3
F inca Cántaros A Refuge for Natural and Cultural History Fine Native Crafts For birders, photographers, walkers, artists, picnickers, campers, shoppers… W elcome to Finca Cántaros, private nature re- serve, recreation area and gardens. As you tour, bear in mind that prior to purchase by the current owners in June 1994, the original forests of the property had been cleared during the 1960s for coee plantations, then later converted to cattle pasture—uses that had degraded most of the land. Since then, the property of seven hectares (17.3 acres) has been reforested and restored with thousands of native trees, palms, fruits, and understory plants. Enjoy the tranquility of this tropical refuge for people, plants, and all manner of y - ing, swimming, walking and crawling creatures. HISTORIC BUILDING. What is now the Cántaros store, library and caretaker- family home was originally a rustic house built in 1962 by Miguel Jimenez, its rst resident, for Italian pioneer Vito Sansonetti, the rst owner of the property. A former commander in the Italian Navy, Sansonetti encouraged 110 Italian men and families to settle in and around San Vito between 1950 and 1955. In 1994 the building was remodeled by raising the roof and adding the library space and porch, but the original wood oor, walls and character of the home were retained. What is a cántaro? In old Spanish, a clay pitcher, pot or deep bowl. The Zoncho wetland formed in a natural clay bowl about 3000 years ago. Private nature reserve ^ Over 17 acres of gardens and secondary forests with trails ^ Bird watching (over 185 bird species observed to date); bird list available ^ 3000+ year-old Lake Zoncho wetland with aquatic birds Grand vistas ^ Lookout points to San Vito, the Coto Brus valley, and the Talamanca Mountains Laguna Zoncho in rainy season. Mirador (vista point) and rancho. Archeological zone ^ One of the most studied p rivate sites in Costa Rica for pre-Columbian archeology ^ Ancient petroglyph and grinding stone on display Petroglyph. View of San Vito and Coto Brus Valley from Mirador .
