Nuevo Mundo

By Kimberly Grover

Costa Flores, situated just beyond the ‘Ring of Fire’ and the mighty virgin cloud forests of the Braulio Carillo National Park stands alone, unchallenged, as the world’s largest tropical flower farm.  Costa Flores constitutes roughly 300 acres with more than 600 varieties of tropical flowers, collected from over 30 countries, blooming within its borders.

The road from San Jose to Costa Flores through Braulio Carillo takes you through a  surreal atmosphere of all encompassing jungle.  You’ll pass by “Two rivers” (Rio Susio- dirty river- and Clear River)  on the road to Costa Flores.  “Here, your cameras will be grabbing memories of vistas, using the eagle’s advantage.  Shortly, the mountains depart into coastal plains and you arrive at the stone gates of The Farms of Costa Flores, an orderly jungle of fairytale flowers.  You’ll see an abundance of hummingbirds, the sole pollinator of Heliconia, and you’ll be surrounded by exotic flowering beauties while driving down the mile long tree shaded road.”

Educational Opportunities
Costa Flores runs 10-15 tours per week, group sizes range from just one or two people to large groups with 50 or more tourists.  Costa Flores has space to accommodate a large number of people.  Up to 500 people can tour the farm comfortably at one time making it big enough to host student groups and perhaps even wedding ceremonies.

The ponds, fountains and small waterfalls in the garden area of Costa Flores attract a variety of birds, reptiles, frogs, and interesting insects.  In addition to the wide variety of brilliantly colored tropical blooms, there are ferns, palms, and plants from Thailand, Morocco, and other distant countries of the orient and Africa.  Strikingly vibrant reds, pinks, purples, greens, yellows, and even blues shine in the reflection of the lily dotted garden area pools as soothing waterfalls trickle in the distance.  This ambiance provides the perfect backdrop for learning about the plant and animal species of this tropical habitat as well as for discovering transplants from other parts of the world flourishing within Costa Flores’ park boundaries.

There are 12 miles of monorail system for collecting and transporting large blooms from the flower farm to the airplane hanger sized packing facility.  The packing house exports these tropical rarities to far off destinations such as Canada, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Japan, Los Angeles, New York and other major industrial capitals.   In the packing house, staff will demonstrate handling procedures and explain how the industry began and how it evolved into its present form.  And of course at the end of your 2 hour tour, these flowers and plants will be available for purchase.  Tours are $15 or as low as $7 for larger student groups.  Walk-ins are welcome.  Larger groups should call in advance.  Volunteer opportunities are also available and may include free accommodation and meals.  Call in advance to arrange times and to discuss specifics.

“We have spared no love, pain, nor effort in reaching back into the remote depths of the earth’s diminishing rainforests, to save from extinction, some of the most enchanting of tropical species

Many now find sanctuary in our garden area.”