Rancho Margot Self Sustainable, Self sufficient Eco-Lodge And Working Organic Farm

[caption id="attachment_5438" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Bungalow at Rancho Margot"][/caption]

Rancho Margot is self sustainable and self sufficient.  It is an eco lodge and large farm where organic food is grown and served.  The meat, eggs, and cheese are grown and made here on the farm.  It is located in the middle of the jungle on the shores of Lake Arenal and in the shadow of the mighty Arenal Volcano.

I spent one week there and luckily got to know Juan Sostheim who founded this spectacular example of conservation and self sustainability.  I stayed in a lovely comfortable bungalow with my husband Ken.  The bungalow had a large porch surrounded by lush tropical flowers.  Every morning we woke to the sounds of the singing birds and the monkeys playing in the trees. We ate organic food, deliciously prepared by Juan's chef.   We  did not watch any television, just hiked around the farm, rode horses, and took a guided tour of the organic farm.  AND RESTED!

However, there are a lot of options of adventure activities here.  The Sky Tram Sky Trek zip Line is only 2 miles up the road.  This is the best zip line experience in Costa Rica. Juan has a yoga teacher on the premises. Also there is a beautiful swimming pool and as well as a wild river that runs right thru the property close to the restaurant.  You get to eat the most delicious organic fruits and vegetables grown right on the property.

JUAN'S STORY. In 2004 Juan's family bought 400 acres of land on the shores of Lake Arenal which  had a gorgeous wild river running thru it.  It was pasture and grass.  And in nine years Juan has transformed it into a beautiful tropical garden and working farm.  It is a living classroom where one can learn about self sustainability and conservation, living off the land with destroying it.  There are nine comfortable bungalows for guest as well as a bunkhouse with bunk beds.  It is a place to come to learn, explore,  rest and rejuvenate.

I could never tell the story of this unique place as well as Juan has done in this video.  I invite you to take 10 minutes of your valuable time and watch it!  You will learn a lot!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xA6hoAK-BCc

If you would like to include this wonderful place in your vacation to Costa Rica.  Contact Ann, the Costa Rica Expert.  She will arrange it all for you.  Learn all about it: www.costaricalearn.com

 

La Selva Biological Reserve Costa Rica

May I share with you the photos of a very talented photographer and travel writer.  His name is Jim O'Donnel.  He is on assignment in Costa Rica.

Thank you Jim for this nice work!!

Around the World in Eighty Years The Travel Writing and Photography of Jim O'Donnell

A Taste of Costa Rican Wildlife from La Selva Biological Station

By Jim O\'Donnell on December 7, 2013 in Caribbean/Central America, Wildlife

Check out more from the #ecocostarica trip on Twitter, FB and G+

By the time I climbed back into the van for the drive back to San Jose my clothes were drenched, my glasses fogged up and my camera worn out. Located right at the confluence to two croc-filled rivers, the air in the forest is so humid that every little step results in a torrent of sweat.  If you’re not drinking water, you’re not going to make it! If you didn’t bring extra camera batteries you camera isnt going to make it either!

I’m sitting in the airport in San Juan writing this post this morning and lusting for another cup of coffee.  I’m exhausted and emotional, not ready to face the cold of home but missing my kids to a ridiculous degree.  There is Christmas music blasting through the Lavazza cafe and a bunch of young American men are talking about guns.  The lady behind the counter is surly and her co-worked bored. The way home goes through Houston, then Denver and then a two-hour drive to my mom’s house where I can rest.  Finally.

As I fly home today I offer up just a sample…a taste…of what I saw yesterday at La Selva Biological Station in the wet tropical rain forest lowlands of northeastern Costa Rica. The station, at about 1,600 hectares (3,900 acres), offers up a stunning array of Costa Rican wildlife.

La Selva was originally established in 1954 by Dr. Leslie Holdridge, as a farm dedicated to experimentation on mixed plantations for the improvement of natural resources management. It was purchased in 1968 by the Organization for Tropical Studies and declared a private biological reserve and station. Since then, it has become one of the most important sites in the world for research on tropical rain forest. Over 240 scientific papers are published yearly from research conducted at the site……….

