The Quetzal Education and Research Center is located in San Gerardo de Dota, Costa Rica, and acts as a second campus for the Southern Nazarene University. The Center helps students learn about field biology and research, while also promoting biodiversity, sustainability and social responsibility.

To this end, it collaborates with students and researchers around the world, helping to educate and carry out research based on tropical cloud forests and their communities of flora and fauna. QERC brings together local farmers and researchers, educators and students from around the world in an effort to combine best practices in conservation with the economic well-being of the community.

QERC is situated at on altitude of 7,200 feet (2,200 m), in the cloud forests of the Cordillera de Talamanca. It has access to over 20 kilometers of trails and a 980-acre private reserve. Located on the banks of the Savegre River, it is nestled in a habitat dominated by tropical oaks and bamboo, and covered in epiphytic plants, with constant moisture from the fog and daily rain. This productive habitat is an ecosystem with high levels of diversity in its flora and fauna. The intense local biodiversity and the variety of ecosystems, along with agricultural activity and commercial eco-tourism operations results in a diverse setting for multi-disciplinary education and research.

The Center's work focuses on research into quetzals and mammals, as well as environmental monitoring.

Quetzal research: The quetzal, from which our field station gets its name, has a special meaning for QERC. It was this particular species of trogon that led Dr. Leo Finkenbinder to conduct research in the Savegre Valley, which has become the basis for many of our current research initiatives. The quetzal continues to bring visitors from around the world, who hope to catch a glimpse of this spectacular bird. Quetzal research at QERC looks at the life cycle, habitat and diet of this magnificent bird, while the undergraduate teaching focuses on the fundamentals of field research.

Environmental monitoring: QERC currently leads an environmental and social monitoring program, whose purpose is to develop a detailed understanding of the relationship between the Savegre Biological Reserve and the impacts on residents and tourists. Currently, data collection makes use of the system of trails, the population of the valley, the agricultural census, sampling of the river water, and microclimate monitoring.

In collaboration with the University of Oklahoma and the Los Quetzales National Park, QERC has expanded the program to include monitoring within the park, the objective of which is to enhance the data that are available for this unique area of Costa Rica. Over time, we hope that these data will be used to help guide local conservation policy on climate change.

Mammal research: The objective of the mammal studies is to collect preliminary data on the presence of predator and prey species. Cameras with motion sensors were placed throughout the entire forest, a technique known as camera traps. Trail cameras were placed throughout the path system, and monitored for activity. The tracking team collected data every day on tracks and scat (excrement), which were used to identify the species and analyze their diet. In addition to working on the trails, the team interviewed long-term residents of the valley to build a historical picture of the changing mammal population over the last 50 years. These interviews gave rise to new information. For example, it was discovered that coyotes did not reach the valley until the 1970s, and sloths are said to still be present at intermediate elevations.

For more information, please call: 2740-1029 or 2740-1028. http://qerc.org/

About San Gerardo de Dota

The town of San Gerardo de Dota is one of the most beautiful regions of Costa Rica. It is located on the slopes of Cerro de La Muerte near the Inter-American Highway at 2,200 meters above sea level. It is 85 kilometres southwest of the city of San José in the Talamanca Mountain Range of the Central Valley region. It was discovered in 1952 by the Costa Rican brothers Efraín and Federico Chacón, who were on a hunting trip in the area.

It is a small farming community located in the valley through which the Savegre river passes, which is the cleanest river in Central America and Costa Rica. This beautiful region is home to some of the most spectacular birds in the world, including woodpeckers and quetzales, which can be seen for most of the year, though April and May are especially ideal. More than 170 species can be found, some of which are endemic to the area.

Main accommodations in San Gerardo de Dota:

- Hotel Savegre: +506 2740-1028 - Trogón Lodge: +506 2740-1051 - Dantica Lodge: +506 2740 1067 - Suria Lodge: +506 2740-1004 - Sueños del Bosque Lodge: +506 2740-1023 - Paraíso Quetzal Lodge: +506 2200-0241

The refuge is located on Playa Camaronal, a beach along the Nicoya Peninsula, some 15 km from Sámara.

