Location Services Guide - Finca Bellavista

Location Services Guide

THANK YOU FOR BOOKING YOUR STAY AT FINCA BELLAVISTA!Craig AndersenHave you watched our pointers video? It’s extremelyuseful in planning your trip to Finca Bellavista.Please click here to watch ‘The Ins and Outs of FincaBellavista’.You won’t find billboards or roadside signs that lead youto Finca Bellavista... But you will find and experiencesomething truly unique in our little slice of paradise! Theextended Finca family welcomes you to our rainforesthome. Let the magic of treehouses and Mother Naturetake you away from the worries of the outside world...there is truly nowhere on Earth that compares to theFinca. This is a very special place to us, and we hope thatit is an experience you will never forget!PLEASE ENSURE THAT YOU HAVE READ ANDUNDERSTAND ALL OF THESE GUIDELINESBEFORE COMING TO FINCA BELLAVISTA!All of this information is subject to change based onexisting conditions.You might want to print this out and bring it with you inyour travels. If you get lost, we do not have a telephonelandline for you to call us on! In case of emergency, youcan try calling our cell phones at 8782-7979. Coverageis spotty and is not as dependable here as in othercountries, so don’t depend on being able to get through!WHAT FINCA BELLAVISTA IS:Finca Bellavista is a residential treehousecommunity in its formative years. We are a rustic,yet comfortable retreat off the beaten path whereguests can explore the natural wonders of the CostaRican rainforest and enjoy what we like to call‘Treetop Pura Vida.’This is a wild place, therefore, you might see andhear nature in all its glory, and experience moreculture and community interaction than in otherareas of the world.WHAT FINCA BELLAVISTA IS NOT:We are not a full service fancy hotel. You won’tfind televisions or telephones in our rentals, orelectricity in most for that matter. We are locatedin an area of Costa Rica that is removed from manyof the influences of the outside world. The nearesttown (1.5 miles away) contains a school, a church,a pulperia, a bus stop, a handful of houses, and ofcourse, a soccer field. That’s it. No souvenir shops,no mini malls, and no rowdy bars. If that’s what youare looking for, you won’t find it in this neck of thewoods!

TABLE OF CONTENTSABOUT YOUR RESERVATION 4CHECK-IN / CHECK-OUT• Timing tips to consider in your arrival• Reservation, Payment & Cancellation PoliciesGETTING HERE 7TRANSPORTATION TO FINCA BELLAVISTA• Air, Bus, Car, Boat• Directions to Finca BellavistaWHILE YOU ARE HERE 10COMMUNITY GUIDELINES• Safety• Jungle EtiquetteCOMMUNITY MEALS & DINING• ‘Finca Fresh’ Produce Bag• Food ServicesONSITE ACTIVITIES• FBV SkyTrails• Guided Day & Night Hikes• Garden ToursOFFSITE ACTIVITIESCOMMUNICATIONSWHAT TO BRING 15

ABOUT YOUR RESERVATIONCHECK-IN / CHECK-OUT:-PLEASE PLAN ON ARRIVING TO THE FINCA BEFORE DARK! Check-in hours are between noon and 5 p.m. Check-ins after5 p.m. for any rentals on the “interior of the property” (El Castillo Mastate, Mis Ojos Miran la Catarata, Fila Tortuga, Casa Mariposa,Cabina Calibri, and Casa Perezosa) will not be accommodated. Lodging at Base Camp (contingent upon availability) will be substitutedand charged at the original reservation rate. The only nighttime arrival we can accommodate is for Casa del Sol.*Please understand that this policy is in place for your safety and enjoyment. The InterAmericana Highway is speckled with potholes after therainy season and can make for dangerous travel. Also, arriving to FBV after dark can be problematic depending on where you are staying. Thehike to a treehouse, for example, can be slippery, non-direct, and is best negotiated during daytime hours. You will understand once you get here.-Check-out time for all rentals is 10 a.m.-Any additional persons above double occupancy in any rental unit (treehouse or cabina) will be charged $25 per person per additionalnight. This is a universal and non-negotiable charge due to costs incurred on behalf of Finca Bellavista Property Management, S.A.-Breakfast is complimentary for FULL PRICE overnight guests only. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are available for purchase for visitorsfor $5/$10/$15 (respectively) at the Community Center.-All food, activities, and additional purchases made on-site while at Finca Bellavista must be paid for in CASH or FINCA CREDIT.Finca credit can be used for all on-site spending needs, including the purchase of meals, tours, retail items, or services. Finca Credit canbe purchased here: http://www.fincabellavista.com/buy-finca-credit-Luggage porters are sometimes available for a per-trip fee. Please plan and pack accordingly and be prepared with appropriatecontainers to transport your belongings. Less is more, backpacks work best, and rolling suitcases are NOT recommended.Allison Shelley

