Visit the
Reserve
Hidden Valley Farm adjoins a pristine nature reserve, where magical trails lead the visitor down to a dramatic river valley that winds through the distant landscape, offering spectacular views of the Pacific gulf in the horizon and waterfalls below.
The varied trails are available for visitors to explore from 7am to 4.30pm and feature several wooden platforms to sit and take in the beautiful views. Most of the trails through the forest are easy to walk, with some more steep descents and climbs if visitors choose to head down the hill to the recommended lower valley platforms.
The forest here is not as dense as the nearby cloud forest reserve, making wild life watching much easier. Agoutis, coatis, tropical birds like the motmot and a wide variety of beautiful butterflies, including the blue morpho, are always close by, whilst the preserve also protects many other species of mammal, insect, bird and reptile that visitors may see on their hike, such as the olingo, kinkajoo, howler monkey, or the endangered bell bird.
Situated between the aquaculture permaculture area and the preserve's sunset vista platform is the hammock garden, a delightful central sunny area where visitors can relax and recharge swinging under a tree.
Professionally guided, daily BIRDWATCHING, FLORA & FAUNA, and NIGHT TOURS are also available and come highly recommended. The preserve's Night Tour was one of the first in the whole of Costa Rica and still provides the best quality and authenticity.
PRESERVE ENTRY
Daily 6am - 4.30pm
Adult: $18
Student: $15
Free entry for hotel guests.
Found in a wide range of habitats. migrates from Pacific to Caribbean slopes. Adult will defend food plants from other butterflies.
450 years plus old. Known as a strangler ficus (Higueron) as it starts out as an epiphyte at the top of another tree, eventually surrounding the tree which decays, leaving a hollow space through the centre.
Nests in a tree cavity or hold carved by another bird. Eats fruit but also small animals, other birds' eggs and nestlings.
A five meter wide, thirty meter high walled canyon, bordering the edge of Valle Escondido Preserve property.
The only primate in Costa Rica that sometimes forages on the ground. Eats fruit, bugs, flowers, insects, small vertebrates and bird eggs. Lives in groups of five to thirty. They use tools and have been seen to kill snakes with sticks. Collect medicinal plants to rub on their fur as repellent, antiseptic and fungicide.
From the Arum family Aracaea. Found throughout Central America and into South America. Some varieties are a food source due to edible roots.