A Conservation Pioneer

ECO TOURISM AT SELVA VERDE

At the time Giovanna Holbrook purchased the property that would become Selva Verde, land use in the Sarapiquí region was already experiencing intense competition between mostly large monoculture plantations such as banana and later pineapple, small farms, and ecotourism. Through the establishment of Selva Verde Lodge,300+ acres of primary rainforest and 200+ acres of secondary rainforests are intact and thriving. Your visit to Selva Verde contributes to the ongoing conservation of this rainforest sanctuary and to the sustainable development of the region!  

Green & Black Poison Dart Frog, endrobates auratus, Selva Verde Lodge, PRESERVING PATHWAYS FOR WILDLIFE

Selva Verde’s conservation mission gained new purpose with the establishment of the San Juan-La Selva Biological Corridor. Through this initiative, Selva Verde became part of a much larger conservation initiative linking natural areas from Mexico to Panama as part of the Meso-American Biological Corridor. Selva Verde's 475 acres of rainforest provides critical habitat for rainforest wildlife – but it is not enough. We are actively working with our neighbors to connect Selva Verde to other rainforest reserves in the region. 

Summer tanager, Piranga rubra founding of the SARAPIQUÍ CONSERVATION LEARNING CENTER (SCLC)

To further the conservation of the region, Selva Verde founded the Sarapiquí Conservation Learning Center (SCLC) in 1993. Together with the vision of Giovanna Holbrook and Bertha Carter, Selva Verde's first manager, the SCLC established links to communities for conservation through community development and rural tourism. The SCLC is now a fully independent nonprofit working to achieve a sustainable future for the people and wildlife of the region.

Selva Verde’s status as a Conservation Pioneer can be seen in many ways. First and foremost is the fact the business supports a Private Reserve that is part of the National Registry of Private Reserves in Costa Rica. Additionally, its role in the establishment and on-going support of the Sarapiquí Conservation Learning Center, a non-profit organization focused on connecting communities with conservation through community development and community rural tourism. Finally, Selva Verde is part of the local committee of the San Juan La Selva Biological Corridor.

Sustainability at Selva Verde 

our mission, policies and practices

Conservation of the rainforest and its inhabitants remains paramount in the mission of Selva Verde. Working with organizations such as the Sarapiquí Conservation Learning Center (SCLC), the San Juan-La Selva Biological Corridor and others, Selva Verde has retained its focus on ecological conservation and education.

Arenal Volcano

OUR COMMITMENT AND CERTIFICATION

Selva Verde Lodge strongly supports the Certification for Sustainable Tourism (CST) program because it believes properly implemented certification is one of the most promising ways to provide a real incentive to the tourism industry to practice sustainability. By building brand awareness around certification, consumers have an easy and identifiable way to determine which organizations are taking steps to ensure sustainability. Certifcation programs are a based on the idea that travelers value a companies’ efforts to be sustainable in some cases choosing a property that makes these efforts. 

Certification for Sustainable Tourism ProgramWHAT IS CST PROGRAM?

The Certification for Sustainable Tourism Program (CST) was created by the Costa Rican Tourism Board (ICT) to differentiate businesses of the tourism sector, based on the degree to which they comply with a sustainable model of natural, cultural and social resource management. CST sets a standard for lodges in key aspects of sustainability including environmental impact, community impact, and increasing environmental awareness. This program is monitored by the Costa Rican Institute of Tourism. Selva Verde Lodge is categorized with the "Elite" level of sustainability.

Green Classroom program, Selva Verde Lodge

OUR PRACTICES

At Selva Verde Lodge, conservation and preservation of our natural resources requires minimizing the impact of our and our visitors impact on the environment. 

Additionally we are committed to responsible tourism; finding ways to minimize negative impacts on the local environment and maximize positive effects on the surrounding community in Sarapiquí.  

Some of the good practices we have implemented are:

1. A compost system to recycle organic waste, mainly from our restaurant.
2. Solar panels to heat the water for rooms.
3. Recycling of solid materials such as; glass, paper, cartons, aluminium and other products.
4. The use of sunlight to dry laundry.
5. The usage of biodegradable cleaning products with no environmental damage or minimum impact.
6. Refillable soap dispensers in the bathrooms to avoid waste.
7. We do not use chemicals, pesticides, herbicides or fungicides, instead we use a natural fertilizer and derived from compost in our gardens.
8. We created our Green Classroom program in which children learn about sustainability and preserving natural resources of the region.
9.  Visitors are prohibited from feeding any of the animals, including direct or indirect feeding of any species.
10. The souvenir shop at Selva Verde Lodge supports local artisans and does not sell products harmful to the environment.
11. Selva Verde Lodge uses recycled paper and paper products, to prevent unnecessary felling of trees.