-The reserving party is responsible for any additional persons orcharges incurred for its party throughout the course of the party’sreservation.-A reputable taxi can usually be arranged through us for your checkout,but we will need advanced notice (advanced notice means 24hours advanced notice). We will not make your taxi arrangementsunless you are on-site to sign payment responsibility for the serviceor pre-pay your fare.-Busses traveling north and south on the Interamericana stopapproximately hourly during the daytime at the parada in LaFlorida. On holidays the busses do not usually run!*ALL RESERVATIONS ARE SUBJECT TO OURRESERVATION, PAYMENT AND CANCELLATIONPOLICIES*RESERVATION, PAYMENT, and CANCELLATIONPOLICIES FOR ALL FINCA BELLAVISTA RENTALS:-All taxes (13%) and service charges (10%) are added on to thenightly rates.-We are glad to accept your wire transfer (including all transfer fees)as an alternative form of payment. Please inquire to reservations@fincabellavista.com to acquire our transfer information.-All rates listed are exclusively valid for the inquiry date(s) only.Rates are subject to change and will only be honored as shown onthe website if the reservation requested is confirmed by means ofcharge to your credit card and you receive a confirmation number.-Each rental at Finca Bellavista is different (sleeping capacities andoccupancy maximums, amenities, electricity availability, walkingdistance to base camp, etc.). By confirming a reservation, thecardholder assumes the responsibility that they have read and fullyunderstand the capacities, restrictions, and amenities of their chosenrental as described in the rental page description. The reservingparty is responsible for any additional charges resulting in anyinformational oversights made on behalf of the reserving party.-The cardholder/reserving party is responsible for sharing anddistributing all reservation information, rules, tips and pointers toadditional members within their reservation party.-All reservations are subject to availability existing at the momentof your request.-All reservations and applicable charges (including taxes) must bepaid for in full (100%) upon making a reservation in order to receivea confirmation number.-No confirmation can be issued until full payment for the reservationhas been made.-Any additional purchases or charges made during your reservation(ie, tours, food, extra persons) are non-refundable once a confirmationnumber has been generated.-A confirmation number will be sent by e-mail to the person makingthe reservation and this confirmation number will need to bepresented at the Finca Bellavista office upon check-in.-The amount corresponding to your reservation will be immediatelycharged to your credit card, provided it has a confirmed reservationstatus.-Refunds will not be granted by Finca Bellavista in situations whena service must be interrupted, postponed or cancelled for reasonsbeyond its control including travel mishaps, navigational mistakes,miscalculations of in-country travel times in Costa Rica, roadconditions, airline cancellations and postponements, acts of Godsuch as bad weather, health issues, acts of terrorism, or any otherunforeseen circumstance.-Our CANCELLATION POLICIES are applicable at all timeswithout exception.

CANCELLATION POLICIES:All reservations must be prepaid 100% and arenon-refundable once a confirmation numberhas been assigned.Cancellations that occur prior to 48 hoursof a reservation will be allowed and must bereceived in writing. 100% of the approved,cancelled reservation will remain charged tothe applicable credit card. The credit cardholder of the cancelled reservation can applythe amount paid on the reservation to anotherset of dates within 12 months (1 year) of thepreviously confirmed reservation start date(when available and applicable) for the samerental. Finca Bellavista will not accommodateany change of rental unit and is not responsiblefor amenity related or pricing changes made tothe unit during this 12-month (1 year) period.Upon receiving written confirmation bythe reserving party of a cancellation, FincaBellavista commits to send a cancellationconfirmation by e-mail with a cancellationnumber. If you do not receive the cancellationnumber, please contact us by e-mail atreservations@fincabellavista.com. Nocancellation will be valid without a cancellationnumber provided by Finca Bellavista.Any reservation that has not been cancelledproperly, according to the above parameters,will be charged fully to the credit card due toa “no show” and will be charged 100% of thereservation.If the cardholding guest does not arrive on thedate specified in the reservation confirmation,and there is no cancellation done accordinglyto the above points, the credit card holderwill be charged the amount of the entirereservation. There are NO EXCEPTIONS tothis policy.Any reservation changes or cancellations mustbe done by the cardholder.We appreciate your understanding in ournecessity to adhere strictly to our policies. Eachof our rental units is owned separately. Ourowners and other visitors must schedule theirvisits around any reservation that is confirmedon the availability calendar. With only 6 rentalsat the finca, we have very limited abilities toaccommodate any changes on the calendar,especially during high season. Remember,this isn’t a Motel 6 or a Best Western, and ouravailability is extremely limited due to thenumber of rentals we have.

