Efraín Chacón

Efraín Chacón and his family fled serious altercations in Costa Rica in 1954 and in that year discovered the area in the Talamanca Mountains that would later become known as the community of San Gerardo de Dota. When the Chacón family first came upon the precious ecosystem, it was completely unspoiled, covered by primary cloud forest. While the Chacóns worked to establish their home, they took shelter in a cave underneath a large rock.

Theirs was a difficult life, but eventually the Chacóns developed San Gerardo. At first they tried to raise cattle in the area, but jaguars preyed upon the herd. They planted fruit trees and to this day there are some orchards remaining. What worked best, however, was maintaining San Gerardo de Dota close to its pristine environs and thereby attract tourists interested in the natural setting and in such activities as bird watching and fishing.

Eventually the Chacóns built the Savegre Mountain Hotel, stocked the waters with trout, and permitted the development of additional structures, including other tourist facilities, a church, and a school, all built in an environmentally friendly way. Despite their humble beginnings, Efraín Chacón and his family maintained their dedication to conservation while providing for the wellbeing of their children and creating employment for others.

Further information on Efraín Chacón and the Savegre Mountain Hotel is available at http://www.savegre.co.cr/

View interviews:
Discovery of San Gerardo de Dota (16 MB Quicktime video)
Importance and Permanence of San Gerardo de Dota (13 MB Quicktime video)
Quetzal Migration (13 MB Quicktime video)