Rainforest and Remote Land Rural Mountain Towns Golfo Dulce Golfito The Osa Peninsula Region Pavones Region Zancudo Beach San Vito Highlands

Private Nature Reserve San Vito

Property reference: 729 SVF

$650,000

Full Description:

Finca Cántaros is a private Nature Reserve in southwestern Costa Rica near the town of San Vito and is probably the second best known property in Coto Brus, the first being the nearby Las Cruces Biological Station/Wilson Botanical Garden, a center of scientific research and intellectual life of the community just 2.5 km away. Finca Cántaros also has archeological interests, centered on its 3000-year old lake and wetlands.

The San Vito area, while predominantly rural, hosts an increasingly cosmopolitan community of permanent and part-time residents from North America and Europe.

The 17.3 acre Private Reserve property was purchased in the early 1990’s by Gail Hull, the sole owner, she had been working at Wilson Botanical Gardens and her desire and interests were to reforest the pastures and create gardens along similar lines as the well known botanical gardens and also to help educate the public by sharing her love for indigenous cultures of Costa Rica, Central and South America. Her passion for education led her to open an indigenous crafts store considered by many to be the best in this region, and a children’s lending library open to the local community.

The elevation of Linda Vista, San Vito is 1150-1200 meters (3770-3900 feet) with temperatures ranging between 58-85° F (14-30° A large part of the appeal of Finca Cántaros comes from its informal, open garden areas and the grand vistas from several key points on the property. The best views are to be seen from the Mirador vista point, with views looking down on the nearby town (1.5 miles away) of San Vito to the north and beyond out over the expanse of the Coto Brus Valley guarded by the long cordillera of the Talamanca Mountains on the east. Excellent views of the Talamancas can also be seen from what is called the “Plaza”, a flat open area near orchards that once was a pre-Columbian burial site according to archeologists.

The property is currently being managed as a Private Nature Reserve open to the public (with entrance fee) with magnificent trees in secondary forest, tropical gardens, 1-hectare/2.5-acre lake/wetland (Laguna Zoncho on geographical survey maps), forest trails and spectacular views of the Talamanca Mountains. It would make an exceptional Private Estate or could continue to be managed as such.

The owners are constantly improving the gardens, adding to the plant collection with an eye to attractive landscaping. There are also several orchard areas with tropical fruit trees as well as a variety of citrus. Shelters (“ranchos”) in scenic parts of the property are perfect for picnics, relaxation and contemplation Visitors are often struck by some of the oldest and most dramatic trees on the property.

The Lake: Laguna Zoncho (literally, Vulture Lake in English) has a unique history in the county and the country, as it is one of the most studied lakes in the world. Because of the history of habitation around the lake for much of 3200+ years, the Cántaros property–Sitio Zoncho or Sitio Cántaros – is cited as one of Costa Rica’s important archaeological sites but remains almost completely unexcavated. Small research digs around the lake by archeologists and other scientists have yielded interesting historical artifacts; and analysis of core samplings from the lake-floor sediment have added to the extensive knowledge about the history of land use on the property. The evidence is abundant that indigenous people were almost continuously occupying the lake basin for thousands of years until the time of the Spanish conquest.

Buildings:

• There are several excellent potential house sites for a buyer wishing to build a larger home other than the small but charming 1-bedroom house (built in 1994, approx. 82 m²/880 ft²) perfect for a couple or as a guesthouse or rental property. (see photos, very nice)
• A larger building near the main road(built in 1962, remodeled in 1995 and 2010, approx. 83 m²/890 ft²) houses the caretaker’s family, a small lending library, and a commercially viable Central and South American crafts store owned and run by the current owners. The property also contains several “ranchos” shelters and bodegas (storage sheds) as well as a clear plastic covered greenhouse for a vegetable garden and nursery.

Services/Utilities:

• Electricity (provided by I.C.E.)
• Water (provided by AyA)
• High-speed internet access (ADSL) available through I.C.E.
• Satellite TV service available through SKY TV (antenna already installed)
• Natural gas is also available (using tanks) though not installed

Property Information

Land and farms,Commercial
Survey: Yes
Location: San Vito
Title: Yes
Size: 17.3 Acres
Corporation: Yes
Beds: 3
Baths: 4
Status: Active

Features