Lankester Botanical Garden

Lankester Botanical Garden is a research center with greenhouses where a diverse collection of tropical and subtropical plants grows. The grounds include different zones with varying cultivation methods and vegetation types that visitors explore along pathways.

A plant enthusiast arrived in Costa Rica in the early 1900s and later purchased a former coffee estate to grow orchids. The project evolved from a private garden endeavor into a scientific institution with importance for plant research.

The garden is named after a plant enthusiast who dedicated his life to orchid cultivation and conservation. Today, it serves as a place where visitors connect with rare plants and understand their importance in nature.

The site is accessible on most days and sits in a cooler mountain climate, so layered light clothing is wise. Good footwear matters because paths cross the grounds and soil can be slippery after rain.

A Japanese garden area with traditional elements like a pond, teahouse, and bamboo forest offers contrast to the tropical surroundings. This section shows how different garden traditions come together at this location.

Location: Dulce Nombre

Inception: 1973

Email: jardinbotanico.lankester@ucr.ac.cr

Website: http://jbl.ucr.ac.cr

GPS coordinates: 9.83889,-83.89030

Latest update: December 12, 2025 16:42