At Chachagua Rainforest Hotel, nature is an experience that unfolds with every step. While wildlife sightings and tree-shaded trails may draw you into the rainforest, the flowers quietly steal the show. They border walkways, peek through treetops and terraces, and perfume the air come nightfall. Thriving in Chachagua’s fertile soil and nourished by tropical rains, these vibrant blooms are also shaped by nature’s quiet collaborators, birds, bees, and creatures that scatter their seeds and pollinate along the way.
Each flower tells a story. Some open only when the moon is high. Others attract hummingbirds and butterflies with their fragrance. Together, they transform your stay in the Chachagua Rainforest into something both beautiful and unforgettable.
Let’s take a walk through some of the most gorgeous flowers you’ll encounter during your visit.
One of the most striking flowers you’ll see at Chachagua is the Bastón del Emperador, or Torch Ginger. Towering tall on thick stalks, this bold bloom commands attention with its intricate structure and saturated hues, usually deep red, pink, or coral. It’s no surprise it’s often called the “Emperor’s Staff.” Native to Southeast Asia but perfectly at home in Costa Rica’s rainforest, this ginger is eye-catching and edible. You’ll find it used in local cuisines and in our restaurants.
After the rain, the Torch Ginger shines. Its smooth petals catch the light, and its perfect symmetry makes it look almost too flawless to be real.
Another type of ginger steals the spotlight in a more understated, mysterious way. The white ginger lily (Hedychium coronarium) opens at night, releasing a fragrant, jasmine-like scent that drifts across balconies and breezy trails. By morning, the flowers begin to fade with the sunrise, as they are very delicate.
Guests who stay in villas surrounded by flowering paths may catch their perfume in the air just after dusk. Often used in perfumes and traditional remedies, this ginger is an experience for the senses.
If you're walking back to your room after dinner and notice a sweet, intoxicating fragrance trailing through the dark, you're probably near a Galán de Noche. Literally translated as "Gentleman of the Night," this small, unassuming flower blooms after sunset and releases a rich aroma that carries on the breeze.
Unlike showier flowers, the Galán de la Noche isn't here to impress with looks—it's all about allure. It’s pollinated at night by moths and other nocturnal insects, making it a symbol of the hidden world that comes alive in the Chachagua rainforest after dark.
No flower list at Chachagua would be complete without orchids, Costa Rica’s national flower. The Lluvia de Oro, or Golden Rain Orchid, brings elegance in clusters. These radiant yellow blossoms hang like droplets of sunlight, fluttering gently with the breeze.
This species belongs to the Oncidium family, known for its dancing, cloud-like formations. Found near tree trunks and in garden beds around the property, the Lluvia de Oro makes even the quietest corners shine. It's particularly photogenic in the morning light when dew clings to each golden petal like tiny gems.
Orchids like this are a reminder of Costa Rica’s incredible biodiversity. The Chachagua Rainforest alone is home to several species, each blooming in its own time and rhythm.
Last but certainly not least, the Sobralia orchid brings a regal presence to the rainforest. With blooms that range from violet and lavender to pale white and rose, these rare orchids grow tall and upright, sometimes reaching over two meters high.
Unlike most orchids, which cling to trees as epiphytes, the Sobralia grows from the ground up, often in forest clearings or the edges of paths. Their blooms last only a day or two, but they are large, striking, and delicately ruffled, resembling the more familiar Cattleya orchid in form.
When a Sobralia is in bloom at Chachagua, it feels like the forest is giving you a gift—rare, and unforgettable.
These five blooms are just a few of the many botanical treasures that surround you at Chachagua Rainforest Hotel. Whether it’s a bold torch ginger standing tall beside a trail or a hidden night-bloomer leaving its fragrance in the air, each flower plays a role in the rainforest’s ecosystem.
Guests are encouraged to slow down and take a closer look. There’s beauty everywhere, even on your way to breakfast. Join a complimentary nature walk, ask about the plants you see near your room, or simply follow your nose at twilight.
Breathe in and let the flowers of the Chachagua Rainforest be your welcome mat. Sometimes the best experiences in the rainforest are the ones that don’t need words at all.