Welcome to Selva Verde
A TRULY UNIQUE COSTA RICAN ECO-LODGE
Selva Verde is more than a lodge and more than a rainforest reserve. It is your gateway into a magical world of towering Almendro trees, Mantled Howler Monkeys, and Keel Billed Toucans. Immerse yourself in tropical nature as you hike through deep green forest or reflect quietly in a comfortable hammock. Rekindle your sense of wonder and discover the out-of-the-ordinary. Experience Selva Verde!
Located just 2 hours from San José, Selva Verde provides easy access to the wonders of the rainforest. Since 1986, we have been a haven for nature enthusiasts from around the world. Our abundant biodiversity, comfortable rainforest lodge, and exciting activities are ideal for adventure seekers, bird and wildlife watchers, students, and families. Come explore Selva Verde's 500 acres of vibrant tropical nature in the heart of Costa Rica's Sarapiquí county.
Birding at Selva Verde
THE BIRDS OF COSTA RICA
Keel-billed Toucans, Great Green Macaws, Wood Thrushes, Grey-necked Wood Rails, Sunbitterns and Violet Crowned Woodnymphs are just a few of the birds that inhabit the Selva Verde Rainforest Reserve. For decades, Selva Verde has been a birding hotspot – captivating beginner and expert alike.
Birding for Beginners: Join one of our morning or afternoon bird walks and let our naturalist guides introduce you to the amazing world of tropical birds. Experienced birders are more than welcome too!
Birding Checklist: This site-specific bird list will assist both avid “tickers” and beginning birders.
Birding beyond our Borders
Take your birding to a new level and jump on the Costa Rica Bird Route – an innovative tourism project designed to promote habitat conservation throughout the Sarapiquí.
The Costa Rica Bird Route (CRBR) features twelve birding hotspots – including six established biological reserves and six newly created private reserves. Opened in April 2008, it is the first of its kind in Central America. It is organized and managed by the Rainforest Biodiversity Group, with funding from the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the Neotropical Migratory Bird Act.
Selva Verde is one of the CRBR's portal sites and serves as a base camp with comfortable accommodations, dining facilities, and excellent on-site birding opportunities. From Selva Verde, Bird Route visitors can easily access the newly created remote sites, owned by local community members. Day visits to these remote sites provide visitors with the opportunity to explore brand new, off-the-beaten-path wildlife areas. Local landowners receive economic benefits from your visit which encourages them to preserve natural habitats on their property and throughout the region.
Selva Verde is proud to be a participant in the Costa Rica Bird Route and encourages birders of all levels to jump on board! For more information on the Costa Rica Bird Route, VISIT THEIR WEBSITE.
Check our BLOG for some great insight into the many different species found at Selva Verde.
The Selva Verde Story
a passion to make a difference
Selva Verde exists today because of one woman's desire to make a difference. As a pioneer in the business of ecotourism, Giovanna Holbrook traveled the world creating unique adventures for avid naturalists. In 1982, Giovanna arranged an ornithological field study in Costa Rica for the National Aviary. At the last minute, accommodations for the explorers fell through and they found themselves without a place to stay. Giovanna raced to Costa Rica to rectify the situation. A full day drive from San Jose, over barely passable dirt roads, found her deep in the county of Sarapiquí – a place that would forever etch itself upon her heart.
The Discovery of Selva Verde
During her stay, Giovanna discovered a large tract of old growth forest that was up for sale was facing an uncertain future and may well have been purchased for logging or agricultural purposes. Never one to shy from a challenge, Giovanna placed a deposit on the property then and there on the spot and embarked on an adventure that continues to this day. Selva Verde's early days were full of excitement. Shortly after purchasing the property, Giovanna discovered squatters staking claim to her land. She enlisted her good friend Dr. Tom Emmel and with the help of a local conservationist, confronted the squatters. After some intense and heated negotiations, a deal was struck. If the squatters agreed to vacate her property, they would be offered jobs once the project was completed.
Over the next several years, Giovanna continued to travel back and forth between the US and Costa Rica as the dream of Selva Verde began to take shape. Soon the original house was hosting visiting researchers and plans were underway to build additional guest rooms and a dining hall. More than 30 years later, Selva Verde is a world renowned eco-lodge committed to advancing the practice of sustainable tourism.
Selva Verde began with one woman's dream of preserving nearly 500 acres of endangered tropical forest and the multitude of species that call it home. Through her unwavering devotion, Selva Verde is now a premier ecotourism destination, protecting the most accessible rainforest in Costa Rica, and attracting nature enthusiasts from around the globe.
