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The Selva Verde Story
a passion to make a difference
Selva Verde exists today because of one woman's desire to make a difference. As a pioneer in the business of ecotourism, Giovanna Holbrook traveled the world creating unique adventures for avid naturalists. In 1982, Giovanna arranged an ornithological field study in Costa Rica for the National Aviary. At the last minute, accommodations for the explorers fell through and they found themselves without a place to stay. Giovanna raced to Costa Rica to rectify the situation. A full day drive from San Jose, over barely passable dirt roads, found her deep in the county of Sarapiquí – a place that would forever etch itself upon her heart.
Selva Verde Founder Giovanna Holbrook with her husband,, Juan Holbrook, c. 1986
The Discovery of Selva Verde
During her stay, Giovanna discovered a large tract of old growth forest that was up for sale was facing an uncertain future and may well have been purchased for logging or agricultural purposes. Never one to shy from a challenge, Giovanna placed a deposit on the property then and there on the spot and embarked on an adventure that continues to this day. Selva Verde's early days were full of excitement. Shortly after purchasing the property, Giovanna discovered squatters staking claim to her land. She enlisted her good friend Dr. Tom Emmel and with the help of a local conservationist, confronted the squatters. After some intense and heated negotiations, a deal was struck. If the squatters agreed to vacate her property, they would be offered jobs once the project was completed.
Over the next several years, Giovanna continued to travel back and forth between the US and Costa Rica as the dream of Selva Verde began to take shape. Soon the original house was hosting visiting researchers and plans were underway to build additional guest rooms and a dining hall. More than 30 years later, Selva Verde is a world renowned eco-lodge committed to advancing the practice of sustainable tourism.
Selva Verde began with one woman's dream of preserving nearly 500 acres of endangered tropical forest and the multitude of species that call it home. Through her unwavering devotion, Selva Verde is now a premier ecotourism destination, protecting the most accessible rainforest in Costa Rica, and attracting nature enthusiasts from around the globe.
Giovanna Holbrook - Video Interview
Photo Gallery - Our Story
 research team at Selva Verde, c. 1986.jpg "Lepidoptery (butterfly) research team at Selva Verde, c. 1986")
Gallery Story
Original house - served as guest house for first visitors, c. 1986
Lepidoptery (butterfly) research team at Selva Verde, c. 1986
Original dining room with tables and stools made from salvaged tree trunks, c. 1986
Original guest house and dining room with path to river. c. 1986
Removal the illegal squatters' shacks, c. 1986
Selva Verde's Founders - Juan and Giovanna Holbrook, c. 1986
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WORK IN PROGRESS
Work in progress
Privacy Policy
Eco Vacation at Selva Verde
Selva Verde Lodge & Rainforest Reserve ("Selva Verde Lodge", Holbrook Travel, "we" or "us" as the context provides) values your privacy as a user of this site and other web sites operated or provided by Selva Verde Lodge & Rainforest Reserve (collectively, the 'Sites'). Your use of the Sites is governed by the Terms of Use and disclaimer. Please read the following to learn more about Selva Verde Lodge & Rainforest Reserve policy with respect to our collection, use and disclosure of personal information. If you have any questions or comments regarding this Privacy Policy or the privacy practices of Selva Verde Lodge & Rainforest Reserve please email us at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Collection Information
Selva Verde Lodge & Rainforest Reserve collects personal information when you inquire about our services and products, when you fill out surveys, and when you participate in promotions or other programs that we may hold from time to time. Selva Verde Lodge & Rainforest Reserve may combine information about you with information we obtain from our affiliated companies.
Personal Information that we collect may include your name, contact information (such as email address, mailing address, telephone and fax number) demographic information (such as gender, age and occupation), and personal preferences, such as preferences with respect to property rental and purchasing.
