Tree house Adventure

Artist, painter and jungle architect, Michael H. Cranford, along with Rebecca Amelia have created a new way of living with nature high in the canopy.  Located in the rainforests of the Osa Peninsula in Costa Rica, Sombra de la Lapa’s newest accommodations within the reserve is a fabulous sustainably built tree house.

You will find a “Tree mendous”  experience of a lifetime awaiting for you high up in the canopy. Our 6 level, 3 bedroom, 2 bath tree house wraps around a giant rainforest tree and boasts wonderful views of  Corcovado National Park and The Golfo Dulce ( Sweet Gulf ). Staying in  Tree house is an “Upper unity “of a lifetime.

During the Construction of The Lapa’s Nest  www.youtube.com

We were careful as not to drill or attach to the tree in any way, and all of the wood used to build the house came from naturally felled trees close by and within the reserve, Many recycled products and sustainable methods were used to build our home. The Tree house is comprised of 14 hardwoods and 3 types of Columbian and Brazilian bamboo, 5 used car axles, car tires, cables, BBQ grills and bird cages were even used for our septic system and  each floor is held together with 5 special hardwood pins / dowels milled from Heart of Palm stalks and Chonta ( Walking Palm ). All 6 levels are furnished with exquisite taste and décor and touches my whimsy. Complete with hot water, 2  flushing toilets, fridge, stove and a “swallow your tongue before you get in” – Glass Bottom Shower!

When seeing Our Lapa’s Nest Tree house for the first time, you will first be stunned, then a huge smile from ear to ear will take over entire face. When entering our tree house, remember  kids go up first and parents are only allowed when accompanied by kids. 

Don’t forget to take a peek into our outdoor shower at the bottom of our Guanacaste Tree in between the massive root system on the ground level! (1st floor.) Circling around the tree step by step ( 53 of them to be exact ), and a 1/3  way up,  you will find our Hangin Monkey Room  on the 2nd.  floor. This cozy little room sleeps 2 in a queen bed and is suspended 25’ up in the air. Monkey pillows & a great library to forget about time until the real monkeys pass by. Just above a ½ bath awaits you . Here you will find my art studio ( 3rd floor ) studio which we also use as a game room, or downstairs family room. and the entry into the Surf Bedroom, (  4th floor )where you will find cool morning breezes overlooking the gulf while you enjoy your morning coffee in bed. You literally sleep with the tree at the foot of your bed. All bedrooms have reading lights, and are screened in with small fans to keep you cool.  You might need a blanky in the middle of the night as it is much cooler in the canopy than on the ground.

Keep Your Cameras Close By  

Getting up early and interacting with monkeys and birds is as easy as rolling over in bed or looking over your shoulder. Getting the kids to bring you coffee in bed while you watch the morning monkey & bird show is a must!  Leaving the studio below and climbing up to the main floor ( 5th floor ) rewards you with a large living room area, breakfast nook, modern kitchen and full bath  360* One could describe the feeling as “Living in The National Geographic Channel, Live!” where birds, and monkeys play all day, all around you.  Great views  sittin on the toilet too!

Our tree house overlooks The Golfo Dulce and Corcovado National Park, and on most days you can see Vulcan Baru in the Panama ( Panama’s highest Volcano ). We have created  a “Swiss Family Robinson /  Elegant Gilligan’s Island “ decorator motif, including amenities such as Egyptian cotton sheets and Turkish towels.  Truly our least sustainable purchases so far, however comfy.

Canopy Living is a style of living that invites you to about learn nature and about yourself. Staying in the canopy allows you time to  connect with nature , just like you did when you were younger when you went camping.  Nature offers guidance with balance and provides needed healing energy.  We are grateful that you found us in cyberspace. We invite you to share in our magical world we are creating.  even George Lucas would be proud of. Costa Rica is an exceptional  “Upper” unity for you to experience

Monkey Sites and Sounds

Many of Costa Rica’s most famous birds and Monkeys visit our home every day.  You will be amazed at how close you are to nature.  The canopy explodes each day with our resident Titi ( squirrel ) Monkeys performing their  acrobatic and gymnastics show as they pass by, over and under our tree house. 100’s of Titi Monkeys explode out of the canopy at once. A life experience not to be missed.   Keep your cameras close by as the Titi Monkeys and White Face (Capuchin Monkeys ) come right up to the house. During Monkeys mating season ( March– May ) you can peek over the edge of the house and see the baby monkeys clinging to the mothers backs 20’ below you.  There’s a picture you don’t see on postcards! 

On occasion The Congo Monkeys will take up evening residency above the house and you can watch them play above the tree house through our clear skylights sewed into the canvas roof.  Full moon nights are especially popular in the tree house as it is easy to see some of the nocturnal critters before beddy bye time. You’re kids will want to stay up all night. Staying a week in our tree house is like living in an episode of National Geographic live. Truly an animals lovers and birders dream !

