30 Best Stops Between Granada and Arenal Volcano National Park
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Wanderlog staff Updated • updatedApr 7, 2023
How long is the drive from Granada to Arenal Volcano National Park?
The direct drive from Granada to Arenal Volcano National Park is 186 mi (299 km), and should have a drive time of 4 hrs 39 mins in normal traffic.
If you’re going on a road trip from Granada to Arenal Volcano National Park, we did the research for you and compiled some great stops along the way — with top places to visit like Punta Jesús María and Cristo de La Misericordia, or the ever-popular Pie de Gigante Spanish School.
Best stops along Granada to Arenal Volcano National Park drive
The top stops along the way from Granada to Arenal Volcano National Park (with short detours) are Baldi Hot Springs Resort Hotel & Spa, Parque Nacional Volcán Tenorio, and Reserva Natural Ojo de Agua. Other popular stops include Playa San Juan del Sur, Lake Arenal, and Playa Hermosa, Costa Rica.
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Pie de Gigante Spanish School
Language school
Classes & Workshops
Lessons & Workshops
Man, I can't imagine there being a better Spanish school in the entire of Central America. My partner and I were total beginners which we were a bit worried about because most people at the school were much more advanced than us, but it helped us SO MUCH and was so fun and nice. All the teachers were super lovely, including the owner Juan. We would even consider Juan and another teacher there, Julian, to be our friends now. We definitely 100% recommend doing one-on-one classes, and if possible, 2-3 weeks minimum if you're a total beginner like us. We only did a week and were very sad to leave. We did the homestay as well, which for a week, would be perfect. Honestly, such a fantastic experience, can't recommend highly enough.
Hopes O — Google review
Taking classes at the school has been a big highlight of my time in Nicaragua!! The school is very professional, the atmosphere is so so good and positive and the teachers are full of energy. Every morning I felt excited ‘to go to school’ again. At first I wasn’t sure if I would like the 1-1 classes, but I wouldn’t have wanted it any different way. You really build a connection with your teacher and you’re forced to speak, a lot. You’re not only learning Spanish, you’re learning a lot about Nicaragua as well. I look back at this time with a big smile, it’s a very special memory for me. Special credits to my teacher Julian, who has been a great teacher and still is a good friend. 🍀
Yara Kwinten — Google review
My husband stayed with a local family for a month, and attended language school daily. By the end he was able to converse in Spanish, and he had nothing but good things to say about his instructors and his experience at the school. I came to visit for a week during his trip, and we both stayed with his home stay family. They were FABULOUS! We had a great little space, the food was delicious, and it allowed us to get a more authentic, off-the-beaten track, experience. We even got to take part in a once a year family fiesta, where they killed a pig and 9 chickens, and cooked for what seemed like the whole town! Juan Delgado, the organizer of the school was incredibly helpful, accommodating, and professional. I highly recommend Pie De Gigante Language School to anyone interested in learning Spanish abroad, and don't skip the home stay!
Jennifer Wolding — Google review
We've just finished 5 weeks studying at the Gigante Spanish school and can't recommend it highly enough. The teachers were fantastic. We went from being total beginners to holding conversations in just 5 weeks thanks to the brilliant teaching. Juan and the team went above and beyond on numerous occasions, for example taking me to the local clinic when I had a surfing injury. Studying here also meant we could go surfing everyday, which injury aside, was the perfect combination. We went for the homestay option which sped up the learning process and was really cost effective. If you're looking for a beautiful place to quickly learn Spanish whilst also surfing, definitely choose here.
Luke Stuart-Smith — Google review
I was recommended this place by some fellow travellers I met in Mexico and am stoked I was put onto this hidden gem. My lessons were 1 on 1 with Julian, who made the classes fun and was really good at explaining everything clearly. Sometimes it felt more like 2 friends talking, but he still made sure I was learning my verbs and tenses and expanding my vocabulary. The town of El Gigante is a beautiful quiet little place away from the busier more famous surf breaks near by, though the wave here is still a fun little wave with a good vibe and not too crowded. Staying in a home stay with Mary Elena was also a good way to practice Spanish, experience some local culture and eat some good food. I even moved to another place in town when my home stay was over and extended my time in Gigante a few more nights!
Isaac London — Google review
Incredible Spanish School literally on the beach with very friendly staff and management.
I took private lessons with a young a motivated teacher and was able to schedule them flexible throughout the week which was a big plus. Easy communication with the owner via WhatsApp at any time. If you are an advanced speaker ask if Yosseling is available, she knows what she is doing and is eager to help you level up your Spanish.
You can also typical have good local food at great prices before or after your school as there is a local abuela cooking meals for you on demand.
I have been to several Spanish Schools in Mexico and Spain but this one was simply the most effective and fun by far.
Hagen C. — Google review
My boyfriend and I took a Spanish class for one week during our stay in El Gigante. They teach 1:1 and I can especially share my experience that I had with my teacher Julian. He really individualised my classes to pre-knowledge and as well to what I wanted to learn during the week. Besides learning, we always had fun during our conversations that we of course had in Spanish. I feel like I have improved a lot here. If I'd have stayed longer in El Gigante, I'd definitely took further classes.
Helen Bauhaus — Google review
I had an amazing experience at Pie de Gigante Spanish school. I did 5 weeks of Spanish classes. The professors were all well trained and very proficient in their teaching ability. The lesson plans were well curated and my Spanish improved immensely. There were also group activities everyday that made it easy to befriend other travelers/people studying in El Gigante.
El Gigante a beautiful and tranquil place to learn Spanish. I looked into many different schools in Central America and can't imagine one being a better fit for me. (Right on a beautiful beach and great surf nearby). I give the school my highest recommendation. Muchas Gracias to my wonderful professors Keyner and Javi!
Gregory Knowles — Google review
I had the best 5 weeks in El Gigante and at the Gigante spanish school!!!!!!
+ one on one classes
+ amazing, professional, fun teachers (my teacher was Julian and I can not imaging a better person to learn with!)
+ group activities like vocabulary-games, beach volleyball and even cooking classes(!)
+ most beautiful surrounding
There are so many activities you can do in Gigante and it is also so easy to connect with other travellers and locals (especially when you visit the school).
Honestly it was one of the best experiences in my life!
Yasemin — Google review
Just spent a fantastic 3 weeks at Pie de Gigante Spanish School would highly recommend! The staff/teachers take great care of you. El Gigante is a beautiful little town, I felt very safe and loved spending my days exploring the beautiful beaches.
Lana Griffin — Google review
The most wonderful Spanish school!! We spent a week here and my teacher Keyner was incredible. He structured the lessons so well, was so patient and fun to work with and taught me so much. The daily 4hrs study was broken up with group games/activities which were great to both practice Spanish and meet other travellers. The school also is right in front of the ocean which was such a beautiful view for lessons. I’ll always be grateful for the experience here and my wonderful teacher.
We opted for the Homestay option and unfortunately it wasn’t quite as hoped for, particularly in terms of having opportunities to chat with the local family and practice our Spanish. As we were only staying for 1 short week however, we didn’t raise this with the School until afterwards (in fear of awkwardness with the family). If raised earlier, we know the the School and management there would have supported us though, and they were very receptive to our feedback afterwards. Of course all homestay experiences are different for everyone, this was just ours.
Thank you Pie de Gigante Spanish School!
Gigi — Google review
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On the northern edge of the El Gigante beach, next to Doña Lin's 9XV8+47G, Cam. de Gigante, El Gigante, Tola 48500, Nicaragua
The tourist attraction known as Cristo de La Misericordia offers visitors breathtaking panoramic views of SJDS, including the bay and city skyline. Located atop a mountain, visitors can either hike or drive to reach this monument which showcases historical facts about the area. The peaceful church beneath the statue adds to the serene atmosphere of this site. Sunset catamaran tours and horseback riding on the beach are just some of the enjoyable activities available for tourists to experience during their visit to Nicaragua's scenic beaches.
This was amazing to see up close in person. It is a bit of a climb to get here but worth it. The view from this monument is incredible.
Jim B — Google review
Worth the walk! We barely walked for 30-40mintues (pretty calm), and very safe in the morning.
Be careful as there are massive ramps to get to the Cristo!
You will need to pay 2$ for entrance, but definetly worth the price. Best views from San Juan beach.
Mario Vazquez — Google review
Last day here and was thinking we didn’t need to visit this landmark, we’ve had sick family members so we decided to make the effort and we were glad we did! This is a spectacular location that boasts incredible views of the town and the coast north of town. I recommend you visit at sunset! The walk up is quite challenging, but vehicles and motorcycles can come up to a landing parking area and then the last climb is minimal. A must when visiting SJDS!
Chef Gerry Rozo — Google review
Stunning views of SJDS bay. Peaceful church under the Cristo with historical facts about the area. You can hike or drive up. Cost: $2
Jordan Jacquot — Google review
The view from up here is spectacular. You can see the complete beauty of San Juan del Sur and take photos of it. It has a few benches to sit and chat.
Noem? Romero — Google review
It's a beautiful view with an entrance of 2 dollars for gringos .It's a steep hill to go up, paved so it's not difficult to walk. We went for the sunset and weren't disappointed.
Arriana Michopoulou — Google review
Beautiful views over the city and the sunsets are always great here.
Maryam M — Google review
Beautiful view of San Juan Del Sur from the top. We walked from town center and it took an hour. The last part is up a very steep road. We took a few breaks on the way up and finally made it. The walk is definitely worth it!
Trading Hats — Google review
Such an awesome place to watch the sunset. Amazing on all levels. Story of the building of this place is super cool as well.
Alan Hedrick — Google review
Beautiful place to see the sunset! You must drive up a steep hill and still walk a few more steps. Plan ahead so you make it on time. There's a fee of $2 per foreigners and $1 for nationals.
Mili Castro — Google review
Easy walk along the beach to the end where there is a gate that leads to a path and then a steep walk up to the statue by road. Nice to go up for sunset. Our hostel advised us to leave right after the sun goes down so we are not walking along the beach in the dark as he has heard of people being robbed a few times per year on the beach at night.
Jenny Winder — Google review
Some difficult place to reach by car. GPS is inaccurate. Pay minimal fee to enter. It's worth the effort for breath taking views
Faith Believer — Google review
Worth only for the view of town. You can see a good view of rocks and beach from here. Close at 6 pm. 20-30 min walk to there and 70 C or 2$ entrance fee.
Nava Bgh — Google review
•November 2023• a fun little hike to a stunning view of San Juan Del Sur and the giant Jesus statue. Definitely worth the effort to get there.
Steven Theodore Windsor — Google review
So much fun to get to! Such a steep road! There was a guy standing at a gate collecting entrance money... I think we got over charged. The view down into San Juan del Sur.
Angela Greer — Google review
It's definitely worth seeing, plus you get a spectacular view of the bay.
Coleen Campbell — Google review
Just getting to the top is an adventure but we’ll worth it. The views are espectacular and you can appreciate the natural beauty of this country. Make sure to look around so you don’t miss out on the good photo spots.
K I P — Google review
Stunning view of the bay and beaches from San Juan del Sur
Flore Narjoux — Google review
Phenomenal views , I recommend a motorbike to get there , $2 admission fee, well worth it
Isla Ometepe, situated in Lake Nicaragua, is the world's biggest lake island. It encompasses an area of roughly 270 sq km and houses around 35,000 inhabitants who primarily rely on agriculture, particularly plane tree cultivation. The island features two active volcanoes that exceed a height of 1600 meters: Madera and Conception. In addition to these natural landmarks, Ometepe also boasts petroglyphs and capuchin monkeys among other exotic fauna.
One of the best, best places to go in Nicaragua 🤍✨ it’s really gorgeous 😍 I fell in love with the natural beauty everywhere. 💘
Josseline Aguilera — Google review
Was going to go to Popoyo but I was recommended this place instead and I have no regret. Had an amazing time exploring the island with the ATV (safest option). Make it one of your stop if you're going to Nicaragua. The ferry ride is a about an hour from San Jorge. I took the small boat to go (can feel unsafe but we made it) and the big one (much more relax) to come back. They offer both rental services on and off (cheaper) the island.
André “drelikethelegend” Zamore — Google review
A very spiritual place . You don’t want to leave this place once you’re here .
Ares A “A7A” Thanios — Google review
Pools were very nice. A lot of flies around tables which was a bit annoying. Food in restaurant is not great but a nice way to spend a few hours. Well shaded and really nice water.
Andrew Cotter — Google review
I would spend one night only on this island, rent an ATV, go to the waterfall, explore around see the volcanos and come back the next day. There are cute little bed and breakfasts around, but just make sure you book your trip ahead of time so you can bring your car into the island.
Kiyomi V — Google review
A must for every Nicaragua trip! The island is beautiful, calm and has a lot to offer. I'd recommend renting a bike to explore the island. Additional plus: Hardly any mosquitos!
David S. — Google review
Amazing, peacefull island with two vulcano and lot of beautiful places for visit. I reccomend lent there motocycle or ATV better than car because many roads are really bad to see many places like waterfall, playa mangos for sunset or ojo de agua. I came here in off- season so places were empty so it was good. But in some places i felt like after some catastrophic dissaster some building or docks were empty like after nuclear accident i felt there like in chernobyl.
Anllamas — Google review
Amazing island. We loved our time here exploring the jungle and volcanos. The nature is fun to explore and the views of the volcanoes are just stunning. Very fun to ride around the island on a motorbike or Vespa. So much to do and see! Ojo de agua swimming pool, horseback riding tour through the jungle to see monkeys, amazing volcano views. Incredible and unique place!
Ishel Hertz — Google review
Lovely island. Moyogalpa is worth staying in for around 3 days and it’s definitely worth hiring a scooter (~$18 for a day) and heading out to Santa Cruz/Balgue way
Josh Gallimore — Google review
Beautiful place. Just make sure you plan it well and consider being there for 7 days or more
Playa San Juan del Sur is a picturesque beach that boasts an attractive crescent shape and stunning views of the sunset. The location is dotted with oceanfront dining options, offering visitors excellent opportunities to savor delicious meals while enjoying the charming ambience. For those interested in exploring more, there's the Christ statue situated atop the nearby hills. The beach offers majestic scenic beauty with crystal clear water perfect for swimming or simply enjoying a stroll along its shores.
One of the most exotic fun filled bays to travel to in the world. It is a surfer's and fish eaters paradise. Plenty of wonderful beachside hotels, pubs and restaurants. Come from all over the world to relax, eat surf, fish, walk and party.
Yossi Polinger — Google review
PSA to not believe everything you see in pics. Beach was dirty and water is gross. Don't go here if you only want beach and sea time. Total disappointment.
Great views of the beach if you go high up enough though. Town is your typical beach town (I enjoy beach towns so that was fine with me).
Sid D. — Google review
•November 2023• a beautiful beach with perfectly warm water and a great place to watch the sunset. Also some great waves to swim in.
Steven Theodore Windsor — Google review
I was scammed in this area, don’t trust anybody here. The beach itself is quite unpleasant, maybe it looks nice at sunset with the boats, but I wouldn’t go swimming here.
Wade — Google review
Amazing place!
Jorge Venerio — Google review
Huge beautiful curved beachfront full of bars and restaurants but also easy to find privacy and get away from it all.
Mark Dimont — Google review
There's definitely better beaches in the area, but it’s nice to watch the sunset. Everytime I came to this beach in the late afternoon, there was always volleyball games taking place on the beach and several people hanging out and drinking while waiting for sunset.
Janaye Graham — Google review
One of the best places to visit in Nicaragua! Ambience is excellent! Great places to eat and to have fun! You must go to visit the christ statue up the hills.
Standard Flight — Google review
Beach town vibes with a party atmosphere.
Frank dnb — Google review
A beautiful sunrise and sunset - if you want a great spot with live music and free entertainment; walk down to the beach volleyball and sit on the bleachers to watch the sunset!
Grab a beer from the bar next door and enjoy!
Alex Dugal — Google review
Beautiful views, water is amazing! The weather, restaurants, shops and street vendors make this alot of fun!!
Michael Carlson — Google review
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San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua
I'll never travel to Arenal Volcano National Park without this trip planner again
Wooded site with a natural swimming hole of volcanic-origin water amid native plants & wildlife.
An amazing place to spend half a day. Recommended to go early as it gets very busy with locals. The water is stunning and a great temperature for swimming on a hot day. It's $3 entry still which is great. If you walk up the hill there is a good viewpoint and howler monkeys. The trails aren't well marked however.
Michael Messenger — Google review
Paid $10 entry with $5 credit to spend at the bar. Lovely spot to chill and enjoy the rope swing. Best to arrive early to enjoy the sun while it is quiet.
Hollie Hudspith — Google review
We had fun here with the rope swing and refreshing water, but it felt like a cheap waterpark. I can imagine for someone who doesn’t spend time in clean lakes very often its a nice place but I wouldn’t return for $10.
Sam Raymond — Google review
really nice beautiful and chill place. Nice spot to jump to the pool. The water are fresh and cold and feel great. Everything around is lush green. Nice thing to do on Ometepe.