Its main activity is sea turtle conservation and the protection of forest ecosystems and restoration areas. Playa Camaronal is a nesting site for four of the world’s seven species of sea turtles: the leatherback, olive ridley, hawksbill and black turtles.

Camaronal Wildlife Refuge offers visitors a wide range of recreational activities including surfing and fishing, but its greatest claim to fame is its role in conservation work.

If you’re wondering about the best time to see sea turtles in the refuge, that would be during the rainy season between May and November. Since adult sea turtles only lay their eggs at night, tour guides must be hired outside of visiting hours. You can contact guides near Playa Sámara or Carrillo. You can also speak to local residents in order to get more information on the arrival of the sea turtles and, most importantly, the safety precautions that must be followed to keep the turtles’ environment safe.

In addition to the sea turtle populations that visit the refuge, it’s also a perfect spot to see birds including hawks, cranes, herons, tiger hummingbirds and green kingfishers. There are also animals such as crabs, iguanas, armadillos and monkeys.

In addition, Camaronal Wildlife Refuge has a privileged location that provides access to little pieces of paradise like Playa Islita and Playa Carrillo, where you can stay and relax on incredible beaches with fine sand and crystal-clear water.

It’s a nature-filled place for you to enjoy recreational activities and experience the essence of the region, not to mention everything you’ll learn about its sea turtles.

How do you get there?

You can reach Camaronal Wildlife Refuge by bus from San José to Hojancha or Nicoya, and from there to Sámara and Carrillo.

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/aSpLqMF6WaYaPDwi9 
Ferry service: https://bit.ly/3z0VSXQ 
Hours of operation:  every day from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Entry fee: ₡1600 for Costa Ricans and $10 for foreigners (entry to the park only; night guides charge a separate fee).

Turtle watching hours are at night between 7:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. If you want to see the turtles, you must be accompanied by a certified guide.

This reserve is located in a group of islands in the Gulf of Nicoya and was created to protect the region’s flora and fauna. 

The islands can be seen from the ferries that travel between Puntarenas and Paquera, as well as from the tour boats that go to Isla Tortuga.

Comprised of two groups of volcanic rocks, these tourist-friendly islands were formed due to the movement of tectonic plates.

They provide a refuge to seabirds such as pelicans, frigatebirds, black-headed gulls, yellow-naped amazons and brown noddies.

Visitors include adventure-seekers and those looking for nice beaches, but the main attraction of the islands is their biodiversity. The 80 hectares covered by the islands is dedicated to wildlife protection.

The waters around the islands are also full of life. It’s common to see species such as red and yellow snappers, as well as tuna, dolphins, hermit crabs and oysters. The islands are also home to mammals like raccoons and spider monkeys.

The most common trees to be found in the biological reserve include the grumbo, pochote, frangipani, escalera de mono and palm trees.

None of the islands have tourist facilities or hiking trails. Instead, visitors are advised to find lodgings in Puntarenas and hire a boat, since the islands are a short boat ride from Puntarenas. These islands are also a short trip away from Isla Guayabo Biological Reserve and Isla Pájaros Biological Reserve. A permit from the Tempisque Conservation Area is necessary in order to visit the islands; please be sure to consult your tour operator regarding this point.

Hours of operation: One of the departure points is the Puntarenas dock, where you’ll find various tour agencies that offer this trip on their boats or catamarans. Some trips start at 7:30 a.m., with the return trip at 4:00 p.m.

Cost: contact the tour operator directly.

More information: Tempisque Conservation Area (ACT): +506 2686-4967 / +506 2686-4968

This refuge is located in the south of the country, in the seventh canton of Puntarenas, Golfito, which is located 300 km southeast of the city of Puntarenas. One interesting fact is that, along with Corcovado National Park and Piedras Blancas National Park, the park serves an important connective role as a biological corridor in Golfo Dulce. This is because of its location neighboring Piedras Blancas National Park.

