Ecology, conservation and microclimates have been elevated as attractive key words associated to the tourism attractions of Costa Rica, a small Central American nation of little more than 51,000 square kilometers; but also home to a surprising host of 1,500 diverse species of orchid, more than twice that of Thailand and 5 times more than Taiwan.

The orchid however, remains forgotten in the content of advertising campaigns designed to attract international tourism; but for the visitor who takes pleasure in them, these orchids are something akin to an a revered privilege. Just a few decades ago, when the country had yet to dream of the positioning that it maintains today in the travel the market, the ‘Guaria Morada’ (catleya skineri) was the icon that it identified the Costa Rican Institute of Tourism, the state organization dedicated to the promotion and regulation of the industry.

Guaria is a word of Nahuatl origin. The prefix "gua" means tree and the name given to the flower, possibly reflects the essential characteristic of most epiphytes - to grow on the trees. Morado (purple) is obviously due to the color of the species, resembling the Mora, a flavorful berry that grows at high altitudes and is used to produce drinks, jams and preserves.

Guaria is also the generic term that "ticos" use to call to the orchids traditionally grown by their grandparents in the atriums and gardens of their homes and particularly on the roofing tiles of those garden walls "tapias entejadas". Poets, musicians and artists have found inspiration in this beautiful flower that in 1937 was chosen in public contest, to represent the country as the "National Flower of Costa Rica".

While during the months of February through April, the orchid’s spectacular blooms can be observed in numerous gardens throughout the country, orchid lovers can find an attraction that congregates in a single garden more than 1,000 species of these flowers.

The Lankester Botanical Garden, is an estate of 11 hectares ascribed to the University of Costa Rica, where not only 15,000 scientifically documented specimens of orchid can be enjoyed, but also invaluable collections of bromeliads, cactus, heliconia, bamboo, palms amid a splendid secondary forest are also part of this spectacular attraction.

In the 1940’s, British naturalist Charles Lankester, an amateur botanist and specialist in epiphytes, decided to create an orchid garden in his property located in Paraiso de Cartago. After its death, little more than three decades later, the Lankester Botanical Garden was consolidated into a center for the exhibition, conservation and investigation of tropical epiphytes, emphasizing orchids and for this project, the support of the American Orchid Society and the Stanley Smith Horticultural Trust were obtained.

Lankester Garden is open daily from early morning to late afternoon and is located a mere 26 kms from San Jose, on the highway that leads to the city of Paraiso de Cartago. Along the route you’ll find important monuments of tourism interest such as the Colonial Mission of Orosi in the Valley of the Reventazón River and the Ruins of Ujarrás.

From the Costa Rican capital of San Jose, the trip can be made in public bus and takes about 40 minutes. However, the nearest bus stop is a short 500 meter walk from the gardens. The entrance fee is US$5.00 and the site is well designed with trails, a store and cafeteria.