Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
dedicated to the cultivation of vanilla beans and peppercorns, so there's a lot to learn (and
taste) here.
Finca Corsicana
FARM
( tours 2761-1700;
www.fincacorsicana.com
;
adult/child US$22/18)
The world's largest organic-pineapple plantation, Finca Corsicana was founded by the
owners of Collin Street Bakery, a Texas-based confectioner famous for fruit cakes. Take a
ride through 3000 acres of pineapple fields, learn about planting and harvesting, see the
processing and packaging, and - of course - taste the sweet, juicy product. Take the
turnoff to La Quinta and follow the signs for 2km to the facility.
Sleeping & Eating
Chilamate Rainforest Eco Retreat
LODGE
(
2766-6949;
www.chilamaterainforest.com
;
dm US$29-35, s/d incl breakfast US$85/102;
)
Family-run and family-friendly, this is an inviting and truly innovative retreat, where own-
ers Davis and Meghan are dedicated to protecting the environment and investing in com-
munity. Built on 20 hectares of secondary forest, the solar-powered cabins are basic but
full of character, with hand-crafted furniture and natural air-cooling. The restaurant serves
incredible, fresh breakfast and dinner buffets, using local, organic ingredients.
Covered, flat walkways allow you to move between buildings in the complex without
ever getting wet (after all, this is the rainforest!). Behind the cabins, 6km of paths wind
through the jungle, where you're likely to spot sloths, monkeys, toucans, frogs, snakes and
more. And when you can't take the heat, head to the nearby river swimming hole, complete
with Tarzan swing from the bridge. Trail access is US$12.
Centro Neotrópico SarapiquíS
LODGE
( 2761-1004;
www.sarapiquis.org
;
d incl breakfast US$94; )
About 2km north of La Virgen, this ecolodge offers a place to stay and eat, as well as an
education in environmental conservation and pre-Columbian culture. Modeled after a
15th-century pre-Columbian village, the
palenque
-style thatched-roof buildings each con-
