Selva Bananito Lodge, which opened its doors in December of 1995, is a secluded rain forest lodge situated 20 km south and 15 km inland of Puerto Limón on the Atlantic side of Costa Rica. It is owned and operated by the Stein family, who moved to Costa Rica from South America 24 years ago.

They generate income from tourism for the protection of 850 hectares (2,000 acres) of privately owned rain forest, and for the funding of special conservation projects there and in neighboring areas.

In addition to being available for independent travelers interested in the rain forest, they offer a rain forest study program for high school and college students, a Spanish immersion program, and  will soon open the doors to scientific researchers. The family company also leads nature and bird watching tours throughout most of Costa Rica.

This private reserve which Selva Bananito Lodge Supports, called Reserva Selva Bananito, is only a 10-minute walk from the lodge and graces the view from the cabins. To minimize the impact of tourists on this pristine rain forest environment, they host only a small number of visitors at any one time.

Selva Bananito Lodge and Reserve are located on the family farm. The reserve covers two thirds of the farm and consists of primary rain forest. It shares borders with Area de Conservacion La Amistad (La Amistad Biosphere Reserve), Central America's largest protected wilderness expanse, which consists of national and international parks and preserves. This area remains one of the least explored territory in the region, its biological wealth only partially known.
One third of the land (about 416 hectares or 1,000 acres) is devoted to low-impact, sustainable agriculture and cattle management.



Activities

• Spectacular bird watching
• Hiking through the rain forest in the company of a guide
• Tree climbing to explore the canopy of giant trees
• Bicycling through rural, tropical farm land
• Horseback riding
• Rappelling down waterfalls
• Overnight camping in the rain forest
• Relaxing in clean river and creek pools

• Stunning fauna and flora
• More than 850 hectares (2,000 acres) of primary rain forest
• Waterfalls
• A garden with exotic heliconia flowers
• A diversified farm which offers examples of traditional, sustainable agriculture in the lowland tropics
• An environment that combines human land use with conservation
• True relaxation or daily physical challenges
• Rain forest study programs for schools, colleges, or special interest groups.
• Spanish immersion courses in the midst of the tropical rain forest.

 For the seasoned and new traveler alike, the lodge provides first-rate comfort while trying to limit human impact on the environment. Seven spacious cabins are constructed of beautiful, salvaged wood and stand at least 10 meters from one another. They feature large, tiled bathrooms with solar-heated water, one queen sized and one full sized bed, ample decks, and hammocks. To maintain a more natural night-time atmosphere, the hotel uses no electricity but provide portable lamps for nighttime reading.

The goal is to provide excellent, personalized attention to  customers at reasonable prices.

RATES 2008

NOTES:

• 3 days / 2 night - Package includes: Two-way transfers San José hotels - Selva Bananito Lodge (schedule departures, metropolitan area only, no airport pick up), lodging, Full American Plan: buffet breakfast, lunch, three course dinner, natural fruit juices with all meals, and tours: introductory tree-climbing, waterfall tour with rappel and horseback ride through the farm. Rates are per person and include all taxes demanded by Costa Rican law (13% sales tax and 10% service tax on food, and 16.39% taxes on rooms).
• 4 days / 3 night - Package includes: Two-way transfers San José hotels - Selva Bananito Lodge (schedule departures, metropolitan area only, no airport pick up), lodging, two way transfers between Salón Délia / Selva Bananito Lodge. Full American Plan: buffet breakfast, lunch, three course dinner, natural fruit juices with all meals and two tours to choose between the following: introductory tree-climbing, horseback ride through the farm or natural history rainforest hike. Rates are per person, and include all taxes demanded by Costa Rican law (13% sales tax and 10% service tax on food, and 16.39% taxes on rooms)