Eyal Roe — Google review
A beautiful pastoral place. Admission is $5 per person. There is an arranged parking lot, a restaurant and good service. The water is relatively cool, there is Tarzan, swings in the water and plenty of shade, the place was a bit crowded but there was room for everyone to sit.
Aviah Shochetman — Google review
Beautiful cold water pool with fun swing. The admission is $10 but they give you $5 credit towards the bar/restaurant (and the mojitos were super cheap!). Lovely place to spend a couple of hours cooling off.
Emily H — Google review
This the cleanest most natural place I have ever visited in my life. It is a freshwater spring from a volcanic mountain which has been cleverly dammed to create an Olympic sized fresh water pool with zero chemicals. It is located in a dense and verdant rainforest on the Island of Ometepi in Lago Nicaragua. You can only get to the island by ferry. If you are able to arrange the trip, it's a must. So very beautiful.
Ira Baker — Google review
Perfect place to get some refreshing. Entrance is $10, but you get $5 in return for food / drinks. There's a 45 minute walk too which takes through this small jungle, we saw some howler apes which was great but other than that the hike wasn't all to spectacular.
Michael Peeters — Google review
Way overpriced, feels like a scam the way they give you $5 credit for the bar but then the prices are very inflated and the food looked awful. We were shocked when they asked for $10 each for what is essentially a swim in a pool for max a few hours.
It’s nice water and a reasonable setting but busy and just not worth it when there is so much to see on the island.
Joseph Rose — Google review
Ojo de agua still remains as an excellent place to visit. The clear waters and surrounded by nature makes it excellent and refreshing. The fact that they allow you to bring your own drinks even of they do sell themselves is genius.
Erling Miranda — Google review
Great place to spend a couple of hours! Entrance was 5$ per person, and if you come in the morning 8am you probably be one of the only one there and that without any bugs!
And don’t forget to grab a fresh coconut, with or without the rum 🍹
Marcel Tornow — Google review
USA Traveler: My friend and I went here and had a wonderful time. Highly recommend! It's 10$ a person for a day pass. They have bathrooms at the parking lot but they also have showers and changing rooms closer to the "pool". It's apparently volcanic spring water, whatever it was was nice. There is a restaurant there and bar. Maybe a shop or two. Lots of chairs and tables to claim. We left our stuff out of sight for around 20 minutes and it appeared to be untouched. There's a rope to play on, swings in the pool, and a Tarzan swing to jump into the pool. No lifeguards. Wheelchair accessible to the pool. Some stairs that are wide going into the pool. The pool is surrounded by plants/jungle and even some go into the pool. Very cool! It was very shaded and so no sunscreen was needed.
Megan — Google review
Really nice and refreshing place. Very clean too. 10$ (5$ entrance + 5$ to consume). Recommended ❣️
Shackie Aziz — Google review
I loved this place!! We spent a good amount of our day here. The water is so cool and refreshing that you just don’t want to leave. My kids had so much fun and want to go back. This is one of the spots we will keep coming back to.
K I P — Google review
Beautiful place, relaxing
Natural volcanic water (not hot) pool, with clean relaxing area, chairs. 10$ Fee (getting 2 drinks for free). Free walking trail (35 min) on the mountain, with animal view.
תומר כהן Tomer M.Cohen — Google review
It's a cool place to relax but every time you pay for something at the bar they assume you don't want the change. Guys, you have to deserve your tips, not extort the money.
Also, the trail walk is not free - it costs $2. Big part of it leads through muddy banana fields - only animals we saw were birds, lizards and cows. Maybe there are monkeys sometimes - I don't know.
Tomasz Smiatacz — Google review
Beautiful spot to chill out and relax. Was a little busy but we had chairs to sit on. Some loud groups but to be expected! Great rope swing, cheap beers ($2.5) and chips $4
Sarah Bartle — Google review
Fun crisp refreshing natural spring water. Relaxing. Runs from under the nearby volcano. Large Iguanas or Howling monkeys surround you. $10 entry but it gives you a $5 drink. You choose. Great restaurant service. Food is brought to your lounge chairs or table. Incredible setting.
Yossi Polinger — Google review
The pool itself was nice and refreshing, but quite crowded with almost no place to sit (maybe because it was saturday) and the entrance fee is quite high for foreigners. When you go there don't miss out on the nature trails ! I was the only one there and saw so many monkeys, parrots, vultures and more :)
Jana — Google review
Don’t miss going there if you visit the island, some people take a ferry to come here and return same day!
Very nice natural water among the trees.
$10 entry with $5 back on food or drinks.
Changing rooms available, showers, playground and parking.
We enjoyed the Tarazan swing.
Food was good too but not the smoothie
Hussain Almoamen — Google review
Great spot to come to if you’re in Ometepe! You could easily spend a whole morning or afternoon here. It’s $10 entry but that gives you $5 to spend on food or drinks once inside. They have a great menu and plenty of drinks from coconuts to cocktails. The springs are stunning and so refreshing. Crystal clear!
Carys Reid-Davies — Google review
The most beautiful place on the island, a must visit. Costs $10 to enter which can be paid in cordobas and by card as well. This includes $5 to spend in the restaurant/bar. It’s just a short ride from the main road to the car park. The water is a nice refreshing temperature and there’s even a rope swing. Other than the insects it’s almost perfect. Staff are very nice as well. The food is average but it did come quickly.
Thomas Dicicco — Google review
Great place to cool down from the Nicaraguan heat. Fun little natural pool. Can spend about half day there. After reading other reviews, I did not try the restaurant.
Miriam G — Google review
Beautiful Nature! Water is sooo clean and refreshing! Very Very Very fun!👍Great spot to hang out with the family, Always finding something new and exciting!
CHICKEN !!! — Google review
Beautiful place to spend the day. $10 to enter but $5 towards a food voucher. Other people in the comments are saying food and things are cheaper on the island but this place has been made nice, safe , and relaxing. To me, it is SO worth it! Came here as a group of 4, we swam, had smoothies, played card games and watched some young local boys doing tricks off the rope swing. Must do on the island !
taylor ewing — Google review
Great place to relax and cool down from the heat.
It was $10 entrance but you get $5 back to spend on food and drinks.
We had lunch here which was lovely and the prices are reasonable.
Great facilities to change and shower.
Amie Bentley — Google review
The location was nice and not too crowded in the afternoon. Enough space around the clear pools to relax, but not a huge area.
The entrance was rather pricey though (including a mandatory 5$ voucher for food/drinks); the service at the bar/restaurant was very poor (very long waiting times to order and pay, many items on the menu weren't available).
Maderas Volcano is a non-active, forest-covered mountain on the island of Ometepe. The climb to its 1394m peak is challenging but rewarding, with guided treks lasting seven to eight hours round-trip. The trail leads through cloud forests and ends in a steep descent to a cold green lake at the crater's bottom.
The hike is worth every step, and there are plenty!
We started at Finca Magdalena, we had to pay each 3 USD and had to sign a paper because we did not wanted a guide. So it is possible to go on your own!!!
The best preparation is to download a offline map on your mobile and use GPS to follow your route. The path is pretty much straight up the vulcano. So you won't get lost. But knowing how high you already are helps, because the only viewing platform is on 700m of altitude. Beside of that there is no landmark to know where you are (GPS helps a lot). With a short break we needed 3 hours to get to the top, where you have an amazing view over the crater lake and down to the big lake. Everything on the maderas is covered in jungle. So there is a lot of wildlife arround you.
From arround 800m altitude the path gets muddy, slippery and steep. Now, when it rains during the night, it's even trickier. But still managable. Bring enough water, food and good shoes.
The downhill part of the hike is as well challenging. We needed 2h 30min with a short break too.
In total the hike took us 5h 45min with lunch on top and two short breaks.
Roman Koch — Google review
We took the ferry over the previous night and then had a tough time finding our accommodations for the night on the island. There are not a lot of services here so be prepared to rough it a bit. I’d recommend a guide for this hike - and I would leave early in the am so that once you reach the top you can enjoy a swim. Really pretty views on the way down. Fairly challenging just given the long day. Hate to say this and its my fault and a lesson learned, but I left my trail shoes outside the door of my unit to dry and they were gone the next morning. Giving it a 3 star experience for me, personally, because my lodging was mediocre at best and it was a longer day than I anticipated….but I think most others who are interested in hiking, plan better, and enjoy adventure will probably give it a 4-5 star experience.
Bob Benson — Google review
The Volcán Maderas is a 1300 meter high volcano with a climb that starts at 100 meters high. You must take a guide because the trail is very complex and not marked at all. It cost us $10 per person in a group of 9 people. It is highly recommended to do the trip with closed shoes, there were some who did with sandals, but it is not recommended. The route is very slippery terrain with very narrow areas, the trip is a very difficult trip, 6 km each way and took 5 hours of walking each way. At the end you get to a lookout above the small water reservoir, you can continue to go down with a more difficult walk for another half hour and get right to a pool of water, but the ground is very muddy and you can't enter the water! There is one beautiful observation point about an hour and a half from the beginning which I think is enough for the trip.
Aviah Shochetman — Google review
A really fun and adventurous hike! Climbing over/under/between tree branches. Highly recommend if you like adventure. The trail from the rim to the lake was very muddy. We had heard that you could swim in the lake but the lake is 75% mud - I do not recommend trying to swim in it, it was instant regret 😂
Ebba Roxling — Google review
It was a great hike on the volcano. We started at 6:30am and were back at 2:15pm. The hike is going through the rain forest so it is really really muddy. It is real adventure hiking in the rain forest, see all the plants and if your lucky some monkeys hanging in the trees.
When you reach the top, don't expect to see something, it is usually really foggy and you can't barly see something. Great experience and adventure, much recommended.
Lars — Google review
The hike was one of the greatest experiences ever - once you get to the top you will be rewarded with some amazing tranquil lagoon full of birds and beautiful nature
Russell King — Google review
I’m a sportive person, but it took me 9,5 hours for hiking back and down. Around 16/17 kilometers. To be honest, I was never so exhausted in my life. The trail was at the most times muddy, slippery and steep. On the top, we could barely see around 50 meters. Unfortunately, it wasn‘t worth it.
Maybe on dry season, the trail isn’t so muddy and slippery and around the vulcano aren‘t so many clounds.
But! During rainy season, i can NOT recommend it.
studierter Akademiker — Google review
I think it is possibly the best hike in my life. Be careful, you need some previous preparation. Sorry for the lack of pictures, but we tried to enjoy every step.
If you love pure hike it’s a must do! You should be doing this hike with a guide or you might get lost!!!!!!⚠️⚠️
Very exhausting hike, you’re going to be climbing the mountain for 4h, there are three different environments, dry forest, wet forest and cloud forest. Last two it’s extremely wet. Bring along a huge amount of water (2-3L per person)
The path it’s muddy and slippery, we got pretty dirty by the end of the hike!
Also it is a very good place to see some wild animals. We saw white-face monkey and howling monkeys, coral snake, and even a Mountain Crab (huge)
Mario Vazquez — Google review
Beautiful nature, you can climb it in 6hours, or take the half option to the mirador which offers a great view if Ometepe island !
thibaut lancrenon — Google review
You are required to hire a guide to climb the mountain and have to pay 100c entrance fee.
The trail (5km one way) can be very muddy. The first half is a lot easier than the second half. If there are clouds on top of the mountain, you will not see the crater lake from the top nor have a view. Halfway is a viewpoint from where you can see something even when it's cloudy.
3988+Q64, Unnamed Rd, Provincia de Guanacaste, La Cruz, Costa Rica
10
Hacienda El Cenizaro Tours & Adventures
Tours
Sightseeing Tours
Loved it here. Popeye was amazing. Totally knew his stuff. Horses are happy and well cared for. Could not recommend enough!!
matt giles — Google review
It was a good experience, been to better .. didn’t really see any of the indigenous on this tour … did find out that sloths 🦥 carry syphilis .. 😲 no.. what’s up with that one though
HeroNyC1 — Google review
A really unforgettable day out! We arranged an ATV tour in the morning, and horse riding tour in the afternoon and the whole day was really fun! Organisation over Whatsapp worked out really well, they spoke great English, which made everything easier for a bunch of none Spanish speakers, visiting Costa Rica! 🤦
All the staff were super friendly, which made us feel really safe and comfortable!
Also, the pick up which they included made things super easy for us!
Thanks guys!
rachelle Quince — Google review
We loooooved loved loved this ATV tour!!!! Would HIGHLY recommend. Views are beautiful, and staff is excellent. We had Popeye as our guide, and he was the BEST!!!! It was pouring down raining, and he kindly waited until the rain slowed down, and still allowed us to have the allotted time for our tour. He was AWESOME and always made sure we were safe. Beautiful, beautiful views!!! Thanks again, Popeye and Hacienda familia! ❤🧡💛
Jasmine Parker — Google review
The horseback riding was the best part of my visit to Costa Rica. Popeye was an excellent guide. He took good care of us. I look forward to my next visit.
Catherine Packer-Williams — Google review
Did horseback riding here, was great! Guides were friendly and the price was very fair. Bring sunscreen and water as they only
Provide mini water bottles
Olivia Lee — Google review
If your looking for a great Tour while in Costa Rica this is the place to go. We did both the horse ride and Atv tour on separate days and neither were a disappointment .. situated on a breathtaking 800 acre property that offers you great scenery along with amazing views of the country side and coast you will not be disappointed.. The facilities are immaculate the Atvs are mechanically sound and the horses are well kept .. the guides are knowledgeable very personable and lots of fun . We saw a great deal while on both trips and not to worry if you do both you are taken on different paths so you don’t see the same thing .. either tour stops in the woods to let you see the many monkeys living in the wild.
Writers Life with Author Truman Beaver — Google review
Super fun! 1st time for me and they made it suoer simple for me to learn how to drive the atv.
We stopped to see some cattle , monkeys and a beautiful scenic view which was breathtaking!. We searched for a sloth but did not find one. The experience overall was amazing and lots of fun!!
Patty O — Google review
We had the absolute best time horseback riding with “Popeye”. We ended up going not once but twice during our week stay at Dreams Las Mareas. The landscape is beautiful and they truly take the best care of their animals. Each horse was turned out to the pasture immediately after each ride. I ride frequently — and these were the most behaved horses I have ever seen at a dude ranch / horseback excursion.
Can’t recommend Adrian & Popeye enough!
Ashlyne Miller Rivera — Google review
Great spot if you want a horseback riding tour while visiting this corner of Costa Rica.
It’s ideal for beginners and advanced riders alike: although I’m an intermediate dressage rider, my boyfriend is a complete beginner and we both felt equally safe and engaged during our ride. The horses are calm, docile, and sure footed for the hilly and rocky terrain.
The guides are passionate about animal husbandry (this is a ranch as well) and love their horses. They showed us the traditional Costa Rican tack (it’s basically a western saddle) and let us help tack the horses. This is not something that most riders ask for but if you go with a small group I recommend calling ahead and asking if you can tack the horse / spend time with them beforehand. It gives you an opportunity to get to know your horse before riding.
The course is on the ranch’s property, which encompasses many many mountains and fields. We easily rode for 1.5 hours without touching the same area twice, and it is completely secluded from public traffic. During your ride you will see cattle, other horses, wildlife, and the pinnacle of the ride is a brief rest on a mountain top with gorgeous views.
We found this ranch via the tourist office within Dreams Las Mareas but I am sure you can contact them directly as well. If you - like myself - are passionate about riding horses on your vacations, Hacienda El Cenizaro is an ideal spot for you.
Anna Hadnagy — Google review
Great Experience, wonderful time! Este`ban was an awesome tour guide! Very knowledgeable and friendly!
Rosaleen Cook — Google review
Great place for horse back riding. Great staff and horses are kept in good health. It took about 2 hours to do the entire trail. Got to see plenty of animals and the view fro top of the mountain is amazing. Jeff and Gilberto were great guides. Thank you to both of them. 100% recommend them . We booked our tour with Amstar in the lobby at Dreams Las mareas.
Oscar Roncancio — Google review
4.7
(91)
•
5.0
(525)
3km Oeste del Parque de La Cruz 935, Provincia de Guanacaste, La Cruz, 51001, Costa Rica
Wildlife-filled park offering dry forest, a beach & views of volcanoes, plus a local history museum.
Did a zipline tour with Monteverde extremo park that was pretty epic.
MICHELLE RICCI — Google review
Do not go here, everything is closed except for one small trail. Website does not say this but all the beaches and other longer trails are closed since 2017 due to a storm, no doubt this remains unsaid on their site because they still want to attract tourists in the hopes they'll pay just to do the one trail that remains open. We had a whole plan to hike around the parc and camp on the beaches and had to start from scratch once the ranger explained the situation.
Amy Lally — Google review
Uninteresting national park, comparing to the other national parks in Costa Rica.
And the most important thing - about 90% of the park was closed (Jan 2018) and we were told it might be open again in March.
Too bad they didn't told that at the entrance. We paid 15$ per person and we there there only for one short trail... Was a really waste of time..
Chen K — Google review
Nice park, though you have to be early in the morning to get the full potiential out of your ticket. And a 4x4 to reach the beach.