Selva Verde Vacation Packages

Selva Verde Lodge, Costa Rica

Let us take care of all the details. Our exclusive packages will let you discover the best of Selva Verde and the Sarapiquí region.

Broad-billed MotmotBirding in Your Bubble: A Privately Guided Sarapiquí Experience

Enjoy private birding at La Selva Biological Station, a visit to the home and reserve of wildlife artist and naturalist Cope, birding from your balcony at Selva Verde, plus additional birding opportunities at higher-elevation sites.

6 days, 5 nights.
Price for two: $1,547+tax
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Swainson's Hawk (Buteo swainsoni)
Migratory Season of Birds of Prey

Experience a bird-focused adventure. Join us this migration season to enjoy one of the largest movements of the year, where you can observe birds such as the Broad-winged Hawk (Buteo platypterus), Swainson's Hawk (Buteo swainsoni), and Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura).
5 day, 4 night package.
From $1490+tax per person
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Tortuguero Channels, Costa RicaSarapiquí & Tortuguero Package

Enjoy the best of two worlds with our specially priced all-inclusive vacation package. Selva Verde and Pachira Lodge are working together to offer our guests a unique opportunity to explore both Tortuguero and the Sarapiquí with an amazing 5 day, 4 night package.
From $789+tax per person
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White-bellied-mountaingem, SavegreSelva Verde & Savegre Package

Explore the lowland rainforest and the high elevation cloud forest with this joint package offering the opportunity to explore two distinct ecosystems. Each located on a river, these two lodges offer accessible forest reserves and abundant wildlife, comfortable lodging, and excellent service.

7 days/6 nights all inclusive.
From $1,514+tax per person.
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Green Honeycreeper, SarapiquíBirding Package

We offer day trips as well as multi-night packages featuring the NEW Costa Rica Bird Route sites and local Sarapiquí birding hotspots. Let Selva Verde take care of the details while you focus on the birds!

4 days, 3 nights
From $628+tax per person.
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Selva Verde and Savegre

Exploring the Rainforest & Cloudforest

Explore two distinct ecosystems with our specially priced all-inclusive package Selva Verde Lodge & Rainforest Reserve and Savegre Hotel, Natural Reserve & Spa have combined efforts to offer our guests a unique opportunity to explore both the Sarapiquí rainforest and the Talamanca cloud forest with a select 7 day package; including lodging, meals, activities, and transportation in two of Costa Rica’s most spectacular regions.

Package Details

The Resplendent Quetzal, Savegre

7 days/6 nights (3 nights at Selva Verde, 3 nights at Savegre)
$1580 per person, double occupancy
$1303 per person, triple occupancy ( oneroom )
$1511 per person, three participants ( two rooms )
*** Minimun 2 persons ***

Packages includes
Includes: transportation to and from San José, lodging, meals, scheduled activities, transportation, and taxes at Selva Verde and Savegre. Not included: gratuities, alcoholic beverages, international airfare, optional activities, and items of a personal nature.

Itinerary

Nutria or water dog, Costa Rica Day one: Pick up and transfer from San Jose to Selva Verde Lodge & Rainforest Reserve. Depending on time of arrival, enjoy lunch, and then settle in and explore the grounds and trails, relax at the pool or in a hammock. Buffet dinner at the lodge, followed by a night hike exploring the nocturnal rainforest (bring a flashlight or headlamp).

Day two: Breakfast served at the lodge, followed by morning guided hike in the primary forest reserve across the bridge. Enjoy lunch at the lodge, and spend the afternoon at leisure or with an optional activity. Dinner at lodge.

Day three: Breakfast at the lodge, followed by a morning boat ride on the Sarapiquí River, known for excellent wildlife spotting. Return to the lodge for lunch. Afternoon spent at leisure or with optional activity. Dinner at lodge.

Day four: Breakfast at Selva Verde. Pick up and transfer to Savegre Hotel, Natural Reserve & Spa. Lunch at Savegre, followed by afternoon of leisure, exploring the grounds and trails. Dinner served in the hotel restaurant.

Day five: Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a half day guided bird walk through the cloud forest terrain. (Bring binoculars and camera). Lunch at the hotel. Afternoon free to explore the trails, visit the onsite spa, or optional activity. Dinner at hotel.

Day six: Breakfast at the hotel, followed by half day hike with an expert guide exploring trails in the reserve. Lunch at hotel, with afternoon free for relaxation optional activity. Dinner at hotel.

