Rainbow AdventuresAnother example of ecotourism is located on the beach in an isolated cove on the waters of Golfo Dulce, near the town of Golfito in southwest Costa Rica. Getting to the lodge, called Rainbow Adventures, requires either a seven- hour drive from San Jose or a one-hour flight on SANSA or Travel air, and then a 45-minute ride in a motor launch from Golfito. This boat ride is itself a nature experience, with glimpses of leaping dolphins and schools of tuna skimming the surface, and a unique view of pelicans roosting in trees by the waters edge. Local folks refer to Rainbow Adventures as Arco Iris which means Rainbow. The setting is 1,000 acres of virgin rain forest fronting a mile-long, private beach on the sheltered waters of the gulf. 800 of these acres are now part of a national biological reserve. Like nearby Corcovado Park, the setting combines the rain forest and dry forest. Many plants and animals common to both environments thrive here, as well as species which have evolved in special ways to adapt to the special conditions here. The lodge sits half-hidden from the waters view by lush tropical growth. A small circle of landscaping and gardens surrounds the main lodge as the forest closes in on three sides, the calm waters of the gulf spreading out in front. The forest climbs a low mountain that begins a few meters behind the lodge, and the sounds of toucans, whiteface and howler monkeys remind you that you are indeed in the jungle. Rooms in the main lodge have private baths and several one-bedroom cabins (hidden from view of the lodge) also have bathrooms. The buildings are constructed of native hardwoods by staff carpenters who also make furniture to complement the lodges antique furnishings. On display is an assortment of Pre-Columbian art, the largest private collection in the country. The surroundings are deliberately kept natural, with as little interference as possible from human intrusion. Behind the lodge, a jungle trail winds up the mountain through virgin forest.This environment is identical to the Corcavado Forest Park , our guide explains, but the only people who ever enjoy it are the relatively few clients who visit the lodge. The environmental impact of just a few visitors is thus minimal. An interesting building innovation can be found here, something Ive never seen before and which ought to be imitated elsewhere. All of the buildings sit off the ground, on cement piers, each with a small trough surrounding it which is kept filled with a shallow pool of drain oil. This quite effectively prevents ants, termites and other crawling pests from entering the premises. This is a great alternative to soaking everything with harmful pesticides, as most other lodges routinely do. They have to be careful, though not to allow alternative entry-ways. If someone inadvertently leans a broom or shovel against the building, in- sects quickly turn it into a superhighway. Rainbow Adventures was started by Michael Medill of Portland, Oregon. When asked how he decided to turn his private home into an ecotourism lodge, he replied, It wasnt a hard decision to make. Everything was so natural and untouched that I began inviting friends to come and enjoy it. Originally, my goal in Costa Rica was fruit exportation to the States. But as more and more business guests and friends began dropping in for visits and longer stays, I decided to begin charging money. Then, even more people came. Before I knew it, I was in the hotel business, and I love it! The nice thing about ecotourists is, they come here to enjoy themselves by involving themselves in nature and the environment. |
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Costa Rica Hotels   Telephone: +1.888.365.0904 / +506.2643.2953 -- Fax: +506.2643.1356 #13, 50 East to Hotel Amapola, Jaco, Puntarenas - Costa Rica. | |
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