Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
BUS
Right across from the park, the bus terminal ( 2233-4242; 5am-7pm) sells tickets and
stores backpacks for a few hours, but not overnight. Local buses run hourly between La
Virgen and Puerto Viejo de Sarapiquí (US$1, 30 minutes) from 6am to 8:15pm.
Ciudad Quesada (Transportes Linaco) US$3, two hours, departs eight times daily from
4:40am to 6:30pm.
Guápiles (Empresarios Guapileños) US$2, one hour, departs 10 times daily from
5:30am to 5pm.
San José (Autotransportes Sarapiquí and Empresarios Guapileños) US$2.50, two hours,
departs 5am, 5:30am, 7am, 8am, 11am, 1:30pm, 3pm and 5:30pm.
Estación Biológica La Selva
Not to be confused with Selva Verde Lodge in Chilamate, Estación Biológica La Selva
( 2524-0607; www.threepaths.co.cr ; r per person incl meals from US$98; ) is a working biolo-
gical research station equipped with laboratories, experimental plots, a herbarium and an
extensive library. The station is usually teeming with scientists and students researching
the nearby private reserve. La Selva does welcome drop-ins, though it's best to phone
ahead and reserve your accommodations. Rooms are simple but comfortable, and rates in-
clude guided hikes.
The area protected by La Selva is 16 sq km of premontane wet tropical rainforest, much
of which is undisturbed. It's bordered to the south by the 476-sq-km Parque Nacional
Braulio Carrillo, creating a protected area large enough to support a great diversity of life.
More than 886 bird species have been recorded here, as well as 120 mammal species (in-
cluding 70 species of bat and five species of big cat), 1850 species of vascular plant (espe-
cially from the orchid, philodendron, coffee and legume families) and thousands of insect
species - with 500 types of ant alone.
La Selva is operated by the Organization for Tropical Studies (OTS; 2524-0607;
www.ots.ac.cr ) , a consortium founded in 1963 to provide leadership in the education, re-
search and wise use of tropical natural resources.
Activities
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