shillmac

I don't think great wildlife viewing is always guaranteed anywhere. We favor Bosque del Cabo, whose wildlife is abundant and the viewing usually awesome. One time, though, when I was there, there was less than usual. Still good, but less. For whatever reason. . .

colibri

Joyce - Was Selva Verde's private reserve across the river open when you were there? It has been closed from the January earthquake until fairly recently since the bridge over the river was destroyed. I was there for just one night in February, loved it, going back for three nights in November. We saw toucans, howler monkey, parrots, hummingbirds, acaris just on our own, didn't have time for their guided tours. We've booked 1/2 day in their private reserve this time since the bridge has been replaced.

We drove into La Selva and were greeted by three or four Great Green Macaws. They have a research project in progress for them and are developing a macaw corridor with nearby parks and reserves. Also saw a sloth, group of peccaries, slaty tailed trogon, squirrel cuckoo - all I can remember, but know there was more. We've booked a private birding tour at La Selva so ought to see a lot more this time.

Weather can play a deciding factor, it's always a toss-up, cannot guarantee wildlife sightings anywhere.

volcanogirl

Wow, col, the birding sounds amazing there!

colibri

VG - the birding in the Sarapiqui region is some of the best in Costa Rica! You need to add it on to your next trip. I love Selva Verde, don't think I would want to stay at La Selva since it's really basic, more for students and researchers.

The chocolate tour at Tirimbina is fun and the garden at Heliconia Island has some beautiful gingers/heliconias. They also run a B & B there which looked nice.

I highly recommend this area and it's only about 2 - 2 1/2 hours out of San Jose.

volcanogirl

I always hear good things about Selva Verde - it looks a little Tortugueroish to me with the style of rooms and all the wildlife. We rafted on the Sarapiqui on our last trip and ate at the Tirimbina (sp?) center - would we have been near Selva Verde that day?

shillmac

Not far, volcanogirl. It is fairly close to Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui. Maybe 20-30 minutes?

RAC

Selva Verde is about 10-15 minutes from Tirimbina and about 15-20 minutes from La Selva.

Selva Verde has two free birding tours per day for guests. Just sitting on their patio by the river we saw dozens of species, including all 3 species of toucans, tiger herons, sunbitterns, etc.

JoyceL

In answer to your questions:
If by "private reserve" you mean the land that is on the other side of the suspension bridge, then at least part of it was open. This is where my guide took me for the guided nature walk.

I was there during the end of June, arrived at about 12 PM, and left the next day at about 2 PM. I spent almost all my daylight time there just walking around. Unfortunately, I seem to have hit a bad time for animal viewing. On the other hand, the foliage was absolutely gorgeous, so even without animal viewing I had a terrific time.

RAC

In terms of non-bird wildlife, La Selva is probably a better bet than any other place just because the animals are habituated to people there. But a lot of it is luck--these places aren't zoos. Sometimes you see something remarkable just hanging out but not much when you look for it.

volcanogirl

Thanks, shillmac and RAC!