Follow Harlow 'Salvador' Newton as he builds his dream in Costa Rica! WATCH THE EPISODES HERE 
About Buenaventura: Buenaventura is an ecologically-friendly, sustainably built and operated lodge and rainforest retreat center. The lodge is open to groups, couples and individuals seeking a remote and isolated destination for eco-tourism activities and unique adventure experiences, combined with solitude and comfort for ultimate relaxation and rejuvenation. 
Buenaventura is located in the River Division Valley of Costa Rica, partly inside the southern border of the Los Santos Forest Reserve, an area with over 150,000 acres of protected primary and secondary Tropical Cloud Forests and Humid Rain Forests and many endangered animals and plant species living on the western valleys and foothills of the Talamanca Corridor. The property is located 10 miles from the Pacific Ocean, between the popular tourist towns of Manuel Antonio and Dominical. The locals call this place Rio Nuevo (New River), because the Division River is considered one of the top 5 cleanest rivers in the country, and ranks high globally. Buenaventura has one main lodge with common-use areas for dining, relaxing and lounging, and ten private bungalow-style Villas, built and furnished using local environmentally friendly and sustainable materials, including bamboo, tropical hardwoods, stone, and clay. The interior decorations and artwork of each villa are unique to specific regions and indigenous cultures of the world (i.e. Meso & South American, South East African, North West African, Western European, Eastern European, Middle Eastern, South East Asian, Australian & New Zealand, South Pacific, Caribbean, etc.), including furniture pieces, bedding, decor, art, and textiles hand-picked by Salvador while personally traveling to each of the regions and buying directly from the artists and makers when possible. 
Buenaventura primarily hosts special interest groups, including:
* Wellness Groups (Yoga & Meditation Retreats, Rejuvenation & Relaxation Retreats, Aryuvedic & Alternative Healing Retreats) * Eco-Tourism Adventure Groups (mountain bikers, horseback riders, rafters, rock climbers & spulunkers, trail runners) * Fitness Groups (team training, physical fitness weight loss programs, etc.) * Wilderness Groups (Survival Training, Camping in the rainforest) * Conservation & Education Groups (naturalists and conservationists, educators, high school, college and grad students) * Natural Science Groups (flora and fauna enthusiasts, birders, wildlife viewers, orchid groups, botanists, entomologists, ornithologists, and zoologists) * Art Groups (photographers, painters, muralists) * Family Groups (family gatherings, weddings, anniversaries) Buenaventura also welcomes individuals, couples, honeymooners, and small groups of friends or family. Yoga, tai chi, meditation, other personal healing and fitness retreats can reserve the lodge exclusively for their groups. From December 1st through April 30th (5 months), the lodge is open to individual guests and organized groups and retreats. From May 1st through August 31st (5 months), the lodge is reserved exclusively for organized groups and retreats, with limited occupancy for individual guests during those months. During the months of September and October (2 months), the lodge will be closed to the public. On December 29th - January 3rd (6 days), the "ZenZoo: Jungle Party" will take place at the top of the mountain to celebrate and welcome Winter Solstice, with the passing of a year and the beginning of a new year. Activities include: Swimming in the River & Rainforest Creek Pools Natural Waterfall Showers & Slides Horseback riding Mountain biking ATV Adventures Hiking & Trail Running Bird & Wildlife Watching Canopy Zip Lines Rock climbing & Repelling Rafting & Kayaking (on River Division and can raft out to the Pacific Ocean) Planting A Tree, Gardening & Permaculture Farming Milking a Cow! Making Sugarcane & Other Tropical Juices Learning to cook Costa Rican Country-style Cuisine with Tamara Visiting local family homes to meet country-living Costa Ricans About Finca Buenaventura Organica: Buenaventura also operates a year round organic permaculture farm, called Finca Buenaventura Organica. Foods and livestock grown and raised on the farm are used to nourish and feed lodge guests and staff. Foods grown include a variety of vegetables, tropical fruits, grains, beans, herbs, coffee, and nuts. Livestock includes cows and goats (for milk, cheese, and other dairy products), a trout farm, and free-range chickens and pigs. 
Buenaventura Organica is a 100% organic, sustainably operated, fair working-trade business.
The farm operates as a Coperativa (Owner co-op), which is co-owned and managed by group of local farmers from the area. A "Nourish The Kids" program will be established, in which a percentage of the foods harvested will be available to the El Brujo and El Llano communities at the local schools and churches. Select fruits, vegetables and herbs will be sold at the local market in San Isidro de El General to finance and support the farm operation. Future plans include growing and exporting organic coffee and select essential oil extracts, powders, juices (Lavender, Papaya, Eucalyptus, Ylang Ylang, Noni, Acai, Mangosteen, Wheat Grass, etc.), nuts, herbs, and spices to the U.S. and global markets. About the Buenaventura Eco-Adventure Park & Wildlife Refuge Private Reserve: The Buenaventura Eco-Adventure Park & Wildlife Refuge Private Reserve (150 acres of primary and secondary forest), located adjacent to the lodge, is under protection through MINAE in partnership with regional conservation group ASANA. The Eco-Adventure Park & Wildlife Refuge Private Reserve will serve as an attraction to lodge guests, as well as special interest groups and local student groups to explore and utilize for eco-tourism activities, educational and research expeditions and over-night camping trips on platforms in the middle of the rainforest. An entry fee will be charged to access the park and reserve, and self-guided and guided tours are available for lodge guests.
Days in Operation: 300 days (10 months) Dates Open for Business: December 1st- August 31st Dates Closed: August 31st - November 30th Total # of Villas: 10 Total # of Yoga Platforms: 2 Maximum capacity: 20-25 guests per night Activities: Guided Hiking Loop Tour Guided Hiking Tour through reserve Mountain Biking Tour (all equipment included) Rafting/Kayaking Tour from Savegre Abajo to Property (2 hours) Horseback Riding Tour to Las Pilas (4-5 hours) Finca Madre Waterfall Tour (4 hours) - Hiking or by Horse Canopy Zipline Tour (3 hours) Waterfall Repelling Tour (3 hours) |
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