Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Ecotourism: What is it?
Ecotourism is defined as responsible
travel to natural places which conserves the enviroment and sustains
the well-being of the local people.
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Preparing for your tour
All guided tours in the Lapa Rios
Reserve help support the ongoing maintenance and land preservation.
Choosing to hike and learn with a knowledgeable local guide gives
the community continuing economic support and demonstrates that
this diverse lowland tropical rain forest left standing is more
valuable than one cut down.
Our reception staff and guides are
happy to answer questions, make arrangements and help you select
appropriate tours. An experienced guide will accompany you on all
the tours in the Lapa Rios Reserve. Lapa Rios tries to keep the
maximum number of participants to 6-10 people. Because of this limited
number we encourage guests to register their names at the front
desk for tours. Please accommodate those leaving Lapa Rios before
you. The longer tours generally leave after breakfast or lunch;
the night walk returns by 8PM for a late dinner. Unless prepaid,
the cost of all tours will be charged to your account, payable at
checkout.
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Non-guided walks are encouraged only
on the trail closest to the lodge, or along the beach and main road.
There is a self-guided tour pamphlet for the trail near the main
lodge. If going into the forest without a guide please advise
the staff of your anticipated route and approximate time of return.
The forest is dark, as early as 4:30 P.M. on cloudy days! There
are NO TRAIL SIGNS within the reserve.
Please note that all forest trails
follow mountainous terrain and require a certain amount of exertion.
NOT ALL TOURS ARE MEANT FOR EVERYONE. Some are difficult,
some easier. Use the walking sticks. Keep your eyes down when walking.
When you want to look at something, stop moving! Look before touching.
Use footwear with good treads - rubber boots are available; the
boots are more comfortable with high top socks. Snacks are provided
for longer tours. Long sleeves and long pants are not necessary;
shorts and a T-shirt are adequate for all hikes. Insect repellent
usually is not necessary, neither are hats nor sunglasses. Always
have a big drink of water before leaving on a hike - you will perspire
and the extra fluid will help lessen your fatigue. Take a bottle
of water when going on ANY tour.
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GUIDED TOURS
COST: INCLUDES: GUIDE, TAXI &
AIRPLANE TRANSFERS, PARK ENTRANCE FEES AND LUNCH, MINIMUM 4 PERSONS.
ITINERARY:
6:00 AM Light breakfast at
Lapa Rios.
6:45 AM Leave Lapa Rios by taxi to Puerto Jimenez
7:15 AM Leave Puerto Jimenez by plane to fly to Sirena Station.
7:30 AM Arrive Sirena Station. 4 hour walk on circular route
returning to Sirena approximately 11:30.
11:30 AM Relax and have lunch packed and prepared by Lapa
Rios.
1:30 PM 3 hour walk in the forest to Río Claro, optional
swimming in Río Claro. Tour continues and returns to Sirena
Station.
4:30 PM Return to Puerto Jimenez by plane and return by taxi
to
Lapa Rios.
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Highlights:
Excellent chances of seeing white-lipped
peccary, tapir, spider monkeys, white faced cappuchins, squirrel
monkeys and howler monkeys. Agoutis, coati-mundi, fresh tracks of
jaguars, ocelot, marguay and mountain lion. Toucans, scarlet macaws,
great curassow, crested guan, trogons, fierey-billed aracaris, honeycreepers,
hummingbirds, herons, egrets, tinamous, parrots, woodpeckers, woodcreepers,
antbirds, manakins, tanagers, caciques, euphonias, thrushes, hawks
and vultures.
This is the real JUNGLE. 100,000 acre
Corcovado National Park has approximately 375 species of birds,
125 mammals, 50 bats, 131 reptiles and amphipians, 850 trees, 1500
plants and ferns, and more than 6000 insects, bugs and creepy crawlers.
What to Bring:
Bicoculars, bird book, hiking boots,
camera, hat, insect repellant and a waterproof pouch.
Have a great trip !
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The Rain Forest Ridge Walk Experience
The rain forest ridge walk is one
of the tours I offer here at Lapa Rios. The terrain is mountainous
with the ridges separated by clear running streams. As you walk
along the top of a ridge, you can look directly into the mid-canopy
of many trees growing down slope. The path along the ridge and the
forest floor are fairly open. Saplings and shade-tolerant shrubs
are everywhere, but walking between them is easy. Almost no direct
sunlight reaches the forest floor, and the path is littered with
decomposing leaves. The ambience is hued in shades of green, gray,
and brown. The humidity is high, but the temperature is a pleasant
25 degrees Celsius.
