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Casa Gavilan A mountain cabin  Cloubridge Nature Reserve, Costa Rica We are offering the opportunity to stay in a mountain cabin in the Talamanca mountain range of Costa Rica. This light-filled cabin, accessed by a 45-minute hike up a steep footpath, is located within the Cloudbridge Nature Reserve. The cabin, consisting of a main room with double bed and two single beds/sofas, includes a kitchen with dining area and a desk. A spacious deck affords breathtaking views of the verdant forests, valleys, and mountain peaks. One wakes to the sound of emerald toucanets and other birds in the surrounding trees and the faint roar of the Chirripo River far below. Adjoining the main room is a bathroom with flush toilet and shower. With a wood burning stove, propane burner and water from a pure mountain stream, one can expect to live a simple, quiet, but complete life on the edge of a tropical forest.

View from Casa Gavilan

About Cloudbridge

The Cloudbridge Nature Reserve is situated in South-Central Costa Rica, in a remote cloud forest area on the slopes of the Cordillera Talamanca range, Costa Rica’s highest mountain chain. The reserve, a non-profit conservation project founded by Ian & Genevieve Giddy, borders the Chirripó National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Thus Cloudbridge serves as a significant buffer zone between the park and the surrounding areas of agricultural settlements.

Cloudbridge Reserve lies at an altitude between 1,500 and 2,600m at approximately 9° 28’ North, 83° 34’ West, and covers about 770 acres of valleys and mountainside. It is part of an important bioregion in that cloud forests in Costa Rica and around the world are known to be dwindling owing to the effects of climate change, and increasing temperatures, even at higher altitudes. In addition, it is home to several threatened animal species, such as the Resplendent Quetzal, Baird’s Tapir, the peccary, and contains many organisms yet to be identified. With the assistance of local villagers, the forest is being restored through an ambitious program of replanting native trees in some areas of the Reserve where previous human activities resulted in forest clearing.

The reserve has an international research program that permits qualified individuals to participate in conservation programs and research activities. The volunteer researchers conduct and/or support research activities in fields such as ornithology, entomology, habitat restoration, and environmental quality monitoring.

What We Offer

Casa Gavilan, named after the Black Hawk-Eagle often seen circling above the reserve, is available for rent for a four night minimum stay at a cost of $80 per night. Rates for a week or longer are at $500 per week. Rates include initial transport of your supplies and equipment at the beginning and end of your stay.  Towels, candles, maps of the surrounding area, firewood, cooking gas, a small reading library, bedding and an equipped kitchen are provided for your convenience.

Casa Gavilan is off the grid; no electricity, no intrusive telephone, no internet to distract, no hum of a refrigerator.  All technology is simple, quiet and down to Earth.  Your hosts will ensure that you are well equipped to meet your basic needs while at Casa Gavilan.  Internet, telephone, and companionship are accessible just a 45 minute hike away. In addition, you are invited to participate in the Cloudbridge Reserve community activities, such as lectures, research hikes, etc.

The cabin* lies in an exclusive area of the reserve open only to researchers and guests of Casa Gavilan. Guests are invited to hike the trails in this restricted area, as well as in the rest of the Cloudbridge Reserve, and will have the privilege of entering a tranquil, ancient forest dominated by towering old-growth trees. They can choose to maintain their peaceful isolation or participate in the research discussions and activities at Cloudbridge.

John and Jill Titan, who run a unique lodge nearby, handle bookings and preparation for visits. John and Jill will make you welcome when you arrive, and escort you to Casa Gavilan while telling you about the amazing flora and fauna of this cloud forest and valley. For provisioning, a weekly shopping service is available.

For More Information

• Inquire about directions, availability, booking and payment by contacting John and Jill Titan at gavilan@hotelcasamariposa.net, Tel (506) 2-742-5037.
• Learn about Casa Mariposa at hotelcasamariposa.net and about the nearby village of San Gerardo de Rivas at sangerardocostarica.com.
• For more pictures of Casa Gavilan and surroundings, visit the Gavilan Album.
  
• More about Cloudbridge can be found at cloudbridge.org.