About Us

We believe in the value of education and the importance of sharing knowlege about the medicinal, culinary and commercial uses of plants to improve the well-being of people and the planet.

When visiting our beautiful, serene garden you will see an incredible diversity of plants from different parts of the world. A walk trough our botanical garden is an unforgetable experience… come walk with us!

Vision

To be the national benchmark on the value of plants for the well-being of people and the planet.

Mission

Preserve an ethno-botanical garden to educate on the use of plants to improve the lives of people and the planet through guided tours, educational courses on the medicinal, culinary and commercial value of plants, a restaurant service operating under the concept of the garden to the table and the sale of plants of great botanical value.

History

We have amassed one of the largest collections of herbs, plants, and flowers in Central America for over 30 years. It is a focal point for doctors, herbalists, botanists, tourists and all plant and nature lovers.
 
The Green Ark Foundation began as the garden of Tommy Thomas and Patricia Riley, two Americans who loved collecting and researching the uses and benefits of plants. As the years passed and due to their undying passion, they collected over a thousand plants from different parts of the world, attracting the attention of locals and foreigners. Three years ago Tommy decided to sell his other businesses in Costa Rica and dedicate himself fully to the botanical garden, turn it into a tourist attraction to support the preservation of flora of botanical interest, educate about its medicinal, culinary and commercial uses and raise awareness about the importance of preserving our biodiversity.
 

Currently the Foundation has more than 1600 medicinal and ornamental species, which Tommy intends to leave as a legacy for Costa Rica.

The Ark is the largest Botanical Garden in Costa Rica.