Wout Linssen — Google review
Loads of wildlife in the park, it's easier to hear it than it is to see it though I did get to see a few deer which is rare in Costa Rica. The Casona is a very interesting site and contains a small museum which has information about historical events which happened at the site.
David Ross — Google review
I had an amazing experience here .... my tour guy I contacted him by FB as “travesía viajera CR “ his name is Arnaldo the only thing is that he doesn’t speak English but I do speak Spanish .... I had a wonderful time
Dama CM — Google review
So much sea life sea turtles, dolphins, fish and yes crocodile's. The surf was awsome and nobody around. Make sure to pay the $15 to the national park day pass. All the roads to witch's rock are washed out from hurricane as of 11/05/17 so the only access is by boat....
None Yah — Google review
Great view point behind the main center of the areas volcanos. We arrived about 4pm and it was monkey happy hour. Dozens of moneys were singing and flying through the trees.
Allison Fisher — Google review
We were not able to get there the way google maps directed us coming from Playa Grande. I think it was trying to give us a “short-cut” through to rt. 1 instead of having to go up & over thru Liberia. However, this short-cut road was crazy (expected) no cell service (also expected - download an offline map from google) & about an hour on that road it was blocked cause of a huge crater so we turned around & went all the way back to rt 1. Still made it. Get drinks & snacks before cause THERE IS NOTHING at the park for that.
Once you pull in go to the historic site to the left to pay. You definitely don’t want to drive all the way down to the beach to find out you have to go back up to pay. Also - bathrooms are there with staff to help direct you. Cleanest bathrooms ever. The road to the beach is long & takes a while. IIRC 16km & it takes forever cause it’s so rocky but at least you can drive right to the water. It’s about a mile walk to surf by witches rock. WORTH IT.
Chelsea Sabo — Google review
Excellent park persevering nature not a lot of access allowed only on the northern side when roads have dried out we normally go by boat
Surfari del Mar Izaak Warmenhoven — Google review
4.6
(865)
•
4.0
(66)
R7QV+5XC, Hacienda Murciélago, Guanacaste Province, Costa Rica
Swimming & snorkeling draw visitors to this busy beach with shade trees, bars & restaurants.
Lovely beach. We got married here at some set. It was amazing. Lots of nice places to eat. Plenty of water sports available. Lots of wild life including Howler Monkeys, Pelicans, Rays and Iguanas.
Lou Her Royal Grooviness — Google review
Beautiful beach —true meaning of rest and relaxation. Massages on the beach, some water activities and several places to enjoy a meal or a drink right on the beach. Little hotels with lots of charm and great service ¡Pura Vida!
Dennise D — Google review
Nice beach. Not the best sand around, but very decent. If you snorkel, go to the north side.
Eugene Ilchenko — Google review
Beautiful beach with lovely views. The sunsets were breathtaking. The ocean is very powerful but that makes for great waves.
Nicole — Google review
Found turtle holes this morning, dogs playing, people walking, amazing trees with character and views to die for. The restraunt is to die for. Tuna with ginger was my favorite so far, I'd eat here every night!!! I had a massage that was hard core but exactly what I needed to release the stress from traveling. It is a perfect combination at this paradise beach area!
S7Wa G — Google review
Lovely beach plus plenty of good restaurants. Filled with locals on the weekends so you get to experience the real Tico culture.
Cheryl Lippert — Google review
Hermosa is a nice enough beach, with lovely views and plenty of sun or shade at your preference. The sand is soft and dark volcanic sand. The water is warm and clear, with little to no surf. There are rocks on the south end which are suitable for snorkeling, though I don't think you'll see much. There's is a lot of beach on the north end, and even fewer people. There is a dude who will collect money from you to park at the main beach access. Just pay him and don't worry about it.
Rick Rhay — Google review
Best beach we went to in Costa Rica. It felt very bright, it was beautiful (as the name suggests), and is a great spot to surf or swim. However, I'd advise only for strong swimmers/surfers due to the waves. As someone born/raised in Hawaiian if you catch it at the right time, there's some pretty serious waves.
Brett Roberts — Google review
Wonderful and beautiful beach. Clean and relaxing. A few great restaurants on the beach.
Ben Buadu — Google review
Fantastic, secluded beach. The water was very calm and warm. I could have done without all the jet skiers ripping back and forth. Saw some stingrays, monkeys, and a huge iguana. Roberto’s restaurant had a nice happy hour, too.
Paul Nayyar — Google review
Really nice beach, not busy and clean.
Today was a bit windy so the sea was a little rough, but it was ok as it was really hot too.
You can walk more than half an hour along the beach enjoying the view.
The only negative point are the jet-sky, really too much and the drivers are not very good…
For a relaxing day could be a good choice.
Matteo Puglisi — Google review
Really nice and quiet beach! Stayed here the first week of May and I was not disappointed. Less than 30 minutes from Liberia airport as well. Sunset is amazing!
Vandará Explore Costa Rica's Nature Park offers a variety of activities centered around volcanic pools and mud baths, as well as zip lines, horse riding, and an organic garden. Visitors can enjoy ziplining, watersliding, horseback riding, and hot springs while immersing themselves in relaxation, adventure, and local culture. The park provides a welcoming atmosphere with friendly staff who ensure guests feel comfortable throughout their visit.
I can’t say anything bad about this place! We did an excursion booked through Amstar and I would recommend all friends or family to visit this location. It’s was nice to have a local experience and with great food and people. Everyone was friendly and attentive! We did the zip line, water slide , horseback riding and hot spring. The location has a beautiful waterfall and THANK YOU DAMIEN!!! Damien was our tour guide and he even gave us a chance to stop on the side of the road for some breathing taking photos! Damien’s knowledge of the area and customer service was superb! We couldn’t be more happier with our experience.
Fredna Pierre — Google review
We really loved our day here! This property is so beautiful and the staff were so friendly and knowledgeable! The lunch was very good and a large portion of food (there is a vegetarian option)! We spent 6 hours here in total and felt like we really got ours moneys worth! It was perfect to go swimming at the mineral pools after horse back riding and zip lining to cool off! There are lockers with locks for personal belongings and towels are provided. Each pool was a different temperature which was perfect! We also took a dip in the river which was so refreshing! This is a great way to spend the day!
M.S. — Google review
What a fantastic day! GREAT value! Horseback ride to the top of the zip course, 8 great zips, then a quick education of the local sugar cane and coffee, a outrageous (not for the faint of heart) water slide, GREAT lunch, and a then relaxing rest in the thermal pool with swim-up bar, river with waterfall, (massages available) all for under $70pp!!!!
Perhaps THE best valued day we have ever had from Europe to the Caribbean to Central America!
Staff is amazing and it’s a well oiled machine!!! Smooth smooth smooth…we didn’t want to leave at 4pm! Plan to arrive at 9 so you too can enjoy all they have to offer.
John Tuttle — Google review
This place was hands down worth every penny. As soon as we arrived, the staff made sure we felt welcomed and comfortable. They have locker rooms with masterlocks to keep all of your belongings safe. Make sure to wear comfortable clothes and closed toed shoes and just bring your swim gear and sandals to change into later. We did the horseback riding first. One member of our group had never been on a horse before and they made sure to give him extra instructions and attention throughout the entire ride. We then did the ziplines which were truly so amazing! The views were absolutely breathtaking and the staff made sure that everyone had a blast and were safe. The culture experience and lunch were amazing as well. I've done tours and things before where lunch was included and it's usually nothing to write home about, but my entire family agreed that this was one of the best meals we had the entire trip. We then went back to the locker rooms to change so that we could do the jungle waterslide (which was also such a blast!), mudbath, and hotsprings. The ladies in the hotsprings area were so sweet and accommodating. There was even a swim up bar in the main hot spring! Throughout the entire day, we got to see so much wildlife that the staff happily pointed out to us! This was my favorite day of our week in Costa Rica. Highly recommend!👍
Kimberly Seabaugh — Google review
This is an oasis of wonderful. Everyone who works there is delightful. We were warmly greeted upon arrival and then enjoyed a lovely horse ride with Rodrigo and Juan. This was followed by several exhilarating zip lines with Jordan, Lionel and our own personnel paparazzi, Emmanuel. Next, we applied some mud, then checked out the waterfall and beautiful creek. This was followed by relaxing in the serene hot springs with some drinks. Our adventure here ended with an amazing lunch with great service from Alphonso.
Gretchen Szostak — Google review
Fantastic experience! One of our favorite stops in Costa Rica. The zip lines were beautiful and fun and the guides were great. Horse back, zip lines, volcanic mud bath and hot springs, and a lively lunch and cultural tour! Just a perfect day and a great price.
Serena R — Google review
This place rocks. Good food, great staff. The hot springs are very clean. The swim up bar is reasonably priced. The mixed drinks selection covered all the cultures for a thousand miles in every direction. The beer was ice cold. You will fall in love with the people of Costa Rica here if you have not already!
Eric Nelson — Google review
TOTALLY RIPPED OFF
To be honest it was the only disappointing point in our 2 weeks road trip through Costa Rica. We really looked forward to it as we read some nice reviews.
We bought an Explorer Pass in December for 70USD each, but we had to cancel the trip at that time. When we arrived in March the price went up to 95USD (quite a rise), but we already had a credit from December, so we just paid the outstanding balance. At some point we received an email saying that the zip line was close due to the maintenance and they could offer us a longer horse riding. Obviously we were disappointed as a zip line is one of the key activities in explorer pass, but.. we agreed (now I think we should have just asked for cancellation).
When we arrived we did a cultural tour first explaining the use of sugar cane, coffee making process and had a little tasting of coffee and traditional sweets. Then we did 50mins of horse riding (really nice), went two times to water slide (this was actually fun, but I thought I ripped off my shorts in one place) and that was all when it comes to explorer activities.
We had lunch which was really good, but we were asked about beverages whether we wanted juice, water, soda, beer.. so we took 2 cans of Coca Cola. When we finished and wanted to leave we were told to pay for those (it was not mentioned before that these were extra paid). Okay, we paid.
We went to check hot springs. There were two pools. One of them really small, out of use with a standing water and dirty with many leaves from the trees.
We went to the second one which was the main one and it was just okay, but the water was warm. Maybe a little bit warmer than the ocean (seriously), but definitely not hot. Mineral mud bath was nice, but it was rather a bowl of mud that you could put on your face and pour on your body until it dries.
After that we wanted to do a river walk to the waterfall, but … it was closed, which was never mentioned! At that point we thought that was a joke and we felt really bad!
We went to ask for the rest of the attractions mentioned in our pass which were: Organic Gardens, Tropical Orchards Path, Butterfly & Hummingbird Gardens, but some employees could not answer were these were (there were no signs anywhere) so we went to the reception and they said that they had some gardens close to the entrance and they could take us there. Well, these points were not the best prepared, not marked for the tourists and the answer was not the most encouraging..
We just went back to the pool to stay a little bit longer there.
We know that the management has changed recently and they are doing some maintenance works around, which obviously is a good thing, but how can you rise prices so significantly while closing key activity for Explorer Pass and what’s more River Walk and Waterfall, which I want to emphasise again, was not mentioned anywhere before!
We liked some parts of that day, but the if you want to rise prices have all facilities available or give discounts for the maintenance time. We feel a little bit ripped off and we think that it was overpriced. Hot springs in Fortuna are waaaaay better, more interesting and you’ll find other activities around there too, which will cost you more or less the same.
Suli Stolarska — Google review
Super fun. Very informative staff. Great hot springs. A fair amount of construction going on for some very cool improvements in the very near future. Reasonable drink prices at the swim up bar. Great selection of mixed drinks and beer. The beer was ice cold. The staff was really the icing on the cake, just wonderful people. You will fall in love with the people of Costa Rica here if you have not already.
Eric Nelson — Google review
This was a very fun day! All the activities are planned with a guide. So you ride horses up to the Zipline platform and take the zip line down. Then you move to the cultural experience. Afterwards, you go down the really fun waterslide. And down to the springs and waterfall. All of the staff was amazing, too many to name as we interacted with a lot of them. And they were all so caring and helpful. Would definitely recommend!
Ashley LaPlante — Google review
One thing I was unaware of was that there is a set schedule for the day. When you buy a day pass you have to get there right when it opens and do the activities in a certain order. We were unaware so we showed up late and were put into a different "group" with other travelers. The horseback riding was pretty uneventful. The horses go up a short hill and drop you off at the zip line (no wonder there's no pictures of description of it online). Then our group was so big that the zip line took way too long. We spent a few hours just trying to get through it. The people in our group were all older and "scared". The "hanging bridge" was just 1 and it went to a section of the park that was no longer in use. The mud bath was just a "painting" station. The waterslide was fun! but you were only allowed to go down once!! Some of the "hot springs" were cold. The cultural experience took way too long (the pastries were dry and sort of inedible), though we did learn some good info on costa rica coffee. And there wasn't enough time in the day to enjoy ourselves and simply relax at the hot springs. The staff was nice, and the location was pretty. But overall I preferred zip lining, horseback riding, and hot springs in La Fortuna. On the plus side, we got some great pics.
Shanna Sottosanto — Google review
This place was great. We had the nature pass for a day. The cultural talk was interesting, the pools and river and waterfall were really beautiful. It was a very hot day, but some of the pools were cool enough to soak in. There were monkeys in the trees that were fun to watch. The lunch was good. The hike wasn't very good- super steep hill and uneven ground, it was too hot to enjoy much. I highly recommend!
Creagh Miller — Google review
We did the full adventure experience and felt it was very well worth the price. We had a great day with the staff at Vandará. Eber y Alejandro were awesome guides. After the activities, my husband and I enjoyed relaxing in the hot springs and waterfall for the rest of the day. Definitely recommend
Britt Ostergren — Google review
The hot springs were delightful after a few days of long hikes. The waterfall was the perfect backdrop for our soak and then a mud bath. We didn’t do the more adventurous activities. Lunch was delicious!
Mary Westendorf — Google review
We had a great time! The staff are super nice! We loved the zip lines and thermal springs in the canyon. Two of us got minor injuries on the water slide so proceed with caution there. Make sure to sit up the whole time and wear the elbow pads.
Ryan Evjen — Google review
4.7
(595)
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4.5
(491)
Vandará, Guanacaste Province, Canas Dulces, 50101, Costa Rica
Buena Vista Del Rincon Eco Adventure Park, Hotel & Spa
Hotel
Tours
Remote ecolodge with volcano views, restaurants & bars, plus a hot spring, a pool & free breakfast.
Not for the feint hearted. The zip lines are incredibly high (about 300ft) but very safe. The views are amazing. We were recommended them as the best of all zip line options and they didn't disappoint. Water slide was great too but I'd probably advise asking for a medium speed as the fastest speed hurts! Medium was fast enough to throw you around a lot. Overall wasn't busy and managed to do everything we came to do without queues.
Tex0gen — Google review
As an adventure park this place is great. They do adventures well and the restaurants are great. There are a lot of animals to see and we had a good time overall. Most of the staff, like Victor and Socorro, do an amazing job. However we stayed on the property and found that when it came to activities they prioritize the people that are not staying on site so if you want to do something they only would allow first in the morning or last at the end of the day when the tours weren’t there. What normally takes the tours one day took us two days. They didn’t have pictures of us to buy from all our activities because they erase their cards each day so we couldn’t get pictures from all our activities either. The scheduling of tours was annoying too because they wouldn’t schedule more than one thing at a time and we had to be there in person and wait an hour or two for them to be ready. Again, meanwhile the tours coming through got all their activities in no problem. On top of all that they tried charging us for breakfast when it was included in our package. Fortunately I made sure the total was correct when we checked out. My advice would be to stay somewhere else and just buy a day pass or scheduled tour for the activities.
A Chizel — Google review
We booked a tour to this eco adventure place from our own hotel and it was awesome! One of the top 2-3 things we did while in Costa Rica for 5 weeks. The zip lining here was our first time doing that and, while I'm normally terrified of heights, I felt comfortable after the first line and enjoyed the last 4-5 lines here. The horseback riding and the thermal springs were also very nice. Great way to spend a full day adventuring in Costa Rica! Highly recommended!
balooko31 — Google review
This is a very fun place to stay and experience Costa Rica! My fiancé and I stayed for two nights and booked a premium day pass, which I feel was worthwhile but needs minor improvements. The biggest suggestion I have is to offer a paper copy of an itinerary for the day, so that we can take advantage of all the premium day pass has to offer. We missed out on a few activities because we had to keep going back to the desk to ask “what’s next” and at each activity I had to pull up my booking receipt to prove that I bought the day pass. We didn’t get our welcome cocktail and ran out of time to see the waterfall. I truly enjoyed the activities we did, including the water slide, horseback riding, zip line, cultural experience, and geothermal pools. The rooms are nice, but we had an issue with the lamps and outlets not working the second night.
Rachel Chase — Google review
This place was awesome! We saw so much wildlife and the cabins were amazing. The food was spectacular and the staff were so incredibly friendly and helpful. There is so much to do simply by walking around. I highly recommend the mud bath spa and the zip lining. The waterslide was so much fun and we all had such a great time. I highly recommend this place!
