities to combine study with work. Set aside projects: Much of the money gets reinvested in the rainforest and conservation projects that help the community. We have run environmental courses for the local children. All the food is purchased locally. All employees are from the local community. Environmental programmes: Planting trees through local youth cooperative, engaging and promoting carbon neutral tourism and educational and environmental activities (all ages) based at the lodge. Social programmes: English language courses, training on how to start and maintain a cooperative and purchasing environmental books and material for the local school. Social pride: Maintaining and protecting primary rainforest and being a leader for conservation research and guidance.  Local benefits: Tours to traditional local farms and homes. Provide locally produced meals. Provides direct and indirect employment to locals keeping the tourist dollar in the local area facilitating community development. Tourists involvement: Building projects, tree planting and other volunteer opportunities. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |
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