Finca Rio Perla![]() A refreshing waterfall on Finca Rio Perla
Go horseback riding, hike to amazing waterfalls, swim in natural rainforest pools, go fishing in the tilapia ponds, observe the many birds, take a walk through the fields and macadamia plantation, or just sit back - and relax!
Finca Rio Perla, our beautiful affiliate eco-farm, is located in a countryside paradise on the slopes of Volcan Turrialba, on a sprawling 240 acres, including many acres of untouched rainforest. High on the Caribbean Highlands of Costa Rica, with elevations ranging from about 1,000 to 2,250 feet (350 to 750 meters), the farm is blessed with moderate temperatures, great breezes, amazing views, and a relative lack of insects (like mosquitoes). The farm is a special place. Visitors to the farm enjoy hiking to the breathtaking waterfalls and swimming in the refreshing natural pools and streams located on protected rainforest land on the farm’s property, horseback riding, strolling around a jungle macadamia grove (and pick your own nuts and cut your own sugarcane), or just chilling on the deck in a rocking chair or a hammock, overlooking a view of that goes on for miles and miles, out to the Caribbean Coast. Click here for info & prices on Finca Rio Perla lodging and activities! Finca Rio Perla is also a working farm, where guests can experience the authentic Costa Rican countryside. The farm has a herd of dairy of cows, sheep, free-range hens, tilapia fishponds, organic vegetable gardens, and a grand macadamia plantation. Guests often partake in various farm activities, such as egg collecting, macadamia harvesting and tending of the organic garden. You can fish your own tilapia for dinner, milk cows in the morning and make your own cheese in the afternoon – or help reforest the land and offset your travel associated carbon emissions by planting trees. Your visit at Finca Rio Perla will be hosted as well by a Tico family (Efrain & Vivian, and son Manuel), the farm's caretakers, which provides a unique opportunity to explore, experience, and connect with the authentic Costa Rica. This is a great opportunity to learn or practice Spanish - and a great opportunity to learn or practice Tico cooking with the guidance of Vivian, who cooks the delicious meals served on the farm . Finca Rio Perla offers traditional Tico (Costa Rican) food that is primarily vegetarian with dairy and eggs, and also tilapia from the farm. The farm’s kitchen tries to use farm-grown products, locally produced products, and organic products whenever possible. Finca Rio Perla’s activities are based on both traditional and new practices and technologies that maintain and nurture the environment. It strives toward organic and natural production and processing practices and technologies. Its balanced and eclectic approach to sustainable living is called Agro-Eco Pragmatism. In this way the farm challenge itself to think and act locally and globally, while trying to ask the driving questions about the relationships between humans, nature and development. |
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Photos from Finca Rio Perla
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Location
Finca Rio Perla is conveniently located near the town of Siquirres and the village of Alegria. It’s approximately 60 miles or a two hour drive east from the capital, San Jose, and 40 miles or an hour and a half drive from Limon on the Caribbean Coast. |
Dr. Paul Siegel

Dr. Paul B. Siegel
The owner of Finca Rio Perla, Dr. Paul B. Siegel, Ph.D. (Paulo) has been a Rural Development Consultant with the World Bank for more than 20 years working in Latin America and the Caribbean, Africa, Asia, Middle East, and Europe. He was also a professor in the USA and Israel.
His experience living on kibbutz (communal farm) in Israel had significant impact on his personal and professional development, shaping his sense of identity and purpose, enriching his connection with community, and has driven his desire for justice, and a simple life in balance with land and nature. Although Paul's work still takes him to many places in the world, it is peaceful Costa Rica and more specifically Finca Rio Perla, that is really home.
By affiliating with us, Finca Rio Perla has become and integral part of what makes Greener Travel's tours so unique.
His experience living on kibbutz (communal farm) in Israel had significant impact on his personal and professional development, shaping his sense of identity and purpose, enriching his connection with community, and has driven his desire for justice, and a simple life in balance with land and nature. Although Paul's work still takes him to many places in the world, it is peaceful Costa Rica and more specifically Finca Rio Perla, that is really home.
By affiliating with us, Finca Rio Perla has become and integral part of what makes Greener Travel's tours so unique.