GETTING HERETRANSPORTATION TO FINCA BELLAVISTA:These are our best-known travel tips in and around the country. Wetry to keep these as updated as possible. Please review these priorto making your travel plans to FBV. Your desired travel plans andout suggested itineraries will depend largely on your budget andtimeframe within the country. Many maps are deceiving, and traveltimes usually take much more time and effort than in developedcountries.Air travel to/from Costa Rica:We normally recommend that travellers flying into Costa Ricacome into the international airport in San Jose (Juan SantamariaInternational Airport). The airport in Liberia is the furthest pointfrom Finca Bellavista (geographically speaking) in the country. It isnear the Nicaraguan border, and we are near the Panamanian border.Regional air travel to/from San Jose and FBV:Visitors of Finca Bellavista can fly to a handful of regional airportswithin a half hour’s drive to Finca Bellavista once they arrive to SanJose’s Juan Santa Maria International Airport. The two regionalcarriers are:Sansa Airlines (www.flysansa.com)and Nature Air (www.natureair.com)Palmar Norte and Golfito are two regional airports within a halfhour’sdrive of the finca. We recommend flying into Golfito, as theview and experience flying into the airport is unforgettable. Thereare also more daily flight options and services for tourists.Driving:You should budget at least 5-7 hours to drive to Finca Bellavistafrom the international airport in San Jose, and at least 8 hours fromthe international airport in Liberia. (Remember the time involvedin getting through customs & immigration, getting a rental car, etc.)These timeframes are estimated, and are completely dependent uponthe state of the roads and your party’s navigational capabilities.Remember that maps of Costa Rica are misleading, and, 99% of thetime it takes longer than you imagine to get somewhere. Plan yourroute before you take it, then stop and ask if you need directions.You will likely get lost no matter how good your navigationalcapabilities, and you should factor this into your driving times. Donot rely on GPS or navigational aids in Costa Rica... to date, we havenot heard a good ending to any of these stories! Remember NEVERto leave valuables or passports in your car. It is best to carry themwith you or leave them in a safe.Renting A Car:-Renting a car and driving in Costa Rica allows total freedom ofmovement, though it is pricier here than in other countries. You cancover a lot of ground without delay, and you can stop and sightseewherever you want. You are at the mercy of the state of the roads,however.-When you get your rental car, the representative will have youcheck the car for nicks, dents, and adequate tires. Exaggerate thisprocedure. Also, be sure to fill the car to the required fuel level beforeyou return it, or be prepared to pay very high per gallon prices forwhat the gas tank may be lacking. It is best not to speed, and thespeed limit signs are in kilometers. If you are pulled over by thepolice, they will want to see your rental papers and your passport(or a copy of it). Be polite, but never let them keep either of thesedocuments. Also, do not pay the police for the ticket. You pay theticket to the rental car company when you turn in the car. Payingthe police creates corruption.-Road conditions vary greatly depending on the location of the routeand the season. Always check conditions before you decide yourroute. Our suggested driving route from San Jose to Finca Bellavistais the new Caldera Toll Road and Coastal route, which takes driversfrom San Jose through the Jaco area. From there, take the newlypaved Costanera through Palmar and on down to Finca Bellavista.For another beautiful mountain route, consider taking the road overCerro de los Muertes, through San Isidro el General, through BuenosAires, Palmar, then south on the InterAmericana.If you are driving, please use the utmost care to driveslowly and cautiously through the small villages nearbyFBV. Automobiles are still a rarity around us, and ourvisitors make a lasting impression. We receive all of thecomplaints for drivers abusing the area roads, so pleasetake this into consideration.-We use Solid Car Rental. Their number is 506- 2775 3333 or theirwebsite is www.solidcarrental.com. They have a branch in Golfito,and can arrange pick-ups, drop-offs, and one-way rentals. Even tothe finca!Taxis:-Taxis are readily available in Palmar and Golfito for the last 30minutes to Finca Bellavista. (A 4x4 is currently required on thegravel 4x4 road from the InterAmericana to FBV.). Negotiate thefare BEFORE you get into the taxi, and ensure that the driverunderstands the directions to Finca Bellavista (they are in Englishand Spanish below). A fare from Golfito should be around $50,depending on the size of your party and vehicle, and about $60-$70from Palmar. From Paso Canoas, it should be around $60. We willnot arrange taxis for our visitors until they are on-site and able toaccept payment responsibility for taxi service OR pre- pay for it. Weapologize for any inconvenience this may cause your party. You cancall the Central office at 2789-8989. Be sure to request a 4x4 taxi.By Bus:-Bus travel is cheap and very good with very comfortable and cleanseats, on par with tour buses in the United States. For a regionalbus schedule, please check http://thebusschedule.com/EN/cr/. Thisis the most useful and complete schedule of busses in Costa Rica thatwe have access to, and will likely be the only one you will be able tofind on the Internet!-Bus travel in Costa Rica can be a great experience, and an easy,affordable way to get around the country. The organization of busstations, stops, and schedules might be overwhelming at first, andspeaking Spanish can certainly make the difference between having

