COSTA RICA La Quinta Sarapiqui Country Inn

ABOUT THE LA QUINTA SARAPIQUI COUNTRY INN - in their own words:

La Quinta Country Inn is a tropical rain forest, destination resort, which caters to eco-tourists interested in bird watching, hiking, river rafting or just a peaceful stay in paradise. One of a very few Costa Rican hotels to be certified by Costa Rican National Accreditation Commission for certification in sustainable tourism. In addition it it’s private cabins, pool, library and fine dinning the nine acre compound has frog and butterfly gardens, ponds and extensive trails which are wheel chair accessible.

It’s location is within two hours by car from San Jose and just minutes from world class river rafting, mountain biking trails and the vast Braulio Carrillo National Park, an extensive primary tropical rain forest, and La Selva Biological Station

Lodging:
Accommodations at the inn are meticulously maintained. Solid concrete walls separate rooms and the private baths are stocked with fresh towels and hot water. Each cabin has a small private porch with rocking chairs and view of the gardens. Cool tiled floors and ceiling fans provide comfort in the warmest weather.

La Galería - Art, Nature and History:
The goal of the exhibition is to allow, as much as possible, visitor to be able to browse the exhibit at their own pace and to absorb as much information as they wish.

The dynamic presentation of the butterflies, beetles and other fascinating rainforest creatures is accomplished in a way you have never experienced before! Special education corners teach about insect camouflage, mimicry, parasitism, protective coloration, shape, prey-predator relationship and tropical biology topics.

Other topics include archeology and Costa Rican history displayed with a replica of a Costa Rican old house.

Dining:
Meals include delicious fresh fruits and vegetables, many from our own garden, often rice and beans and main courses carefully prepared by the chef and co-owner Leonardo Jenkins. Of course Costa Rican coffee is available all day long.  Cooking classes are available by special arrangement.

Gift shop:
In addition to tee-shirts, postcards and traditional handcrafts La Quinta has hand made paper made locally from pineapple pulp by local school children.

Services:
La Quinta’s professional staff will make every effort to make your stay with us as relaxing and comfortable as possible. Personal, friendly service is job number one for every member of La Quinta's professional staff.

Services available include:

• Laundry
• Mail
• International Telephone
• Guided Tours

Trails at the Inn:
Trails cover the 10 acres of the Inns grounds providing privacy and ample opportunity for bird watching, strolling and the quiet reflection of Costa Rica’s fantastic diversity.

Butterflies & Frogs:
The La Quinta butterfly garden provides a habitat for many different species of Costa Rican butterflies. It includes both larval and nectar plants which provide nourishment for the butterflies throughout their life cycle. The butterfly garden provides an opportunity for our guests to photograph, enjoy, learn and interact with the butterflies.

The Poison dart frog (Dendrobates pumilio) as well as the green frog (Dendrobates auratus) can be spotted quite easy at La Quinta frog garden. Very active during daylight hours because of the lack of any predators these frogs don’t stay still very long. They can be seen walking, hopping, jumping and climbing or just sitting in a bromeliad.

In House Attractions:
The grounds of the Inn include nature trails,a swimming pool a butterfly garden, the Jewels of the rainforest Museum, excellent bird watching, gardening, and mini classes in cooking and paper making

Local Activities:
The area surrounding La Quinta and Puerto Viejo has some of the best rivers for swimming and the rolling hills are idea for horse back riding.

Tours and Extensions:
La Quinta Country Inn location, in the vicinity of the Sarapiquí River, the Braulio Carrillo National Park and the world wide known La Selva Biological Station, is favored with unique flora and fauna viewing experience. At La Quinta we offer our guests with prime spots for fresh water rafting on rapids, ranging from Class I to Class IV, as well as more relaxing experiences through scenic cruises in powerboats, horseback rides, canopy, night tours in the forest, volcanoes, waterfalls and more! Did you know why is the Pineapple called the fruit of hospitality? Learn about it in our Original Pineaple Tour!

We will be pleased to help you at the front desk with information and planning for your tours and activities.

Half Day:

Walking Guided Tour at La Selva Biological Station:
Daily morning and afternoon guided walks in the rain forest led by excellent naturalist guides. Peccaries, agouties, sloth, howler and spider monkeys are seen frequently, as well as varied habitats. Nearly half of the 850 species of birds in Costa Rica inhabit these lowlands, more than 70 species of bats and five of the six species of cats in the country. Advanced reservations are necessary.

Rafting on the Sarapiquí River:
River Class I-II Section for beginners. This 7-mile trip is especially attractive for bird watchers and tropical forest lovers of all ages, including small children. Not previous experience required. Includes transportation, equipment, guide and fruits.   (3 hours)

Section II-III: Enjoy four Class III rapids and about 20 Class II rapids, all of which have a good technical level in this 7.5-mile trip. Half way of the journey on a peaceful pond, passengers can swim and eat the tasty tropical fruits of the season. Not previous experience required.

Horseback Rides:
Explore the Sarapiquí Jungle with well-trained and healthy horses, through pristine forest, pastures and rivers.

• Pozo Azul: Combination of a horseback ride with the visit to a dairy (2 hours)
• El Bosque - Three hours horseback ride

Tirimbina Rainforest Center:
Walking Guided Tours and Self-guided Walks at Tirimbina Rainforest Center The Tirimbina Biological Reserve is a National Wildlife Refuge protecting a large variety of flora and fauna. Among the species that can be observed are: howler monkeys, white-faced and spider monkeys, two and three-toed sloth, white tent bats, manakins, toucans and poison dart frogs.  

Boat Ride on the Sarapiquí River:
Enjoy more than 200 species of beautiful birds, howler monkeys, sloth, crocodiles and river turtles down the Sarapiquí River in an unforgettable two hours ride in a comfortable and safe powerboat. Two hours

Canopy:
Two hours ride

Mountain Bike:
Two hours

The Original Pineapple Tour:
Our informed guide will take you through the active operating Corsicana pineapple farm to give you an interesting talk about the history, cultivation and all the phases of pineapple growth, from sowing and harvest to the packing plant, ornamental pineapple project and organic pineapple review. You are invited to enjoy a snack of piñacolada in fresh fruit, fresh pineapple and freshly made pineapple juice!

We suggest you some places to visit while you are in our area as half day or full day option:

• Poas Volcano National Park
• Braulio Carrillo National Park
• La Paz Waterfall
• Arenal Volcano National Park
• Aerial Tram
• Tortuguero National Park