Over the course of the last several decades I have gotten to see more than just a few butterfly exhibits and I have even designed a few myself. But none of them dropped my jaw, as did the Butterfly Observatory at La Paz. Alex Barrientos Hernandez and his team created an atrium that was absolutely spell binding. I visited La Paz with a group of 42 die hard, professional butterfly enthusiasts and I watched 42 people wandering around in circles with their mouths wide open while shaking their heads in disbelief of sheer wonderment of their surroundings.
What set the La Paz Butterfly Observatory apart from many other exhibits was the layout and their presentation of the pupae. They only fly 20 species of butterflies in the flight area but they are 20 of the most beautiful butterflies that you could ever hope to see. Imagine standing next to a tree filled with freshly emerged Owls. With their hind wing eyes spots starring back at you, you were sure a predator of some sort was about to leap out and pounce on you. That is until the most beautiful Blue Morpho would glide in front of your face and snap you back into reality. I take that back because reality doesn't exist at La Paz. It is displaced by beauty, amazement, taste and style. The Observatory did have a large area to view pupae waiting their turn to emerge their inhabitants, but through out the atrium were smaller stations constructed of stone arches with various chrysalis suspended inside. It was a photographer's dream that just offered the most wonderful photo opts that you could ever hope for.
Costa Rica has more butterfly exhibits and farms per square foot than any place else in the world, and I have seen most of them. But I can honestly say that if you were only able to visit one butterfly attraction while you are in Costa Rica, The Butterfly Observatory at the La Paz Water Fall Gardens should be your choice. My hat is off to Alexander for creating such a mesmerizing exhibit that has certainly become my favorite.
Now if for some strange reason you were only able to visit one place in all of Costa Rica it should be La Paz! Not only will you see the Butterfly Observatory, but you will also get to see the best that Costa Rica has to offer.
For the hummingbird lover there is an open-air garden where you can sit and relax while 24 species of hummers dart about your head. 24 species in one little space, that's more than anywhere else in the world. The most impressive thing is that they are free flying. They are not brought in from breeders, they live there naturally. They have also acclimated nicely to people so you can actually hand feed them. From tiny little peanut size hummers to some that are as big as robins, they will all stop by to say Hi!
Then there is the aviary. Who doesn't love toucans! If you don't you will after an up close and personal visit with them in the aviary. You will also see Macaws, Tanagers, Pavas and more. Even though they are in an enclosure situation you shouldn't feel bad for them. The aviary is a refuse for wild birds that have either been captured illegally, confiscated by the government or donated by owners. Because of La Paz's efforts they are the happiest and healthiest birds you'll ever see. And they love to mug for the camera.
Well if hummers, birds and butterflies don't do it for you, you still have monkeys, snakes, poison dart frogs, and jungle cats to amaze you. Each presented extremely tastefully with beauty and charm. Still not impressed? Then there is a beautiful trout pond where you can actually catch you dinner and have it prepared for you.
But La Paz Waterfall Gardens is called that for a very good reason. They have 5 awe-inspiring waterfalls that will leave you speechless. The trail is a little over 2 miles of some of the most beautiful natural surroundings you can ever witness. The tallest fall is over 120 feet of earth rumbling beauty. You can actually feel the ground shake from the power of this spectacle. Now expect to get soaking wet. That's the fun part. Sure you can take a poncho, but coming away soaking wet from the exhilarating spray not only washes your soul but your mind as well. Not only do you get to leisurely walk pass these falls but you also get to go above, below and right next to each one. Throughout the trails are lookouts that allow you to take some of the best rainforest photos you could ever hope for. There are a lot of steps and a few climbs but since you are not on a timetable go slow and enjoy every step. On a good note there is a free shuttle at the end that will pick you up at the gift shop and take you back to the top.
After all the exhibits and walking through the gardens you'll have one heck of an appetite. No problem. The Colibries Restaurant is just as amazing as is everything else at La Paz. From typical Costa Rican fare to hot dogs and pizza, the buffet offers something for everybody. Even the design of the restaurant is fascinating and will give you plenty to talk about while you enjoy some wonderful food. And don't forget to check out their restrooms. They are amazing. Thrust me I was told the same thing, "you got to see the bathrooms" I thought they were crazy when they told me that but once I peek inside I had to drag my entire tour group in where everyone ended up taking pictures. It did make some patrons a little nervous with all the flashes going off but hey where else can you ever see sinks like that.
Orchids, poison dart frog, volcanoes in the distance, the most ingenious butterfly exhibit, waterfalls and great food. La Paz has it all. So if you decide to visit La Paz, please stop in at the Butterfly Observatory and tell Alex that Rick Mikula sent you. You wont get anything free but Alex will be reassured as to what a great job he did with his butterflies.
For more information about La Paz please visit http://www.waterfallgardens.com Or sign up for our next 'Butterflies in Paradise' tour.
| La Paz Waterfall Gardens, Costa Rica | ||
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In Costa Rica there exists a great diversity of tropical habitats; this diversity is reflected in the great variety and abundance of butterflies. Approximately 90% of the butterfly species in Central America exist in Costa Rica, nearly 66% of neo-tropical butterflies and about 18% of all butterfly species of the world.
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