Costa After 2 nights at Manuel Antonio and my altercation with the Coon we decided to move on. Leg #2 of our Costa Rican road trip: The Rainmaker Conservation Project – a Costa Rica ecotourism experience per se!
Costa Rica ecotourism – An alternative to the state owned parks
For those who don’t know it yet, Costa Rica is a pretty big player in the national parks and nature conservation projects business.
According to the Go Visit Costa Rica website, the country has some 27 national parks, 58 wildlife refuges, 32 protected zones, 15 wetland areas, 11 forest reserves and 8 biological reserves, as well as 12 other conservation regions. Basically, not less than 1/4 of Costa Rica is protected land and ecotourism is one of its key activities. So, if you visit Costa Rica, you’ll become at one point or another a nature exploring, wildlife saving, tree hugging bird of passage… Nah, just kidding! But you’ll learn a lot about the country’s biodiversity and how to care a bit more for poor old mother earth!
Not less than 1/4 of Costa Rica is protected land Click To TweetHowever, after visiting Manuel Antonio, one of the more notorious Costa Rican national parks, with its hordes of sightseers and curious wildlife aficionados, it was a welcome change to go for something a bit smaller in size and homelier. The Rainmaker is a family owned piece of rainforest that was the first of all those Costa Rican parks to build an aerial walkway and a canopy tour.

The Rainmaker Conservation Project
Before getting to the Rainmaker Park itself, I think it might be valuable to know the story behind this luxuriant family project.
The Rainmaker Conservation Project came alive due to a tragic incident. A local farmer formerly owned this mountain of lush rainforest and abundant wildlife. This farmer, though, was in need of money and had to sell his land. Because of its rich biodiversity the farmer’s wish was to sell it to someone with the desire to preserve this unique spot. And that someone was Mauricio Gutierrez.
Unfortunately, two days before signing the purchasing papers, Mauricio drowned in the heart of the mountain, while saving a child who had fallen into one of its waterfalls.
When Mauricio’s family found out about his project of saving the mountain, they did everything to acquire that patch of land and accomplish his dearest wish.
Mauricio’s wife, Ann Gutierrez, renegociated the purchase and so, the Rainmaker Conservation Project finally came to life in memory of Mauricio Gutierrez. Today, the family still owns the land and carries on this fantastic project.

The eco-tours of the Rainmaker Project
There are several tours that you can book over their website and will bring you closer to untouched rainforest and the life within it.
The River walk & Canopy Tour, this tour starts at dawn, so be ready to be properly awake and all fresh at the break of day!
The Amphibians & Reptiles Tour, is an after dusk expedition for those who want to find themselves eyeball to red eyeball with the famous Costa Rican green leaf frog (with its red eyes) amongst others.
The Bird Watching Morning Tour – well, I guess, there’s no need to explain this one, the name says it all.
Create your own Rainmaker experience
You can either book a tour, or just walk around on your own… we opted for the latter. But if you choose a day tour, you will sweat your way across the rainforest holding the map in your clammy little hands. Why sweating? Well, you are visiting the humid rainforest and during daytime temperatures can go through the roof. But that’s okay because the highlights of the walk are the refreshing waterfalls and natural pools you can splash around.
After effort comes (refreshing) comfort … with a local craft beer!
The best part about the Rainmaker eco-experience is that at the end you can treat yourself to a PerroVida, a local craft beer made with the spring water from the Rainmaker mountain or as the producers would say: Craft Beer brewed in Mother Natures back yard.
So, just sit down, relax with the other travellers and exchange your impressions over a chilled beer!
Anyway, we had a fab time hiking around the canopy, enjoying the swims and joyously dodging funny insects and odd flying bugs. Life’s wonderful at Rainmaker and you shouldn’t miss out on that stopover.
How to get there from Manuel Antonio
Take the main highway to San Jose. They say that the colorful sign is visible just after the town of Pocares on the right. Look hard, it’s an astoundingly small dirt road that goes up there, so you might miss it. We missed it twice, but then again, that’s not a reference with me being the world’s most useless co-pilot…
What to bring
- Walking shoes or rather sandals because its a slippery business down there. (I honestly think you’ll be grateful for the sandals in the scorching heat!)
