Rainforest Discovery | Aventura y Formación

Jungle nightlife

You will learn about amphibians and mammals by visiting different rainforest learning stations. Listen as the jungle comes alive with its nocturnal inhabitants. Learn about the red-eyed tree frog and, with luck, spot the elusive glass frog.

Medicinal plants

The world of natural medicinal plants and their centuries-old uses will be described during a garden walk with the host, Alvino Fonseca, shaman of the Cabécar tribe. Alvino has grown and used these plants in his healing work for over two decades. After drinking a traditional infusion, all participants are offered a full spiritual ritual of purification of body, mind, and spirit through an ancient sweat lodge ceremony.

Waterfall rappelling

One of the unique activities at the Adventure Center is waterfall rappelling. A ten-minute walk away is a 30-meter waterfall with a permanent anchor system for the lower 18 meters. Using traditional rappelling methods, but with the backup of a secondary rope system, safety is guaranteed.

Rock climbing

Top rope climbing class for beginners, traditional belaying. 2 routes on Limestone Face. Participants will learn the basics of climbing, including anchors, basic knots, belaying and descending, rope handling, and safety.

Eco-hike, food gathering, and traditional meal preparation

An educational journey into the forest to identify and gather edible plants, roots, and trees culminates in a delicious meal gathered and prepared by the participants.

Overview

In our lodge, you will feel surrounded by the sounds of the jungle, the roar of the Sevegre River, and our magnificent waterfalls, while you delight in the natural beauty of the surrounding rainforest. You will learn about our medicinal plants and participate in traditional tribal ceremonies with Papa Fonseca, a shaman of the Cabécar tribe.
If you're looking for adventure, you can climb huge rainforest trees and limestone walls, or zipline through the canopy and over incredible whitewater rapids, or rappel down 18-meter waterfalls. Afterwards, you can cool off in nearby caves and the river. To satisfy your hunger, you can learn traditional methods for making tortillas and chocolate with cacao beans gathered in the jungle. We encourage you to cook and learn with Mama Rosa.
Through daily interaction with the Fonseca family and unique tasks, you can learn the basics of conversational Spanish to prepare for community service.

Brujo

Located at the confluence of the Sevegre and Division rivers. In 2009, 40 families lived here. Brujo is a traditional Catholic community, where agriculture, soccer, and fishing are a fundamental part of daily life. There is a small school for children aged 7 to 12, with 80 students on some days. (Half of the school’s student population are children from a village north of here. The trip from their village to Brujo is two hours each way, so students stay with Brujo families during the school week. There is a small store, a public phone, and we have two-way radio communication from here, directly with our Adventure Center, the Red Cross, the hospital, and the local search and rescue team.)

Accommodation

Designed in harmony with the surrounding rainforest and the mighty Sevegre River, and built with local materials, our Adventure Center offers a variety of accommodations. While rustic, each provides the basic comforts of home, ensuring a pleasant experience during your stay. Rooms with bunk beds or cabins for couples have single beds. Depending on group size and gender ratio, students will sleep in the main lodge's bunk rooms or be split between two cabins. Mosquito nets, sheets, pillows, wool blankets, and towels are provided. Eco-Lodge facilities include Full-service kitchen, filtered water, spacious dining room with tables and benches, large covered terraces, solar lighting at night, bunk beds for 8 people, small library, toilets and sinks in each bunk room, 2 shower rooms. Cabin facilities include Meals included.

Meals included.

There will be plenty of snacks available at each transition during our trips. Although remote and isolated, the quality, freshness, and variety we offer at our Adventure Center will surely surprise you. We accommodate specific dietary needs, restrictions, or preferences. With an emphasis on traditional food, our menu rotates daily, focusing on organic fruits and vegetables, fish, chicken, and locally raised meats. All meals will be prepared by the Fonseca family with the help of participants. On our last night, we will seek out and prepare a traditional jungle meal.

Activities

Adventure Center Orientation.

Presentations, meal and snack schedules, safety procedures

Giant tree climbing

Learn about the 3 canopy layers using climbing equipment to ascend and explore an ancient giant tree, surrounded by a spectacular strangler fig.

Making tortillas and chocolate

Learn the art of making tortillas, a traditional ingredient in almost every Costa Rican meal. Discover the history of chocolate and participate in the entire process: from harvesting, drying, and fermenting, to roasting and grinding. Your effort will be rewarded with a special treat!

OUR ADVENTURE