Favorite Things
These are some of our favorite sites around Costa Rica and beyond.
Costa Rica Gardening / Plants
Ark Herb Farm – Located on the slopes of the Poas volcano, roughly north of San Jose in the mountains, the Ark Herb Farm is an “Ethno Botanical Garden” and has a huge variety (more than 300 types) of herbs and medicinal plants. Public tours are encouraged, and lunch can be provided with advance notice.
The New Dawn Center – Probably Costa Rica’s best resource for organic gardening here. Ed Bernhardt, the founder, writes about organic gardening in Costa Rica for the Tico Times, and the New Dawn Center also offers classes in Permaculture, Spanish, Medicinal Herbs, and more.
Punta Mona – Stephen Brooks’ permaculture and tropical gardening learning center on the Caribbean side of Costa Rica offers a variety of classes, retreats, medicinal plant information, and more.
Eco Villages in Costa Rica
Finca Bellavista – An amazing “treehouse” eco-community in the southern pacific zone of Costa Rica. This unique place is one of the leaders in Costa Rica’s growing eco-village economy, and has garnered much attention because of its beautiful tree-house style structures that are built for the people who buy there. Very cool, so check it out.
La Eco Villa – Intentional community located on a beautiful river, between San Jose and the beaches of the central pacific of Costa Rica.
Pura Vida Sunsets Eco Village – Montezuma eco-village located perhaps 10 minutes away from Rancho Delicioso, on the other side of town.
Solar Vistas Eco Village – Santa Teresa eco village and sustainable community, with a focus on green building and surfing.
Local Businesses
Costa Rica – The Promised Land – Article about immigration to and living in Costa Rica
Tropical Greenbuilding
Rancho Mastatal – This truly remarkable place is one of the best places in Costa Rica to volunteer. Here, they teach courses in tropical permaculture, and you can get hands-on experience with many forms of green-building techniques.
International
Green Volunteers: working with animals, wildlife and nature conservation volunteering Database
