LAS CRUCES BIOLOGICAL STATION
Discover the richest botanical collection in Central America and learn about the flora and fauna of a mid-elevation forest at this leading research station in southern Costa Rica. Exotic plants, breathtaking birds, and personalized service welcome guests to the Las Cruces Biological Station.
Visitors can arrange a guided walk with a resident biologist/naturalist guide , who would lead the visitor through well-maintained, gently sloping trails, enchanting grounds filled with the richness of tropical colors and scents. Palm and bromeliad collections are outstanding, along with heliconias, gingers, bananas, bamboo, and many others. Guests enjoy the Orchid Trail, Tree Fern Hill, and the Hummingbird Garden.
The landscaped gardens join 254 hectares (635 acres) of forest, which together contain 1000 species of plants, habitat for 230 species of birds and numerous mammal species, such as sloths, armadillos, white face monkeys, agouties, and olingos, plus 38 species of bats.
Visitors have a unique opportunity to experience tropical nature and to learn about it in a place where scientists and students from around the world come to research and study.
Reservations are necessary for the guided walks, which last approximately 2 hours .
- BIRDWATCHING
Las Cruces is a favorite with birdwatchers, who may see scarlet-thighed dacnis, silver-throated tanagers, violaceous trogons, blue-headed parrots, violet sabrewing hummingbirds, and turquoise cotingas. (look at list of species). We offer walks at 5:30am (Early Birding).
- HIKING to the JAVA RIVER
A 1.1 Kilometer (0.7 miles) trail will bring you to the Java River, the source of water to the town of San Vito for many years. The trail goes through advanced second growth forest, and along the well maintained path you will find manakins, forest wrens, falcons, white face monkeys, squirrels, coati-mundis, lizards, butterflies and more.
- NIGHT TOUR
Night walks can be scheduled after dinner (7:00-7:30pm.). Each walk is approximately 2 hours, looking for the night life in the garden area. The walks are upon request and subject to availability. Anytime of the year is good for the night walks, especially if there is no rain. The best times are around the dark moon of every month
Overnight tour is $190.00 per person.
FACILITES
- Lodging
12 double-occupancy cabins with private baths (hot-water showers) and balconies that overlook the beautiful grounds of the Wilson Garden, provide extremely attractive space for birding groups and natural history visitors of all categories The Wilson Hall comfortably accommodates course groups with sleeping and study quarters, and a new dining room situated a short distance away that serves three meals a day to 80 or more persons. Duplex cabins are available to long-term researchers and families with children. Spacious non-air-conditioned lab space is outfitted with dissecting and compound microscopes, balances, centrifuges, leaf-area meter, etc..
- Food
Meals are served family style at set hours (6:30a.m., 12 noon, 6p.m.) in a light-filled dining room that also has an outdoor terrace and views of the Talamanca Mountains. Food is plentiful and delicious, vegetarian offerings are always available, and box lunches can be arranged. Drinking water is from a mountain spring and is safe.
- Laundry service
Same-day laundry service is available ($8 per load, washed, dried, and folded).
- Publications
A twice-a-year publication, the Amigos Newsletter communicates the botanical, horticultural and research news of the Las Cruces Biological Station (encompassing the Robert and Catherine Wilson Botanical Garden), to its friends and supporters. Research write-ups, course activities, natural history visitors' impact, and human interest stories about life in southern Costa Rica, as well as occasional forays into other regions of the tropical world, help bring people in touch with the realities of OTS' important presence in Costa Rica. For more information on the newsletter please contact amigos@hortus.ots.ac.cr .
- THINGS TO TAKE
Prescription medicines as needed, good walking shoes, hot weather clothes, insect repellent, umbrella or rain jacket, flashlight sun screen, film and camera extra batteries,(also available at giftshop) binoculars plastic bags to keep film/paper dry.
- SPECIAL WARNINGS
If you are hypersensitive to insects, bees or wasps, always carry a sting kit with you
Costa Rica Rural Travel
PO Box 2535-3000 Heredia, Costa Rica
(506) 237-3400 from USA / (506) 262-1891 fax