Devin Diaz — Google review
We spent the best day of our trip here. The waterside and zip line were awesome but the favorite was horse back riding. They let my daughter run the horse and let both our kids go a second time at the end of the day. We even saw monkeys in the trees highly recommend.
Byron Chalfant — Google review
We were really excited about visiting here. Ruth was our guide for all day which was a nice surprise as it was completely unexpected - we just thought we'd be wandering around on our own to find the activities. We did a little of everything - zip lining, Tarzan swing, tractor ride to hot springs, cultural exhibit and the water slide. The water slide was a bit rough (6' 1" son managed to get unwillingly flipped). The tractor driver on the way to the hot swings stopped when he saw some spider monkeys crossing in the trees and let us watch for a few minutes - that was everyone's favorite part of the day. Absolutely worth the price of admission.
Patricia Cronin — Google review
After a very tricky and usual road in Costa Rica, we enjoyed to stay 2 nights at this lodge/ranch. We take the full activity pack that include hanging bridges with local guide, waterfalls, traditional museum, ziplines and horse riding. We also go to the wellness & natural spa that is the place to visit and enjoy. We go there by hiking and enjoyed the wildlife with nobody around us. On the Hike, we visit the waterfalls that is a very nice wildlife place. There is also a mirador restaurant that gives a wonderful view on the valley. As usual in Costa Rica, people were very kind and service was very nice!
David Croix — Google review
Our stay was fantastic! We stayed two nights and three days. We also booked the adventure pass. Our guide, Jose David, was wonderful. It was clear how much he loves the property and the work they are doing environmentally. He spent time answering our questions and making sure everyone was comfortable. The food was also fantastic at every meal. I highly recommend taking the time to spend a couple days here. It is well worth it.
Susan Gable — Google review
My extended family of 11 (ages 71 down to 4) had an amazing time at Buena Vista Eco Park today! I plan to write a extended review to help families like mine have a great time. I would say this has been the highlight of our trip to Costa Rica although we have done a lot of other great sightseeing, hikes, and surfing.
First of all, the website for Buena Vista Eco Park makes it seem like you need to arrive at 7:30 AM. Since the park was a 90 minute drive from our rental house on the beach this seemed pretty obscene to me. We decided to arrive at nine. The website makes it seem like the only way you can go horseback riding is if you arrive at 7:30 AM, but this is just not the case. We saw groups of people horseback riding all throughout the day. Some of our group arrived at 7:30 and did horseback riding first. One of them has been a professional Wrangler in the past, and she was very happy with the horses and the way that the entire experience was run. Even the littlest of the kids had a great time.
Their website also makes it seem like if you purchase the day pass that you will not have control over the order that you do activities in. This is simply not the case. Most of the guests were on tour vans and arrived around 10 and left by 2:30/3. If you’re in a private car the roads into the park are great - it’s an easy drive. Don’t do a tour, take yourself.
Every group that arrives together is assigned a guide. This employee customizes the day so that all of the people in the group are happy, and helps the group do all the activities in the order that they wish. Our guide suggested that after lunch we do the waterslide followed by the Hot Springs. I would say this was ideal. We ended up shutting the park down at 4:30 because we enjoyed the hot springs so much. We were the last people there.
The zip lines were excellent, the lunch was excellent, the water slide was excellent, the cultural experience was excellent (they show you actual sugarcane pressing, and actual ceramic production!) I just am so impressed with the whole thing. The staff was always attentive and helpful.
The lunch says “buffet” but the staff serves the whole thing so it’s not icky over-touched serving pieces. We had gluten free, dairy free, vegetarian, and picky kids in our group. We all found something tasty and authentically Costa Rican to eat for lunch.
Shout out to Ruth the tour guide for handling us all so beautifully. I would budget 3-5 hours here with a small group, 6-8 with a large or people that want to do or see everything. Some of us spent 7:30-4:30 and still didn’t do it all.
Hot tip: plan to wear tennis shoes and hiking pants for the slide, change into bathing suit after for the hot springs. The slide will hurt your feet and butt. Also, they have free lockers and locks available.
Julia Pautz — Google review
This property has NO AIR CONDITION. The cabins are very hot during the day. It cools off a little at night with the windows open.
It's not a place for the handicap. Lots of walking and hills. The front desk dont answer the WHAT'S app. That's the only communication. Not a place if you want to party. Very secluded. Nothing in the area to eat or do. This place is about a 45min drive one way into town. The food was 4 of 10 for me.
It's a chill spot for 55 plus club if you are mobile
Tara Michelle — Google review
We didn’t stay in the hotel but spent the day zip lining, horseback riding and at the spa (sauna, volcanic mud and series of progressively hotter pools. ) Great fun! Stunning views. Just be aware that it’s about 2 mile hike over hanging bridges and pathways to get to the zip line. And make sure you know when you take transport to the spa area to bring your swim suit. It sounds obvious but we didn’t know where the tractor was taking us until we got there so we had left bathing suits at base camp.
Trinka Tansley — Google review
This place offers a fantastic excursion! You can learn how sugar cane is processed and the delicious drink is made and prepared. We also watched a presentation on how to make clay decorations. Ziplining through the forest, high rope bridge walk where you get to see the monkeys jumping on the trees. Horse back riding, hiking, and slide through the 400-foot water slide. And of course the hot springs where amazing! You first start with the Sauna, then you go and cover yourself with hot mud and allow it to dry for 8-10 mins, wash it and go to the relaxing bath in the hot springs then finish it off with a cooler bath! We also had a wonderful lunch! As we were leaving, we stopped by at the waterfalls! It was so beautiful! Overall, this place exceeded all my expectations! What a wonderful experience!
Bruna Haig — Google review
My friend and I stayed here for vacation a couple weeks ago and LOVED every single moment of it! It was secluded, surrounded by nature, with amazing views. All of the staff were friendly and accommodating. José David, the engineer was an amazing tour guide. He went above and beyond to make sure our experience was top tier. Julian was one of our waiters and bar tenders. He made us feel welcomed. We experienced everything Buena Vista had to offer, from the canopy tour, zip lining, the water slide, cultural experience, horseback riding, and hot springs, and mud baths. This place is for nature lovers who want an escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. We also spotted a lot of wild life including monkeys, iguanas, and beautiful birds. The food was fresh and delicious. I love the sustainability and eco friendly environment that is evident here. The peace that I felt while visiting this place is unmatched. Please take me back!!! *They also offer a day pass to the adventure park for people who are staying at other resorts.
Felicia Ireland — Google review
My wife and I have stayed here many times over the years. The people are always very friendly and helpful. The rooms are spacious and clean with good beds and beautiful surroundings. Plus, of course, all the different activities they have are great. Hanging bridges, hot springs, mud baths, water slide, zip line and horse back riding just to name some of the possibilities. The restaurants are good and El Mirador has a huge deck with spectacular view. I highly recommend this place for several nights lodging........ or you can come just as a daily visitor and take part in some of the different tours they have. Because of it's proximity to the many beaches within 1-2 hours drive you can enjoy a great sampling of what Costa Rica has to offer whether you enjoy the sleeping accomodations or just come for a day.
John Sohmer — Google review
Just came for the day, we didn't stay in the rooms. The sauna, volcanic mud and hot tub spas were very soothing. It's the off season and we were fortunate it was not crowded on the weekend we visited.
Recommend you come early, have lunch and then enjoy the warm water and take a siesta on one of the many patio/decks that surround the pools.
Chris Mendenhall — Google review
Great outdoors adventures await. The location is breathtaking to start it has so much to offer. It has hanging bridges and the hanging bridges are above the tree line where you can see birds, sloths, monkeys and so many beautiful butterflies. The zip lines are amazing, long, high and great views of all the surrounding volcanoes and beach line. The horses take you on a great scenic tour of the volcanoes and surrounding areas and are in amazing condition. The water slide was one of the best things to do there as in goes for maybe a half mile ride thru the forest and the waterfall was a must see. To finish the day the mud bath and hot springs were perfect. Be prepared to get your exercise, but it is well worth it and would love to do it again one day.
Shawn Jones — Google review
We stayed for 4 days in February. The staff have all been excellent, & very friendly. We did the Hanging Bridges walk, the horseback riding (1 hr) & the cultural tour. The gaucho who looked after me (75 yrs) on the horse was so kind. We did morning activities, then took the free tractor to the hot springs & spa (lovely) or went to the on site pool. Our room was made up beautifully with clean towels, more coffee,& was spotless. We enjoyed meals at the Mirador restaurant after watching the sunset & ate lots of fresh local vegetables with the dishes. Also at the Jaguar restaurant where we had local fish. The breakfasts (included in price) were excellent, lots of fruit & cooked dishes which were varied daily. Everything was clean & the waiters wore hair nets to avoid getting hair in the food. Whilst there, we saw howler monkeys, many exotic birds, & a 27 strong family of coatimundis.
Jean Nettleship — Google review
Absolutely stunning location, the sights are breathtaking. Food wasn't the best but still quite good, definitely edible. Lots of wildlife, and interesting excursions all around the place. Would definitely recommend staying here if you're in the area!
Yuval Olsha (Dvlce) — Google review
Really wanted to like this place but my experience fell below average. Most amenities were out of order or dirty. The rooms are quite dated and don’t have AC and the manure smell is pretty strong. It’s more like staying at an old cottage. Very windy at night but couldn’t close windows due to heat. The hot springs were only okay. Sauna was not clean… overall felt the value for the price isn’t there. I did hear the excursions are fun so best to only come for day activities. The only thing i enjoyed was the view from the El Mirador restaurant, beautiful sunset. Staff is ok, the manager didn’t really acknowledge us as we checked out a day earlier due to unsatisfactory experience and still got charged the full 2 nights + almost $200 in mediocre food/drinks for the one day.
Karol Borrero — Google review
The only reason this place gets two stars instead of one is that 1) their front desk staff is very friendly and very patient and 2) their sangria's are out of this world.
Here's a full list of why this place was so poor and I would never recommend staying here:
- the pool had large spiders, a wasp nest in the corner next to the swim up bar, and bird poop floating in it
- our room had stains on the sheets, mold on the pillows, and BED BUGS (details at the end of this review)
- the rooms are not as advertised. There's not a single lake view room with a view of the lake or the sunset. For one, there isn't a lake and for two the rooms all face North or south
- the restaurant service was atrocious, they would forget orders and wouldn't come check on us..I had to go up to them to order more drinks and food
- they failed to inform us that transportation was cash only (though they reluctantly charged it to the room)
This is definitely a budget "resort". I would not stay here or recommend it
Bed Bugs: We went to the front desk to inform them of the bedbugs and luckily they had an "emergency room" available for us to move into. They told us this room was for students because it had three twin beds instead of the advertised two doubles. So it was a very uncomfortable room. However, they did not want to compensate us for the inconvenience of moving rooms NOR for the fact that we had reserved the most expensive room and got a room that's not even advertised on their site. Upon check out, we had to have a lengthy discussion with the manager to get a $15 discount!
It also seemed that they didn't understand how bed bugs worked as she tried to tell us we could have gotten it from walking too close to the horses, which simply isn't how it happens.
We didn't do any of the activities though.. perhaps those are fine. But I do not trust the cleanliness of anything there.
Unfortunately, the yellow of the stains don't show up well on photo and the bed bug picture is blurry. I do wish we had gotten a photo of the juvenile bed bug as well. The fact that there was a juvenile means that the adult had been there long enough to bite someone and lay eggs.
Sam Swift — Google review
The rooms are very basic, no AC, so it can get very hot during the day. The ceiling fan doesn't do much. No insulation so it gets a little chilli at night, but not too bad. Beds are small and not very comfortable.
The staff is quite nice and accommodating.
The location and views (especially from El Mirador) are amazing, and there are plenty of activities offered both within and around this facility.
Romy Olsha — Google review
Stayed 4 nights. Beautiful setting in nature with fun activities: zipline, waterslide, horseback riding, hanging bridges, cultural tour, hot springs (buy the package). All the people in charge of the activities were so kind, patient and helpful. When I was afraid to do the zipline, the guide offered to take me with him and when I was afraid to ride the horse, the guide pulled my horse behind his. The food at the Jaguar restaurant was delicious and the waiters took care of my daughter's gluten free diet. The rooms are simple with beds and a clean bathroom. What more do you need when all you need is a bed to sleep in because you're out doing activities all day. The rooms don't have AC but the windows open, fan and breeze makes it very comfortable. There is about 8km of gravel road before entering the property so just drove slowly but completely doable.
Anastasia Mavidis — Google review
4.5
(1512)
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4.5
(380)
Buena Vista Del Rincon, Guanacaste Province, Canas Dulces, 50102, Costa Rica
The Hotel Hacienda Guachipelin is a laid-back hotel situated on a working farm, offering warm quarters and an on-site restaurant. Rustic modern rooms are spacious and clean, with balconies that offer stunning views. The friendly staff adds to the charm of this hotel. The area surrounding the hotel provides opportunities for nature walks full of wildlife viewing, with rivers, waterfalls, and hot springs nearby.
Stayed based on a recommendation from friends and would highly recommend to others. There is so much to do! I would definitely get the adventure day pass as it’s a great deal and you can add canyoning at half price (you need to ask for this otherwise it’s a little difficult to know about). It was the best tubing and zip lining I’ve ever done. Hot springs are great (go in the morning if you can). You could easily spend 3-4 days here and have busy days.
Eric Sheforgen — Google review
Stayed in the hotel for one night.
We booked the superior room with mountain view. The room was very clean, well-lit and had all the amenities needed. The view was ok as we were on the ground floor under a small hill.
The grounds were nice and the hot ponds/hot springs with the volcanic mud bath was really nice. It was included with the stay, and you can spend as much time as you want. We went there twice. Once the day we arrived and once before we checked out. We also went saw the waterfalls, and they were amazing.
A lot of variety for breakfast which was included. We also had dinner there, and the food was over all good.
We had a great time at the hotel even though the drive to hot springs and waterfalls was like 15 minutes on bumpy road. Having car rental definitely made it easier for us to go see the various attractions in the resort.
Majd Alkassem — Google review
This place is so beautiful, comfortable and inviting. The staff is knowledgeable and professional. The rooms are clean and bright. The dining room is open and the food is fresh. It’s very very safe and protected. Everything is clearly marked and it’s easy to get around the park. The hot springs and mud are spectacular! Don’t miss it.
erin meuer — Google review
We were very happy with our stay here
Grounds - Well kept, clean and beautiful
Rooms - Clean and comfortable with A/C
Activities - A lot to do here. It’s a great area for a family with a tonne or activities, great waterfalls, suspension bridges and hot springs. The hot springs has a variety of different heat pools which is nice.
Food - Breakfast was included and the food was good.
Safety - Very safe with lots of security to guard our items.
Nice and close to La Leona. We are very pleased with this resort.
Christopher Krasowski — Google review
Extremely nice hotel about an hour outside of Libera, Costa Rica. Very hospitable staff. Very well maintained. Our suite was extremely nice, luxurious, and cozy. The bath has a big tub for soaking, the shower has 2 shower heads (a normal wall shower head and a rain shower from the ceiling), a door in the shower leading to a private patio, 2 sinks, and toilet. The room has a kind bed. It has a patio door leading to a backyard that has a great view and wildlife.
There are 2 restaurants and a bar/restaurant on the premises.
There's also several hiking trails that lead to waterfalls and hot springs that guests can soak in.
There's zip lining, tubing, and tours of the national forest.
AWESOME hotel!!!!
Merlin Petron — Google review
This place is worth every penny. The staff were very attentive to our needs. With all the waterfalls, pools and the hot springs included in the cost of the room you take can't go wrong. The entire property in guarded with a gate at the entrance so you are really in your own world. You must take advantage of all the hikes too each of the falls and pools. Most times we had the entire falls/pool to ourselves. Also there's is an over look that's maybe a quarter mile walk from the reception area... Walked there twice and was alone each time. The property around the hotel was filled with wildlife. We saw tons of birds (hope you don't mind to sleep in they go nuts in the AM) iguanas, sugar gliders. Kids loved it and so did we.
Michael N — Google review
Excellent hotel. Great restaurants, with a few vegetarian and vegan options. The grounds are beautiful, though more spread out than I expected. There is a shuttle service to connect many attractions and points, however it only runs every 2-3 hours, so you need to time it well. Excellent concierge and staff for activity planning.
Angie Hertz — Google review
II live in Costa Rica. Have been here three times in the last three years. Expect a great time. Lodging is comfortable. Staff is very nice. Food leaves much to be desired. At best it’s ok. Most waiters are good, waitresses drop food off to never come back. I might leave 4 stars if they could get the restaurant working correctly. Poorly trained. This place is very safe.
jay berg — Google review
My family stayed here 3 nights in the beginning of May. We highly recommend this location for the proximity to waterfalls, hot springs and hiking. Lots of activities are included in the stay but they also have other attractions available such as tubing, zip line and mountain biking but we didn’t partake in those. Also there is an extra cost to go to the National Park too. We went with our toddler (almost 2) and they had a crib available for us to use. The pool is kid friendly with a wading area. The buffet breakfast was a bonus especially with all the fruits for the little one. The hotel and room is very clean. We would go again and recommend to others.
