Good For You

At Selva Bananito lodge, you’ll wake to birdsong in your own hardwood cabin, open to the lush surrounds, and step out into a rainforest reserve filled with sights, sounds and adventures enough to keep you stimulated for a whole week or more. Take a vigorous trek deep into Bananito’s 850-hectare jungle reserve where you’ll find beautiful Morpho waterfalls, explore the surrounding farmland on horse back, repel down a 50-foot cliff in the rainforest, watch thousands of vultures migrating south, head to the Caribbean coast for a day of lazing on the beach and feasting on fresh seafood, or simply hang in the hammock, listening to the hundreds of different bird songs that fill the air.

On the border of La Amistad International Park, a rainforest wilderness that spans the border shared by Costa Rica and Panama, Selva Bananito is a paradise for nature lovers – and birdwatchers in particular, with hundreds of species to observe and countless activities that will help you engage with your surrounds. A pioneering green tourism project, Selva Bananito allows you to enjoy this amazing part of Central America without harming it, at the same time supporting conservation and sustainable development in Costa Rica.

You’ll be led on a different adventure each day by fantastic local, bilingual guides, enjoy delicious Costa Rican meals made from ingredients fresh from Bananito’s Finca Manú farm. Selva Bananito Lodge offers a relaxing and stimulating tropical holiday that is as ethical as it is enjoyable.

Good For Costa Rica

Selva Bananito is an eco-lodge in the truest sense of the word. Built on a family farm that was earmarked for logging, this lodge demonstrates how environmentally-sound ecotourism should be done. The cabins were built from 'second hand' wood that had been rejected by loggers, the number of guests is restricted, there is no electricity, solar energy is used to heat the water and bio-degradable soaps are provided for all guests.

The owners, the Stein family, have also established the Fundación Cuencas de Limón, a non-profit organisation dedicated to watershed protection and educational programs. They also run the 'plant a tree' program to offset the carbon emissions produced by guests' air travel.

Rooms

Food

Features & Facilities

• 850 hectares of private rainforest reserve with a canopy observation platform
• A working farm
• Resident bilingual guides
• A full range of activities and tours in the reserve and beyond (not all included in the rates)
• Office with communication facilities and safe deposit for property

See Local Info & Activities for more

Local Info & Activities

Selva Bananito Lodge & Reserve is a destination in itself. With a full range of activities and adventures to enjoy on the property, Bananito also offers tours to nearby spots on the Caribbean coast so that you can enjoy the best of both the rainforest and the beach.

Selva Bananito boarders La Amistad Biosphere Reserve an international conservation area shared by Costa Rica and Panama. La Amistad World Heritage Site is one of the three most important natural corridors for bird migration worldwide. Birdwatchers who visit Selva Bananito in March and April will be treated to the breathtaking spectacle of the northbound raptor migration, while in October through November you’ll see thousands of raptors, vultures and other species heading south.

Nature lovers of all kinds will appreciate the range of activities at Selva Bananito, with a range of wonderful hikes suitable for all fitness levels, horse riding, tree climbing, rapelling and lots more all helping you get to know the forest from different perspectives.

Below you’ll find a full list of activities to keep you entertained and stimulated during your stay. Of course, there’s no obligation to be up and at ‘em every day. If you’re feeling lazy you can simply take the “hammock tour” – relax on your own verandah as you breathe in the fresh air of Selva Bananito and listen to the birds in the jungle.

Bird Watching

Some of the best bird watching in Costa Rica can be enjoyed at Bananito. You’ll head out in the early morning for an unforgettable trip to spot some of the 300 species of birds that have been identified on the Lodge property. Led by Bananito’s knowledgeable ornithologists, you will scout trees and pastures for toucans, orioles, trogons, kingfishers, and many more. $15 per person.

Tree Climbing

Maybe you thought you had tree-climbing down pat at 5 years old, but Bananito’s introduction to tree climbing will show you how to scale the heights of a 30 meter “broccoli” tree using a secure system of harnesses and ascenders. Climb up like an inchworm in this full-body activity – pace yourself during your vertical ascent, then stop and hang out under the treetop for a spectacular view. This activity demands reasonable physical agility and fitness, but no previous tree climbing experience. 1-2 hours, $20 per person.

Horse Back Riding

Saddle up for a fantastic introduction to Costa Rican style horseback riding. A memorable ride for those with little or no riding experience, you will see breathtaking vistas, cattle and farmland along the Bananito riverbanks, and take a tour of Bananito’s unique heliconia flower garden. Guides will teach you how to ride one of Bananito’s calm and well-trained horses to walk, trot and even gallop over various terrain. Make a stop for a refreshing dip in a natural river swimming hole. $20 per person , 2-3 hours. This activity requires no previous horseback riding experience, and rider weight limits apply.

Caribbean Tour

Discover the most spectacular beaches of the Caribbean Coast at places near Puerto Vargas, Puerto Viejo, Punta Uva or Manzanillo. Enjoy a full day at the beach and conclude with a delicious Caribbean feast. 2-person minimum, $100 person per group of 3, or $80 per person for groups of three or more.

Rappeling

For adrenaline seekers only, this adventure begins with a beautiful hike up the Bananito River and deep into the rainforest reserve. Experience the thrill of rappelling down 5 different waterfalls in preparation to meet the biggest challenge you can find at Selva Bananito – the 50 metre (165 feet) vertical rappel down a jungle cliff. $75.00 per person (minimum 2 people).