It surrounds the town of Golfito nearly entirely and serves a vital role protecting its water supply – one of the reasons the refuge was initially created. Several local trails run from the northern edge of Golfito district to the refuge; the forested mountains of the refuge are visible from within the town as well.

You’re sure to enjoy the adventure of touring the numerous trails in the middle of the forest. If you head out on the Radio Tower Trail, make sure to bring a change of clothing and the supplies you’ll need for a five-hour hike. The Playa Cacao trail is another popular option since it offers impressive views over Golfo Dulce. There are a wide variety of shorter trails as well, which crisscross various parts of the forest – these are ideal if you’re looking for a shorter, simpler hike.

The refuge is made up of 2,810 ha, of which 869 belong to the state. Some 146 species of birds have been identified in the area, including macaws, parrots, brown pelicans, ibises, herons and barn owls. The presence of jaguars has been detected, but the most common mammal sightings are of white-faced capuchins and raccoons. You may also catch a glimpse of squirrel or spider monkeys, red-faced monkeys, howler monkeys, margays, anteaters, agoutis, lowland pacas and many species of snakes, butterflies and bats.

Don’t forget that if you visit the region, the Golfito Duty Free Zone is just 5 km away, along with accommodations and restaurants that are perfect for spending a fun holiday with your family or friends.

#VamosATuristear #VamosAGolfito

Hours of operation: Seven days a week from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Admission: Costa Rican citizens and residents ₡905

Foreigners: $11.30

More information: 2775 1210 ext. 129, 146.

If you like cool climates, views filled with green and hikes, this could be the destination you’ve been looking for.

The term “cloud forest” is no exaggeration, as you’ll be walking through trees in the midst of a dense fog, produced at 1,600 meters above sea level.

One thing that makes the area unique is that cloud forests are one of the most threatened ecosystems on earth. In fact, they represent only 1% of the forests remaining on the planet.

In the reserve, visitors can spend their time on the network of 13 km of paths. The trails are in excellent conditions and are ideal for spending a day in contact with nature.

You can also enjoy panoramic views from the La Ventana lookout. Here, at the mountain’s peak, you’ll be able to see the continental divide between Atlantic and Pacific. It is important to start early on this hike so that it will still be clear by the time you reach the lookout. Another option is to take a ziplining tour, or walk along the hanging bridges.

The Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve is the habitat of thousands of plant and animal species. Visitors to the reserve may come across birds like the resplendent quetzal and the three-wattled bellbird. The area is also home to animals like jaguars, pumas, monkeys, red-eyed tree frogs and more.

Over 420 species of orchids are found here, as well as 200 species of ferns, making the refuge a hotspot of biological richness.

Monteverde awaits your visit. If you’d like to know more about the activities you can enjoy in the area, find out more here: https://www.vamosaturistear.com/turisteando/12-tours-que-tenes-que-hacer-en-monteverde/

Don’t wait any longer: #VamosATuristear

Directions: The reserve is in the northern part of Puntarenas, 6 km east of the town of Santa Elena. It’s 3 hours and 35 minutes from San José.

Hours of operation: Every day from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Adult admission: $8

Child admission: $6

Parking: $5

Pets: no

Camping: no

Contact:

Email: reservaciones2@cct.or.cr

Tel: (+506) 2645-5122

If you like nature, walks in the forest and spotting animals, this should be your next destination.

Located 3 km to the south of the main town of Sarapiquí, Puerto Viejo, La Selva Biological Station is an incredible center for research into neotropical biology in the province of Heredia. It is situated in the Central Volcanic Cordillera and borders Braulio Carrillo National Park.

Tourists visit the station for its bird tour, which begins around 5:45 a.m. and the night tour in which they can spot animals like snakes, frogs and more.

The station also has accommodations and a restaurant where you can spend a weekend surrounded by nature.

La Selva was established in 1954 by Dr. Leslie Holdridge, who dedicated his farm to forest research with the aim of improving natural resource management. Later, in 1968, the property was transferred to the Organization for Tropical Studies (OET), who founded the station and private biological reserve.