- Suit up for the rainmaker experience with T-shirts & shorts that will survive some wetness
- Insect repellent
- Swimsuit and a small towel
- A camera
- A bottle of water
Further advice
-
A poisonous dart frog that crossed our path Watch your steps: the terrain can be slippery and hazardous. - Be cautious of snakes! Yes, there are apparently snakes. We saw the signs, not the snakes!
- Do not touch any wildlife! Animals, insects, amphibians, … whatever should be left alone and untouched! If you are still tempted to poke another breathing being, then remember this: some frogs are poisonous!
- And for crying out loud, do not litter the forest with empty plastic bottles, handkerchiefs or other funny items. Respect the nature, be an authentic eco-tourist!
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What a beautiful project and cause. Such a sad but very touching story. I have yet to go to Costa Rica, but it is on my list and it looks gorgeous!
It definitely is goregeous and worth a stopover if you are travelling around Costa Rica.
Did the child survive? I loved Costa Rica’s jungles!
Yes, I guess the child survived.
It’s sad to hear about the death of Mauricio although I couldn’t help but admire him for saving another person. Also, kudos to his family for doing their best to keep his legacy. From the looks of it, the Rainmaker Project is a success. The place is beautiful, but I am afraid of snakes so I might get a bit paranoid walking around there. And also, wow, that frog has pretty colors, although yeah, I figured it’s poisonous.
A I wrote… I didn’t see any snakes, so you still could give it a try 😉
It was a nice back story behind the Rainmaker Conservation Project. I wish there will be more like Mauricio and his family who will preserve the forest rather than exploiting it for a bigger profit.
Yeah it definitely is a great and selfless project!
What an amazing project in such a lush, green place! The biodiversity is amazing, thanks for the tips. I’ll definitely not touch any wildlife! I’d love a swim in the waterfalls though!
You clearly can’t miss out on those waterfalls and natural pools when you are over there! 😉
The River Walk and Canopy Tour sounds interesting. Would love to try such eco-adventure. This is a great guide for the adventure seekers.
If you are looking for great travel adventures or eco-tourism, Costa Rica is the place you have to visit!
Thank you for sharing your experience. Manuel Antonio is the only forest that ever seems to be discussed by travel and tour websites. I always prefer going someplace less crowded, and to support small businesses.
That’s exactly what I like too. Manuel Antonio is a beauty, but so is the Rainmaker. I think if you are visiting a place it’s kindo of rewarding to explore places that are a bit off the beaten track.
I think that of all countries that I visited, Costa Rica is the one that truly educates its tourists on environmental issues…
This article is really inetersting and detailed. I’ve never been to Costa Rica but you’re article has really inspired me to go.
Thank you, drop by again if you are travelling to Costa Rica sometime, I will put other tips on this blog 😉
We have a friend who have always invited us to visit Costa Rica and now thank to your post we know why. With your photos you inspired us and we’d love to try your same experience especially the eco-tours!!
Thanks a lot for your comment! I hope you will enjoy Cost Rica as much as I did! 🙂 Have fun!
I hold so much respect for advocates of sustainable tourism. Kudos to the family behind The Rainmaker Project! <3
Yes, I’m in awe as well of the people that spend their lives contributing to a good cause!
Wow, these landscapes are really beautiful !
Thanks for talking about eco tourism too 🙂
Beautiful story about Costa Rica and its amazing Rainmaker Park.
Thanks a lot Dmitry
I now want to go just because of the beer – sounds delicious! I’d love to visit Costa Rica soon, your pictures make it look stunning and there’s some great info here, thanks for sharing your experience,
Yeah, you can’t miss out on the beer! 😉
Hope to make it over there this year, looks fabulous great cause too!
We’ve been to Costa Rica twice and it’s great to hear they have some great projects. I can’t wait to get back to CR soon.
Yeah, do you have this with Costa Rica too. Once you’ve been there, you wanna go back?
This looks like an amazing place! I’ve heard about Costa Rica’s incredible rainforests and biodiversity, but I guess it didn’t occur to me that some of these forests would be so crowded. It’s good to know there’s a great alternative option!
That’s a great project! Something that I love about Costa Rica is that they allow tourists to enjoy their natural wonders while preserving the ecosystem…. that’s not easy to find nowadays!
Yeah, that’s exactly what th new generations of travelers like: responsible tourism!
Thats an amazing place and a touching story. All my friends that have visited Costa Rica tell about the great experience they have there and show amazing photos of the country and its luxurious nature. Would love to visit it.
Yeah, if you love nature this is definitely the place to visit!
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