a good public transportation experience, and a bad one. We recommend that you, or someone in your party, have a conversational level of Spanishprior to embarking on a bus journey through Costa Rica.Arriving/departing from San Jose:-Travelers heading to the Southern Zone (where Finca Bellavista is located) will likely want to head to the Tracopa Bus Terminal in downtown SanJose. The bus schedules you will want to look for are southbound busses, for example:San Jose to Paso Canoas, Golfito, Rio Claro, or Ciudad Neilly. Busses to those 4 locations will travel directly past the entrance to Finca Bellavista(a small village called La Florida de Piedras Blancas).-If planning to exit a bus in La Florida, you will need to request the stop ahead of time or make arrangements with the bus driver to notify you ofthe stop. (Please note that Finca Bellavista is a 3km/1.5 mile hike uphill from La Florida. Unless you are planning on making the hike up the hillto Finca Bellavista, Piedras Blancas is a good place to stop to get a taxi. Some of these busses make scheduled stops in Piedras Blancas (If so, itwill be indicated on the sign at the Tracopa Station in San Jose.) To be on the safe side, you might want to purchase your outbound tickets aheadof time (preferably the night before if traveling on a weekend).Fun tip! Every Saturday morning, there is huge farmer’s market right down the street from the Tracopa Station in San Jose. If you are travelinglight, schedule a little time to browse around the stalls, sample the local culture, get a fresh cup of sugar cane juice, or some exotic fruit for yourbus ride down.By Boat:-Finca Bellavista is an easy half-hour drive to the northeast from the southern port town of Golfito, the main south Pacific port in Costa Rica.Those arriving by boat will find Golfito is well equipped to accommodate most of their cruising needs.Directions to Finca Bellavista:REMEMBER THAT WE CANNOT ACCEPT DROP-IN OR UNSCHEDULED VISITORS! PLEASE ENSURE THAT YOU HAVE ARESERVATION WITH US PRIOR TO MAKING YOUR WAY HERE.Costa Rica signage is lacking, so pay attention to the landmarks described below. Also, FBV does not have signs on the main road due to privacyreasons and our inability to accommodate drop-in, unscheduled visitors.*4-wheel drive is required on the gravel road from La Florida to the Finca and for exploring the greater Osa region (don’t forget to engage your4x4 before coming up the hill). Busses will stop at the parada in the village of La Florida de Piedras Blancas, you just have to request the stop!