Every year, the station hosts over 250 scientists and researchers from 26 countries. It offers tourists and nature lovers a unique opportunity to learn and enjoy this incredible ecosystem and the biological station, a world-renowned research facility.

The reserve stands out for its species richness, with over 2,077 species of plants species, 125 of mammals (72 of bats alone), 470 of birds, 48 of amphibians, 87 of reptiles, 45 of freshwater fish and tens of thousands of species of insects, arachnids and other arthropods. It’s truly a living wonder.

The Academic Center includes a conference room, four classrooms, four laboratories and temporary offices for visiting academics.

The center has an extensive network of paved and unpaved trails (61 km), which provides convenient access to a wide variety of terrestrial and aquatic habitats.

If you’d like to choose from even more activities in and around Sarapiquí, we recommend the article below, which is sure to get you excited about everything there is to do in this canton of Heredia province.

15 tours to experience in Sarapiquí

Additional information

• Tel: 25115100 / 88574999
• Email: info@tropicalstudies.org
• Facebook: Estación Biológica La Selva
• Location: Google Maps
• Admission fee for Costa Rican nationals: $28 for adults and $17 for children (consists of 3-hour tour).
• Hours of operation: 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. / 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Price of lunch: $13.
• Price of bird or night tour: $60
• Price of accommodations: $68 per person, includes hiking and 3 meals

*Visits require prior booking.

The refuge is located near Puerto Soley, in the province of Guanacaste. Welcome to a 25-hectare island that’s ready to surprise you with its flora, fauna and stunning beaches.  The island is 81 m long and is located 1.5 km from Punta Descartes.

It was created in 1981 to protect the large seabird population, and is part of Santa Rosa National Park, which is about 1 hour away. This peaceful island is located in Bahía Salinas on the country’s Pacific coast, close to the border with Nicaragua.

If birdwatching is your thing, you’ll be able to spot pelicans during the birds’ nesting season in January and February. Frigatebirds can be found here from November to June, during their lengthy stay along our shores. The animals you can catch a glimpse of here include snails, clams, lizards, and a variety of marine species.

Isla Bolaños is the only place in the Guanacaste Conservation area where the American oystercatcher is known to nest. The island is also a nesting site for the magnificent frigatebird and is one of the few places where brown pelicans nest. Its importance for these bird species led to its designation as a wildlife refuge.

The plant life in the area is typical of the tropical dry forest, and most of the terrain is challenging. The island is made up of layers of rocks that were formed over a period of more than 40 million years.

Visitors to the island can also find white sand beaches, clear aquamarine water, and calm waves. At low tide, it’s common to see large populations of crabs.

If you’re thinking of visiting on your own, you can make the trip on one of the boats that go around the island with a permit from the Santa Rosa National Park. There are no facilities inside the refuge, since the aim of the area is to protect the species located there.

Access to the refuge is from Puerto Soley, which is located 3 km from the island. The best option is to opt for a guided tour, which will ensure that you keep your impact on the island’s fauna to a minimum.

Did you already know about this place? If you haven’t done it yet, put it down on your list of places to discover. Our country has so many surprises in store! So let’s go and #VamosATuristear.

More information: Guanacaste Conservation Area.

WhatsApp: 8886-9510

Santa Rosa National Park: 2666-5051

This beautiful reserve is situated about 7 km from the town center of Santa Elena de Monteverde. 

The Santa Elena Cloud Forest is one of those destinations where you can escape your routine and connect with nature. Although the reserve is smaller than the Monteverde Biological Reserve, both serve the same goal of preserving the forest and welcoming more tourists to see it for themselves.

The clouds that surround the forest form a constant fog that covers everything, caused by the reserve’s elevation of 1,600 meters above sea level. The cool mountain temperatures mean that the forest is always humid, making it an ideal ecosystem for many species of orchids and ferns.

The reserve is rich in fauna as well, providing habitat for wild cats like pumas, jaguarundis, jaguars, and others. You’ll also have the chance to see sloths, spider monkeys, snakes and species of frogs. There is also a vast array of birds: in fact, the reserve is considered to be one of the best places for birdwatching, with an estimated 500 species of birds in the area. You may even spot the majestic quetzal here.