The beginning of the trail passes
through some previously cut second growth. Quick- growing sun-loving
plant species grow here, like Balsa and Heliconia. Heliconia has
large broad leaves and stupendous birds-of-paradise-like flowers.
Three species of hummingbirds buzz around fighting for position,
all eager to sip the heliconia's rich nectar. A young heliconia
is not yet in flower, and is still unfurling its 50 cm. long leaves.
The rain forest contains the greatest number of plant and animal
species in the world, but almost everything is uncommon. This is
because each organism is a specialist. Numerous insects, including
rolled-up-leaf beetles and rolled-up-leaf beetle predating spiders,
live in the furled heliconia leaves. As I bend the leaf down for
all to peer at the insects inside, six disc-winged bats explode
out of the funnel. A rare phenomenon, these little bats roost during
the day stacked up one on top of another inside the furled leaves.
The slightest movement alerts them, as they are subject to predation
by omnivorous Squirrel Monkeys. Everyone on the tour, including
the guide, is startled and thrilled at what we have experienced.
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Further up the trail, a completely
camouflaged brown snake slithers across the path and stops alongside.
Its head is narrow indicating it is nonvenomous. Its coloration
is exactly the same as the dead leaf litter it inhabits. It is one
meter long and has an orange underbelly. It hunts for small lizards,
frogs, and invertebrates. All of us crowd around as it "freezes".
After we have enjoyed this forest denizen, I approach the snake,
and it rapidly and stealthily moves out of sight.
Our next stop is a huge 40 m tree
with enormous buttress roots. Buttress roots are what support the
tree in the thin rain forest soils. This one has 2m. high plank
roots holding up the base, like a pedestal with feet. Knowing the
tree, I search the fallen leaf litter for some "semillas adorable",
or adorable seeds. Within a minute, I have gathered a palm full
of tiny scarlet red and black seeds, as rain forest souvenirs for
the guests. Everyone, of course, is enchanted. I can only reason
that the seeds are colored brilliantly, in order to advertise the
toxic compounds contained within. An unpalatable taste will prevent
their being masticated by rodent seed predators.
We walk quietly now enjoying the lushness,
the immensity, and the tranquility of the forest. A flowering vine
here, a large woody liana there, a giant termite nest, and a whistled
bird call complete the scene. Suddenly, a movement is detected beside
the path. "A snake!" someone shouts. The guests step aside,
as I move forward to identify the serpent. A three meter long Boa
Constrictor, thicker than your calf, lays coiled inside the buttress
roots of a tree. There is an iridescence to its scales that shimmers
when a patch of sunlight reaches its huge bulk. It is disturbed
by our scrutiny, and moves slowly to a more sheltered location beneath
a fallen tree. A nonvenomous predator, the boa is still a formidable
foe. It has a large powerful jaw, with which it bites its prey and
lifts it off the ground. It then wraps its coils around and continues
to constrict, until its victim finally suffocates. It neither preys
upon, nor fears humans. It is merely cautious and wary. Two of the
tour participants approach with fascination. Two others keep a comfortable
distance away. All are duly impressed.
We walk still further. The forest
is ominously quiet. Only the sound of our footsteps disturbs the
silence. It is late afternoon and the sky is darkening. The cloud
cover builds and a light rain begins to fall. Overhead a crashing
of branches is heard. Monkeys! We proceed forward looking ever upwards
for the source. A moving branch is sighted, and a dark body is seen
flying through the air. We search for a window through the vegetation,
and spot four Howler Monkeys feeding in the canopy. They are strict
herbivores, and we watch as they selectively munch leaves and walk
about the branches. At last we are noticed, and a huge din erupts
from the dominant male. Hoo - Hoo - Hoo - Hoo - Hoo -Hooah - Hooah
- Hooah - HOOOAH !! Like a cross between a howling dog and a roaring
lion, the alarm call of a Howler Monkey is a never-to-be-forgotten
sound. One of the monkeys creeps to the end of a limb and then leaps
to an adjacent tree out of view. Two others clamor up a hanging
vine into the very densest portion of the tree top. The male remains
in a guarded, but provocative posture inflating his cheek pouches
like Louis Armstrong - howling for all he's worth. Within minutes,
other unseen members join the chorus.
