The Heliconia Island is a place where all you ever imagined of will be there to welcome you, be part of this fascinating island cloistered in a lush tropical rain forest in the soul of Costa Rica. Sense the magical varieties of magnificent Heliconias and tropical plants. Athwart the overpass and experience a unique world of natural tranquility enclosed by the chimes and songs of birds, howler monkeys, as well as the rolling river. Heliconia Island is a naturalist’s bliss.

Botanical Garden

A miniature island right adjacent to Costa Rica’s Northern zone town of Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui is home to a not so renown but lavish botanical garden that anticipates guests in a pursuit of elegance and peace of mind. Has an unusual variety of species native to other tropical zone countries around the world that are rarely seen even in Costa Rica. Several varieties of bananas are grown too. Surrounding the cultivated areas of the garden are fruit trees, bamboo groves, ferns, bromeliads, philodendrons, orchids and other plant forms are growing in abundance. The most unusual palms represented in the garden are the triangular palm and the traveller’s palm.

We have made two trails through the pieces of jungle that exist at the points of the island. Next to enjoying the garden, visitors can walk through a piece of jungle that leads them to big trees with huge roots, banana-, rubber- and cacao trees, wild heliconia’s, brohmelias and philodendrons until they reach the river where people can swim or enjoy the birds and the view.

Travellers Palm

One of the most spectacular palms on Heliconia Island is de Travellers palm. This name given to the tree is because people (who are lost) in the jungle can drink water that the tree holds in its trunk. The tree is native to Madagascar.

The Birds on Our Island

Guests to the Island will be captivated by the large number of colorful, exotic tropical bird species. About more than 400 species of birds are found in the tropical lowland forest of the Sarapiquí region. An array of birds that are commonly witnessed on the island consists of: Montezuma oropendula, Orange-chinned Parakeet, Olive-throated Parakeet, Violaceus Trogon, Slate-tailed Trogon, Rufous-tailed Hummingbird, Little Hermit, Long-tailed Hermit, Scarlet-rumped Tanager, Golden-hooded Tanager, Chestnut-mandibled Toucan, Keel-billed Toucan, Great-blue Heron, Little-blue Heron, Great Egret, Snowy Egret, Great Kiskadee, Boat-billed Flycatcher, Bananaquit, Amazon Kingfisher, Ringed Kingfisher, American-pygmy Kingfisher, and the beautiful Sunbittern.

Butterflies

Some appealing creatures of nature are the sparkling Blue Morpho butterflies that snap sight off as you step foot on the island.

Cabins & Lodge

Heliconia Island caters for 12 individuals in its new cabins. In the cabins the furniture is made of bamboo. It also has two cabins with a ventilator along with a queen size bed, one cabin with airco and a king size bed and one cabin with airco plus two single beds. Hot showers are provided in each cabin. There is also a 4 person family lodge available, consisting of living room/kitchen with refrigerator and bunk, separate bedroom with queen size bed, bathroom and veranda.

Activities

• Heliconia Island’s garden tour.
• Boat trip from Heliconia Island.
• Day tour to the famous tortuguero canals.
• Hiking in Braulio Carillo National Park.
• Rafting on the Sarapiqui River.
• Aerial tram.
• Sarapiqui canopy.
• Horseback rides.
• Sarapiqui River floating.
• Adventurous hiking in the mountains.
• Coffee tour.
• Tirimbina rainforest.
  
• Chocolate tour.
• Pine apple tour.
• Catarata del toro waterfall.
• Volcano Poas.
• La paz waterfall gardens.

How to get there?

Heliconia Island is located between Las Horquetas and Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui.

From San Jose: Go from route 32 (to Limon) through national park Braulio Carillo. On your way out of the park, take a left turn once you see a huge bus station, route 4 (to Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui). After 22 km you’ll see the sign “Heliconia Island” on the right side of the road. Turn left and follow the signs.

From Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui: See for the road number four direction Rio Frio, Limon for about 8 km. Left hand side after the Castrol gas station and the little bridge across the rio Isla Grande is after 500 mts the sign Heliconia Island, on your left hand side near a bus stop. Head to the unpaved road to the right and follow the signs until you reach at the entrance.

Website: http://www.heliconiaisland.com

Tel:     +506 27645220

Email:   info@heliconiaisland.com