Las Cataratas farm

Las Cataratas Farm is located in the heart of Costa Rica’s tropical rainforest (10°13'45"N 84°30'55"W) and protects one of the country’s most biologically rich landscapes. Its warm, humid climate sustains over 1,300 plant species, 350 bird species, 57 mammal species, 66 reptile and amphibian species, and 274 butterfly species. It is home to five wild cat species—jaguar, puma, margay, ocelot, and jaguarundi—as well as rare endemic species, including 15 plant species newly discovered by science. 

The farm is part of a strategic biological corridor linking key public and private protected areas, including the Alberto Manuel Brenes Biological Reserve, Bosque Eterno de los Niños, Juan Castro Blanco National Park, and the Montes del Aguacate and Paso de las Nubes biological corridors. This interconnected network of protected areas ensures genetic connectivity across species populations and enhances ecosystem resilience in the face of climate change. 

The low montane cloud and humid forests function as natural water factories, capturing cloud moisture and replenishing springs and aquifers. Notable species include oaks (Quercus), magnolias, mountain almond, laurels (Lauraceae), strangler figs, heliconias, orchids, bromeliads, and tree ferns. Each species plays a critical ecological role, from supporting wildlife to regulating water cycles.

The farm’s wildlife richness makes it a prime location for conservation and research. It hosts diverse large mammals, including tapirs, howler monkeys, sloths, jaguars, and pumas; iconic bird species such as the resplendent quetzal, scarlet macaw, bellbird, and dozens of hummingbird and migratory species; along with a rich diversity of amphibians and bioindicator reptiles—such as glass frogs, eyelash vipers, and basilisks—and thousands of invertebrates—key yet invisible drivers of the ecosystem. 

Las Cataratas Farm also serves as a strategic water source. Its springs feed streams and rivers that flow to both the Caribbean slope (Reventazón, Sarapiquí, Parismina) and the Pacific slope (Grande de Tárcoles, Naranjo, Arenal). These rivers supply local communities, support hydroelectric projects, and provide up to 87% of the Central Valley’s drinking water. The farm’s forest cover regulates water flow, improves water quality, and prevents erosion, ensuring essential ecosystem services for millions of people.