Arenal Botanical Gardens

The marvelous Jardín Botánico de Arenal (tel. 506/695-4273, fax 506/694-4086, exoticseeds@hotmail.com, www.exoticseeds.com, 9 a.m.–5 p.m., $4 admission), four km east of town, blooms on the Continental Divide and harbors 2,500 rare tropical species, including a panoply of Costa Rican plants: anthuriums, bromeliads, ferns, even roses, plus orchids galore, and all six species of gorguras, all drawing birds in abundance. There’s even an Asian garden with waterfalls. The collection of heliconias and ginger is particularly splendid. Visitors are limited to 20 per hour. A booklet corresponds to the numbered displays. The owner, Michael LeMay, like any true Englishman, can be seen coddling his plants with solicitude in even the rainiest weather. It also has a hummingbird “sanctuary” and a large butterfly garden. It’s closed October.