We continue on, and almost immediately
encounter a group of birds. Warning cries are sounded, and several
scatter upon our arrival. I quickly assess the remainder of the
flock with my binoculars. Two ant-tanagers "chak" from
the under story. Three ant-birds are "cheering" above
the forest floor. Two wood-creepers hang from the trunk of a large
tree. And a chicken-like ant thrush high steps away through the
leaf litter. All these birds together can only mean one thing -
an army ant swarm!
I scan to locate the swarm. Thousands
of ants have just crossed the path and are foraging around a tree
fall. The carnivorous ants dislodge all animals in their path, and
the birds are quick to take advantage of this plethora of easy prey.
We watch as various birds dart in and out amongst the ants capturing
insects trying to escape. Together the tour group approaches the
scene of carnage. Behind the attacking swarm are columns of ants
crossing the path to and fro. Those returning to the nest are carrying
the body parts of the insects and soft-bodied invertebrates that
they've caught, stung, and dismembered. Those coming from the nest
are non-sexual female soldiers arriving to reinforce the advancing
swarm. Sub-majors patrol back and forth along the columns to protect
the workers, and ensure that the "booty" is not filched
by robbers. I warn the guests that these ants are very aggressive
and pack a horrific bite. We walk through the swarm hastily, and
kick the ants off our boots when we reach the other side. Everyone
escapes unscathed. Thank heavens for tall rubber boots!
The drizzle continues, and eventually
increases into a steady rain. Binoculars and cameras are stowed
away into backpacks, and we walk on. Ponchos are virtually useless,
as the humidity that builds up from within is as wet as the rain
that falls from above. I proclaim to everyone that no one has ever
melted or frozen to death in a tropical rainstorm. Reassured, we
resume in silence.
Tromping through the mud, we listen
to the pounding of the raindrops on the forest floor. Ahead I discover
a rainfall bonus. Preferring wetter conditions, numerous poison-dart
frogs now begin to appear along the trail. 5-6 cm. long, these black
terrestrial amphibians are streaked with bright lime green. They
hop conspicuously about searching for small insects. It is a dangerous
method of feeding for a diurnal animal in a forest full of predators.
It is thought that poison-dart frogs first evolved skin toxins to
make themselves unpalatable, and then bright colors to better educate
their enemies. Dangerous only when eaten, I deftly grab one so all
can "ooh" and "aah" at this gorgeous forest
inhabitance. We finally arrive at the lodge - wet, tired, and full
of wonder and enchantment. Just another day in paradise...
Darrel Hutchinson, former guide at
Lapa Rios, 1993
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Deep Sea Fishing (FAQ
Fishing)
The waters off Lapa Rios are famous for bill fish, tuna, dorado,
rooster fish and snapper. Off shore or in-shore fishing available.
Taxi to Pto. JimÚnez for a full day (8 hrs) of excitement.
Lunch is provided.
"Kinembe", Capt.
Mike, 1-3 pax, See Tour Page for Price.