From the North:Head south on the InterAmericana Highway through Palmar and across the gigantic bridge overthe Terraba River. Continue heading south about 30 minutes, through Chacarita, then throughthe town of Piedras Blancas. You will cross over the Piedras Blancas river, and might see smallblue telephone sign on the right-hand side of the road indicating La Florida. You will pass theRancho Guiri Guiri on your left. About 100 meters after the Rancho, you will see a blue and grayschoolhouse/community center complex on the corner on the left hand side of the highway, witha beautiful hand painted sign that says ‘Escuela La Florida’. (The logged distance from Palmarto La Florida is roughly 39 kilometers or 24 miles!!!) Turn left on the gravel road right in front ofthe complex, engage your 4- wheel drive, and head up the road about 1.5 miles. You will see theFinca Bellavista sign on the left, where you will also turn left. Please come in through the markedentrance gates next to the river and park in the parking area.(There are several large grocery stores, carnicerias, and vegetable/fruit stands in Palmar, and asmaller grocery store outside of Chacarita.) Stop into the pulperia in La Florida next to the soccerfield for any last-minute purchases, including the only selection of wines (there are usually twoor three) and the most reasonably priced in the area. You will need to ask the owner, Xenio, forthe wine.Desde El Norte:Dirí jase al sur sobre la Carretera Interamericana a través de Palmar y otro lado del puente sobre elrío Térraba. Continuar hacia el sur unos 30 minutos,a través de la Chacarita, luego a través de la ciudadde Piedras Blancas. Se cruzará sobre el río PiedrasBlancas, y verá un letrero pequeño teléfono azul enel lado derecho de la carretera que indica la Florida.Pasará el Guiri Guiri Rancho a su izquierda. Unos 100metros después del Rancho, podrás ver una escuelade azul y gris / complejo del centro de la comunidaden la esquina en el lado izquierdo de la carretera. (entotalla distancia es 39 kilometros desde Palmar).Gire a la izquierda a la derecha camino de ripio enfrente del complejo, y la cabeza por la carretera cercade 1,5 millas. Usted verá la señal Finca Bellavista dela izquierda, donde se gira a la izquierda. Por favor,entrar por las puertas al lado del río y el parque en lazona de aparcamiento.From the South:Head north on the InterAmericana Highwayfrom Rio Claro. In 23 kilometers, (aftercrossing over the Esquinas River and passingthe palm oil extraction plant) you might seea small blue telephone sign indicating thevillage of La Florida on the right-hand sideof the road. Just beyond the sign, you willsee a blue and gray schoolhouse/communitycenter complex also on the right-hand sideof the road on the corner, with a beautifulhandpainted sign that says ‘Escuela LaFlorida’. (The logged distance from RioClaro to this point is roughly 14.2 miles or 23kilometers!!!) Turn right onto the gravel roadnext to the complex, engage your 4-wheeldrive, and head up the road about 1.5 miles.You will see the Finca Bellavista sign on theleft, where you will also turn left. Please comein through the marked entrance gates next tothe river and park in the parking area.(FYI, Rio Claro has several grocery storesand is the most convenient place to stopcoming from the south for items...) Stop intothe pulperia in La Florida next to the soccerfield for any last-minute purchases, includingthe only selection of wines (there are usuallytwo or three) and the most reasonably pricedin the area. You will need to ask the owner,Xenio, for the wine, as he keeps it in the backfor our visitors.Desde El Sur:Diríjase hacia el norte sobre la CarreteraInteramericana de Río Claro. Después de23 kiometros, (cruzando el río Esquinasy pasando el aceite de palma planta deextracción) podrás ver una pequeña señalde teléfono azul que indica el pueblo de LaFlorida en la parte derecha de la carretera.Más allá del signo, podrás ver una escuela deazul y gris / complejo centro de la comunidadtambién en la parte derecha de la carreterade la esquina. (En total, la distancia es 23kilometros desde Rio Claro). Girar a la derechael camino de grava al lado del complejo, y lacabeza por la carretera cerca de 1,5 millas.Usted verá la señal Finca Bellavista de laizquierda, donde se gira a la izquierda. Porfavor, entrar por las puertas al lado del río yel parque en la zona de aparcamiento. (FYI,Río Claro tiene varias tiendas de comestiblesy es el lugar más conveniente dejar de venirdesde el sur para los artículos ... Nuestratienda favorita de ventanilla única es SuperSur.)* Tracción en las 4 ruedas se necesario en elcamino de ripio desde La Florida a la finca,así como para explorar la región mayor deOsa. Los autobuses se detendrán en la Paradaen el pueblo de La Florida (de Osa), solo tieneque solicitar la parada!

WHILE YOU ARE HEREBecause this is a special, fragile and wild place, thereare some precautions and guidelines that we wouldlike for your party to note. As a result, your visit willbe more enjoyable and comfortable. In general, pleasetreat the Finca, its residents and structures as if theywere your own. A lot of hard work and care went intoeverything you see and it is very important to us thatothers are allowed to enjoy it too. We hold our gueststo the same standards that we hold ourselves and askthat you respect these general guidelines:-If you turned it on, turn it off.-Please do not use open flame in any of our structures(e.g.: lanterns/tiki torches/candles). Even thoughit’s the jungle and it rains a lot, it can get dry andstructures can catch fire. Battery operated lanternsand candles are supplied in rentals without electricity.-Use only biodegradable products in our bathroomsand waterways.-If you cook it or eat it, clean it up afterwards.-NO VISITOR PETS PLEASE (if unaccustomed tothe jungle, they will be frightened and keep us and ourother guests awake as a result).-Take off your shoes when you venture inside or ontoflooring.-Please use water and electricity sparingly. Allresources are precious at FBV.-Pack it in, pack it out. Don’t throw trash on theground or leave it lying around-Use the appropriate containers to separate glass,plastic, aluminum, paper and trash. If it’s full oroverflowing, let an employee know and they willempty it.-No, no, no paper or sanity products in the toilets! Weare using biodigestors and they can’t handle anythingother than #1 and #2.-NO SMOKING in any of our structures...they mightbe open-air, but things like curtains and linens stillabsorb smells.Safety—-Shake out your shoes, clothing, and towels beforeuse. Ants, spiders, caterpillars, and scorpions are a fewthings that might be waiting for you!-Watch your step. The rocks can be slippery, pathwayscan be muddy, and surfaces are uneven in the jungle,especially along the rivers.

