A tiny island just outside Costa Rica's Northern zone town of Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui is home to a little-known but magnificent botanical garden that awaits visitors in search of beauty and serenity.
Created by a split in the Puerto Viejo River, this private little island is accessible only by a rustic wooden bridge. The five-acre garden is home to 80 varieties of heliconias, gingers & other tropical plants.
Heliconias which are flowering throughout the year. In addition to the Heliconia species native to C.R., the garden has an unusual variety of species native to other tropical zone countries around the world that are rarely seen even in Costa Rica The garden also features a large number of botanical relatives of the Heliconias. Among those families represented are the ginger's, Lowiaceae (no common name), costus, cannas, prayer plants, and musae (bananas). Several varieties of edible bananas are grown for guests to sample. There are also distinct species cultivated as ornamentals. Surrounding the cultivated areas of the garden are fruit trees, bamboo groves, ferns, bromeliads, philodendrons, orchids and other plant forms are growing in abundance. The most unusual palms represented in the garden are the triangular palm and the traveler's palm. The traveler's palm is native to the Island of Madagascar and is not commonly seen in Costa Rica. Both of these palms are highly prized as ornamentals because of their distinctive form and elegant beauty. Native trees, which include Sota-Caballo, Laurel, Chilamate, Ceiba, Hule, Cocora, etc, complete the foliage of the tropical setting.

A real delight is the large number of colorful, exotic tropical bird species. There are more than 400 species of birds in the tropical lowland forest of the Sarapiquí region. One of the most visually appealing butterflies to catch sight of on the island is the brilliant Blue Morpho. A small in sectarian is in the planning stager and will feature a larger select collection of butterflies.
The building, situated at the edge of the river, is a 'synthesis' of Japanese modern and Costa Rican architectural styles. Wooden sliding doors have windows made of rice paper and the tables are of bamboo.
At the moment a combination of restaurant and home, it could be easily transformed into a very nice tropical home offering stunning views over the river and incredible gardens.
A JUNGLE HOME AT A JUNGLE SETTING, YET VERY ACCESIBLE AND CLOSE TO SAN JOSE