Day seven: Enjoy last breakfast and morning at Savegre. Transfer to San Jose.

Highlights

Rufous Motmot, Costa RicaSelva Verde Lodge & Rainforest Reserve: Visit the acclaimed private 500 acre rainforest reserve in the Sarapiquí Region, enjoying the lush, wildlife filled grounds on the banks of the Sarapiquí River. Selva Verde is home to howler monkeys, iguanas, poison dart frogs, tree frogs, 300 species of birds including toucans, great green macaws mot mots, and tanagers, 330 species of trees, and many other species of amphibians, reptiles, and plants. Enjoy guided hikes in the primary rainforest, a boat ride on the Sarapiquí River, and exploring the river, gardens and trails. Relax in a hammock, swim in the pool, and relish the comforts and services provided by Selva Verde’s wonderful staff. Prepare to be amazed by the rainforest and its inhabitants.

Savegre Hotel, Natural Reserve & Spa: Explore the beautiful grounds and extensive trail system of Savegre’s 988 acre reserve in the high elevation cloud forest of the Talmanca Mountain Range. Savegre Hotel is nestled into the mountain valley astride the Savegre River in San Gerardo de Dota, and is host to a diverse array of flora and fauna. One of the best locations to spot a Resplendent Quetzal, Savegre is also home to over 170 species of birds, including several species of hummingbirds and flycatchers. The misty forest is filled with epiphyte laden oaks and laurels, bursting with orchids and bromeliads, and boasts an impressive diversity of plants, mammals, amphibians, and other wildlife. Walk the trails with expert guides, explore the river and waterfall, relax in the cozy, heated lodge, visit the spa, and enjoy the exquisite meals and services provided by the Chacon family, who have lived here since 1954.

* Bring clothing suitable for both the warm rainforest and the cool cloud forest. Both areas are humid and receive substantial rainfall, so waterproof rainwear is recommended. Also bring good shoes, a flashlight, your camera, and your sense of adventure. This is an amazing trip!

Birding Packages

Selva Verde - Costa Rica

Four Days and Three Nights of Exceptional Birding  

Keel-billed Toucans, Great Green Macaws, Wood Thrushes, Grey-necked Wood Rails, Sun bitterns and Violet Crowned Woodnymphs are just a few of the birds that inhabit the Selva Verde Rainforest Reserve. For decades, Selva Verde has been a birding hotspot – captivating beginner and expert alike. Let Selva Verde take care of the details while you focus on the birds! Your package includes accommodations, breakfasts, and activities described below.

Birding Package Rates

$597 per person, double occupancy
$497 per person, triple occupancy
$630 per person, three participants ( two rooms )
*** Minimun 2 persons ***

Packages information
Duration: 4 days, 3 nights
Rates: Per Person
Meals: Includes Breakfast
Room:  River Lodge
Transportation: roundtrip transport to activities and tours included

Activities Included

Early Morning Bird Walks

Black-cheeked Woodpecker, SarapiquíJoin our naturalist guides for two early morning walks and enjoy bird scouting adventures through the gardens and paths at Selva Verde in search of toucans, honeycreepers, hummingbirds, trogons, parrots, great green macaws and more! Bring binoculars and a camera. Guides have scopes to share close up views.

Boat Ride in the SarapiquÍ River

Puerto Viejo boat deck, SarapiquíEnjoy a float down the Sarapiquí River through forested and agricultural areas full of tropical birdlife, including the Amazon Kingfisher, Fasciated Tiger Heron, and Boat Billed Heron. You will depart from the lively Puerto Viejo dock, offering you the chance to experience village life in Costa Rica. Our boat guides are some of the best wildlife spotters on the river so be sure to bring your camera. In addition to birds, you just might spot a three toed sloth or a troop of howler monkeys.

Regular Hike 2 hrs

Green-Honeycreeper SarapiquíBring your binoculars and camera, and set out with a naturalist guide in search of birds such as flycatchers, manakins, tanagers, hawks, motmots, and parakeets though the old growth forest, secondary forest trails, and botanical gardens. Selva Verde’s 500 acre reserve is home to over 300 resident and migratory species of birds.

Birding at La Selva Biological Station

Bare-throated Tiger-Heron, SarapiquíIn addition to having a stupendous bird list, la Selva Biological Station is a living laboratory. Located adjacent to Braulio Carrillo National Park, la Selva protects over 3,500 acres of virgin rainforest. More than 400 species of resident and migratory birds have been recorded in the reserve, representing almost half of Costa Rica's bird species.

Download a checklist of the Birds at Selva Verde: Birdwatching List

Check the Selva Verde Lodge listing at eBird