Life Center & Butterfly Farm
Activities at Life Center & Butterfly Farm
Our Life Center is the perfect place for animal and nature lovers to revel in a unique, relaxing, and enriching setting. With its sweeping deck, the Center acts as a vantage point for guests to immerse themselves in the fascinating world that resides in the lower region of the Mashpi Reserve. As a result, the Life Center provides high-quality telescopes and binoculars for our Guests to enjoy an unparalleled viewing experience that’s perfect for bird and wildlife watchers.
Our expert Guides will accompany you on this safe and exciting activity, sharing knowledge about the region and its natural treasures. Our Guides, too, will guide you down the path that leads to the Center, sharing knowledge about the ecological and cultural importance of the local flora and fauna you see along the way. Once you arrive at the Center, they’ll skillfully help you spot some of the beautiful scenery’s elusive and hard-to-see features and inhabitants that can be appreciated from its 260-degree observation deck.
Relax, open your senses, the spectacle of nature awaits.
And while you’re here, you won’t want to miss out on stepping inside our wonderful Butterfly Farm, which is directly connected to and a part of the Life Center itself. Here, you’ll be able to learn about the life cycle of butterflies, from their egg, larva, and pupa stages to their metamorphosis into beautiful adult butterflies.
Not only that, but you’ll also have the chance to be surrounded by them! Some of these butterflies will even land on your hand or shoulder, allowing you to admire their details up close. Some 200 species of butterflies have been identified at Mashpi, 21 of which were bred at the Life Center.
Finally, the Life Center’s Garden is a window into this region’s natural richness, allowing you to explore the fascinating variety of native plants and trees. The Garden is the perfect way to admire dozens of species of plants, from orchids, giant ferns, bromeliads, and passion flowers!
What’s it like?
The Life Center and its adjacent Butterfly Farm are located in the lower part of the Mashpi Reserve. Guests can reach it via a casual 30-minute walk from the Lodge itself, or catch a ride aboard one of the Lodge’s vehicles. There are a couple of dozen steps that lead visitors down to the Life Center. The Center and Butterfly Farm are open-air environments, neither of which is air-conditioned.
Sandy Lara
Destination Expert
María Emilia de los Reyes
Destination Expert
Rosa Mena
Destination Expert
Rosa has been so helpful planning my trip and her extensive knowledge of the islands is very much appreciated! I will definitely recommend Metropolitan Touring to everyone!