A Garden of Eden with mass plantings of ornamental palms, bromeliads, heliconias, cycads, orchids, flowering gingers, and spice trees, Casa Orquideas has been tended with care for more than 25 years by American owners Ron and Trudy MacAllister. The 2½-hour tour includes touching, tasting, and smelling, plus spotting toucans and hummingbirds. Trudy is also a font of information on local lore and medicinal plants. Guided tours, given for a minimum of three people, are $8 per person. Self-guided tours cost $5. The garden is accessible only by boat; a water taxi from Golfito to the garden (about $60 round-trip for up to four people) is a tour in itself.
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