We can point you in any direction for any activities and tours .From zip lines, canopy tours, water skiing & tubing on the Golfo Dulce, to swimming with the dolphins and turtles . There is another wild life refuge & orchid farms across the gulf and we recommend your spend the day out on the water meeting our aquatic neighbors.  You will find all kinds of hiking & guided jungle tours, swimming, tree climbing, waterfall rappelling, surfing and kayaking VERY close by.  There are all kinds of things to do while on vacation or you can hang in our hammocks and get lost in your favorite book.   

$2500 for holiday weeks and $2200 for non holiday weeks, contact us personally and ask for seasonal specials and special packages. Wedding packages and chef services available upon request.

Canopy Bird Watching 40-50’ Up In Our Guanacaste Tree

Bird watchers are especially entertained by our family of Slaty Tailed and Bairds Trogans living near the tree house. Dozens of Scarlet Macaws, Chestnut Mandibled Toucans, Fiery Billed Aracaris  and Blue Crowned Motmots  play in and around the tree each day. We also have dozens  of Tanagers, Orange Manikins, Pale Billed Woodpeckers ,  Squirrel Cuckoos, Red Lore Parrots, dozens of hawks, eagles, Great King Vultures, and a Laughing Falcon.  Birds of prey &  hummingbirds galore, too many types to mention.  Our Tree house is located in a 200’ tall Guanacaste Tree  450’ above sea level and in the middle of the forest reserve.  So the 360* views will keep you  and your cameras busy. Each year our resident Macaws return to their nest and have 1-2 fledglings ( Feb- April ) and there are numerous trails through the rainforest and down on the Rio Agujas.  Bird and animal watching down at the river is a completely different experience than up in  the canopy.  Ibis, Egrets, Blue Herons, and Kingfishers buzz up and down the river each morning and evening.

Organic Farm & Rainforest Reserve

Out in front of our tree house , you will find Pineapples, Breadfruit, Yuca, Lemons, Limes, Sugar Cane, Oranges and Bananas. We also grow herbs, medicinal plants and if you are lucky - you can find a fresh Guanabana  that the monkeys haven’t eaten yet.  All fruits are seasonal, however, You can ask Wilbur (our caretaker)  to help you find bananas, limes, wild Cilantro, Basil and Oregano growing in the garden area year round. Our caretaker Wilbur is available to guide you and show you around the rainforest and river basin. Don’t miss the Blue Morph & RidgeTrail and keep a look out for Monkeys, Scarlet Macaws,  Parrots, Toucans, Sloths, Coatis and Tayras.

Coming home after a day at the beach and after dark is like stepping into a movie set of Close Encounters of the Third Kind, as the circular staircase lighting illuminates the entire underside of the tree house as it winds it’s way up to paradise. Spending a week with us in our tree house is truly an exceptional experience that you will not forget.  You will have an opportunity to slow down and learn the subtle secrets and messages that tropical nature holds. Living with our Guanacaste Tree in the middle of the house is as close to nature as you can get !

Private chef avail, 7 day minimal, Blondie prepares sumptuous meals and can cater to vegans and vegetarians.

Tree House Adventure Rental Rates

Includes the use of the entire tree house ( Lapa’s Nest Master Bedroom excl.) Includes 2 full bedrooms , queen beds)and main level doubles as a sleeping area for 2. Tree House sleeps 6 and includes 5 levels of our tree house. Make yourself at home in our fabulous kitchen, breakfast nook, living room, 2 baths, downstairs family room and art studio. Don’t forget our outdoor shower  down below and access to all rainforest trails, organic gardens and our rainforest spring fed pool.

Tree House Articles

Tico Time Article - Click here
Costa Rica Traveler Article - Click here
Living Abroad in Costa Rica - Click here

Lapa’s Nest Tree House Upgrade
          
Hang On, The Lapas Nest Experience includes the Master Bedroom almost  50’ up in the air ( 6th floor ) with spectacular views above and all around you and as high as you can get!  Put on your seat belt ,our clear panels sewed into the canvas roof above the king size bed provide unlimited viewing of the canopy above while you lay in bed. Sleep in in the morning  while watching birds and monkeys looking in on you from  above the bed. It is almost as if we ‘the humans” are the exhibit at the zoo, and the monkeys and birds are looking in on us.  Don’t expect to get much sleep on a full moon night as the views of the moon and stars above the bed are breathtaking! This package is popular for couples, families and honeymooners. Add an extra $700 per week to sleep as the Lapa’s do. Staying in our tree house  is a vacation experience of a lifetime and our home is your home while you are here with us. 

Reserve with us today! Contact  Rebecca Amelia info@costaricaartretreat.com  (US) 508-714-0622 (CR) 011-506-8372-3529

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