Sarapiquí Conservation Learning Center

Overview

More Photos

Type of destination:

Farm / ranch / rural
River / lake / wetland
Forest / rainforest

Type of business:

Other

Rates: (in US dollars)

$26 – $50
See details about rates below.

Target Market:

Budget

Description

The Sarapiquí Conservation Learning Center is located in the tropical plains region of Sarapiquí in Costa Rica.

The region has a wealth of attractions for tourists including: rafting on the Sarapiquí River, biological reserves, the Organization for Tropical Studies research station, a huge diversity of flora and fauna, hot springs, banana and pineapple plantations, and canopy tours. Located nearby are the La Paz waterfalls and the Poas and Arenal volcanoes.

Amenities

Air conditioning
Event space (conferences / parties)
Fans
Internet connection - available on the computers for public use and in the administrative areas
Kitchen - very small
Wheelchair accessible - on the first floor only; the bathrooms are not accessible

Other:

Library
Art gallery
Computer lab for public use

Activities

Bird watching
Canopy exploration
Eco / nature / wildlife
Educational / research / volunteering
Guided tours
Horseback riding
River rafting / kayaking
Visits to conservation projects
Walking / hiking

Other:

Costa Rican cooking class
Latin dance class
Lectures
Other culturally educational activities

Making a Difference

Number of employees: 3

Percentage of local employees: 66%

At the Sarapiquí Conservation Learning Center, we involve local communities in conservation and sustainable development through education and tourism; we also develop rural community-based tourism and ecotourism activities. Some examples of what we do are:

Helping local families obtain nearly $30,000 in annual income (in total).
Planting at least 3,000 trees each year.
Developing nearly 70 community service projects.
Helping provide resources and school supplies for local youth.
Offering a scholarship program to 30 students who want to improve their education.
Giving environmental education courses in five local schools.
Offering English classes as part of the after-school program.
We have a computer lab, a public library, and an art gallery for local artisans.
We are the local headquarters for the San Juan - La Selva Biological Corridor.

Rates

$26 – $50

For more information about rates and reservations, click on the orange “Contact” button above.

Getting There

Nearest international airport: San José (SJO)

Nearest local/national airport: Río Frío (RFR)

Travel time to nearest airport: 1.5 hours

Distance, by land, to the nearest airport: ~12 miles (20 km) to national airport, ~45 miles (75 km) to international airport.

There are no limitations to reaching our business year-round.

Additional Information

Additional Web sites

www.facebook.com/conservationlearningcenter (available in English). The Sarapiquí Conservation and Learning Center (SCLC) page on Facebook
www.eco-index.org/search/results.cfm?projectID=676 (available in English and Spanish). Profile of the “Ecotourism and community development” project executed by the Sarapiquí Conservation Learning Center, available on the Rainforest Alliance Eco-Index website.