You can also enjoy other activities such as hiking, hanging bridges, orchid gardens and even tours of coffee farms.

The refuge has three main lookouts: the Observation Deck, the Observation Tower, and the Caño Negro Lookout.

The Observation Tower offers views of three volcanoes: Tenorio, Miravalles and Rincón de la Vieja. On clear days, you can even see the Platanar Volcano, Cerro Congo, Lake Nicaragua, Lake Arenal, Cerro Chato and Cerro Pelado.

If you would like to go on a guided hike, we recommend that you make your reservations one day in advance by calling 2645-5390. There is no need to reserve self-guided hikes, just show up at the park.

All the information you need

Single-use plastic (plastic bags, disposable water bottles, etc.) are not allowed in the park.

You also cannot bring any type of food onto the trails; food is only allowed in the restaurant.

• Parking: free.
• Website: https://www.reservasantaelena.org/
• Email: reservaciones@reservassantaelena.org
• Tel: 26455390.
• Instagram: Reserva Santa Elena
• Facebook: Reserva Santa Elena
• Location: https://goo.gl/maps/7m7deujFARCRBQJa6
• Admission:
  • Self-Guided Hikes
    • Costa Ricans: Adults $6 | Seniors (+65) $5 | Students $4 | Children $2
    • Foreigners: Adults $18 | Seniors (+65) $15 | Students $12 | Children $9
  • Guided Hikes
    • Costa Ricans: Adults $21 | Seniors (+65) $20 | Students $18 | Children $9
    • Foreigners: Adults $35 | Seniors (+65) $33 | Students $30 | Children $25
  •  Specialized Private Hikes
    • Costa Ricans: $85 (1-3 people)
    • Foreigners: $125 (1-3 people)

If you’re looking for a destination that’s full of nature and trails and close to the beach, you can’t pass up the chance to explore Cabo Blanco. Cabo Blanco Natural Reserve is located in the north of Puntarenas province on the Nicoya Peninsula, just to the south of Montezuma. It protects 1,269 hectares of land area and 1,790 of marine territory.

An important chapter in its history came in 1963, when Olof Wessberg and Karen Morgenson had the vision of creating the country’s first project to restore deforested areas. They were called to action by the massive deforestation in the Nicoya Peninsula that occurred in the mid-20th century. The project went on to become a natural reserve. Currently, it is part of the Tempisque Conservation Area.

Part of its commitment to conservation means limiting the number of visitors, with only 40 tourists allowed to enter per day. Reservations are required to ensure that you’ll be able to visit the refuge. Camping is also not allowed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

You’ll find that the forest has once again covered the whole area here, making it a perfect spot for hiking. It has 3 trails: a circular route that’s 2 km long, a 1 km trail specially designed for seniors and children, and a 10 km trail that goes all the way to Cabo Blanco.

The reserve protects several delicate ecosystems, including the Pacific lowland tropical forest. Around 119 plant species are present here. This also makes it a great place to learn about different species of animals such as monkeys, agoutis, peccaries, armadillos, squirrels, sloths, deer, raccoons and more.

It’s also a well-known attraction among birdwatchers, with species such as frigatebirds, gulls and pelicans.

Remember that if you visit Cabo Blanco Natural Reserve, you’ll also be close to several gorgeous beaches, including Montezuma, Mal País, Tambor, Carmen, Cuevas and Santa Teresa. In addition, the region offers a variety of activities such as surfing, snorkeling, golf, ziplining, horseback riding, ATV riding and more.

Contact: Cabo Blanco Absolute Natural Reserve Office: 2642-0093 / 2642-0096

Entry fees: Costa Ricans: ₡1600 – Foreigners: $12

Location: Take the ferry from Puntarenas to Paquera, head towards Montezuma, follow the coast until you reach Cabuya, and then follow the signs for the reserve (Sector Cabuya).

Ferry timetable: https://bit.ly/3z0VSXQ