Location Services Guide - Finca Bellavista

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.