Rooted in the Osa forest.

Family and team

The people behind Tamandua

Ananias grew up in the forest, developing a deep knowledge of its trails, rivers, plants and wildlife. His experience includes traditional forest knowledge and the use of plants in natural medicine. Before focusing on the station, he spent years working as a sport-fishing captain in Drake Bay, bringing that local experience to the project.

Rebeca is a tropical biologist who worked for around two decades as a naturalist guide in Corcovado National Park. She now leads the station’s research and client logistics, connecting the scientific work with the practical arrangements that make visits and projects possible.

Valeria and Braulio grew up at the station, with the forest as part of their daily lives. The family’s relationship with this place has grown alongside the project.

Allan has collaborated with Tamandua for more than a decade. He is a naturalist guide specialising in jungle survival, contributing his experience of living and moving through the forest.

Over approximately 17 years, the project has grown in an area that has faced hunting and logging pressure. The station’s conservation work has helped reduce illegal hunting and logging locally. Maintaining a presence in the forest, welcoming visitors and continuing research all help sustain that work.

How the project works

Ecotourism helps keep the station active

Tamandua Biological Station currently receives no government support. Its independent research and conservation work depend on the activity of the station: lodging, meals and tours help finance biodiversity monitoring, conservation and education.

Visitors contribute directly to keeping the project active. Their stays help maintain facilities and trails, sustain the day-to-day work and create opportunities to continue and expand research. Ecotourism also supports the station’s ongoing efforts to reduce threats to the surrounding forest.

Choosing to visit Tamandua therefore contributes to more than the visit itself. It helps maintain the continuity of a place where research, conservation and daily forest life support one another.

A stay with purpose

Why Choose Tamandua Biological Station

Tamandua Biological Station offers more than a place to sleep near Drake Bay. Scientific research and forest conservation are part of daily life here, and a stay brings guests close to the forest and the work being done to understand and protect it.

As Drake Bay town becomes increasingly busy, Tamandua offers a quiet, natural environment away from its urban tourism. There is time to listen, observe and explore, with private trails, a river and the sounds of the forest close by.

Guests can also take part by contributing useful biodiversity photographs to the species inventory. With proper identification, recording and photographer credit, these observations support scientific documentation, research and conservation.

Connect with the catalogue project →

Osa Peninsula

Special location close to Corcovado

Tamandua Biological Station is approximately 5 km from Agujitas Beach in Drake Bay. The approach includes steep hills and six river crossings, and a high-clearance 4x4 is required for direct driving. We can help arrange local transfers; check current weather and river conditions with the station before travelling.

The station lies close to the northwestern boundary of Corcovado National Park and is the last construction before the primary forest. Clean waters and the surrounding intact ecosystem are part of what makes this location special.

Our private trail network leads through the forest to waterfalls and natural swimming pools. Away from town, the setting offers a sense of isolation, with stretches of forest and no other people for kilometres. It is a place to experience the tropical rainforest closely, with time and space to notice its life and rhythms.

How to get there →