Tim Hussin-Take a friend when you explore the Finca. If you venture far awayfrom Base Camp, let someone know your plans or be accompanied byanother person if you are unfamiliar with the area.-Don’t swim in the river during downpours or if it appears to beraining in the mountains above FBV. Rio Piedras Blancas and RioBellavista are both wild, undammed rivers that can become moodyand very dangerous during rainstorms. Likewise, it could be rainingupstream in the mountains causing a flash flood further downstream.Be watchful for signs of rain and seek higher ground when they appear.-Look out for critters. Snakes, cats, and spiders are a few members ofthe animal kingdom that have a bad reputation in the jungle. Thoughnone are inherently dangerous, a snake that gets stepped on mightbe tempted to defend itself. Wearing tall, snake-proof boots is thebest way to prevent harmful contact with a snake. WORSTCASESCENARIO: If you are bitten by a poisonous snake, try to stay calmand keep your heartrate down (walk calmly, don’t run). The majorityof people in relatively good health can avoid tissue damage if youarrive to a clinic and receive anti-venom within 2 hours. The nearestclinic is ten minutes away from base camp.-Don’t drink untreated water out of the river! It looks clean but therecan be parasites.-Protect yourself from the sun. We’re 8 degrees north of the equator,and the sun is intense even under the rainforest canopy!-Don’t grab onto plants, trees or rocks. Stinging insects, spikes andother hazards exist.-Always use a flashlight or headlamp at night to light the way andalways watch where you step.-Take care of your feet. Damp conditions coupled with wet footwearcan make your feet miserable. Let them breathe after long hikes orriver hikes.-Don’t eat unknown mushrooms, berries, fruits or plants.-The nearest medical clinic is the EBAIS in Piedras Blancas. Turnnorth on the InterAmericana Highway at the bottom of the hill inLa Florida, and drive about 1 mile. On the left you will see the clinicsign (EBAIS). We have been thrilled with the level of care provide inthis small clinic, and feel very lucky to have this as our closest medicalcare.-There are two hospitals within a half hour’s drive of FBV. One is enroute to Ciudad Neilly, on the right-hand side of the highway. Thenew southern zone hospital is just north of Palmar, near a towncalled Cortez. It is located on the left- hand side of the Costanera SurHighway.-The closest pharmacies are located in either Rio Claro or PalmarNorte.-We have a FIRST AID station at the Finca’s base camp – please seethe map for location. Each rental unit has first aid kit in a markedbox.-Don’t molest the wildlife. It goes without saying that poking a snakeor throwing a stick at a puma would both qualify as bad ideas. Butother animals like monkeys or anteaters can be aggressive towardshumans if pestered. Observe them at a safe distance and don’t givethem reasons to run off.-DO NOT FEED THE WILDLIFE! Unintended consequencesabound when wild animals get used to the easy forage of human foods.

Allison ShelleyCOMMUNITY MEALS AND DINING:-Community meals are served family-style and are available forpurchase. Meals are served in the Community Center at the followingtimes: Breakfast (7:30 a.m.), lunch (12:30 p.m.) and dinner (6:30 p.m.)and cost $5, $10, & $15 respectively. Children under the age of 5 arecharged half-price for meals. Please provide 24-hour advance notice ifyou will be joining us for a meal. If your party has any dietary needsor restrictions, please notify us at check-in. There is a meal sign-uparea in the community center.-Breakfast is included with all FULL-PRICE overnight rentals.- We ask that all food and meal purchases made on-site while at FincaBellavista be paid for in CASH or Finca credit.-Our property is fed with spring water. There are several filteredwater stations throughout the Finca (the bath house, the kitchenhouse, and any rental treehouse or cabina with a kitchen).-If you will not be taking advantage of FBV meals, please bring foodwith you to prepare during your visit. (The nearest restaurant is inPiedras Blancas or Chacarita, about a 15-minute drive away). Onoccasion and with advanced notice, we can arrange food delivery totreehouses for a delivery fee.-If you want beer and/or alcohol, please bring it with you. (WEDO NOT HAVE A LIQUOR LICENSE AND CANNOT SELLALCOHOL TO OUR VISITORS). The pulperia in La Florida nextto the soccer field is the closest convenient store to us, and the ownerkeeps wine available for our guests. Please give him your business!‘Finca Fresh’ Produce Bag—We offer an assortment of fruits andvegetables picked fresh from our gardensand delivered to your treehouse by ourgardeners. Selections vary from dayto day, and may include fresh spinach,mustard greens, zorrillo or butter lettucegreens, pejibayes, chayote, naranjilla,yucca, limes, tomatoes, plantains, papasde la Montana, bananas, papaya, passionfruit, palmito, cacao, mushrooms, basil,oregano, cilantro, lemon balm, ginger,lemongrass and spicy peppers. We charge$25 for a good-sized bag of food (andyou get to keep the Finca tote bag!), andthis will last the average group (2 – 4people) for 2-3 days depending on yourconsumption levels. We believe this isworth every penny as our homegrown,delicious goods are supplied by employeesthat earn fair living wages, food costsmoney to grow, and if you are driving to/from the store there is a carbon footprintand greater cost attached. AND it’sdelivered to your doorstep. You reallycan’t beat that! If you would like a FincaFresh Produce Bag, please notify staff atcheck-in or with 24 hours advance noticeof your arrival.

