Economy car rental Costa Rica and Lankester Garden Costa Rica

Stop and smell the orchids during your upcoming Avanti Economy Car Rental Costa Rica vacation - plan an afternoon at the Jardin Botanico Lankester (the Lankester Botanical Garden). Located on the campus of the University of Costa Rica, the mission of the Lankester Botanical Garden is to promote “conservation, enjoyment and sustainable use of the epiphytic flora through scientific research, horticulture, and environmental education.” A stunning natural attraction, the Lankester Garden was created by a British orchid enthusiast in 1917, and later gifted to the University for research purposes.

Enjoy an exotic escape

Avanti Economy Car Rental Costa Rica vacationers will discover more than 11 hectares of exotic epiphytes at the Lankester Garden, including a large section devoted entirely to orchids. More than 3,000 species of plants are currently grown in the gardens, including many rare and endangered types. The vast majority of the Garden can be broken down into seven main areas: orchids, bromeliads, cacti and succulents, heliconias, bamboos, palms, and a secondary growth forest. There are also a number of conservatories onsite that house the Gardens research facilities.

Learn about the local flora

Avanti Economy Car Rental Costa Rica vacationers will have the opportunity to education themselves on the different types of plants and trees indigenous to their local surroundings. Visitors are free to roam most areas of the facility, including the propagation greenhouses, and if you ask, the technicians are usually more than happy to explain how things work (if you speak a bit of Spanish). From there, you simply must visit the Garden's hallmark orchid collection, which features more than 800 different species. These plants bloom year-round at the garden, with the most significant blossoms appearing between February and May.

An oasis for animals and insects

The Lankester Garden isn't just a place for humans to visit while on an economy car rental Costa Rica vacation; it's also a place where migratory birds can relax and rejuvenate after a long flight. The Garden is very much a sanctuary for these weary travelers, providing them with peaceful nesting places and convenient expanses of water. Avanti Economy Car Rental Costa Rica travelers will also find a diverse array of insect in the gardens, along with butterflies, hummingbirds and the odd the frog.

Directions to the Garden

Avanti Economy Car Rental Costa Rica travelers should have no problem finding the Lankester Gardens, especially if they follow these directions:

• From San Jose, take the Pan American Highway south to Route 10 east to Cartago. You'll enter Cartago on Avenida 2. Turn right at Las Ruinas and continue for two blocks south at which point you'll find Avenida 3. Turn left onto Avenida 3 and continue out of town heading east on Route 10 to Paraiso. A sign signalling the entrance to the Lankester Garden will be on your right after approximately 3 km.

Hours and admission prices

The Lankester Garden is open to the public every day of the year, except for New Year's Day, Good Friday and Christmas Day. Avanti Economy Car Rental Costa Rica travelers are invited to visit the gardens from 8:30am to 5:30pm (the last admission tickets are sold at 4:30pm). The Garden Gift Shop, which is home to botanical literature, handcrafted goods, souvenirs and plants, is open between 8:30am and 4:30pm as well. Admission to the Garden is US $5 for non-resident adults and US $3.50 for non-resident students. Garden members and children under the age of six are admitted into the Garden free of charge. When visiting the Garden, please remember the following:

• No smoking is allowed inside the facilities
• No toys or pets are permitted inside the Garden
• Children must always be accompanied by an adult
• Bring comfortable shoes for walking. A rain slicker is also recommend during the rainy season (May through December)