Santa Elena is a community-operated 70 hectare reserve within the San Juan-La Selva Biological Corridor. The reserve is overseen and managed by 3 local organizations: the Farmer´s Association, the Local Development Association and the Women’s Association. The reserve has particular importance for our conservation efforts since it becomes a habitat oasis of both secondary and primary forest among pineapple plantations. The local guides in the area are farmers from the community, who know the forest and the trails well, and will help point out interesting plants, trees, birds and insects. They will also tell about their history, their daily lives and their struggle for conservation.
The reserve trails take you through the forest, and along creeks and the Tres Amigos River. After your hike, visit the community center or a local family for a delicious Costa Rican lunch. The families of the community also offer fresh linens and cultural exchange by offering home-stays for visitors. Each family that offers a home-stay also has their own piece of land, and the gentlemen of the family will be happy to show you around their properties.
Santa Elena Reserve is close to other Bird Route sites including: Quebrada Grande, Mi Pedacito de Cielo, Maquenque Eco-Lodge, Laguna del Lagarto Lodge, and Finca Pangola. The best time of the year to visit Santa Elena is between February and April. During these months the trails are drier and there is possibility to spot Great Green Macaws in flight.
Contact Information
To make a reservation to visit the reserve with a local guide, or set up a meal and/ or home-stay please contact Alvaro López. His email is alvaro.1982@yahoo.es, and his fax is 506-2404-1094. If you speak Spanish you can also call him directly at 506-2404-1094. Prices for meals, accommodations and guides are subject to change and availability. The reserve can be explored on its own, however to support the local economy and for safety purposes we highly recommend the use of a guide.
Santa Elena is reached via the town of Pital. One can get to Pital from San Jose, Ciudad Quesada (San Carlos) or Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui via fully paved roads. From San Jose take the Vara Blanca pass over the mountains. Once you reach San Miguel take a hard left and continue on past the towns of Rio Cuarto, Agua Zarcas and on to Pital. From Ciudad Quesada you will also go through Agua Zarcas. Once in Agua Zarcas look for the signs that point you in the direction of Pital. In Pital, pass the church to your right and continue for xx km until you get to Cuatro Esquinas, where you need to take left at the intersection.
From Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui, there are two routes. The first is to head west to San Miguel then follow the same route to Pital as noted above. Alternatively, you can go north from Puerto Viejo passing Finca Paniagua and Bosque Tropical del Toro near the town of La Delia. From La Delia continue north until you cross a bridge over the Toro River. Go left and continue for 40 mins to Quebrada Grande via gravel road.
There is bus service to Santa Elena from Pital.
