Walking through the rainforest in Costa Rica should not be missed by anyone. Towering trees, vines, bromeliads, mosses and orchids overload the senses. Giant roots stretch across the forest floor under leaves and smaller trees, plants and shrubs. Every living thing competes for space and light in the rainforest. The air is alive with the sounds of tropical birds and millions of insects, and maybe even the startling calls of howler monkeys.
Nearly every tourist who visits Costa Rica hopes to go to the rainforest. For visitors to northwestern region of Guanacaste, who arrive and depart from the Liberia International Airport (LIR), going to the rainforest requires planning. Guanacaste is covered with dry tropical forest, which although being very unique, is quite different from rainforest. In the past, it would take travelers nearly four hours one-way to get to the nearest rainforest.
Sensoria Rainforest in Guanacaste
Around the northeastern side of the Rincon de la Vieja Volcano near Liberia, the dry tropical forest and rolling brown plains suddenly switch to lush green forest. The private nature reserve of Sensoria is an enchanted paradise of thick, wild rainforest, gushing waterfalls, sky blue streams, warm thermal springs and amazing nature. Frequent rains keep the forest green and alive with water and wildlife.
On the naturalist guided tour (3-4 hours), you walk well-maintained trails and learn about Aguilar Waterfall, Sensoria the rainforest and its plants and animals. The huge, old trees are truly breathtaking, but the most thrilling aspect of the tour is the five astonishing waterfalls … and you can swim at all of them!
The neon blue water of the Aguilar Waterfall and the 20-meter-high (65 feet) Buenos Aires Waterfall are like a fairytale. The optical effect is produced by sunlight reflecting off river rocks covered in the white, volcanic mineral of silicon.
The Dantas Waterfall – named after the Spanish word for “tapirs” – falls into a lovely, deep pool, and the Jicara Waterfall Sensoria – Dantas Waterfall is a warm stream and pool.
When it is not raining, there is a fifth waterfall, partly enclosed in the tight Madrigal Canyon that you can visit. At the end of the tour, the best place in the world to relax is in the soothing warm, crystal clear thermal spring pool of Pilon – named after the Pilon tree. You’ll never want to leave … except a delicious lunch served in Sensoria’s ranch-style dining room calls you back to reality.
Sensoria is open every day. Two tours are available, by prior reservation only.
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