Selva Verde Lodge & Rainforest Reserve automatically receives and records information on our server lots, which information may include your computer's IP address and "cookie" information. A cookie is a small text file that is stored on your computer. The only information a cookie can collect is information supplied by you. A cookie cannot read data off of your computer. If you have set your browsers to warn you before accepting cookies, you will receive the warning message with each cookie. You may configure your internet browser software to disable cookies, though your ability to access some web pages may be affected.
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Selva Verde Lodge & Rainforest Reserve will use information supplied by you to fulfill your request for information about our products and services, and as otherwise reasonably required to provide services and products to you.
We may also use information to improve our marketing and promotional efforts, to statistically analyze usage of the Sites, and to improve our Sites and better tailor them to meet our users' needs. We may also use your contact information to contact you regarding administrative notices from time to time.
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Selva Verde Lodge & Rainforest Reserve does not rent, sell or share personal information about you with other people or non-affiliated companies except with your permission or under the following circumstances; to meet legal or regulatory requirements, to establish or exercise our legal rights or defend against legal claims, upon Selva Verde Lodge & Rainforest Reserve being legally required by or merged with another company.
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Selva Verde Lodge & Rainforest Reserve is not responsible for the privacy practices of other sites. We encourage you to read the privacy policy of web sites operated by third parties. This privacy policy applies solely to information collect through the Site.
Changes to the Privacy Policy
Selva Verde Lodge & Rainforest Reserve may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. It is your responsibility to periodically review this Privacy Policy to remain informed of the current practices of Selva Verde Lodge & Rainforest Reserve.
Education Programs
site-based study abroad
Selva Verde Lodge and Private Reserve provides an exceptional backdrop to explore topics of natural history or to use the surrounding environment as part of your international teaching strategies for global literacy. Selva Verde’s private reserve is the ideal basecamp for educational field programs in ecology, conservation, community development, and culture.
Learning Center Students, Selva Verde LodgeDESIGNED FOR STUDENT LEARNING
An ideal control site for graduate, undergraduate, or advanced high school studies, the site is equipped with classrooms, dormitory accommodation, Wi-Fi, and a basic wet lab facility, offering an ideal backdrop for annual student studies in a variety of research applications. In conjunction with the Sarapiquí Conservation Learning Center, an on-site educational non-profit organization, we can help you design a course to meet the academic needs of your group.
Fields of Study: Forest Fragmentation | Community Development | Climate Change | Ecosystem Analysis | Botanical Diversity | Mammal Diversity | Entomology | Ornithology | Agricultural Impact | Citizen Science
K-12 Curriculums
Discover the mysteries of the rainforest through our El Centro Natural ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS. Explore the link between COMMUNITY AND CONSERVATION Programs with the Sarapiquí Conservation Learning Center.
Students at the Learning Center, Selva Verde LodgeHIgher Ed CURRICULUMS
Selva Verde is an ideal base for university immersion programs and educator professional development workshops. Our rainforest reserve makes an ideal rainforest research site. Our close proximity to San Jose, OTS La Selva Biological Station, and several of Costa Rica's famous national parks allow access to extended learning and exploration. Please CONTACT US for information on how to create a unique field study for your students.
TROPICAL SCIENCE RESEARCH FOR FACULTY
Long revered for research in the natural sciences, Selva Verde provides a solution for faculty-led long-term tropical science research without expenses from consortium or member fees, while accessing both primary and secondary forest with ease.
Lesser anteater, Selva Verde LodgeIDEAL LOCATION FOR EXPLORATION
Selva Verde alone is home to 398 species of birds, 330 species of trees, 69 species of mammals, and countless other plant and insect species. It is also a part of the Mesoamerican Bio-Corridor, an international initiative to link forested land between Mexico and Panama to protect the abundant biodiversity of species and habitats in the region.
© 2018 Selva Verde Lodge & Rainforest Reserve | Privacy Policy
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CONTACT
+1-833-344-5835 USA From US and Canada Guests
+506-4081-0362 From Costa Rica & other countries
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