It is said that there are butterflies everywhere in Costa Rica. Everywhere. In fact, of the 20,000 species of butterflies in the world, 1,000, or 5% are native to Costa Rica.
THE GUIDED TOUR.
At the Butterfly Farm, located in La Guacima in Alaiuela, Costa Rica, all guests who pay the price of admission receive the two-hour tour that begins with a half-hour butterfly documentary. The film provides a presentation of what visitors will expect on the tour, as well as the different stages of a butterfly's life cycle.
After the film, the visitors head to the Export Office, otherwise known as the Costa Rica Entomological Supply where the process of butterfly exportation is explaned. During export days, lucky visitors can watch the staff sort, pack and ship the pupae to buyers around the world.
The tour then continues to the Butterfly Garden and the Caterpillar Room. In the Butterfly Garden, visitors can observe butterflies feeding, mating and laying eggs. They can even touch the legs of these gentle creatures.
Afterwards, visitors can proceed to the Caterpillar Room where they can examine the wondrous metamorphosis process from a caterpillar to a beautiful butterfly. The Butterfly Farm recommends visitors take the morning tours in order to experience the butterflies coming out of their chrysalides.
- Guided Tours Start At: 8:30am / 11:00am / 1:00pm / 3:00pm
- Admission Prices, with Guided Tour Included: Adults: $15.00 / Students: $10.00 / Children Under 12: $5.00 / Children Under 5: FREE
- Park Hours and Guided Tour Schedule:Open Every Day from 8:30am – 5:00pm
*************
OTHER TOURS.
Why stop at a two-hour guided tour? There are four other tours offered at the Butterfly Farm to help you get the most out of nature in Costa Rica. The following tours, except for the 5-Day Butterfly Farming Seminar, take about 7 hours.
- Butterfly and Coffee Tour
- This combination tour starts with the two-hour guided tour at the Butterfly Farm, after which the visitors travel to the base of Barva Volcano, via minivan. There, visitors can learn about the process of making one of the best coffees in the world, Café Britt.
- $73 per adult / $63 each for two or more adults / $53 per student / $48 per child under 12 / FREE for children under 5
- Birds and Butterflies Tour
- The Birds and Butterflies Tour starts off at various pick up points around San Jose. The first stop is at the animal park at the Zoo Ave in La Garita followed by lunch at one of the city's restaurants. Afterwards, the visitors are taken to the Butterfly Farm.
- $60 per adult / $45 per child under 12 / FREE for children under 5
- All Fun! Three In One Tour!
- The stops in this tour include La Salle Natural History Museum, El Rodeo Forest Reserve, lunch at a typical Costa Rican restaurant and of course the Butterfly Farm.
- $60 per adult / $45 per child under 12 / FREE for children 5 and under
- 5-Day Butterfly Farming Seminar
- No two seminars are the same since each tour is catered to the specific needs of the group. Each full day of the seminar offers a glimpse into the butterfly industry.
- Prices vary.
- Contact Information:
- The Butterfly Farmer
- P.O. Box 2132-4050
- La Guácima.
- Alajuela, Costa Rica
- Phone: +506 438-0400
- Fax: +506 438-0300
- E-mail: info@butterflyfarm.co.cr
Find out more about Costa Rica.