The suspension bridges can be sketchy with a little one, so I’d recommend using a toddler carrier so you can use your hands to hold on. Also water shoes came in handy at all the locations. There is change rooms at the mud area but none of the other waterfalls have this option but the hikes are short and do-able wearing a bathing suit.
Kay Pants — Google review
We stopped here for a late lunch as our tour included lunch. The restaurant is located in the Hacienda hotel. The restaurant is very beautifully decorated as they were getting it decorated for the Christmas holiday season.
We had the chicken and rice which was very delicious and full of flavor. They also included deserts which was also delicious.
The staff was nice and friendly. Overall it was an excellent dining experience.
Stuber Velasquez — Google review
This place is a one stop, all the things! Horseback riding, biking, tubing, repelling, waterfalls, hot springs, mug bath, pool, amazing food, a resident iguana that lumbers through the yard, birds, and a volcano. All run so efficiently! The rooms are clean and spacious. We had a couple resident ceiling lizards, so no bugs inside! The biking trails are not for beginners. That's where they lost the 5 stars. There wasn't much explaining how difficult the trek would be. Aside from that, it is an amazing resort with a small town feel.
Krista F — Google review
I was honestly pleasantly surprised, that it was such a nice place and I was able to relax and explore the nature there. The staff was very friendly and the rooms super clean. The whole property is very well maintained. I expected it to be some kind of amusement park due to all of the tours and the tourist groups, which come there. But it was really not crowded and you could calmly enjoy all the beautiful places on the property and the National Park. The waterfalls and hot springs are just wonderful and there were only a few people there. As I said the staff is super friendly and they are really keeping the property in shape. The bed was comfortable and the room was overall spacious. The only reason, I can't give 5 stars, is the restaurant. Breakfast was just the same everyday and not a lot of choices. Taste was ok and the coffee was hot. In the evening, the quality of food is mediocre at best. Since it's not easy to get to other restaurants in this area, it would be such a nice thing, if they provided some good and tasty food. If they'll improve this, I'd give them 5 stars.
Mr Lahey — Google review
Great location with a lot to see and do. We spent two days there but could have spent another day or two checking things out. We spent our time hiking and checking out the hot springs. Waterfalls were beautiful and hot springs were really nice. Felt very safe staying here and enjoyed the complimentary breakfast. Would definitely recommend staying here.
Lauren Coe — Google review
Love this place. The waterfalls, the hot springs. You can hike, canopy tour, horseback rides.. too much to list. Air conditioning broke, three guys showed up to repair, back up, and running better than before in 15 minutes. They do a first class job here.
John Vincent — Google review
Wonderful Resort, so far our favorite stop in our Costa Rican trip that has encompassed the past 2 1/2 months.
The room was as expected. Everything worked. Nice amenities, soaps, shampoo, etc. Nice towels, comfortable bed/ pillows. The towels were hit/ miss...sometimes we would get wash clothes and handtowels...sometimes we would not...
Beautiful grounds, nicely landscaped. Toucans and Oropendollas in the trees. Parrots...iguanas.
Easy shuttle service to the park. As well as the waterfalls and thermal hot springs. All free as a guest. Lots of activities and tours. You will stay busy if you wish.
Food decent. Would definitely return.
Robert Doyle — Google review
Wonderful overall. The staff was kind and patient. The food was incredible, and the views were breathtaking. So many great memories from the excitement of tubing and zip lining to just relaxing in a hammock with a book during a rainy night. All around a beautiful stay.
Stephen — Google review
I booked a full day excursion with this Hotel. It definitely was the cherry on top. You start off either doing horse back riding which is optional. Next, white river rafting which I never did before. Extreme zip lining & their famous Hot spring . We were able to eat at the restaurant on site which was absolutely delicious. I would recommend this tour 1,000 percent . Staff was very friendly and informative.
Nicole H — Google review
Let me start with the rooms (which is the ONLY thing I gave this place 4/5, only because comparatively to the VALUE of the rest of the property is blown). Our room was perfectly basic, 2 beds, television, and washroom packed with lovely smelling soaps + lotions (which is also made by the hotel).
NOW, this is what you want to hear! This property is PACKED with spectacular activities (some included, some extra (but super reasonably priced!)). The ones that come with stay: waterfalls (multiple!!), mud bath, hot springs, and walking trials. The one activity we purchased was tubing in the water rapids. VERY WORTH!!! We went down a natural river for 45mins, some rapids, some relaxing points, just experiencing nature at its finest. We had SO much fun! Let alone the horse ride we took to location!!
Every staff member is outstanding in helping you, super pleasant to have conversations with. Highly recommend this place, especially if you've only experienced the beaches in Costa Rica. This place will give you an amazing different point of view, up on the mountains.
Thank you from Vancouver, BC, Canada!!
Jennafer Palma — Google review
We stopped here for one night before our flight home from Liberia. This hotel was definitely the most disappointing part of our trip. For the price (this was the most expensive place we stayed our whole trip), we expected more.
The hot springs are amazing, that was by far the best part and it would be worth it to visit them without staying at the hotel.
The rooms were just okay. The AC didn’t work very well so it was pretty hot in the room. The shower had lots of hot water though, which was nice. The food at the restaurant was not great, and as others have noted, it’s the only place to eat anywhere nearby, so you’re kinda stuck overpaying for their food. We had better meals literally everywhere else we ate in Costa Rica.
Also, the waterfall hikes are only open 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, even if you’re going just by yourselves without a tour guide. We woke up early and got to Oropendola at 6:20 am, hoping to beat the heat (it was a high of 100 F!) and see some cool wildlife, only to find that the waterfall hike didn’t open for two more hours. I spoke with staff and tried to ask if any of the hikes were open earlier, but they seemed annoyed with me and just said I should’ve been told all of this when I checked in (I wasn’t, I was only told the hours for the National Park and the hot springs). Since we had to leave to make our flight home, this meant we didn’t get to do the waterfall at all. I wish the hikes were open Dawn to dusk like most hiking trails, when wildlife are most active.
Finally, the hotel charges a fee for anyone visiting the National Park to use their road, which is the only road that leads to this particular entrance of the National Park. This didn’t affect us because we were hotel guests, but it does seem exorbitant and unfair that they can restrict access to part of a National Park in this way.
Megan Moss — Google review
My friends and I stayed here for one night and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. We could have spent more time here. The buildings and surrounding grounds are so beautiful. There is so much to see and explore free of charge for hotel guests. The hot springs and waterfalls were lovely. Check out is at 12 but you can enjoy the attractions until 4pm on the day you check out. We also went on a zip line tour which I highly recommend if you only have time for a short tour but want good value. I did get kind of sick halfway and they took very good care of me! The staff were very friendly and helpful. The included breakfast was great and set in a scenic indoor/outdoor restaurant. It’s not overly touristy but not exactly “off the beaten path” - somewhere in between
Maddy Wolpow-Gindi — Google review
Wonderful place! We had a great time visiting waterfalls, hot springs, hiking trails. The waterfalls in front of the hot springs were my favourite! Not too intimidating, beautiful, each had a different charm.
The breakfast was included and it was very good variety of everything. Lots of fresh fruits! I would go again for sure!
Anya Bushmina — Google review
Traveled Jan 2024 with kids ages 10, 12 and 14 and we have a great time. Rooms are very roomy with patio/ balcony + hammock, staff very pleasant and most important excellent location. Hot springs , waterfalls, adventure center ( horseback riding, tubing, zip lines ) on property. Important to know that you need a car to drive to waterfalls, hot springs.
Sandra R — Google review
My friend and I stayed there for a night last week. We absolutely loved the hotel and would definitely go again. The location was perfect since there were lots of activities around. They offer free shuttle at different hours to bring you from the hotel to the waterfalls/volcano/spa. Rooms are very large! The air conditioning worked well and we always had hot water. Breakfast was good with lots of options and fresh fruits. We also had dinner there (not included). The food was so nice and so were the drinks. There is also a nice fireplace spot (bring repellent though!). We had a massage and I would definitely recommend it. Check-in was quick and easy. I would recommend this place! 🙂
Elisabeth Cloutier — Google review
Great place for vacation. Roads are great all the way to the hotel. Many activities well marked, great service and nice trails. Everything organized beautiful gardens and areas to relax like the fogatas or fire pits with chairs around and lights great please to sit and share with friends and family
Susana Hernandez — Google review
4.4
(2226)
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4.5
(659)
208-50101 Guanacaste Curubande, Liberia, Costa Rica
Parque Nacional Rincón de la Vieja is a large national park in Costa Rica, featuring moderate and challenging hiking trails that lead to waterfalls, boiling mud pots, and an active volcano. The park is known for its thick canopy and flowing rivers, making it a popular spot for adventure tours such as ziplining. Visitors can explore the volcanic area with ease, observing fumaroles, mud pools, and acid lakes caused by geothermal energy.
This national park must be in your top list of Costa Rica attractions to see. A true show of nature's power. The volcano loop is about 1.5h in which you observe the results of the strong Geothermal energy released by the volcano: fumaroles, ebullient mud pools and bubbling acid lakes. Can see the volcano puffing, but can't climb it, due to ongoing warnings. The longer trail (3h) goes through luscious forest and leads to majestic waterfalls where your can swim (before noon). Paths are nicely maintained. Definitely worth $16. If interested, on the road leading to the entrance there are geothermal energy conversion plants and can see giant green pipes harvesting hot water and gaseous vapours from the volcano to produce green energy. Really interesting
Sere Linda — Google review
It's a nice short foot trail around a volcano where - with some luck - you can see monkeys, turkeys and iguanas too.
Of course, the main attractions remain the volcano and the sulfur ponds, some of them with bubbling mould at over 120 degrees Celsius.
It's really best to do the walk early in the morning to avoid the heating and humidity that comes later in the day.
Andrea Moro — Google review
Arrive and be in the trail before noon…1200!
This is the most important piece of advice. You cannot visit the waterfalls or do the long volcano hike if you are not on the trail by noon. Also note that it is a minimum of six hours to do both hikes (volcanoes and waterfall). Lastly, the main crater is closed. The mud and sulfur ponds are still accessible and amazing to see.
All in all it was a great experience. It rained almost the entire time we were in the park so being good rain gear and water shoes to hike in.
We saw no wildlife while we were there. I’m not sure if that is typical but the flora were amazing. Lots of different varieties of flowers and trees. The trees especially were both majestic and ominous.
Pura Vida
Joe Rizo — Google review
Be prepared to walk into primordial times when you enter this park. We went in January, and the sun was still searing. Add to that the heat from the sulfur pits! Very cool to see the earth bubbling beneath your feet and expunging hot gas into the air! We also walked under some very old trees with sloths in them, as well as saw iguanas and lizards chilling on burning rocks.
Binh — Google review
This was a wonderful hike through a vast forest area, sprawling hills, and wonderful waterfalls. I definitely was not expecting this trek and was pleasantly surprised by it. It was enjoyable to say the least. I would note that at times it can become quite a walk for younger children or older adults, so plan your time accordingly and pace yourself. Otherwise, enjoy the beautiful scenery!
Daniel Capoferri — Google review
$1.20 to get in. It's a two hour hike each way (4hr total) to cangejo falls but worth the hike, most of it is in the jungle but definitely make sure to bring water. There is another shorter loop too but doesn't take you to the waterfall. Monkey, butterflies and lots of wild life for your viewing pleasure. Wish you could summit the volcano though.
Jason Hiester — Google review
Highly recommended, it’s a place where you can see fumaroles, boiling pots, acid lake, have a proper 5km hike(one way) to a beautiful waterfall and have finally have a refreshing swim.
If you’re lucky enough, you may see some wildlife too. We saw a snake catching a bird, for example.
Ruzhena Panina — Google review
It is a very beautiful park. The volcanic part is easy to explore (with little kids or also by older people), while the waterfall section is more difficult as it is much longer and difficult in technician term. There are 2 different waterfalls, both in the same direction, the farest of which is catarata la Cangreja (photo).
Serena Abbate — Google review
It's an easy 1.5 hour walk on a maintained trail, where you can explore volcanic activity in its raw form.
Ethan Ding — Google review
Absolutely stunning views of the fascinating geological wonders of nature. The hike can get tough at times, but the views are always worth it at the end of each trail.
Jason Watts — Google review
We really enjoyed seeing the vulcanic activity on the short circular walk; the boiling water pool, the mud pools and the gasses escaping from the earth.
Next we hiked to the Cangreja waterfall which is really nice as you will walk through different landscapes.
We did not encounter too many animals, except for an iguana, some pretty birds, big butterflies and angry monkeys.
Rene — Google review
There are a few cool sights, but overall it was quite a disappointment. It is supposed to be a national park, which I understand includes a park entry fee, but the 800 colones per person that the hotel charged just to enter the area was ridiculous. The road was not even in good condition, so it’s not like paying a toll. The hotel employee would not accept most of our US dollars, because they were folded. He wanted pristine dollars with no folds or creases, which we did not have, and he kept asking for “better” dollars. He was quite unfriendly.
Once arriving at the actual park, it was easy to navigate. We paid $15 USD per person online to enter the park. They did not have any paper maps and told us to take a picture of the map with our phones. We did not see many animals, though we searched extensively, and after about 2 hours, we decided to just leave. I would NOT recommend this tourist trap. 2 stars because the trail was well-maintained and easy to navigate, but everything else was a let down.
Rachel Whitaker — Google review
Lovely hike through a well marked path. There are different highlighted areas to explore. Mud pots and streaming areas to see.
WE also saw butterflies as well as monkeys in our walk.
Recommended for the whole family.
Take care because of the sun in some areas. Also bring bug repellent.
Laura Kelland-May — Google review
Went on the 3 km hike. So much to see on that loop incl mud pots, little volcano, hot pools etc. also saw some wildlife: spider monkeys, cane toad, and two types of snakes (very small ones from a distance). Hike is low-medium difficulty with board walkways and well maintained trails. Some roots etc to watch out for.
Jana Abetkoff — Google review
Beautiful place to visit. If you like hiking, there are two trails for hiking. The scenery is beautiful. Make sure you are carrying water and snacks with you. Hiking poles will help.
moodya — Google review
We hiked to La Cangreja Waterfall in November. It was muddy and rained on us during the hike back but absolutely worth it! Several monkey sightings, tons of butterflies and leaf cutting ants. The diverse ecosystems that you hike through are stunning and beautiful! We hiked later in the day and had the waterfall to ourselves. Check out our video on YouTube. Search for Wandered Off
Brandi Moore — Google review
Beautiful and powerful volcano. Drive to Las Pailas - Volcán Rincón de la Vieja.
Coming from Liberia is 40 min drive, the road is ok and you don’t need 4x4.
At Hacienda Guachipelin you will have to pay 800 colones per person as a fee. Then follow the road, it’s a free parking area.
Locals $3 and Tourist $15. You can book and pay in advance or there, during high season the park could reach 600 visitors per day.
It’s a an easy 2:30 hours walk, first 5 stops with diferentes levels of mud pot, water pot and fumarolas from the volcano, then a pleasant walk throw the park.
Usually you can see monkeys and Iguanas at least.
MARLENE LOPEZ — Google review
Only did the 4 km section. It is nice but those mud and steamy area stink sulfur. There are also lots of stairs or steps which may be a problem in high humidity for some. The waterfall is 10 k away and on private land so more $. Finally and most important you need to book online tickets ahead of your visit.
Tio Leo Coffee has a welcoming atmosphere with friendly staff who create a family-like environment. The empanadas are expertly made by Mirna, the tour guide is knowledgeable and passionate about coffee and Costa Rican history, making for an enjoyable and informative 3-hour tour. The gift shop offers a variety of reasonably priced items. Tio Leo Coffee is conveniently located near the airport and town, eliminating the need to travel long distances for a good tour experience.
Advertised as a coffee tour, but you get so much more! The coffee was delicious and well priced, and the empanadas, chocolate, and sugar cane were amazing as well. Our tour guide (Jessie) was incredibly knowledgeable despite it only being her third tour, and Tio Leo was very knowledgeable and kind as well. Between the history, scenery, and good food and drinks, this tour was the perfect addition to our trip.
Jackson Gaskill — Google review
Amazing experience full of learning about coffee and local farming, tasting tons of fresh fruits, and making empenadas, coffee, sugarcane juice, and chocolate. The shop has lots of locally made crafts, chocolate, and wooden carvings. The restaurant was also great and was able to accommodate a gluten free meal for us.
Really enjoyed getting to know the owners, very genuine people!
Dragosh Castravet — Google review
Tio Leo and his team are wonderful. They helped provide affordable transportation, gave us delicious food, affordable souvenirs and an overall wonderful experience, would highly recommend visiting! Great coffee, cocoa, and sugar cane experience.
