20359 - Selva Madre - Unspoiled tropical forest Ecolodge at Peninsula de Osa Basic data: Rooms:14 8 Bungalows 7 Stores on the platform 1 Yoga Terrace 1 'Casa Grande' which houses a restaurant, bar and ballroom A building for 12 staff members Full bathrooms:10 Half guest bathrooms:2 Pool: no Madre Selva, a 91-hectare (224-acre) sanctuary retreat, is an Ecolodge located oceanfront in Playa Carate, Peninsula de Osa. It is a main part of the Saimiri Wildlife Refuge, created in 2007 by six neighbors who wanted to ensure the conservation of the unspoiled tropical forest. They developed a place specializing in providing a genuine yet safe experience with nature for people seeking transformation and new paradigm living. The lodge also offers wildlife tours and various other experiences. Besides this area being famous for being one of the most biodiverse spots in the world, it has been lovingly planted with over 120 different species of tropical fruit trees, seven kinds of bamboo, 25 species of palms, 14 types of banana, plenty of food crops, aromatic and medicinal herbs. Only non-invasive varieties have been selected. Over a thousand trees have been planted in the past two decades as part of the landscaping program. This, added to the ancient primary forest and secondary regrowth, contributes to one of the most spectacular assortments of flora and fauna on earth. The list of wildlife is endless and there are several cleared areas, including a front ridge with plateaus suitable for development, which are connected by interior roads. This magical place comprises eight airy bungalows and seven tents on platforms that can host a maximum of 32 visitors. There are also several tents and buildings where 8-12 staff members live. In addition to some auxiliary buildings for workshops, laundry, storage, chicken etc., they provide an informal reception, an 81m2 Yoga deck overlooking the canopy and ocean, and of course the spectacular main building Casa Grande that houses a restaurant, bar, dance hall, all arranged nicely around the tropical terrace. The built infrastructure is 1060 m2. There is a bowl-shaped interior valley which is perfectly suited for construction. Otherwise, the landscape consists mostly of primary forest, almost identical to the interiors of Corcovado National Park. This paradise on earth has been planned so well from the beginning with no details omitted. The property forms its own watershed with several springs providing plenty of fresh drinking water. The main spring is elevated 70m above sea level so most of the building sites can be gravity-fed. A 6000 liter two-chamber concrete tank was built right at the infiltration gallery in 2003 to provide constant clean water. This never affects the flow of the creek that runs poetically through the property. The abundance and purity of this water combined with the topographical features make it just perfect for a jungle spa resort. Water concession is approved. Access is provided by land all year round with 4WD, 47 km from Puerto Jimenez which is the hub town with all amenities and a regional airport. This gem is at the end of the road that accesses the famous Corcovado National Park from the south. One can also fly in and land on the maintained airstrip right next to it with private or charter airplanes. The construction of a 400m hangar in front of the airstrip is permitted. There is a plan for upgrading the existing Lodge - a 'phase II' with every detail planned. Details will be given upon request but what's important is that all land is measured, catastrated, registered and free of any mortgages. It is inside the Forestal Reserve so neither here nor in the neighborhood can any logging destroy existing nature. The owner is entitled to develop and build structures that are listed in the officially approved management plan for the refuge which includes a second fully equipped hilltop lodge on the front ridge, organic farm, educational center, small commercial center, a hangar and various residences.' About the location: The property resides within the Golfo Dulce Forest Reserve and has been entered into the Wildlife Refuge program for further protection of its natural resources. This area isat the southwest end of the biological corridor that extends all across Costa Rica to its Caribbean side. Considering the proximity of the national park, it doesn't take too much imagination to envision a quite independent operation in a pole position for luxury vacation. The original layout was conceived for a Center for Sustainable Living, based on tourism, permaculture and consciousness.