Half Day Fishing
Taxi to town and fish with a neighbor-boat captain who will take
you along the Gulfo Dulce, Cabo Matapalo and the Pacific coast to
catch snappers (all world records recorded at the Cape), rooster
fish, tuna, dorado, jack, sierra, etc. 4+ hours trip. 1-4 people,$365
Shore Fishing
Our experienced neighbor - fisherman will take you along the rocky
points in front of Lapa Rios for snapper, rooster fish, jack, sierra,
who knows? The bait fish must be near shore or you don't go. Tackle
provided. Bring back dinner! Tide and swell dependent. 3 hrs. per
person, $35
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Usually seen in 3 days at Lapa Rios
- Various mammals:
monkeys: howlers, squirrel, spider, white face monkey, kinkajou
(night monkey), coati mundi
3 toed sloth
bats - insect and fruit eating, tent making
- Birds - over 300 species sighted
at Lapa Rios:
scarlet macaw
chestnut mandible toucan and aracaris
black-cheeked ant-tanager (only in Osa)
See List of Birds
- Lizards
basilisk (Jesus Christ)
green iguana
anoli
ameba (macroteniid)
garrobo (Ctenosaur)
gecos
skink
- Frogs
poison dart frogs (black with orange and green with black)
tink
tree
nocturnals
smoky frog
- Insects - beetles
wasps and bees
forest cockroaches
butterflies - morphos, heliconias, swallow tails, "owl"
butterflies (moths)
grasshoppers
"sundown" cicada
giant walking stick
leaf cutter and army ants
bush katydid
- Spiders, tarantula, amblipigidas
Marine species - 4 land
crab species
blue crayfish - river
star fish
blue fish
barnacles
snail
sea slug
clams
Occasionally seen at Lapa Rios
- Various mammals:
southern 2 toed sloth
cats - puma, jaguarundi, ocelot and margay, jaguar
weasel - tayra and long tailed weasel
armadillo
opossums - 3 types
southern river otter
mice and rats
agouti and paca
skunk
bats - vampire, fishing
collared peccary
squirrel
northern raccoon
collared anteater
- Birds - over 300 species
sighted at Lapa Rios
See List of Birds
- Crocodiles
- Frogs
gaudy eyed leaf frog
poison dart frogs (red and black, black)
- Snakes
boas
coral
vine snake
vipers
- Insects
butterflies and moths, numerous
wasps, bumblebees
rhinoceros beetles
scorpions
- Spiders
- Marine species
green sea turtles, dolphins,
whales - pilot and humpbacks
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We have world class surfing right
in front our our resort. The area is generally known as "Matapalo"
and is composed of 3 point breaks. They are called "Matapalo",
"Backwash" and "Pan Dulce". They are all long
right waves of varying difficulty, increasing as one gets closer
to Cabo (point) Matapalo where the Golfo Dulce meets the Pacific
Ocean.
There is a community of about 35 surfers
and their families who have bought property in front of these locations
and come to visit their land and surf during the year. According
to these hardy souls the location is incredible though not large.
For this reason it is felt that it needs to be kept a secret for
those who own land in front of these precious spots.
Transporting boards can be a problem
since the 2 daily scheduled air carriers Travelair and Sansa and
the local bus company will not accept reservations for boards and
will accommodate them only when space allows and then, sometimes,
only when they feel like taking them. Usually they will carry a
short board (up to 8 feet ) without much discussion. The longer
the board the more difficult it is to convince them to take it.
The surest way for long boards is to send or bring them in a rental
car or a chauffered van. This can be expensive.
We are a luxury rain forest preservation
and ecotourism destination and have nothing designed especially
with surfers in mind. We have lots of them come and stay with us
and they are very welcome and have a wonderful time. The greatest
numbers seem to come from July to November. The best surf seems
to occur from August to December.
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Due to our goals of minimal environmental impact we have limited
capacity 24-hour generator supplied electricity for all of our bungalows.
Our generators cannot handle hair dryers. They demand huge amounts
of current that surges when turned on. We ask guests not to bring
them or if they do not to use them while at Lapa Rios. They can
shut down the electricity for the whole lodge and plunge everyone
into the dark in the middle of dinner. Electric razors, battery
chargers, computers and most other appliances that do not operate
on resistive heating do not affect the system and can be used without
problems. Thank you for your understanding.
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LOCATION:(
Do not send mail here)
Lapa Rios , Puerto Jimenez, Peninsula de Osa, Costa Rica, Central
America
(506) 2735-5130 Fax (506) 2735-5179
Dialing Tip: If you are calling
from the USA dial 011 first in front of our phone number.
Simply dial: 011 (506) 2735-5130
This is an international call.
MAIL DROP:
Lapa Rios
P.O. Box 025216, SJO - 706
Miami, Fl 33102 - 5216
View the World and Costa Rica
Map
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Our 'Shaman' (Medicine Man) -
What can he show you ?
Augusto, the Shaman of the Osa Peninsula, may show you these
plants on the Medicine Walk
Nicaraho (Rubiaceae nicaraho)
Used locally to treat skin cancer. This plant is identified by the
"eye-like" membranes on the backside of the leaf, which
differentiates it from "imitator" plants that are poisonous.
Boil 7 ounces of leaves in one quart of water. Drink one glass of
tea per day, apply excess liquid topically to affected areas until
symptoms subside.
