There’s something grounding about holding a young sapling in your hands, placing it into the earth, and knowing that with a little patience and care, it will one day become part of the thriving canopy of the Chachagua Rainforest ecosystem. At Chachagua Rainforest Hotel, planting a tree, is a chance to leave behind something real, something living, something that contributes to the rebirth of one of the most biodiverse places on the planet.
This isn’t the kind of travel souvenir you can tuck into a suitcase. It’s deeper than that. In the lush highlands of Costa Rica, where lowland jungle meets cloud forest and toucans call from the treetops, visitors to the Chachagua Rainforest Reserve have the opportunity to participate in hands-on reforestation efforts. For many, it becomes a moment that shifts how they think about nature — and their place in it.
Costa Rica is home to approximately 5% of the world’s total biodiversity. That’s an astounding number considering the country takes up only 0.03% of the Earth’s surface. But this natural abundance didn’t always enjoy full protection. Like much of the tropics, parts of Costa Rica experienced waves of deforestation in the mid-to-late 20th century, with land cleared for cattle ranching, agriculture, and timber.
Today, thanks to progressive environmental policies and passionate community efforts, forests are returning. And Chachagua — located at the intersection of multiple microclimates — is one of the regions leading that comeback. The reserve is more than just protected land; it's a dynamic rewilding project where guests can become an active part of the story.
It starts simply: with a walk into the jungle. Maybe you’ve already spent a few days in Chachagua soaking in the sounds of frogs after a rainstorm, following blue morpho butterflies down forest trails, or enjoying local dishes made with ingredients grown nearby. The air is thick with life — you can feel it.
Then comes the invitation: to plant a tree, right here, right now. Whether it’s a native hardwood like cedro amargo or a fruit-bearing species that will one day feed monkeys and birds, each tree is chosen intentionally. Guided by local conservationists and staff, you’ll learn why these trees matter — not just for beauty, but for soil health, water retention, and biodiversity corridors.
There’s a tactile joy to it. The smell of damp soil, the feel of roots nestled into the ground, the quiet moment of placing your hands on the earth before stepping back. It’s a ritual of hope — and of restoration.
One tree might not feel like much. But multiply that by hundreds of guests per year, and suddenly, you're looking at thousands of new trees helping to stitch the rainforest back together. These reforestation efforts don’t just aim to plant trees — they aim to plant the right trees, in the right places, with long-term impact.
It’s a deeply Costa Rican approach to conservation — one that is inclusive, community-led, and grounded in the ethos of pura vida. Many of the trees planted in Chachagua also support wildlife corridors that allow animals like sloths, ocelots, and kinkajous to move safely across the landscape. Others help restore critical watershed areas, improving water quality for both people and ecosystems downstream.
Guests often leave wondering not just what they’ve done, but how they can do more — back home, in their communities, in the choices they make daily.
When you return from Chachagua, it’s not just the photos of waterfalls or sightings of rare birds that stay with you. It’s knowing that somewhere in the rainforest, a tree is growing — because of you. One day, it might host a bromeliad, shelter a nest, or provide shade to the next generation of forest explorers.
This simple act — placing a tree in the ground — becomes part of a much larger movement to restore balance in a place that holds incredible ecological value. It’s a reminder that travel can be meaningful, collaborative, and lasting.
Every tree tells a story. Yours begins here, with intention, care, and roots that run deeper than you might expect.