by Luis H. Galera

Savegre River - Ecological and Cultural Bastion

The waters named Quebrada Providencia at 3490 m.a.s.l. flow from the interior of the Cordillera de Talamanca in the mystical Massif de la Muerte, near the Los Quetzales National Park.The purity and transparency of the river descends for 41 kilometers along this basin of great steep slopes, taking life to the communities and ecosystems that are intertwined in its route. As a result of the altitudinal changes along its path, the Savegre basin is one of the most biodiverse places in Costa Rica.

It generated a assorted series of microclimates and forests that varies from the cloud forest and Parámo in the high parts to the Humid tropical forest protected by the Manuel Antonio National Park in its lower part. Its intense flow - famous for rafting - functions as the last biological corridor between the Talamanca mountain range and the Pacific Ocean. Hence its environmental importance for the country and the region, protecting about 20% of flora species registered in the country, including endemic species. On the other hand, the cultural and social value of the river contributes significantly to the development of the cantons of Dota, Tarrazú, Pérez Zeledón and Quepos. They benefit from agriculture, livestock, tourism / conservation. As main socio-economic activities, there is trout-species for fishing introduced into the river and reproduced in ponds near the riverbed. 

Apart from the solemn beauty of this impressive river and its importance as a geographical boundary between Pérez Zeledón and the canton of Dota, which belongs to the canton of San José, it is of inestimable value to the inhabitants of the different communities of these cantons. They maintain protection efforts at their margins, as did the Bribris, Cabecares and Quepoas from pre-colonial times. Now considered the cleanest river in Costa Rica and Central America, for these indigenous groups it served as sustenance and settlement of their villages.