Jardín Botánico Lankester

Contemplate the incredible collection of orchids in the splendid Jardín Botánico Lankester, in Cartago

Jardín Botánico Lankester
Jardín Botánico Lankester
© Gilberto Rivera

The Jardín Botánico Lankester (Lankester Botanical Garden), located in the canton of Paraíso, holds the most important collection of orchids in the world in its 10.7 Ha, most of which are native Central American species.

Jardín Botánico Lankester, Costa Rica
Jardín Botánico Lankester, Costa Rica
© Gilberto Rivera

The garden was created in the 1940s, and nowadays, it belongs to the University of Costa Rica. The existence of such an incredible place is due to the effort and passion of British naturalist Charles H. Lankester, who devoted his life to the creation of what was, at the beginning, his own private garden. After his death, the garden was donated to the University of Costa Rica, which is in charge of its care, maintenance and management.

In the Lankester botanical garden, you will be able to enjoy a bucolic walk among the nearly 18.000 specimens of classified orchids, which belong to one thousand different species. Although it is true that not all of them flower at the same period, the best season of the year to enjoy the explosion of color is between February and April. It is also a marvelous place to admire the purple guaria, the beautiful orchid that is the national symbol of Costa Rica.

Furthermore, beyond orchids, the park offers an interesting sample of tropical plants: from several types of palms to a considerable collection of bamboos, including cacti and native and exotic heliconia varieties.

Besides, you will have the opportunity to stroll through a Japanese garden, supported by the Japanese embassy, where you will enjoy the calm beauty of this place while appreciating the great contrast with respect to the tropical one.

Thanks to a reforestation project, a forest is growing naturally, without restraint, since 1943, in a natural way that completes the collection and spreads along 5 Ha of old pastures. There, diverse species have grown independently.

If you want to find out more about it, the botanical garden organizes various courses that, in addition to showing you all aspects concerning orchids, will give you the chance to learn about other issues, such as the cultivation and use of medicinal plants. Likewise, you will learn about the identification of numerous birds, insects, butterflies and other small animals that will walk with you during your visit to this garden.

More information:

Location:

Avenida 46, Paraíso, Cartago province, Costa Rica.

Ticket Price:

Resident adults: 2500 colones. Senior adults and national students: 1500 colones.

Non-residents: adults: $10.00. Students: $7.50.

Only cash payments are allowed.

Opening Times:

Every day of the year from 8:30 to 16:30 h.

Telephone:

(+506) 2511 7939

E-mail:

jardinbotanico.lankester@ucr.ac.cr

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