TURU-BA RI Tropical Park (Turu-ba ri means “River of the Moon" in the Huetar dialect) is a theme park aimed at adventure and ecological tourism. It opened on April 15, 2003, and currently covers 583 acres of land, of which 247 acres consist of the tropical garden. Beautiful scenery surrounds it. The park is bordered by the Rio Grande del Tarcoles on the northeast, and the Turrubares Hills and Carara National Park to the southeast. The Gulf of Nicoya lies to the west, and you can actually see the ocean from the highest point in the park.
TURU-BA RI’s pristine setting is the perfect place for visitors to learn about Costa Rica’s natural history, discover our ancestor’s lifestyle, have a true adventure experience or just enjoy some remarkable scenery. You’ll have an entertaining, unforgettable day, and at the same time you’ll learn more about Costa Rica’s rich tropical biology and culture. The park’s entrance is located on the property’s highest point, and visitors can enjoy a spectacular view of the surrounding transition forest. Access to the tropical garden is by an aerial tram, which began to operate on July 26th, 2003.
For more than 15 years, this property was used to raise dual-purpose cattle (mainly for meat) and for agriculture (mainly mangos, papaya, oranges, sugar cane and corn). In 1997, a decision was made to change this focus and instead develop a sustainable tourism project which would help preserve our planet and bring socioeconomic benefits to a low-income community.
The project began with a massive reforestation effort that included planting over 45,000 trees, generating flowers and fruits that attracted birds, pollinators and many other animals. It’s worth mentioning that during the reforestation process, the species of trees found here were not introduced into the forest. Rather, they were reincorporated into their natural habitat by selecting species that lived in the two patches of existing forest in the park. This, together with the various botanical collections and the huge amount of ornamental plants spread out throughout the grounds; give a grand total of more than 70,000 plants that today comprise TURU-BA RI Tropical Park.
Tropical Garden Horseback Ride: Measuring 8,335 feet and lasting between 45 minutes and one tour, this is a great alternative for those who like unite ecology with adventure. During this trip, guides will offer an expert interpretation of everything observed during the journey. For example, they’ll point out the differences in forests according to the level of plant development, as well as general explanations about the flora and fauna that can be observed. It is important to mention that even children can participate in this tour as our horses are trained to offer the safety, peace of mind and comfort that our guests deserve.