CASH OR FINCA CREDIT ONLY:Due to unique logistical challenges present at the finca, we CANNOTaccept credit or debit cards for on-site purchases made during yourvisit. You can PRE-PURCHASE Finca Credit, or, be prepared topay in CASH (US Dollars or Costa Rican Colones) for all on-sitepurchases made during your stay. (We will need to make a carboncopy of a credit card for a security deposit).We are excited to now offer our visitors the option of pre-purchasingFinca Credit starting December 15, 2012. We hope that you willtake advantage of this service, as it has been created to streamlineyour travel experience and ease your safety anxieties while traveling.When you purchase Finca Credit, you can rest assured that whenyou check in, the certificates you have pre-purchased will beawaiting your arrival. You can use these Finca Credits to purchasefood, tours, retail items, or pay for additional services while visitingFinca Bellavista.PURCHASE FINCA CREDIT HERE:http://www.fincabellavista.com/buy-finca-credit/ONSITE ACTIVITIES:-Explore the Sky Trail network (Introduction is mandatory anddependent on weather and staff availability. Gear rental is required forFBV equipment).-Go on a Night Hike with Chico-Hike to the swimming holes and waterfalls- Organize treehouse visits with the other guests-Hike to La Punta for a picnic (bring a lunch prepared by our cooks!)-Go for a hike to the waterfalls and enjoy a cool soak in the river-Grab a hammock and get a nap or some reading time-Grab a yoga mat and stretch in El Rancho-Check out crittersWe have a number of field guides in the FBV office that can be loaned out.FBV SkyTrails—-Introduction to and use of the community’s private SKYTrail networkof ziplines and platforms is contingent on a multitude of factors. TheSKYTrails are not operated as a commercial canopy tour, nor are theyinclusive of a stay at Finca Bellavista.-We charge an equipment rental fee, which is very reasonable in lightof paying employees that introduce you to the system, creating andbuilding a safe network for use, and providing one of the most uniqueexperiences in Costa Rica.We currently charge a $25 equipment fee for FBV owners, and a $50equipment fee for non-owners.-We CANNOT accommodate children under the age of 12, or under 48inches tall on the SKYTrail network. This policy is in effect December1, 2012.(Please understand that this is not a commercial canopy tour, and wedo not have the specialized equipment necessary to safely transportchildren at this time. This policy is in place for your child’s safety.)-All SkyTrail introductions leave in the morning hours (usually afterbreakfast) due to the typical weather patterns we experience, ouremployee’s work hours, and a multitude of other factors. We require aminimum of 2 guests and maximum of 6 guests for each introduction tothe SkyTrails.-FBV reserves the right to refuse access to the SKYTrails of any visitorthat is under the influence of drugs and alcohol, cannot properly exhibitand perform the safety procedures necessary to participate in ziplining,or is physically unable to safely participate in ziplining. Above all things,we have your safety in mind. We will try to accommodate special needsas best as we can, and appreciate your understanding if we are unableto do so.Guided Night Hikes—Chico, our local charmer, will take you on a fun adventure of the Fincato see all of the life that comes alive at night. Expect to see snakes, frogs,spiders and lots of other wildlife! Night hikes are weather dependentand cost $30 per person. We normally need a day’s notice to schedule anight tour.Garden Tours—Tour the gardens with Felo and harvest fresh food, then learn how tocook authentic local meals with those ingredients. These ‘tours’ are $30per person and include a delicious homemade lunch creation.