Tree Planting

Become part of Bananito’s growing reforestation project. The owners have planted hundreds of tropical hardwoods on the part of their land originally deforested to make way for banana plantations in the 1800s. Creating corridors back into the rainforest will create more habitat for wildlife. The lodge staff will show you how to plant your seedling to give it the best chance of survival. With Bananito’s recorded 91% success rate, your tree will hopefully one day become part of the tropical rainforest and contribute to the conservation of endemic and endangered species. The $25 per person tree fee helps support the Fundación Cuencas de Limón, Bananito’s conservation NGO. @INSIDER TIPS@

What to bring

Selva Bananito has prepared this helpful guide: 2 pairs of lightweight cotton pants 2 pairs of shorts 5 T-shirts 1 sweatshirt (it CAN get cool in the evenings) 1 swimsuit 1 pair of sandals (Teva-type sandals work well) 1 pair of sturdy hiking shoes that can get wet and muddy, and stay wet. 1 lightweight, scrunchable hat or cap 1 lightweight, waist-length rain jacket (it won't keep you dry in a heavy downpour, but it'll keep you warm. You can get hypothermic in the rain forest)

Several pairs of socks, including long ones to wear under rubber boots – your feet will often get wet Sleepwear

Bandanas, clips, barrettes to tie up hair (no electricity for creating hairdoes at Selva Bananito Lodge!)

Non-electric shaving equipment

Sunglasses

Sunscreen

Mosquito repellant

Binoculars

Camera with spare film and batteries (there’s no electricity at the lodge, so recharging is tricky). Selva Bananito asks that you use the lodge’s own biodegradable shampoo/soap. If you must use your own body and hair care products, please make sure they are fully biodegradable. If you’d like to take advantage of the lodge’s overnight jungle camping tour and there are more than 4 people in your group interested in doing so, please contact Good Travel to find out whether you will need to bring your own camping gear.

Health

Shots are not usually required for Costa Rica, but check with your doctor.

Sustainability

Reserva Selva Bananito The lodge is built on the owners’ family farm, purchased in 1974 for farming and timber cutting. Despite having a logging permit, the family decided to declare the untouched part of the farm a private, biological reserve ( 850 hectares or 2000 acres ). The lodge was built as an alternative source of income. This was an ethical rather than an economic decision, since it is unlikely that the income generated by the lodge will ever approximate the commercial value of the protected wood.

Fundación Cuencas de Limón Bananito’s owners established a non-profit foundation, Fundación Cuencas de Limón, which has become a regional leader in nature conservation and educational programs. The foundation obtains funding from income generated by Selva Bananito Lodge and private donations.

Social responsibility All employees at Selva Bananito Lodge are from nearby communities and the reserve’s bilingual guides are from rural areas in the Province of Limón. A substantial part of the lodge’s shopping is done at local stores. Since its establishment, Selva Bananito Lodge has regularly supported local schools and communal activities.

Forest conservation Second-hand or discarded hardwood accounts for 80% of the materials used in the cabins. As much as 20% of a tree is classified as “second hand” and is normally left to waste. The lodge aims to set an example of waste-reduction by demonstrating how to maximize the tree once it is cut down. Using trees efficiently is one way to reduce deforestation.

Environmentally safe operation of the lodge The lodge seeks to remain environmentally friendly in all its activities and operations. Water is heated by solar energy and biodegradable soaps reduce the chemical output of the lodge. Biodegradable waste is composted and waste water naturally purified while materials such as plastic bottles, aluminium and cans are carefully recycled.

Limiting impact on the forest Rather than building the cabins closer to, or in the rain forest, at Bananito they were deliberately constructed in an area that had already been altered by human activity. The number of visitors that enter the preserve at one time is always strictly controlled and limited.

Getting There

The international airport (Aeropuerto Internacional Juan Santamaría) is located 17km northwest of San José in the town of Alajuela. Costa Rica is well connected by air to other Central and Latin American countries, as well as the US and Europe.

By Car

In order to avoid driving through downtown San José, pick up a map showing how to get to the Braulio Carrillo Highway to Limon. In order to avoid driving through or out of the city, some travellers have even hired a taxi driver to take them to the highway that goes to Puerto Limon, this should coast around US$15.

Once on the highway the drive to Limón from San José should take about 2 1/2 hours. As you enter Limón, look for a big white sign (on the right) to Sixaola, Cahuita, Bomba, and Panama and turn right. Follow this road until you reach the town of Bomba. Here, there should be road signs directing you towards Cahuita but if you miss them, simply follow the road as it curves to the left and follow the road for roughly 18km.

After you pass over the bridge that crosses the Río Vizcaya (Vizcaya River) you will see a blue-roofed house on the right side of the road and a set of large, green road signs signalling to a variety of destinations (Cahuita, Sixaola, etc.). Turn right shortly after the signs and follow the road for about 4 km to the small town of Bananito Norte.

Cross the railroad tracks, and shortly after the railroad tracks look for a sign on the left that reads "Salon Delia". This is the local bar and restaurant and where Selva Bananito staff will meet you to continue the final leg of the journey.

It's worth noting that it gets dark in Costa Rica from about 5pm, remember to carry a flashlight if you plan to arrive at Selva Bananito after this time.

Visit our Transport section for flights, hybrid car rentals and train bookings.

Rates & Bookings

All rates are in $US and are per person per night. Rates include: three meals per day with natural fruit juices. Rates include all taxes.

Standard Rooms

• $132 per person single room
• $110 per person double occupancy
• $95 per person triple or quadruple occupancy

• $152 per person single room
• $120 per person double occupancy
• $102 per person triple or quadruple occupancy

Transfers are not included in the rates – add $10 per person for a transfer to and from San José.

booking & cancellation policy

A non-refundable 25% deposit confirms a reservation, with the remainder payable 7 days before your stay.

Tours

Selva Bananito Lodge offers a range of tours over two to 3 nights through the rainforest. Tour rates start at $331 per person. Contact us for more details.

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Want to avoid cancellation fees? Visit our Insurance section for information on travel insurance.