Tree House Lodge and Iguana Conservation Project Location: Punta Uva Tree House Lodge is located in Punta Uva, within the Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge, in the province of Limón, Costa Rica. The Punta Uva beach is right in front of the tree house. This beach is considered to be one of the most beautiful beaches in the country. The water is safe and no riptide or dangerous coral reefs are reported. The small bay of Playa Chiquita is just 300 meters from the beach entrance to the tree house. Accommodation The Tree House Lodge complex is located on a 10 acre ocean front property. Total privacy, a natural tranquil atmosphere and full relaxation are keywords for the time you will spend at the tree house. With your own beach access and 300 meter private beach front, you won't have to meet anybody else during your stay at this romantic hideway. This eco-lodge is surrounded by tropical gardens - over 50 different varieties of palm tree are grown and the lodge has the largest Heliconia collection in the area. Both houses are hidden amongst tropical plants. The extended gardens are the favoured place for many exotic birds. In the morning, you shouldn't be surprised if you look out of your window and see the howler monkeys around your house. They wake up early and they won't hesitate to let you know they are awake. Eco Policies Eco-Design - Tree House Lodge has been built entirely out of sustainable woods. All the hard woods used on the Tree House were obtained from fallen trees – no living trees were cut to build it, and the entire Beach house is also built with wood from fallen trees. The construction of the Beach House is also special for its roof design. By using several over-lapping roofs, light and fresh air can enter the house, reducing the need for lighting and air-conditioning. Natural oil based paints were used in the constructions and bamboo is incorporated into walls for structural and decorative purposes. Roofs are made from recycled materials. Energy - Hot water at this eco-friendly accommodation is provided by solar heating systems and electricity is also solar-powered. The Eco-Lodge also uses special 7 watts light bulbs to save energy. Conservation - The area on which this Eco-Lodge is built was originally swamp-land which had been partially deforested and was being used for livestock. The owner of the Lodge re-planted the land, which is now a home to tropical gardens and is a Wildlife Refuge. The Green Iguana Foundation is on the same premises, which helps to breed, raise and later release fully-grown iguanas into the wild. The Lodge also features an Iguana Conservation tour and works with local schools, in particular the Playa Chiquita School, to educate the children about the project and get them involved in feeding and caring for the iguanas. Ecological sustainability – The Eco-Lodge gets its water from a spring on the property, and buys locally, organically-grown fruit and vegetables from a market in Puerto Viejo every Saturday morning. Community - All of the Eco-Lodge’s staff are local, with 12 employees at this time. The Lodge informs guests about local culture, customs and activities. Facilities - There is no internet access at Tree House Lodge but 5 minutes away you will find a small internet cafe. For WiFi connections you only have to go as far as the Cocles community.