OFFSITE ACTIVITIES:-A reputable taxi can usually be arranged through us, but we willneed advanced notice (i.e., advanced notice usually means 24 hoursadvance notice). Please note that our cellular signal is not dependableand you should not depend on being able to call out once you are atthe Finca. Busses traveling north and south on the Interamericanastop approximately hourly during the daytime at the parada in LaFlorida. On holidays the busses do not usually run!Things to do very nearby (within 30 minutes or so)-Go for a run on ‘the loop’... Los Angeles to La Guaria to La Floridavia public road -Walk to the pulperia in La Florida for ice cream-There is usually a soccer game to join in town-Go see Casa del Arbol (Hubert and Lise’s house) on the Rio Esquinas-Drive to Esquinas Rainforest Lodge near La Gamba and hike trailswithin Piedras Blancas National Park and the Golfo Dulce-Put a kayak in on the Golfo Dulce near Los Mogos or in Rincon.Kayaks are available for rent in Rincon.-Catch a bus in La Florida north to Palmar or south to Rio Claro orGolfito-Chocolate farm tour at Kobo Farm 8 km south of La Palma - $20-30for a 3-hours tour (8351-8576 or www.kobofarm.com)-Guaymi Indigenous Reserve-Check out a real local’s beach at Playa Cacao near Golfito (great viewsacross the bay of colorful Golfito)-Go on a guided kayak tour (day or 2 nights/3 days) with AventurasTropicales Golfo Dulce. Their number is 506.2735.5195 and theirwebsite is www.aventurastropicales.com-Drive to La Palma on the Golfo Dulce and hang out at Playa Blancafor the day (mellow sand/crushed coral beach with stunning view, verycalm clear water)COMMUNICATIONS:-Regional 3G cellular telephone service is available in sporadic locations around Finca Bellavista, however it is spotty andundependable. Your international phone will likely not work in Costa Rica unless you buy a new SIM card. There is a paytelephone available in La Florida, though international calling cards are best purchased in Palmar Norte or Rio Claro.-At this time, Internet service is geographically inaccessible at Finca Bellavista. Wifi is not available for our guests to use.We hope this will change by December 2012, but if it does, it will be in a limited area with paid password access. There isa small wifi café in Piedras Blancas.

W HAT TO BRINGThough we think living here is quite comfortable as it is right now, we realize that we have become accustomed to life in thejungle as we know it! Though we are well- equipped for simple living, we suggest bringing several items to make your stay heremore enjoyable. Remember, you will be walking to/from your rental and will be carrying your own luggage and personal items,unless you pay for a porter. Less is more, backpacks work best, and rolling suitcases are NOT recommended. Luggage porterscan be hired for a per trip fee when employees are present.-A SENSE OF ADVENTURE (an absolute necessity!)-Headlamp and/or flashlight and batteries to power it (an absolute necessity as we do not have enough flashlights andheadlamps to loan out to visitors!) We do have a limited supply for sale in the office BUT YOU SHOULD NOT DEPEND ONTHESE BEING AVAILABLE.-Waterproof sunblock-Bugspray-Raingear-Tall Rubber Boots or close-toed shoes (We do have a limited supply of boots that can be borrowed, but if you have anespecially large or small shoe size, bring your own.)-Bathing suit-Biodegradable Toiletries like toothpaste, soaps and shampoos are gentle on our biodigestors, great for an impromptu bath inthe river, and difficult to find in- country!-Brimmed Hat-Sunglasses-Guides for wildlife, flowers or plants-Book to relax with (we also have book swap shelves)-Music/Ipod-Water bottle-BYOB: Seriously, we cannot sell or store alcohol for guests, and if you typically drink beer, wine or cocktails, you will likelywant one while on vacation... Same with snacks, sweets, and things like energy bars... if you want em’ bring em’.-It gets chilly here at night, so long sleeves or pants are recommended. Likewise, the daytime hours can be hot, sunny andhumid. Be prepared with a wide range of clothing. Fast-drying fabrics work very well here.LAUNDRY—We do not have on-site laundry facilities yet, so plan accordingly. We do have a laundry facility in La Florida, and we charge $4per kilo for cleaned, dry, folded laundry.DID YOU FORGET SOMETHING?Ask us if we have it in the office. Toiletries and personal hygiene items are available for purchase (for example – tampons,batteries, toothpastes & medicines). We also have Rainforest Solutions biodegradable products, a variety of FBV apparel, andother items for sale in the office.Proceeds from our on-site and our online store (fincabellavista.com) fund outreach programs through our non-profitconservation branch, The Bellavista Initiative. For more information about our conservation efforts, please inquire in the FBVoffice, or, visit our website at thebellavistainitiative.org thebellavistainitiative.org.WE SINCERELY HOPE YOU ENJOY YOUR STAY WITH US!