Julie Boulos — Google review
The Tío Leo Coffee Tour was a fantastic experience. We went on a rainy day and were worried we would not be able to enjoy the experience on account of the rain. However, Tío Leo has a perfect space, fully covered for most of the tour. Tío Leo was full of great stories, history and interesting facts about coffee, chocolate and sugar cane. We toured through the orchard (long pants and bug spray highly recommended for the mosquitos) and saw so many different varieties of fruit trees. He took the time to explain each one. We tasted two kinds of coffee, made empanadas, crushed cocoa beans, had fresh chocolate milk and watched a demonstration of coffee roasting. The staff were very sweet with my kids (10 and 15), bringing cookies and juice, and giving them special roles in demonstrations. This is a must do experience!
Joanna J — Google review
What a fun introduction to coffee in Costa Rica! On this tour I learned all about coffee, chocolate, and other foods that Tio Leo grows on his property! The tour definitely was comprehensive and we got lots of coffee samples and empanadas and sugar cane lemonade squeezed fresh! This was one of the more informative tours that we took and one of the most affordable! Our tour lasted an extra hour from what was scheduled, so maybe not the best for little ones (but our group was all adults, so that could be why it was longer). If you are interested in the chocolate or coffee history of Costa Rica, this is the tour for you!
Elizabeth Croft — Google review
We booked the "4 in 1" morning tour for two couples. We were greeted by Tio Leo himself, who spent the entire morning guiding us through his farm.
He started with some history about coffee and Costa Rica. We were able to have a few cups of his coffee, which as delicious (even served black from someone who usually adds at least milk). We then made Empanadas, which were also delicious and accompanied by a few sauces to try. It felt so homey and individualized. We then moved onto chocolate, which included peeling the cocoa pods, grinding, and making hot chocolate/chocolate milk. We even got a nice cocoa scrub for our arms.
From there, we got a tour of his farm including the coffee bushes and loads of fruit around the farm to try/smell our way through. We got some fresh sour guava juice which was much welcomed on a hot day.
We were then able to grind our own sugar cane juice, also delicious. We ended with a demonstration of the coffee roasting.
I have to admit, I was concerned this would be too "touristy", but we left feeling like we are part of the Tio Leo family. I would highly recommend to anyone in the area with a free morning.
Sami Berman — Google review
We loved this experience so much! Brought my mom on a trip to Costa Rica and chose this as our “Costa Rican coffee experience”! It doesn’t get more local than this! We had the most amazing morning hanging out with Teo Leo! He is so knowledgeable about so many different things. The tour is about 3-3.5 hours but you WILL NOT be bored or hungry!! So many delicious cups of coffee, juice, snacks and of course the empanadas. The empanadas were vegetarian with rice and beans! If you like educational experiences from a local this is your spot!! We would come here again! Thank you Teo Leo!
M.S. — Google review
Great shop to get some local CR coffee and got to meet Tio Leo himself (signed our coffee bags) and pick up some coffee and souvenirs, including an awesome leather bag made locally. Make no mistake, this is more than a simple souvenir shop - you can learn about coffee and the history of CR and support the local economy by purchasing high quality leather and wood sculptures. Very cool place and so glad we stopped.
Jay — Google review
Tío Leo Coffee Tour was great, you get to pick your own coffee fruits, they teach you how to roast them and they give you samples of the different varieties. Ray was an amazing guide, funny and informative. Definitely recommend you take this tour. Be sure to check the gift shop and get some coffee, it tastes incredible.
Diego Vargas — Google review
One of the best activities we did in Costa Rica! This tour is so much more than just coffee - Tio Leo and his family give you an immersion into their culture. You will learn about coffee, make empanadas, tour his regenerative farm and have an all around great time. The experience is a bit long (3.5-4 hours) but worth every second.
Laura Iaffaldano — Google review
Stopped in for a coffee for the morning (it was excellent) and returned for the afternoon tour.
History, education and activities rolled into one. Teo is passionate about the coffee and it shows.
His property is a garden of plants, herbs and trees to calm and invigorate you.
Ask him anything about coffee, the surroundings and history of the area and he will be happy to share with you his knowledge.
Would recommend this tour if you are interested in coffee. You will not be offered milk or sugar to put in your coffee because, really, good coffee doesn’t need it!
Laura Kelland-May — Google review
We went to the gift shop and had a mini tour. Witch was perfect for us as we were pressed for time. The ladies up front made us amazing coffee to go. We all bought bags of coffee to bring home. We had to return on our way to the airport. Their coffee is amazing.
Julie Weaver — Google review
We loved it!! The entire staff was wonderful. Quite the family environment. Mirna the empanada queen was so skilled her food was something I could have eaten all day!! It seemed so clear that everyone was enjoying their job, which made for a wonderful 3 hour highly interactive tour! Our tour guide was amazing as well she was so informative and casual really passionate about the history around coffee and Costa Rica. She was a natural!! The gift shop was very reasonable and FULL of everything you could want. The empanadas and food was terrific as well. I can't say enough about this place. Especially being so close to the airport and town don't waste your time traveling several hours for a tour. TIO Leo has everything covered!!
Jason Boulle — Google review
My wife and I had a great time on the coffee tour! Tio Leo was knowledgeable about everything Costa Rica and takes a lot of pride in it. It’s a great experience and would definitely recommend.
Dallas Stevens — Google review
I just wanted to say I absolutely LOVE Cindy, Justin, Jesse, Eli & Johanna!!! THANK YOU!! THANK YOU!! THANK YOU!!!!! For all your help today. My husband & I used GPS and it took us to the souvenir shop. Cindy and Justin helped us and helped us find the actual Tio Leo Tour location and even though they were closed today (Sunday) for tours, Jesse, Eli & Johanna gave us a wonderful overview and mini tour just for us. We appreciate you all so much!!! Many blessings to you all!! God bless!
Kim Kingi — Google review
We completed the coffee tour with Tío Leo himself! The tour did not disappoint! We learned how to make coffee and empanadas, he let us try multiple fruits and herbal plants on his farm, showed us how to process coco beans and sugar cane! Also we loved Mirna’s day spa ;) All the staff is so nice and the food is delicious+ reasonably priced.
We will be ordering coffee once we run out to ship back home. We are team Peaberry!!!
Bree Cooley — Google review
I can’t say enough of this place.🫶🏼
I booked a tour for 13 people, and every single one of my friends looooved the tour.
It was very informative, we had the chance to make empanadas! And see the process of how to make a cold chocolate drink.🙌🏻
We certainly don’t do any of those things back in Canada.😂 it was great!
The stuff suuuuper friendly and they just make you feel at home.
I mentioned to a person of the stuff, that it was my friends Birthday.
They sang the birthday song, and gave her her own piece of this super yummy cake.🫶🏼
Thank you soooo much Tio leo and stuff.🙏
brain dora — Google review
My friends and I had an amazing time on the coffee tour! For $45, we received a coffee lesson, multiple coffee tastings, empanada class, chocolate class and tasting, tour of the tropical garden, sampling of tropical fruits, and more. It was an INCREDIBLE value. This is definitely a family operation and we really enjoyed getting to know Tio Leo and his wife. If you are considering this as an option, BOOK IT! Coming from a foodie and coffee lover, you will not be disappointed.
Leah DeLew — Google review
Our tour guide did a great job of teaching us about all the plants, trees coffee and chocolate. We learned so much! The coffee tasted amazing and the empanadas we made were fabulous!
Catherine Kwekel — Google review
We had a great experience learning about coffee, chocolate and sugar cane. Leo is very knowledgeable and his staff so friendly. It is advertised as a three hour experience and it went over four. Three hours would have been perfect. Memorable experience worth doing.
Kurt and Sheila Team — Google review
If you find yourself in Liberia with some time to spare, especially when coming or going from the airport, a visit to Café Tío Leo is an absolute must. This isn't just a coffee tour; it's a full sensory immersion into the heart of Costa Rican flora, guided by the incomparable Leo, a botanist and naturalist par excellence.
My experience at Café Tío Leo was nothing short of extraordinary. From the moment we arrived, we were enveloped in a world of natural wonders. Leo, with his profound knowledge and passion for botany, has been conducting these tours since the 1990s, and it shows. His expertise and enthusiasm make the tour deeply engaging and educational.
We spent three unforgettable hours on the farm, not just observing but actively participating. We roasted coffee beans, shelled cacao, pressed sugar cane, and even rolled our own empanadas. But what set this tour apart was the way Leo introduced us to every plant species on his farm. He encouraged us to touch, smell, and taste, making it a truly immersive experience.
The staff at Café Tío Leo were exceptional - kind, knowledgeable, and attentive. They even concocted a special herbal tea from farm-grown plants to aid my wife's indigestion, showcasing their understanding of the healing properties of nature.
The tour, available at 8 AM or 1 PM daily, is accessible only through direct booking. This approach by Leo, to keep the experience affordable and personal, speaks volumes about his dedication to sharing his love for plants, their history, and their significance in Costa Rican culture.
In conclusion, Café Tío Leo offers more than just a tour; it's an enlightening journey into the essence of Costa Rica's natural and cultural heritage. Highly recommended for anyone seeking an authentic, enriching experience.
Clark Dever — Google review
Tio Leo’s Coffee Tour is a must for anyone visiting the nearby area. The 3 hour long tour was incredibly informative, engaging, and fun! Leo does a fantastic job of explaining the history of coffee, sugarcane, and cacao. Visitors also get to make their own empanadas, taste various coffees, fruits, chocolates, and juices, and even get a coffee scrub. The entire staff is so friendly and welcoming. Our trip to Tio Leo’s was a highlight of our honeymoon!
Margo Dekoch — Google review
Wow! What a great Costa Rica experience! You get soo much for the money! A very personal family genuine company! Tio Leo shares his knowledge of coffee and how he is doing his part to keep Coffe and Costa Rica the wonderful place it is! Learning about coffe beans, cocoa beans, local fruits and their healing powers! Making and eating delicious empanadas, sampling fresh fruit juices, chocolate and not to mention all the coffee samples you can drink! I recommend this to everyone looking for a genuine experience ! And not having to drive hours away makes it even the better (located near Liberia airport!) make time to do this!
debra mosur — Google review
We had the best time on this tour and learned a lot. We learned about Costa Rica in general, about plants and processing crops. Cindy was also a great tour guide and helped our group go on other adventures while we were there. They also give back a lot to the community and help feed local children.
Yvette Medford — Google review
Really fun tour to learn about coffee and chocolate. Mr Tio Leo himself was our "guide" and he was so much fun during the whole experience. We had a good group which also made it even better. Would definitely recommend.
Abby W — Google review
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HC86+CPH, Guanacaste Province, Guardia, Costa Rica
The Ponderosa Adventure Park is a nature reserve that offers a safari tour featuring African wildlife. Along with the safari, visitors can enjoy activities such as zip-lining, kayaking and viewing waterfalls. While some visitors have reported disappointment with the number and condition of animals on the safari tour, paying for extra activities such as canopy tours and short kayaking trips can provide more value for money.
The experience was amazing. The highlight of our trip was Jose Miguel with the canopy team! He was so kind and knowledgeable. Thanks to him my little nephew felt brave enough to enjoy the canopy tour! Honestly the safari by itself it would do you no good. Very few animals, some of them looking sick and malnourished. However! If you do pay for the extra activities like the canopy and the short kayak tour then you would definitely get your money’s worth.
I hope the safari gets better and they comeback to what they once had. Many great and amazing animals!
Jonathan Merlo — Google review
It was an amazing experience! The whole family learned so much. We stayed the night at the park at the country club and that too was so fabulous. The hotel is just at the top of the waterfalls. Pool is great. Staff was so friendly.
Betsy Coleen Donat — Google review
Amazing place to spend the day!
I would recommend you to text them first before buying the ticket online because they can give you really good prices and packages if you talk to them first.
Everything is worth it
Ariadne Bonilla — Google review
I HIGHLY recommend coming here when visiting Costa Rica! The staff was extremely nice. Our tour guide Jeremy (I believe that’s his name) was interactive with everyone during the tour. This was my boyfriend and I first time doing a Safari Tour which exceeded our expectations 😍!
Tenneh Williams — Google review
We had a great adventure with an excellent tour guide. We feed the giraffes and zebras. There was an ostrich wanting to peck for food and the crocodiles were unbelievable. The waterfall was not grand but it has a great view of people ziplining. I would definitely recommend if in the area.
Ann Von — Google review
The park is definitely a great experience. The Safari is small but you'll definitely enjoy it. The Waterfall is small and a little lagoon forms where you can swim; the water temperature is quite nice for a hot day. The swimming pools are not big, so you may end up with overcrowding, there are 3 pools for kids and I could only see one adult pool. We paid for the buffet lunch, which wasn't a buffet lunch after all - it's typical Costa Rican dishes, but you may only choose one option, one time. Lunch here was much more expensive than any other place we've visited. The cost of the park varies based on the activities you choose to do, we chose 4 activities (Safari, Waterfall, Swimming pools and Lunch), and the cost was around $52 pp.
Erick Barrantes — Google review
A nice place to spend a family day. Options include an africa-like safari where you will be able to see and actually interact with zebras, giraffes, ostriches, and other sabana species. Safari car will take you close enough to feed them which is a really cool experience for the little ones.
Good hygiene protocols followed, several snack and hydration options along the way.
Place offers several one day packages including tours to a waterfall within the property, zip lines and more.
A nice option for a summer family weekend
Isaac Ram?rez — Google review
Fun place! Go early so you can hit everything! Easy parking. Plenty of restrooms. Nice staff!
Sharon Olson — Google review
Good concept but do not, DO NOT go on the weekends or you will spend your time waiting in lines all day! Definitely operational efficiency issues. Zip lines were mediocre. I have seen worse and better. Safari is the highlight, getting closer to the animals and feeding them. People cut in front of our line and personnel didn't ask them to go back. Definitely needs improvement. I agree that it maybe geared more towards locals and children. There is a reservation system but I don't think that they limit the number of people. There is transportation from the highway if you come by bus. If you come with backpack, you will have to zip line with it. Free Wi-Fi in public areas with pswd. I paid $55 in low season but if I paid more, it would be a waste with the weekend crowd.
Engin Sabuncu — Google review
There weren't too many activities available for a 2 year old, but our family enjoyed the Safari tour and the waterfall was quiet and peaceful. We were, however, highly disappointed that the guide did not provide any English instructions. My family was left in the dark, not knowing how to properly feed the animals or where to go. We resorted to following everyone else. It would have been nice to learn more about the animals.
The waterfall felt like a long 15 minute hike in the heat with a struggling toddler. We didn't find out until later that they could have offered to bring us there by shuttle/truck despite us asking for assistance/directions.
Our family would have enjoyed this place more if staff were more attentive and the decorations weren't so excessive/tacky (there are random statues of Shrek and Marvel characters).
Food was mediocre at best.
m hong — Google review
Lovely place, offers many activities. I came and did the Animal safari, unfortunately it was raining but we were still able to enjoy our time and feed the animals
G — Google review
Great experience! It has a bit of everything: great food, nice adventure canopy experience, a beautiful waterfall where you can bathe, gorgeous and well cared animals are and knowledgeable and kind personnel. Highly recommended.
Andrés Aguilar — Google review
If you're visiting ANYWHERE near Liberia, you NEED to come to Ponderosa. This is by far the most fun excursion I've done in Costa Rica & I've lived here almost 2 years.
The animals were incredible (and you can tell they are so loved, cared for, and treated well -- the zebras literally RUN to the safari truck because they know the people are coming with carrots!!)
The lunch was delicious, the ziplining was super fun and the waterfall is breathtaking. There are also TONS of shaded areas.
There are few things I didn't get to try (like the tubing--) but i have plans to return VERY soon & will be bringing all of my friends with me this time.
** (I highly recommend calling in advance to book your excursion as well to save $$ even though it’s already the most cost-effective excursion out there right now. They give you a reservation number and you pay upon arrival.)
Thank you Ponderosa team for an amazing experience!
Alex Kennedy — Google review
This was a great experience! Up and close encounter with zebras giraffes oxen and more. Definitely worth it. Great for kids and adults. 4 grown adults loved it!
Kari Sanborn — Google review
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200 mts sur del puente de el rio “El Salto, Provincia de Guanacaste, Liberia, 50101, Costa Rica
We loved this visit. It’s so unbelievably beautiful. It is very safe and has a secure parking lot that you must pass a park attendant at a stand to get into. There is a small outdoor market stall with art and treasures, no food. We visited during the weekday, and there was barely anyone there. It is all stairs to get down to the bottom, very manageable. The hike to the top of the waterfall is definitely more uneven, but just watch your step and it’s doable. The water here glitters with all the mica in it. We ended up lounging in the shade and reading, while monkeys relaxed overhead. Maybe my favorite spot on my trip.
Margot Champagne — Google review
Stunning waterfall! There are unofficial guides that will offer to take you up to see the waterfall from behind and other vantage points. We were pleasantly surprised by the experience and knowledge provided on that walk and he even took quite a few photos and videos for us. There is no fee although cash tips are highly appreciated. There is a fee to enter that can be paid via cash or credit card.
