Cielo Ranch Reserve

08/10/2026

04/10/2026

Cielo from Above.
Sometimes you have to see Cielo Ranch Reserve from the air to understand just how much there is to explore. 105 acres of forest, trails, wildlife habitat, teak, open countryside—and a place to call home while you experience it all. Nearly 20 years of reforestation have transformed this landscape, and the project continues to grow.
Welcome to the ranch.
Trails • Wildlife • Adventure • Nature
cieloranchreserve.com

27/09/2026

The Lost Lake Project was originally a natural lake on what is now Cielo Ranch Reserve. Years ago, previous owners cut through its natural d**e, dug a drainage trench through the lakebed and converted the area to cattle pasture.

In 2022, we began bringing it back. We re-excavated the lake, rebuilt the d**e and began reforesting the surrounding land—with many of our guests helping us plant trees along the way.
Today, native aquatic plants are returning, wildlife is rediscovering the lake, and we're seeing migratory birds return to the area.

But Lost Lake is still a work in progress. Located near the center of our 6–7 km trail system, our long-term vision is for Lost Lake to become a natural gathering and resting place within the reserve—with hammock ranchos, restrooms, picnic and lunch areas, birdwatching, and space for activities like yoga, all designed around the lake and surrounding habitat.

The goal isn't to turn Lost Lake into another developed attraction. It's to create a place where people can stop, slow down and experience the nature we're working to restore and protect.
We didn't create Lost Lake. We're helping bring it back.

25/09/2026

ON THE TRAIL SERIES | A battle happening in plain sight

At first glance, this looks like just another unusual caterpillar hiding beneath a leaf .

Look closer.

This appears to be a Hylesia caterpillar —a member of the giant silk moth family. But those small white objects covering its back aren't eggs or baby caterpillars. They're the cocoons of tiny parasitoid wasps.

The wasp larvae developed inside the caterpillar before emerging and spinning their cocoons on its body. Eventually, tiny adult wasps will emerge, which you can see in the video.

It's an incredible example of the complex relationships happening every day in the rainforest—often right beside the trail without us ever noticing. It was awesome to see this process playing out.

Sometimes the smallest discoveries tell the wildest stories. (On the Trail at Cielo Ranch Reserve)

18/09/2026

Birds of Cielo Ranch

This months featured bird is the Chestnut-mandibled Toucan, now generally known as the Yellow-throated Toucan.

We're fortunate to have several members of the toucan family regularly visiting Cielo Ranch Reserve and The Casa Cielo Jungle House Compound, including Chestnut-mandibled Toucans, Keel-billed Toucans, Collared Aracaris, and occasionally toucanets.

Toucans aren't just beautiful birds—they play an important role in the forest. Much of their diet consists of fruit, and as they move from tree to tree they carry and disperse seeds throughout the landscape. In other words, toucans help forests grow. Their enormous bills are also remarkably useful tools for reaching fruit—and even help them regulate body temperature.

Another reason why protecting and restoring wildlife habitat matters. PURA VIDA!!

15/09/2026

You never know what you’re going to find at Lost Lake.

Lost Lake has become one of our favorite restoration projects at Cielo Ranch Reserve. Originally a natural lake, previous owners cut through the natural d**e, drained the area and dug a trench through the lakebed to create additional pasture for cattle.

In 2022, we began the Lost Lake Project. We rebuilt the d**e, re-excavated the lake, restored the water, and began reforesting the surrounding pasture. Since then, nature has been doing much of the rest. Native aquatic plants are returning, the surrounding trees are growing, migratory birds are discovering the lake, and wildlife continues to move back into the area. And here's one of the interesting parts: we don't stock Lost Lake.

During heavy rainy-season flooding, the nearby Pataste River can rise high enough to temporarily connect with the lake. Fish and other aquatic wildlife naturally find their way in. We've even had caimans show up. So we never really know what might be living in Lost Lake from one season to the next.

This guest decided to try his luck—and pulled out this beauty. From drained pasture back to a living lake. That's what the Lost Lake Project is all about.

And we're just getting started. NICE CATCH MR. BERTON!!!

12/09/2026

Mornings at Cielo Ranch Reserve.

Our Great Curassows are regular visitors around the ranch. We often see family groups quietly walking through the property, especially in the mornings and late afternoons.

These large forest birds spend much of their time on the ground searching for fruit, seeds and other food, but they also roost in trees. The males are easy to recognize by their mostly black plumage, while the females can look dramatically different with brown or barred plumage.

Seeing wildlife like this simply going about its day is one of our favorite parts of life at Cielo Ranch Reserve.

Protect the forest. Protect the habitat. Let the wildlife return.

10/09/2026

What began as a simple reforestation project has grown into something much bigger than we ever imagined.

Since 2006, we’ve watched former pasture slowly transform as thousands of trees have grown and wildlife has returned. Today, Cielo Ranch Reserve is a 105-acre working ranch and private wildlife reserve—and the project continues to evolve every year.

Our goal is to continue restoring habitat, protecting the forest, and creating a place where our guests can experience this transformation firsthand.

When you stay with us, you’re not just visiting Cielo Ranch Reserve—you’re helping us continue the project.

Learn more at CieloRanchReserve.com

12/07/2026

This morning out on Cielo Ranch Reserve. Coffee, Monkeys, and Toucans... Not a bad way to start the day. Pura Vida!!

12/03/2026

Summer has finally arrived.