The Conservation Learning Center at Selva Verde Lodge
It’s rare to have an opportunity to experience a vacation that changes the way you think. I feel truly blessed to have encountered Selva Verde Lodge – an ecotourism lodge located in the lowlands of northeastern Costa Rica. Traveling alone with two children made me apprehensive, but in dealing with the representatives at Holbrook Travel, (who were instrumental in arranging our trip) I felt reassured we would be just fine.
When we arrived at Selva Verde, we were immediately welcomed into a relaxed atmosphere surrounded by the overwhelming beauty and sounds of the rain forest. The belief and mission of the lodge is to instill guests with the knowledge of conservation and education in the preservation of the fragile rainforest. Selva Verde offers many opportunities to experience the lush forest. From hikes in the primary forest (you walk over the Sarapiqui River on a suspended bridge), boat trips, exciting white water rafting trips, bird walks, to horseback riding – there is much to keep you busy, however, a small building located on the property of Selva Verde, perched on a hill overlooking the beautiful Sarapiqui River, is the place that made the most impact on me and my children.
The Sarapiqui Conservation Learning Center is a facility that works to foster environmental education in the local community and to support conservation projects to protect the Sarapiqui region’s rich heritage. The SCLC also believes that by linking conservation, local community members and tourism can have a lasting and long-term effect on the future of the natural world throughout the country. This wonderful facility offers programs that both benefit the community and the people that come to visit. English classes, computer literacy, environmental education, and after school programs instill the center as a major component in the area, and tourists have an opportunity to interact with the people living in the community.
Of course, when we first visited the center, nervous nods and uncertain smiles were exchanged by the community children and my own. But, after the first hour, my son and daughter had become part of the group who now were learning new karate moves. Throughout the week, we participated in recycling programs, planting trees along the banks of the river, composting projects, and art projects. The experience at SCLC will stay in my children’s memories forever. I know this for a fact. When our week was ending, I asked them what there happiest memory was. Was it seeing the sloth and baby, the alligator, walks in the forest, the howler monkey’s call?
“No. I mean, that was really cool and stuff, but, when can we come back to visit my friends at SCLC?” my daughter asked.
Traveling now has taken on a whole new meaning for me…if I visit this place, what impact will it have? Will I be a benefit to the community or a detriment to its’ future? I understand sustainable tourism now, and thanks to Selva Verde and the SCLC, I can make responsible decisions about my future travel plans. --Pam Donovan
Beatrice,Just wanted to give you some feedback on places we stayed in CR in February and March 2004:La Cusinga - fantastic!La Costa de Papito - great but the weather was horrid!El Sano Banano - we stayed in town and loved it. Their pool is unreal. The owners are Dutch and American - have been in Montezuma for 25+ years. Are opening a restaurant in their home )they're moving) near the cabinas on the beach. While we were walking to the pool one day behind the cabinas, got overtaken by a group of 20 white face monkeys. What an experience.We saw Arenal erupt! That was amazing.La Rosa de America - our home away from home. We based ourselves here and probably stayed a week altogether. Jim and Mary (and carlos) could not have been more helpful and lovely. Our two small kiddies loved it! Zoo Ave got two visits from us - what a treat!Los Angeles Cloud Forest - the lodge has been sold to another hotel group. Can't think of name now - but they own a Eco Hotel in Manuel Antonio. I think you'll see some major changed there in the coming years. The forest was lovely and the drive there from Arenal was stunning! We skipped Monteverde and never looked back - this is a gem!Traveling to CR with small kids (11 mso and 2 yrs) was great - if challenging at times. Our kids were adopted constantly and loved it. We did a combination of hiring drivers and our own car - next time would hire a car the whole visit. Public busses on highways drive insane ... am sure you know what I am talking about.Thanks for the recommendations.Tracy Shackelford
Watch LIVE baseball games on your computer with MLB.TV, included with MSN Premium!