Juliana Hayworth — Google review
We had the most amazing time. Our guides Amari, Jordan and Arturo were the best. They shared so much information about the area and ensured we were safe and had the best views. They also took really good pictures for us.
Karen Taylor — Google review
Beautiful but it is a difficult trek to get down to it and back up out of it. Steps are there but odd sized, hand rails are mobile in spots. I would go again but wished we had been informed about the hiking skills required prior to heading over.
Amy Price — Google review
Saw a hand painted sign for waterfall and the road was sketchy but doable. Well worth it though. Beautiful falls and great little beach. Great place to spend a day in the water.
Rick Miller — Google review
Beautiful spot! Not too crowded on a weekday afternoon, water was so refreshing. Paid 4000 colones ($8) entry. Short gravel road to get to a rocky parking lot, any car can do it going slowly
Easy walk down to the waterfall
Beautiful spot
Marianne Simpson — Google review
Relaxing beach-like environment. Beautiful falls. Fun little hikes to and around.
Ryan Britt — Google review
Amazing waterfall, very tall , ot has bunch of small and tall falls and there is a big pool of water under the falls so you can swim.
Very short hike from the parking lot (~4min)
Omid — Google review
A nice waterfall just outside of Liberia. It was dirty from the massive downpour the day before but our kids still enjoyed it.
There were mini falls all around too. It was all just a bit muddy from the crazy rainstorm.
There was staff on hand making sure people were safe.
There is an entrance fee to help maintain the area.
Calvin Hanson (Hansons Travel) — Google review
The waterfall is nice and worth its price. The only thing I didn't really like was that the life guard forbid everything - swimming under/near the waterfall was forbidden, swimming on the side was forbidden, reaching the stones on the side was forbidden. Swimming at the very front was allowed..a bit disappointing. Everything else was great - the butterflies, the hike to the top of the waterfall, the clean showers. There was a lot of space to chill :-)
AkuZ — Google review
If going on the weekend the locals are there collecting money (donations) for parking and also ask for tips for escorting you to the lake without even telling you they are escorting for a tip. Fish actually plucked at me so I left . Seems like it’s a local band out spot too .
Jasmine Suarez — Google review
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GP84+9CC, De posada llanos del cortés 3 kilometro camino al pueblo de llanos llegan a la Esquina de la plaza de futbol a mano derecha 2.5 kilometros Guanacaste Bagaces llanos del cortes, Provincia de Guanacaste, Bagaces, Costa Rica
If you are considering the Finca Verde Lodge, do it!! the people are amazing, the Sloth tour was fantastic, make the efforts and visit this place, we highly recommend.
Scott D. MacQuarrie — Google review
We did a trail tour with Jorge and I am so glad we did. If this is not on your list currently, then it should be! Jorge was an excellent guide and spent so much time showing us the different animals and plants and explaining this "secondary" Rainforest, it is such an interesting trail. It's quite a short trail but we spent 2 hours with Jorge learning lots. He took so many pictures of and for us and had an excellent sense of humour. We saw four sloths on the tour (two partners and a mum and baby sloth), a sleeping camouflaged tree frog, toucans, a glimpse of a poison dart frog and many of the fascinating flora along the way. The best $15 I have ever spent.
Joshua West — Google review
A nice little authentic cafe with cabinas up in the jungle. We had a great tour guide to walk the grounds and see some of the natural environment. There is a little walkway to try and spot sloths in the tree, from a distance. It is environmentally conscientious, but truly just a guided walk on hotel grounds.
Zeke Dumke IV — Google review
We saw so many sloths on this tour! More than any other tour I’ve taken in Costa Rica including in La Fortuna and Monteverde. We even saw a poison dart frog and a baby flor de lance. This is an easy 1 km walk through trails. Guide was very enthusiastic and knowledgeable. Reasonable price. Lunch at the restaurant was also good.
Jennifer _ — Google review
Was traveling around Costa Rica with my 15 y/o, this was a nice place to stay. No complaints. Would stay here again.
The night tour wasn’t the best, but that’s subjective. Some days are probably better than others. We did see this colorful frog.
Bijagua is a small village. Hiking at the local hanging bridges spot was great. Easy drive to Celeste falls. Not as many tourists as in La Fortuna.
Jacob R — Google review
My family of 4 visited Finca Verde for a sloth, bird and frog tour just the other day. We were lucky enough to have had 2 amazing guides, Gabriel and Manfred, to join just our family on this tour. Even luckier? We saw 4 sloths (2 sleeping fur balls hidden beneath leaves, and 2 older ones that were awake and active and ready for their close ups)! We also saw toucans, red eyed frogs, the “blue Jean” poisonous frog and a few hummingbirds. The boys were patient with our many questions and even showed us how they eat termites! Well worth the drive from hot and dry el Coco to this lush rural village with lovely people.
Pia Wilson — Google review
Our Finca Verde farm tour was incredible! The naturalist obviously loves sharing about the history of the farm and its rainforest inhabitants. We saw sloths, including a Mama and her baby, a super cute blue jeans frog, and beautiful flora and fauna. It was so much fun to learn about the farm including the animals, the trees, and the plants! We also had lunch at the restaurant on site and the food was delicious! Jonh was very hospitable and their ice cream was the best we’ve ever had! We 100% recommend a visit to Finca Verde!
Em Gal — Google review
We didn't stay here but we did a wildlife tour that was great! We saw multiple sloths, toucans, Red eyed tree frogs, monkeys! I got so many amazing pictures! It was a great experience! We are so grateful.
Lisa Pologruto — Google review
We saw a poison dart frog, a toucan, and sloth while we stayed here. All on the property in two days. The people here love nature and can prove it. Magical place.
Spencer Elwell — Google review
A truly fantastic very reasonably priced tour. We visited to see the sloths and had a fantastic tour (luckily just us and the guide) with the most knowledgeable friendly guide.
Within a minute of starting the tour, we saw sloths up in the trees who were active and looking around. I could have watched them all day!
The grounds of the tour were beautiful. Fascinating hearing the history of the site. Now full of lots of gorgeous varied plant species and wildlife - sloths, frogs, hummingbirds.
The restaurant served delicious food, and was perfectly placed overlooking an area of flowers that attracted a hummingbird. It was fascinating just sitting and watching as the hummingbird circled around all the flowers nearby.
Emily — Google review
We took the rain forest nature tour
to see wildlife and we saw a lot of different animals.
Luc Picard — Google review
Our Finca Verde farm tour was amazing! Luis was an amazing guide and took the time to explain so many details to us as we walked around the property. We saw several sloths, poison dart frogs, several species of toucans, and could also hear the howler monkeys in the trees around us. It was so much fun to learn about the farm including the animals, the trees, and the plants! We had seen many billboards advertising tours to see sloths, frogs, etc., but we had heard about Finca Verde from a few other travelers and this is just what we were looking for. Amazing value for money. We also had lunch at the restaurant on site after our tour and the food was delicious! 100% recommend a visit to Finca Verde!
Olivia Perrin — Google review
I think most people visit for a tour that lasts a couple of hours and I'm sure it's amazing. In my opinion, the real magic happens when you stay here. You will see so many animals and when you have nowhere else to be but in the present, you will have the time to start to see them in a whole new light. The jungle truly comes alive at night. All of your sense will be on a different level after staying here for a couple of days. The staff is amazing and there is a lot of love that has been put into Finca Verde Lodge. Thank you for the amazing experience!
Stefan Reiter — Google review
The BEST experience - If you want to experience more of Costa Rica stay at the Finca Verde. The rooms are simple and clean, just what you need. Breafast is included and was always delicious! There is an amazing restaurant on site. The Humming bird cafe. SO delicious, we tried a few other places, but this was our favorite.
The real magic is right outside your door, a beautiful rainforest with so many interesting plants and animals! While we were there, we had monkeys visit at breakfast, watched a sloth-over two days (lol), 2 types of Toucans and an ant army moving along across the path. It is truly amazing what the owners have done to restore the land to its natural grounds. BTW-about a 30 minute drive to Rio Celeste (a must see). If you are visiting to see the Rio, I would suggest staying in Bijagua. Great town with a brewery, gift shop and nice people! LOVED this place
Jill K — Google review
I visited Finca Verde Lodge yesterday with my husband, FIL and two kids (10, 7). We went for a Sloth Tour. I had heard about them online and reached out via WhatsApp. They were very responsive and answered all of my questions promptly. We asked about needing reservations or when it was better to tour (weekday/weekend).
We arrived Saturday at about 8:30 am and we're met by Francisco. He was a fabulous guide, so excited that before we had even finished applying big spray, he had spotted a sloth, set up his view finder and binoculars so both kids could look through.
We saw:
Sloths (male, female & with a
Red eyed tree frogs
Blue jean poisonous frog
Crested guans
Crested oropendola
Water frog
White-collared manakin
Euselasia butterfly
Blue morpho butterflies
Tent-making (long-nosed) bats
Millipedes
Praying mantis
And all types of beautiful flora
We even found some snake skin in a tree (my son's favourite) but could touch as it was from a venomous snake species.
If you have a car and are staying in Guanacaste province I HIGHLY recommend taking this tour, instead of an organized one from your resort. The service was exceptional, they took their time, the little cafe was great afterwards (complimentary local coffee). Lots of little restaurants in Bijuaga del Uppala to stop at a d that sell the local coffee and chocolate made just up the road.
*We did not stay at the lodge so cannot comment
Christina Chenard — Google review
This is a lovely place by the road near Río Celeste, tranquility is the word that comes to mind, there are walking paths among exotic plants, frogs and butterflys. Keep your eyes wide open because you will encounter wildlife, including monkeys, sloths and a variety of birds. Don't forget to try their delicious food and drinks.
We had a great tour, excellent service and special attention by Marvin, the owner.
Thank you kindly!
Normarina Roldan — Google review
It’s basically glamping - if you’re cool with that you’ll enjoy this place. the tour was great (Luis is a great guide) and the breakfast was good too. The room is clean and the property is gorgeous. Would stay again
Roey Paz-Priel — Google review
Staffs are very knowledgeable about all the varieties of species on the grounds. Beautiful ecosystem and, yes we did see sloths 🦥
Amazing hotel 1 hour from Liberia airport. Stayed one night and wish we had more time to enjoy the facilities and activities. Wonderful staff, beautiful grounds, private rooms right in the forest. Thermal river was beautiful with several pools to soak in. Zip line was fun and beautiful canyon views. We did free morning hike, tubing, yoga and enjoyed the beautiful pools. Saw monkeys and iguana. Don’t miss this place and stay multiple days. Highly recommend!
Sandra Fey — Google review
We absolutely loved this hotel experience. The staff are wonderful! The food is great. Lots of trails to walk around. Best of all- the thermal river is an amazing experience. There is a natural trail (with some helpful guide railing) to access it and at the end there is 46/117 degree spring that feels amazing to soak in if you can handle the heat.
My only advice would be to book an east bungalow - not a central king bungalow (unless you really enjoy dark, cave-like rooms, which I know some people appreciate). We did the central king, and while the scenery was lovely, it really was a bit dark and gloomy inside. The walls were all black and while I have good eyesight- I actually found it difficult to see and find our belongings. After seeing pics of the bright and sunny East rooms, we will go that route next time.
Even with that said, the experience was exceptional and I can’t wait to return.
Melissa Wooten — Google review
No doubt this is one of the best forest to hide and relax and get pampered. The service is top notched from the moment we entered the gate to the moment we checked out. Nothing is too much to ask for.
Every drink, every meal we ordered was above our expectations. This place is intimate with just 30 rooms.
Check out the views especially during the afternoon downpour. The thermal river is a short walk from our room and it was pure tranquility. We did a short hike with the guide and felt totally safe to do the other hikes on our own. All the trails are well marked.
Thank you again for your hospitality. My very special thanks Stephanie. Thank you for your morning and evening smiles and those iced cold towels after our hikes. You are the best of the best.
FT Wanderer — Google review
We only spent 2 nights here but they were awesome. The Welcome Dinner Under the Stars provide us was spectacular. All the food was delicious and the staff were attentive and friendly. Enjoyed the guided hike and the Zip line. Enjoyed a wonderful couples massage afterwards. The room was well laid out, cozy and comfortable. We highly recommend this place and will return soon for a longer stay.
Rick Phillips — Google review
We absolutely loved Rio Perdido hotel!
The staff is always available to help and make an unforgettable experience for us, the food is delicious, the room is really comfortable, everything is easy around the hotel!
My husband did the zipline experience and loved it!
Yoga class is amazing and there were monkeys over us during the class, making it so special!
We also did the barista class and Carlos was exceptional! We explained to us all the process and we did different kinds of coffees, so interesting!
Definitely we will return!
Marta Morgado — Google review
Beautiful resort in what seems like the middle of no where. Their food was exceptional, and catered to being gluten free really well. The resort was large but we hardly saw anyone else on the walking trails except for the local monkeys who were adorable. Our only disappointment was we wanted to do the tube down the river but it had been raining to hard so it wasn’t safe - to no fault of the resort. We loved being here
Kelsey Dawn — Google review
Hotel and staff are amazing! Breakfast and lunch are great. Views are amazing as well and so are some activities. Almost all of the activities are over priced, so better to rent a car and go elsewhere for tours etc. Giving it 4 stars due to the dinner and activity pricing. I did the hike (tumbas) by our self and was great. Also did the canyon adventure which was reasonably priced and very fun!
Marc Bernardino — Google review
Rio Perdido was unlike anywhere I've ever stayed and it was incredible. Great place to detach and get your mind right in a natural setting. They focus on wellness and they don't disappoint. The property is gorgeous and expansive. You can hike, bike, do yoga and even swim in a thermal river. You'll see lots of monkeys also! 3 relaxing pools of different temperatures and one has a swim up bar where we ate lunch every day. there's only so many rooms and people there, it never felt crowded whatsoever, which was awesome.
There was plenty to keep us busy for our 3 nights there, we could've used an extra day honestly. The center bungalows are really cool, dark and very large. they also have amazing outdoor showers.
The food was great with lots of different options, and the complimentary breakfast was fantastic. The staff was also super great and helpful. I really can't say enough about the place, the staff was amazing and we really just had the best time. Go experience it for yourself. I Can't wait to go back one day!
Griffin McDonald — Google review
This is more than a hotel, it’s an entire experience. Drive through high desert and enter their lush forest. You are greeted by an incredible welcome drink and sweeping views from their main center. We were taken to our chic villa to settle in before spending the rest of our time enjoying their property. We indulged in daily happy hour, tested each of the different soaking pools, and walked the gorgeous property. Walk through their natural springs that flow by the property and be sure to find all the warmest spots! If you are into yoga, be sure to sign up when you arrive so you have your choice of timing. Their massage and spa is also so dreamy!
Rio Perdido is truly a gem. Go to relax, enjoy the beauty of Costa Rica, and indulge in their incredible food and drink.
Roya Habibi — Google review
Rio Perdido exceeded any & all expectations we had. It is even better in person than in pictures. The whole resort was clean and well laid out. The hiking was on site and well marked. We had the best time relaxing at each of the thermal river pools. There are not enough great things that we could say that could even began to describe the level of service the staff gives. Everything was what dream vacations are made of.
Cody Abney — Google review
A hidden slice of paradise. There is so much to do here! We took the morning yoga class, zip line adventure, canyon tubing, guided hike and mountain biking. All activities were amazing and the guides were all very engaged and knowledgeable. The thermal river is very relaxing, as are the hydrotherapy pools. Very magical place to do everything or nothing…the setting is stunning.
Krystian Belza — Google review
My wife and I stayed here for 4 nights during our honeymoon trip to Costa Rica and it was amazing! The property is unlike any other, the staff is absolutely top notch, and the on-site restaurant is delicious! There is so much to do here: hiking, thermal rivers, sightseeing, and tons of excursions. I would definitely recommend learning how to make delicious drinks through the their Guaro class.
The staff went above and beyond to make sure our stay was special. It was more than we could have expected and we're super happy with our decision to stay here. Would definitely recommend for anyone who is looking for a beautiful and relaxing resort in Costa Rica!
Enrique Sanchez — Google review
This hotel was AMAZING!! We wanted to stay longer. The property is very quiet, peaceful, calm, so relaxing. The rooms are far enough apart so you really feel like you're isolated from others in the cloud forest. The room was very clean. It has a small fridge, outdoor private shower, private balcony, A/C. The food was terrific, the staff was attentive and friendly. You can see monkeys hanging around most of the day, iguanas, beautiful birds, lizards, etc. So many things to do onsite: yoga, thermal river, tubing, etc. I would love to visit again!
Codi Bolding — Google review
This place is an absolute gem. There's so much to do here--hiking (an included guided tour), biking, zip lining, dipping in the thermal rivers. Our bungalow was beautiful and comfortable with a perfect view of the rainforest. We went for a couples massage and the masseuse did amazing jobs. The food was delicious and the people here are extremely friendly and attentive. You can tell everything is carefully thought out and they are careful about attention to detail. Definitely recommend staying here. we will for sure be back!
