San Vito Attractions
San Vito is situated at 980m/3,214ft above sea level in Fila Costeña, one of the coastal mountain ranges of the southern region. Surrounded by mountains, San Vito is a good town for birding and offers a cool climate. The town has a population of about 10,000.
Post-war Italian immigrants founded San Vito in the early 1950s. The town still has a strong sense of its cultural roots, and Italian can be heard spoken in the streets. Some of Costa Rica's best Italian restaurants are found in San Vito.
San Vito also has a large concentration of indigenous peoples. Guayami Indians, a nomadic group moving undisturbed in Costa Rica and Panama, are known to enter San Vito in traditional dress.
Post-war Italian immigrants founded San Vito in the early 1950s. The town still has a strong sense of its cultural roots, and Italian can be heard spoken in the streets. Some of Costa Rica's best Italian restaurants are found in San Vito.
San Vito also has a large concentration of indigenous peoples. Guayami Indians, a nomadic group moving undisturbed in Costa Rica and Panama, are known to enter San Vito in traditional dress.
Wilson Botanical Garden
Although small, the Wilson Botanical Garden is one of Costa Rica's top attractions. Labeled plants are well displayed along several trails named for the surrounding plants. The garden was established by Robert and Catherine Wilson in 1963 and is internationally known for its collection.
Short trails on the grounds include the Heliconia Loop, Bamboo Walk, Fern Gully and the Orchid Walk (featuring 50 orchid species). The garden contains a celebrated collection of palms (over 700 species) that is one of the world's largest. The garden itself covers 10ha/24.7ac and is surrounded by 145ha/358ac of natural forest.
1,000 varieties of plants from 200 families are found at the Wilson Botanical Garden. Several species of birds are attracted to the area as well. In 1973, the gardens came under the management of the Organization for Tropical Studies (OTS) and in 1983 the site was incorporated into UNESCO's La Amistad Biosphere Reserve. Various types of research are underway at Wilson Botanical Garden.
Short trails on the grounds include the Heliconia Loop, Bamboo Walk, Fern Gully and the Orchid Walk (featuring 50 orchid species). The garden contains a celebrated collection of palms (over 700 species) that is one of the world's largest. The garden itself covers 10ha/24.7ac and is surrounded by 145ha/358ac of natural forest.
1,000 varieties of plants from 200 families are found at the Wilson Botanical Garden. Several species of birds are attracted to the area as well. In 1973, the gardens came under the management of the Organization for Tropical Studies (OTS) and in 1983 the site was incorporated into UNESCO's La Amistad Biosphere Reserve. Various types of research are underway at Wilson Botanical Garden.
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 8:00 | 8:00 | 8:00 | 8:00 | 8:00 | 8:00 | 8:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
Always opened on:
Juan Santamaría Day - Costa Rica (April 11)
Guanacaste Day - Costa Rica (July 25)
Virgin de Los Angeles Day - Costa Rica (August 2)
Assumption Day/Mother's Day - Costa Rica (August 15)
Independence Day - Costa Rica (September 15)
Columbus Day / Dia de la Raza - Costa Rica (October 12)
All Souls Day (November 2)
Feast of the Immaculate Conception (December 8)
Corpus Christi - Christian (Jun 10)
Guanacaste Day - Costa Rica (July 25)
Virgin de Los Angeles Day - Costa Rica (August 2)
Assumption Day/Mother's Day - Costa Rica (August 15)
Independence Day - Costa Rica (September 15)
Columbus Day / Dia de la Raza - Costa Rica (October 12)
All Souls Day (November 2)
Feast of the Immaculate Conception (December 8)
Corpus Christi - Christian (Jun 10)
Always closed on:
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
A few cabins designed for ecotourists are available, contact the site for information.
Birders can arrange to enter the gardens at dawn.
Guides
Guided tour available as optional extra.
Facilities
On-site accomodations