Giovanna Holbrook - Video Interview
Photo Gallery - Our Story
Gallery Story
Original house - served as guest house for first visitors, c. 1986
Lepidoptery (butterfly) research team at Selva Verde, c. 1986
Original dining room with tables and stools made from salvaged tree trunks, c. 1986
Original guest house and dining room with path to river. c. 1986
Removal the illegal squatters' shacks, c. 1986
Selva Verde's Founders - Juan and Giovanna Holbrook, c. 1986
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WORK IN PROGRESS
Work in progress
Privacy Policy
Eco Vacation at Selva Verde
Selva Verde Lodge & Rainforest Reserve ("Selva Verde Lodge", Holbrook Travel, "we" or "us" as the context provides) values your privacy as a user of this site and other web sites operated or provided by Selva Verde Lodge & Rainforest Reserve (collectively, the 'Sites'). Your use of the Sites is governed by the Terms of Use and disclaimer. Please read the following to learn more about Selva Verde Lodge & Rainforest Reserve policy with respect to our collection, use and disclosure of personal information. If you have any questions or comments regarding this Privacy Policy or the privacy practices of Selva Verde Lodge & Rainforest Reserve please email us at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Selva Verde Lodge & Rainforest Reserve collects personal information when you inquire about our services and products, when you fill out surveys, and when you participate in promotions or other programs that we may hold from time to time. Selva Verde Lodge & Rainforest Reserve may combine information about you with information we obtain from our affiliated companies.
Personal Information that we collect may include your name, contact information (such as email address, mailing address, telephone and fax number) demographic information (such as gender, age and occupation), and personal preferences, such as preferences with respect to property rental and purchasing.
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Selva Verde Lodge & Rainforest Reserve does not rent, sell or share personal information about you with other people or non-affiliated companies except with your permission or under the following circumstances; to meet legal or regulatory requirements, to establish or exercise our legal rights or defend against legal claims, upon Selva Verde Lodge & Rainforest Reserve being legally required by or merged with another company.
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Selva Verde Lodge & Rainforest Reserve may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. It is your responsibility to periodically review this Privacy Policy to remain informed of the current practices of Selva Verde Lodge & Rainforest Reserve.
Costa Rican International Herpetological Symposium is back in its Fifth edition
After five years of obligatory absence, the Costa Rican International Herpetological Symposium is back in its Fifth edition.
Costa Rica is home to 5% of the planet's biodiversity. Though small in geographic area, Costa Rica has one of the highest densities of herpetofauna in the world with more than 440 species of reptiles and amphibians. The Symposium will feature presentations and workshops about conservation and herpetology by organizations and individuals. Come and learn about new findings and research from all over the Americas and beyond, or see how you can share your own work with conference participants and other interested people.
This is the 5th herpetological symposium at Selva Verde Lodge since they began in 2013. Read more...
Get your Registration Form here...
Regresa el Simposio Internacional de Herpetología de Costa Rica en su Quinta edición...
Obtenga su Formulario de Registro acá...
FROM THE BLOG ( VIEW ALL )
Velvet Worm Sighting in Selva Verde Lodge!
The night of September 9, 2022, during a night hike, our guide Randy Alvarado managed to spot in the primary forest of Selva Verde Lodge a species that is exceptionally hard to find in Costa Rica, a velvet worm (Onicóforo in Spanish). This is one of the oldest living beings in evolutionary terms, as it is known they exist since the Cambrian Period, more than 515 million years ago.
NEWS ( View All )
Costa Rican International Herpetological Symposium is back in its Fifth edition
After five years of obligatory absence, the Costa Rican International Herpetological Symposium is back in its Fifth edition.
Costa Rica is home to 5% of the planet's biodiversity. Though small in geographic area, Costa Rica has one of the highest densities of herpetofauna in the world with more than 440 species of reptiles and amphibians. The Symposium will feature presentations and workshops about conservation and herpetology by organizations and individuals. Come and learn about new findings and research from all over the Americas and beyond, or see how you can share your own work with conference participants and other interested people.
This is the 5th herpetological symposium at Selva Verde Lodge since they began in 2013. Read more...
Get your Registration Form here...
Regresa el Simposio Internacional de Herpetología de Costa Rica en su Quinta edición...
Obtenga su Formulario de Registro acá...
OUR STORY
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