 

Brown-throated sloth (Bradypus variegatus)
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Collared Aracari (Pteroglossus torquatus)
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Central American Whiptail (Ameiva festiva)
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Blue Jeans Dart Frog (Oophaga pumilo)
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Keel-billed Toucan (Ramphastos sulfuratus)
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Green Iguana (Iguana iguana)
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Lineated Woodpecker (Dryocopus lineatus)
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Salmon-bellied Racer (Mastigodryas malenolomus)
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Keel-billed Toucan (Ramphastos sulfuratus)
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Broad-billed Motmot (Electron platyrhynchum)
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Parrot Snake (Leptophis ahaetulla)

I’m not sure the species of frog he is eating but it was a pretty stunning site to see him chasing the frog right across our path and onto a patch of grass where he grabbed the doomed little brown dude in mid-jump. I’ve never seen anything like that. What really stunned me was how fast the snake downed the frog and then moved on.

I’ll be posting more shots and stories in the coming two months.  Sign up on the  home page for email notifications of new posts.

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Family Tropical Adventure Vacation-All Inclusive-Samasati Nature Retreat Costa Rica

[caption id="attachment_5443" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="View from Balcony Samasati Bungalow"][/caption]

Samasati Nature Retreat is located on the southern Caribbean Coast of Costa Rica.  Nestled on the side of a mountain in a beautiful tropical rain forest, this is the perfect place for a family vacation in a completely natural setting.

Samasati Nature Retreat - If you are vacationing to Costa Rica and do not want to be in a high rise hotel or condominium with large numbers of tourist, but rather prefer to be off the beaten path in an eco lodge nestled in the rainforest-then this place is for you!   If you want a  natural setting where you can hear the sounds of the birds when you wake up each morning and can see wildlife such as iguanas and monkeys outside your window, then this place is for you!

Samasati is offering  a 4 Night  Adventure Packed family vacation package which includes :

Tropical Adventure Family Vacation Package at Samasati, on the southern

[caption id="attachment_5415" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Caribbean beach near Samasati Nature Retreat"][/caption]

Caribbean coast of Costa Rica

After the Jaguar Rescue Center Tour there could be time at the nearby beach, which is really nice.
After Cahuita National Park Tour there could be time to visit the Caribbean village of Cahuita, which is also really nice or stay at the beach.
After the Canopy Tour there could be time walking around the trails at Samasati Biological Reserve.
The Cacao Trail Tours is long and also includes a visit to an iguana farm.

Option #1

Includes:
-Accommodation for 4 nights for 2 adults + 1 child  (age 12 and under)
-Three daily meals (including fish during dinner)
-Canopy tour
-Cahuita National Park tour (snorkeling)
-Jaguar Rescue Center tour
-Cacao Trails tour with visit to Iguana Farm
-Transport to Samasati

Total rack: $2,112.00    2 adults and 1 child (under age 12)

Option #2

Includes:
-Accommodation for 4 nights for 2 adults + 2 children (age 12 and under)
-Three daily meals (including fish during dinner)
-Canopy tour
-Cahuita National Park tour (snorkeling)
-Jaguar Rescue Center tour
-Cacao Trails tour and iguana Farm
-Transport to Samasati

Total rack: $2,260.00= 2 adults and 2 children age 12 and under
**Notes:
-Jaguar Rescue Center offer 2 guided visits per day (9.30AM and 11.30AM). Sundays is close. Duration of the Visit: 1 and ½ hour.
-Canopy tour duration 4 hours
-Cahuita National park with snorkeling tour duration 5 hrs
-Cacao trails tour  with visit iguana Farm duration 6.30 hrs

If you would like to book this family vacation please contact anncreed23@gmail.com

Ann is the Costa Rica Expert and Costa Rica Vacation Planner, and owner "The Costa Rica Learn Travel Company".    You can read all about her on her website www.costaricalearn.com

See the beauty of Samasati by visiting the web site  www.samasati.com