Cloud Forest Garden
Our mission is to promote, through public support and enjoyment, the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of the montane cloud forests of Costa Rica.
About the Garden
It is the centerpiece of 104-hectares of primary and secondary forest. With few exceptions, most of the plants featured in the horticulturally developed area are from the preserve and its immediate surroundings. Some of the plants in the design are included as pure aesthetic elements, others for their importance in medicinal, indigenous and cultural uses.
About the Preserve
Beyond the confines of the Garden, the remaining protected biological preserve is restricted to scientific field research carried out by our affiliate non-profit organization, the Nectandra Institute. Current scientific activities include systematic botanic inventory, preparation and identification of herbarium specimens of dominant and unusual plants, and investigation into the variables influencing natural reforestation in cloud forests.
About our Logo
It is the highly nutritious, olive-sized fruit from trees of the genus Nectandra, eaten by many birds that frequent the cloud forest, including the declining resplendent quetzal and the three-wattled bellbird. It is the reminder of the importance of the cloud forest in sustaining many kinds of life, including these spectacular birds, much sought after by ecotourists.
About out Location
Our Garden is located 80 km NW of San Jose. Its entrance is directly off the San Ramon-La Fortuna National Highway, just before the marker for km 15, going north from San Ramon.
Maps Coordinates
Latitude: Longitude: Altitude: Biozone: 10 degrees, 11 minutes North 84 degrees, 30 minutes West 1100 m above sea level Premontane cloud forest
Our Trails
The network of trails weaves through both secondary and primary forests. They are designed for comfortable walking in any weather by visitors of all ages and physical abilities. Most follow well-worn trails of animals. To enhance the enjoyment of our visitors and to minimize the impact upon the forest, the number of visitors permitted entry each day will be limited. In addition, our naturalist guides will devote their full attention to small group of 10 or fewer people at any one time.
Facilities
The Garden has facilities for horticultural, botanical and scientific exhibits. A small number of changing exhibits highlights the basic and current scientific information on various aspects of the ecology and life forms of the cloud forest. The Galleria features subjects and objects from the cloud forests, selected for their beauty and roots in the forests. The Café features seasonal fruits and vegetables to capture the diversity of fresh ingredients from the local growers. We aim to use creative cuisine to celebrate Costa Rican ingredients, to gratify the taste buds through the senses and to revitalize the link between gastronomy and Mother Nature.
Garden Tours
Two choices of naturalist-guided visits are available. Their differ in length and terrain. Both walks are suited to visitors in good health. The Leisure Walk is approximately 4 hours, through dense forest and undulating terrain. In addition to the informative discourse with our naturalist guides along the way, the visitors will have ample chance to hear the sounds of the forest, to observe the fauna and flora, and to experience the serenity of the place. The Wilderness Walk is approximately 5 hours of naturalist-guided hike at a moderate pace, winding through primary forest and steeper trails. The last segment of both tours ends at the Visitor Center. The visitors will have the opportunity to visit the rest of the Garden, to savor our cuisine and to enjoy the exhibits. To inquire about a visit, click here for a company group and here for a private group.
Lecture Program
Short lecture programs will be included in the visit. Visitors are encouraged to make their special interest known when they make their reservations. To fulfill our educational objectives, our garden staff will make every effort to tailor the short lecture program to the particular interest of the group. We will provide multiple guides for larger parties to maintain a smaller visitor-to-guide ratio.
Admission
Reservation is required, with a 50% deposit, refundable if we receive one week notification prior to the scheduled visit.
Entrance fees
US$60.50 for foreign visitors; US$25.00 for Costa Ricans. We accept VISA, MasterCard, or checks made payable to Nectandra S.A., in dollars or in colones. The entrance fee includes the guided tour and the short lecture program, and 13% tax. Discounts are available to education groups by arrangements.
Proceeds
The major part of our proceeds is used to support educational and research activities of the Nectandra Institute, a 501(c)(3) California non-profit organization.
Garden Schedule
The Garden is open Tuesday through Sunday, from 7:00 AM through 5:00 PM.
Address
Please contact us by: E-mail: Phone/Fax: Postal mail: Nectandr@racsa.co.cr 011 506 445-4642 Nectandra, S.A., Apartado 548-4250, San Ramon, Costa Rica [top]

Copyright ©2004 Nectrandra, S.A.