We take the Pan-American Highway towards the city of Alajuela. In route we go by the Agriculture Monument, the Monument to Juan Santamaria and the famous Mango Park.  As we ascend towards the volcano we stop for a brief explanation on our golden bean, coffee, and then continue our trip through fern, flower and strawberry farms.

There is a noticeable change in temperature and vegetation, preparing us for the pleasure of the exuberant cloud forest of Poas Volcano.

At the Volcano we will have time to observe the impressive main crater with its sulfur fumaroles. Then we will hike on a trail to the beautiful Botos Lagoon that will allow us to learn about the different ecosystems in the park.

We will continue our trip towards the Caribbean, stopping to discover La Paz Waterfall Gardens, a natural park where we will walk thru spectacular trails which will take us to White Magic Waterfall, the most spectacular one in the area.  Inside the park we will also visit the largest butterfly observatory in the country that houses a collection of tropical jewels and the impressive hummingbird gallery.

Once we have finished our walk we will partake of a delicious lunch buffet and then begin our return trip to San Jose.

We recommend

Hat, light jacket, walking shoes, insect repellent, binoculars and camera.

You can also visit the following attractions:

Butterfly Garden

An on-site laboratory is a breeding ground for the countless fluttering species. It offers an interesting perspective into the stages of development of the most colorful species in Costa Rica. With over 4,000 of the flighty creatures in the observatory at any one time, guests will be delighted by a possible butterfly kiss, or two.

Since Waterfall Gardens is located in the Rainforest, we have made adjustments to our observatory by adding a covered viewing area near the laboratory. This addition allows our guests to see the butterflies no matter what Mother Nature has in mind for the weather. Our laboratory allows guests to see the butterflies up close as they emerge from their cocoons or in other stages of their growth. As you might know, butterflies are tuned into the inclement weather, rain clouds or not, they will head for cover at the slightest hint of rain.

Guests of the Peace Lodge will be offered a special opportunity: the chance to work in the Butterfly Observatory by collecting eggs, caterpillars and host plants. Internships are also available for students in Costa Rica and abroad.

Diversity
In Costa Rica there exists a great diversity of tropical habitats; this diversity is reflected in the great variety and abundance of butterflies. Approximately 90% of the butterfly species in Central America exist in Costa Rica, nearly 66% of neo-tropical butterflies and about 18% of all butterfly species of the world.

Hummingbird Garden

Our Hummingbird Garden attracts 24 different species of the birds, more species than any other in Costa Rica and quite possibly the world. Approximately 57 different hummingbirds have been reportedly seen in Costa Rica and it is possible to see over 40% of them here!

Hummingbirds are abundant around our feeders because they are in constant supply of food (sugar and water), which is similar to the nectar the birds obtain from flowers.

The mixture of four parts water to one part sugar gives the hummingbirds the proper nutrients they need to keep going (and going and going).

We have to be very careful that we have the exact mixture; otherwise the birds will become fat and unhealthy. Another concern is cavities (believe it or not) in their beaks from the sugar mixture. We also sterilize the feeders everyday to prevent the birds from contracting a fungus from dirty feeders.

When you approach the feeders you will find that the birds don't seem too afraid of you. In fact, they almost seem a bit too friendly. Before opening the park, the owners would place feeders out and wait patiently for the birds to arrive. After almost three months they began to show up (thank goodness, we were almost running out of that 'patience') and kept coming back. Each year we see the same birds returning and bringing their young along with them. The more used to the birds we became, the more used to us they became as well.

Serpentarium

Our museum quality Serpentarium exhibits 30 of the most beautiful and deadly snakes of Costa Rica.  The exhibition puts you face to face with such famous snakes as the Bushmaster, Terciopelo, Green Vinesnake, and Golden Eyelash Viper to name just a few.  We are also one of the few Serpentariums in the world to host the colorful but venomous sea snake found off the Pacific Coast of Central America.

Snakes in Costa Rica

There are 137 Species of Snakes in Costa Rica. There are 22 Venomous Species in Costa Rica, mostly from the Viper family with a few Coral Snakes and the Sea Snake from the Elapid family. 92% of the Snakes in Costa Rica exist between sea level and 4,900 feet (1,500 meters) in altitude, primarily in the Tropical and Subtropical Forests. Only 8% of Snakes in Costa Rica exist above 4,900 feet (about 1,500 meters) in altitude.  The altitude of Waterfall Gardens ranges from 4,200 to 5,225 feet (1,300 to 1,600 meters).

There are 15 Species of Venomous Snakes on the Pacific side of the country and only 9 Species of Venomous Snakes on the Caribbean side. For 25 Species of Snakes in Costa Rica, this is the southern limit of their existence. For 30 Species of Snakes in Costa Rica, this is the northern limit of their existence. With 55 Species having their northern and southern limits in Costa Rica, it gives testament to Costa Rica being the “Landbridge of the Americas” where Species from North and South America meet. There are 13 Species found only in Costa Rica (and its close neighbors).

Although the Neotropical Rattlesnake and the Bushmaster have more powerful Venom, the most dangerous Snake in Costa Rica is the Terciopelo or Fer de Lance Pit Viper.  They are more dangerous because they live in areas closer to human habitation and reproduce in enormous quantities (Litters with up to 90 offspring!) Terciopelos are located in all areas of Costa Rica except the very high mountains.

Sea Snakes live in the waters off the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica (not along the beaches). Although feared for their extremely potent neurotoxic venom, the Sea Snake has very limited ability to bite a human because of its small mouth and rear fangs.  Even if one did manage to bite you, there is an 80% chance that this would be a “Dry” bite with no venom introduced.

Frogs

There are perhaps no forest creatures more splendid and beautiful in their colorful innocence than the Leaf-frogs of Costa Rica.  They have been promoted and marketed as the mascot of the tropical rainforest and reflect what we consider to be the pure and natural essence of Costa Rica.

There are 6 species of Leaf-frogs from the subfamily Phyllomedusinae existing in Costa Rica, with one species, the Blue Sided Leaf Frog, found only in Costa Rica. Members of this subfamily can be easily differentiated from other frogs by their vertically elliptical pupils.

Habits
Leaf-frogs are primarily arboreal and nocturnal meaning they live in trees and are active at night. To help them adhere to the many surfaces of trees the frogs have evolved specialized sticky discs on the tips of their fingers and toes. 

Unusual Characteristic - Changing Colors
During periods of activity the eye color and skin tones of these frogs may change color and differ significantly from their color tones while at rest. They also significantly change in color as they mature from juveniles to adults.  

Reproduction
During the rainy season Leaf-frogs demonstrate the typical courtship ritual of attracting mates to a breeding area through vocalization and then engaging in the amplexus position where the smaller male frog mounts the female from behind and clasps her under the arms.  These frogs generally lay their eggs on vegetation overhanging water so that the tadpoles drop into the water in 5-7 days when they hatch.  After hatching the tadpoles will feed on aquatic vegetation and spend on average 2-3 months undergoing metamorphosis into a juvenile frog.

Research and Unknown
In order to observe these creatures in their natural habitat researchers must track them at night in the forest by triangulating their vocalizations during mating season. Because it is very difficult to find them during nonbreeding seasons little is known about the rest of their life, including how they survive during the dry season, and their growth from juvenile to adult.