Last year, we helped one of our supporters plan a trip to Costa Rica to get to know the unique nature and Tropica Verdes projects.
Heribert Becker and Dr. Stefan Rother in particular provided active support in the planning and passed on their insider information. We are always delighted when our members and sponsors want to experience our rainforest projects for the protection of the tropics up close!
Read here how Elisabeth Reinsch’s journey went at the beginning of 2024!
Report on a trip to the Tropica Verde projects and the beautiful nature of Costa Rica
Travel report by Elisabeth Reinsch
San José is not exactly the best place to start in the “pure” countryside, but it is a wonderful way to get used to this country! The Posada Nena recommended to me was my first stop on the trip and a starting point to get to know the city of San José and the surrounding area. A tour to the Irazú volcano, followed by lunch on a coffee plantation and a visit to the Lancaster Botanical Gardens (be sure to plan this!), gave me a good insight and a pleasant “acclimatization”.
Finca Curré, macaw manzanillo and turtles in Gandoca
I then took an Interbus to Puerto Viejo on the Caribbean coast, from where I visited Finca Curré. Thierry, the neighbor and environmentalist, was able to give us a competent tour of the finca and answer all our questions! Duaro was also waiting for us at the Ara Manzanilla station, which deals with the breeding of the Lapa Verde. It was impressive to see how these large birds are looked after there, but live freely!
Christine Figgener, marine biologist and author of the book “My Journey with the Sea Turtles”, found time to meet me in Puerto Viejo and tell me about her varied work despite her many tasks! It was not the egg-laying season, so it was not worth going to Gandoca. I used the time to visit the beautiful Cahuita National Park and the Jaguar Centro de Rescate, a sanctuary for wild animals.
Passing huge banana, pineapple and palm plantations, I made my way to Horquetas to the ECO Yatama Lodge. Much more than just accommodation: active environmental protection is practiced here in the primary forest next to the Braulio Carrillo National Park, and Pedro also looks after Tropica Verde’s Reserva Kinkajou. It was great to experience on night-time hikes how Pedro and his staff have been working intensively here for many years to protect nature.
La Fortuna, the town at the foot of the Arenal volcano – unfortunately, I had a hotel here that really cannot be recommended, the Boutique Fortuna Lodge. Noisy, unclean and the room had a hole in it. However, the town is an excellent starting point for wonderful excursions in the surrounding area. It was just great to swim in a river that is 26 °C!
I was really impressed by the following day trip to the Pacific coast: in just a few kilometers, I experienced so many different changes in the landscape – from rainforest to barren mountains and dry savannah to the tropical, but not so green coast near Samara. Here, too, I visited another turtle project and was amazed at how many volunteers were working to help the turtles.
Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to visit the project in Monte Alto, but I hope that I will be able to do so next time, because Costa Rica and especially the Tropica Verde projects are well worth a visit.
My heartfelt thanks go to Heribert Becker and Dr. Stefan Rother: A donation to the Tropica Verde projects is an investment in the future of the rainforest!
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