Campanario Biological Station

Description

This working biological field station, conservation and education center, and eco-tourist getaway was founded in 1990 by teachers and ex-Peace Corps volunteers wanting to contribute to global conservation in a personal and aggressive way. The Project protects a spectacular forest and coastal area within walking distance of Corcovado National Park, and is a model for nature-based sustainable living. In this isolated locale less than an hour's hike from the San Pedrillo station of Corcovado, you find yourself in a dream-like corner of paradise, far from roads, electricity, smog, and congestion. The main building is a two-story concrete and wood structure housing the field station, kitchen, dining and lounging areas and student dorm rooms. In addition to this field station, there are also separate and private tent cabins, each with its own bath. Steps to the field station lead up to a wide patio in front of the spacious dining and reading area, with several chairs and hammocks to facilitate appreciation of the view out to Cano Island. Many books, field guides and other educational materials can be found in the extensive library. The student work stations are set up in another part of the building. Shared bath facilities in the field station are nicely finished with ceramic tile. Upstairs are dorm style sleeping quarters, with a large wooden deck out front, which has writing tables, chairs and hammocks to appreciate the view and breezes. The separate tent cabins, located up on a ridge above the station, are canvas rooms on large wooden platforms, with deck chairs on their private porches. A high roof covers each tent cabin and each has an intelligently designed private open-air bathroom, also nicely tiled. The tent cabins and baths are bordered on three sides by a tall hedge of hibiscus and other ornamental plants to provide privacy. The rest of the property is dedicated to Nature, with well-maintained trails leading to a waterfall and marked stations with educational information about the flora and ecosystems. Around half the 70-hectare property is primary rainforest, ~35% secondary forest, and the rest is regenerating "successionary" forest. Solar power is provided for the basics. The food is served buffet style, with an emphasis on vegetables, fresh fruits, salads and a nice mix of seafood, meat and chicken dishes. There is always plenty. English is always spoken by at least one of the staff.