Monkey Comb Tree (Appeiba tiburbo
f. tilialceae)
1. Bark: Used locally as a vaginal suppository to assist in birthing.
Smash a small piece of bark and add a small amount of water, apply
topically as a "slippery" suppository .
2. Fine roots: Used in combination with the berbena or "scorpion
tail" plant (Berbenacaceae Acuminatum) to treat leukemia.
Boil 7 ounces of fine roots of monkey comb tree and berbena in two
quarts of water. Drink one glass, 3 times per day until symptoms
subside.
Calamine Tree (Calamine anacardiaceae)
Used locally to treat skin rashes caused by contact with poisonous
plants or insect bites. There are 4 types of calamine trees at Lapa
Rios; all can be used equally. The "sap " of the tree
,when the bark is cut ,is a white liquid that can be applied directly
to skin and/or mixed with magnesium first. When the sap dries on
the tree it can be collected as dust and mixed with water later.
Jino Cuabe, the "Naked Indian"
or "Burnt Gringo" tree(Boursera simaruba)
It's said this tree is being used by native groups in N. Panam½
to purify the blood, specifically in curing "el sida"
or AIDS. Augusto heard that the bark is mixed with the flower of
the uöa de gato (cat's claw) and then a special "oraci÷n"
(blessing) is given to the treatment. "But," Augusto says,
"this Indian doesn't share his secrets."
Monkey Ladder (Himenea bauhinea
f. pyridium)
Used to treat kidney stones. This is a common modern medical treatment.
Piridium, which can be taken naturally from this tree, is synthesized
with Cal sulfur and can be taken in the form of pills, capsules,
or injections to treat kidney stones.
Olive Tree (Simaruba amara)
Oil is used locally to treat constipation in children. Seeds are
fried, then oil is extracted and 2-3 drops can be given to children
as a mild treatment for constipation.
Iodine Tree (Vissmia ferruginea)
Used locally to treat sirosis. Boil a 4 -inch square of bark in
1 cup of water. Drink 1 cup of tea 3 times daily Apply ice topically
to the liver, using sawdust as an insulator so not to damage the
skin.
Jino Cuabe Negro (Boursera simaruba)
Used locally to kill intestinal parasites Boil 4 ounces of bark
in one quart of water. Drink one cup daily until symptoms are gone
Gabilana Capitana (Neurolaena lobata)
Bitter quinine, historically used locally to treat malaria. Dry
7 ounces of leaves and put in some type of liquor. Take 3 spoonfuls
3 times daily.
Melastoma (Melastomaceae de clorophilum)
Used to treat gastrointestinal problems for children. Boil two ounces
in one cup of water. Give two spoonfuls mixed with Coca-cola!
Dorada Fruit (Virola cokshney)
Contains vitamin K and is used here to treat hemophilia Apply "flesh
side" of bark directly to wound to assist in coagulation
Balsam Tree (Appocinaceae)
Extracts from the balsam are used locally in alcohol as a topical
treatment for skin rashes, insect bites, colds and headaches.
Bitter Jagua (Asspidosperma megalocarpuns)
Used locally to treat yeast infections Leaves are put in alcohol
and mixture is applied topically to affected area
Sorocâ (Momordica charantial)
One type of quinine, used locally to treat high blood pressure.
Boil four ounces in two quarts of water, then cool. Drink one cup
of "tea" 3 times daily to treat high blood pressure.
Elephant Tree (Bignonealeae toccia)
Used locally to treat elephantitis. Boil 8 to 9 ounces of this root
in one gallon of water. Apply topically to affected areas when the
tide is at 3/4, as the swelling, like the tide, is affected by the
moon. This plant contains strichtnine and is toxic to consume orally.
Must be used with extreme precaution.
Cow Tree (Brosimum utily f. moraceae)
Used to treat ulcers. Milk" from the cow tree (sap) contains
magnesium and can be taken directly from the tree. 1-2 spoonfuls,
three times per day.
Cocolmeca (Diosicoceaceae aff.
belizensis)
Used to treat whooping cough and high cholesterol. Mash root yam
with honey and alcohol to make a syrup. Take 1 spoonful, 3 times
daily .
Compiled by Carolyn Pyles, student
intern, University of Minnesota.
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