Judy — Google review
Unforgettable stay at Rio Perdido: go for the beautiful grounds and room, attentive service and a great mix of adventurous activities and zen atmosphere. The property sits on 600 acres of Costa Rica jungle and there are so many activities to do on-site (some at extra cost), we did the ziplining and white river tubing which were both adventurous and fun in a small group of 5 people, you also have access to 3 pools (there's a bar in one of them, so fun) and natural thermal river. We booked a standard room for a couple which is a bungalow in the jungle, breakfast is included when you book directly on the hotel site and we were able to get it delivered to our room where we sat in the hammock on our private terrace and saw monkeys right at our door. The service was incredible throughout our stay - staff at activities were so enthusiastic + the waiter at the restaurant had great tips on food and wine pairing. I would definitely return here.
Isabelle Giguere — Google review
This place is A-MAZ-ING. We bought the day pass and it really was the perfect day. Get there early (9am) and plan to stay until 5pm. Their facilities are truly top notch. We were greeted by security, there was someone waiting to direct us to parking and take us to reception, and had a welcome fruity drink. Luis, who explained our day and arranged our lunch for us, was kind, patient, and professional. We did a morning hike (there are easy ones with beautiful views that are 45 minutes max round trip). Tried all the swimming pools, and we really enjoyed the drinks at the swim-up bar. I noticed that Ronald (at swim bar) greeted returning guests so warmly and by name. Lunch was also fantastic--delicious and plentiful. We headed off to the thermal river. Loved it all. My only advice--take either hiking shoes or proper walking shoes!--as the path is in the forest and would be more comfortable/faster if I hadn't worn flip flops.
10/10 that I would return!
Mel S. — Google review
My boyfriend and I stayed at Rio Perdido recently and the whole vacation was fantastic. Everyone was so friendly, helpful and welcoming. All the staff made it their priority to ensure our stay was top notch. The bartenders fixed us thoughtful, unique cocktails that encapsulated the feel of Costa Rica. We did zip lining and white water tubing- both would highly recommend. The grounds were so picturesque and the room stay was serene. Truly it was a magical rainforest getaway. Definitely an unforgettable experience!
Stephanie Weintraub — Google review
I just left Rio Perdido this morning and I cannot say enough good thing about the stay. The people who work there are amazing. Reception was always kind and welcoming. I was slightly scared to sleep in a bungalow by myself. My first questions was has anyone been eaten out here? All of the animals I saw were doing their own thing and not really in the way. I saw some new animals I have never seen.
The grounds are well kept and beautiful. I cannot say enough good things about the thermal river. It was a little bit more strenuous that I though it would be to get to and from. (I realized I'm a little bit more out of shape than I thought I was). Regardless once you're down there it is beautiful.
I also heard from other guest how fun the activities (river tubing, canyon adventure, cocktail making, barista classes, etc.) are however I was being really lazy and just relaxing so I didn't do much which leads me to one of my favorite aspects......
The servers and bar tenders went above and beyond. I am a picky eater and will eat the same thing if I find I like it. By the second day the staff already knew my order and suggested new items I may like. The bar tenders already knew my order when I sat down. This is the joy of a smaller resort. It felt very intimate and like I knew them all. Special shout out to Alex, Angel, Ronald, Carlos! Everyone was great- the golf cart drivers who took me back to my room every night because I was scared to walk were amazing.
I can't say enough good things about this place!
Nijah Wilson — Google review
We had the opportunity of staying in both suites (half and half of our stay) The are both great, but i would recommend upgrading, it's worth the money!
Monica was a real pleasure to deal for all our needs especially our Kosher specific diet!
The Thermal River lives up to all the hype you read about! Zip Line was great and very fairly priced!
The overall service was impeccable, You can call for a lift and they'll be over is as little as one min!
jack victor victor — Google review
It is very hard to describe such a beautiful place to rejuvenate, Relax and enjoy what Costa Rica has to offer. This resort surpassed all of our expectations, from the very small gestures such as remembering your name, and remembering what dietary restrictions you have, and what you like and don’t like, to all of the friendly stuff, the cleanliness of the resort, how beautiful the rooms are.
Everything is thought of in such great detail. What impressed us the most was also the fact that it is such a bio friendly resort and they really strive to use everything they can from the land. All of the products that they use are Biodegradable and naturally safe.
Aside from all of this, their drinks are amazing and the food is delicious; they make such an effort to meet your expectations and needs. The menu creations are very creative ! I am vegan, and they went above and beyond to make sure that I had an enjoyable meal every time I ate there.
The hiking is well worth it, so is swimming in the rivers and enjoying your own mud bath. The spa was also heavenly, as well as the fun pool bar. The guaro class was very fun , and our bartender Carlos was very knowledgeable ! I can’t say enough about all of the staff there, they went above and beyond for our private dinner, and it was just something so memorable that we will forever remember this place as one of our favorite vacations.
Silvia Rodriguez — Google review
We had the most amazing time in this hotel. Everything was done very tastefully. Beautiful rooms, natures and the food was amazing in every meals. Very friendly and personal staffs who remember your name and room number. It’s very secluded and quiet with lots to do on property. We stayed two nights here and did not get bored.
We did the canyoning adventure. We thoughts it’s a lot of fun and challenging with the additional climbing rather than just ziplining.
East bungalow room is on the small side, after adding a rollaway bed there’s no sitting area but the deck was beautiful with extra sitting.
Roads lead to the hotel are rough and bumpy.
We would definitely go back in the future.
Kathy — Google review
The staff and service was impeccable. The spa experience was excellent. Marlene is the best nail technician ever. She gave my mom and I the best manicure and pedicure we have ever had. A few things that would greatly improve this hotel is better lighting in the rooms as it's difficult to see at nighttime. Also, the black paint on the walls is very,very unattractive. A lighter brighter color would be so much better. The food menu could be more diverse and have more casual, simple options. Overall our experience was still excellent and we hope to return. Thank you Rio Perdido.
Lisa Demsko — Google review
Wonderful experience! So much to do at this hotel with hiking, zip lining, thermal rivers and then sightseeing. We saw so much wildlife here, go to the car park area at night for stargazing which is fantastic and an armadillo came by!
Staff are very good and food/drinks all perfect. Highly recommended for max five nights
Simeon Ripley — Google review
We didn't stay in the rooms. We came for the adventure day. We got here and immediately jumped on the next available zip-line tour they had. It was a lot of fun, they had excellent guides who made us feel safe the entire time. The scenery was incredible soaring over the river.
We then went and had lunch in the restaurant they had. It was good but nothing to get really excited about. The staff were great and very friendly.
After our meal we went to the thermal river for a quick walk. I took a quick dip then headed back to make it in time for the river tubing.
This was more silly and goofy than anything else. We got there and the second we got into the river it was mayhem... In a good way... In a very good way. Everyone was splashing everyone, screaming, and laughing. We hadn't laughed that hard in a long time.
We went back to the pool bar and had a nice cold drink before we left the resort. Upon leaving we were greeted with dozens of howler monkeys. They were all over the front entrance eating the flowers off the trees. It was a great way to end a fun and exciting day at Rio Perdido.
Andrew Nelson — Google review
This is a great resort. There are 2 rivers going through the property. One is hot as a hot bathtub and you can swim in it which is very relaxing. You can sit under a little waterful and be in a natural hot tub. It also has 3 swimming pools, with hot, tepid and cold water. The staff is very helpful and cheerful. The food is good. It is not included but not too high priced. There are several fun activities including white water tubing on the other river, zip lining, hiking and biking. There is also a spa.
Bill Saks — Google review
I absolutely love it here. There is so much to do! All the staff is amazing and beyond accommodating. The secluded location is wonderful. The sunrise from the restaurant is beautiful if you can't make the hike they offer for it. All around, just an amazing place! They were so amazing with the child in our group. The child is the minimum age at 8. I have to say that request is more than reasonable given the secluded location and activities available. I appreciate that as a parent. Our room even has a extra day bed that's perfect for sleeping accommodations.
This place has so much to offer I'd definitely recommend it to anyone!
Emily M — Google review
4.8
(633)
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4.5
(224)
East from San Bernardo soccer field, 4 km, Guanacaste Province, Bagaces, 50401, Costa Rica
Refugio de Vida Silvestre Caño Negro is a remote nature reserve located on the northern border of Costa Rica. The reserve is home to a diverse range of wildlife including rare birds, mammals, fish, monkeys, caimans, iguanas, and turtles. Visitors can explore the reserve by arranging a boat trip at the village dock and hiring an experienced local guide who knows the area well.
Hidden gem in Costa Rica. So much wildlife and hardly any tourists. The whole village was super friendly.
Would highly recommend Kingfisher Lodge for stay and tour and Luna Magica for food.
Portia Wing — Google review
Fantastic wildlife, very close as boat drifted up and down stream. Definitely worth visiting. The drive there is tiring (so called Costa Rica massage 🤣😖) but the place is incredibly rewarding. We saw at least 23 species of bird and I suspect a lot more, plus caymans, crocodiles, lizards, iguanas, monkeys (at a distance), turtles
David Price — Google review
Wonderful place with mamy animals. Birds, caymans, monkeys etc. you can watch from the boat.
Tomas Pinter — Google review
Superb reserve in the north of Costa Rica. Monkeys, caimans, iguanas, turtles... and an endless list of birds. The reserve has to be visited by boat, after paying the entrance fee. You can arrange the boat trip in the village dock. I rented a boat with Gerardo, a local with experience that knows very well the area. He knows where to move to find the different animals and will take time to stop and show you anything along the tour. If you are lucky, you could even spot jaguar...
Xanti Larra?aga — Google review
Perfect place to see caimens and birds. When you arrive, it is very easy to find a guide for a boat tour.
Sandrine Ricote — Google review
Beautiful wildlife refuge on the border with Nicaragua. Was there in 2011. We saw caiman, herons, bats, frilled lizards, iguanas and monkeys. The boat tour is very well done.
J I — Google review
We had a wonderful 2 hour boat tour seeing all kinds of wildlife. Our guide was amazing at spotting things and ta,ing us in for a closer look. Although the day was hot, being in a covered boat on the river was delightful. Recommended
Jim Brand — Google review
Excelente para el avistamiento de aves. Ojala se conserven estos lugares para siempre. Con solo el echo de que exista el pez gaspar en la zona es motivo para preservar todo el humedal. En una de las fotos adjunto un pez Gaspar vivo, la foto fue tomada cerca de ahi solo asi lo pude observar con vida.
(Translated by Google)
Excellent for bird watching. I hope these places are preserved forever. Just the fact that the gaspar fish exists in the area is a reason to preserve the entire wetland. In one of the photos I attached a live Gaspar fish, the photo was taken near there only so I could see it alive.
Denyi Rodríguez — Google review
Nice boat tour. We got to see Spider Monkeys, Congos, lots of birds, a caiman and they even let us get off the boat and we went searching for a beautiful orange howling monkey!
Gustavo and our captain (forgot his name) where very knowledgeable and really friendly!
We finished with a nice lunch!
Cesar V — Google review
Para la observación de aves, para la pesca, para estar desconectado, para pasear, lo recomiendo al 100, buscar tour de bote, con Chamba o Rosy, son excelentes guías. La comida, el hospedaje, hay de todo.
(Translated by Google)
For bird watching, for fishing, to be disconnected, to walk, I recommend it 100, look for a boat tour, with Chamba or Rosy, they are excellent guides. The food, the lodging, there is everything.
John Ramírez — Google review
Muy bello paisaje hermoso desde la torre puedes tomar tus mejores fotos.
(Translated by Google)
Very beautiful beautiful landscape from the tower you can take your best photos.
Susana Ortiz — Google review
Un hermoso lugar, una especie de muelle con información y bancas para descansar un rato y observar la gran variedad de aves que se encuentra en los alrededores, personal muy amable
(Translated by Google)
A beautiful place, a kind of pier with information and benches to rest for a while and observe the great variety of birds found in the surroundings, very friendly staff
Carlos Bolaños — Google review
Great time on this adventure, highlight to the trip !
DJ Miller — Google review
Amazing place to see lots of birds and reptiles. You must have a guide, as without one you really wouldn't see much. I never knew that huge iguanas spent most of their time at the very top of trees, its amazing to see.
I recommend you booking a tour for 10am, most suggest 7am, but that totally unnecessary.
Also, I recommend if driving use the road from number 4, not 35. Road 35 has much more potholes and large rocks.
Sarah — Google review
Amazing reserve to see lots of animals .. much less crowed than Tortuguero and a lot more animals (dozens of caimans , crocs , birds of all kind .. turtles .. iguanas )
We did tour with Pantanal Tour ,
Fernando Martínez Lamela — Google review
4.6
(1371)
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4.5
(440)
Caño Negro Los Chiles Alajuela, Provincia de Alajuela, Caño Negro, 21402, Costa Rica
Multiple volcanic peaks & craters in a national park, plus a famous light-blue river.
Overall a great experience. The entry fee was $12 per person if I remember correctly.
The park consists of approximately 3km out and 3km back trail. There are several important stops such as the waterfall which requires that you decend several hundred steps (then climb back to resume the trail) which is worth the view. When you get to the bottom of the stairs, you realize it was worthy the effort.
Towards the end of the trail, there is a point where two separate bodies of water mix to create the blue color the river is known for.
During our walk, we saw a bunch of wildlife including birds, wild turkeys, and a pit viper snake.
Overall 5-stars. I would definitely visit this place again.
Idris Guven — Google review
It was a long wait to get into the park after arriving around 9am. There was no shade and got quite hot standing in the sun. They only let so many people in at a time, which is nice for the hike not to get too crowded. The hike was pretty strenuous and parts were slippery. Didn’t see the volcano top, but the waterfall and rivers were a beautiful sight to see. We saw quite a bit of wildlife while on the tour too.
dominique cupa — Google review
Beautiful National Park. If you’re looking to go Rio Celeste Waterfalls with the blue water, make sure to come here. The Google Map stop showing Rio Celeste is incorrect - a few cars were lost in this journey and ended up here at the park.
Highly recommend purchasing tickets and booking time slot in advance. I would say the steps are more tolerable than La Fortuna waterfalls - it’s not as intense but a solid workout regardless.
You are not allowed to swim in the park, but the bridge up, you will see a spot to get in the water and cool off.
Zachariah Cherian — Google review
Make sure you go early. Rio Celeste is a must see but to get there you hike in about 1km then walk down a hundred or so stairs. After seeing the waterfall you can walk another 2km into the park which is definitely worth doing. You will eventually come to the end of the trail where the rivers mix and will then have to walk the 3km back out along the same trail. It gets very very busy by 10am.
Christopher Coady — Google review
Definitely worth the hike! And you must go all the way to the end to see the mixing of two waters. The waterfall is of course amazing but seeing two rivers mix like that was special. We were lucky because there were no rain before so to the water so very blue! Where your hiking shoes and be prepared to climb some stairs!
Jan Kocjan — Google review
The hikes are unmissable. We learned so much about Arenal and the nature is impressive. Don’t miss it!
Catarina Terenas — Google review
Fun hikes, I saw people of all ages walking the trails. It’s located in the cloud forest. The waterfall and the blue waters are so special, the locals tell the story that when God was painting the sky, he dipped the paint brush in this waters and that’s how the river got its color 💙🙂. There’s a lot to see… animals, birds, nature, the union of two rivers where the blue color waters are born.
There are some restaurants and stores outside the National park to get a refreshing natural juice after the hikes and also you can book other activities to do around there.
Marina — Google review
A breathtaking hike with a unique waterfall!
We saw lots of wildlife there and took beautiful pictures. In the rainy season it’s not crowded at all. Unfortunately I got stung by a bee there, but the staff was very helpful and kind and offered to treat it.
Keep in mind that you need an online-reservation before you can enter, which you can do right in front of the park but I would recommend to do it before that, especially if you travel during high season.
Milla Koch — Google review
The park is really beautiful we maintained they do not let food, cigarettes, vapes etc inside there’s a checkpoint for every bag so avoid those items. The trail to go to the waterfall is paved with stairs.
Outside the park there’s many shops to purchase drinks, food or souvenirs. I recommend getting there early since the park closes at 4pm and last admission is at 2pm.
You can’t go for a swim so be aware of that before getting to the park there’s a bridge and below there you can stop for a swim many locals and tourists.
Rameci Rivera — Google review
The official parking lot at the bottom of the hill is operated by the Red Cross and much easier than trying to park on the side of the road (the road is narrow and we saw two cars that had been hit). The shuttle can be slow.
Unfortunately the bridge was closed when we were there but we had an enjoyable walk non the less.
Animals can be hard to spot due to the dense forest but easy to hear.
The trails can be very muddy so be prepared.
Jeff Detmold — Google review
So worth the drive out to this place! We didn't end up going with a guided tour but we didn't end up needing one! Even though it was a cloudy day and had rained heavily for a few days the waterfall was still beyond gorgeous! Not as blue as the photos during the winter but still worth it none the less. WEAR GOOD SHOES! A portion of the path is paved but the many never ending steps down the the water fall are large and slippery. It is worth it to continue on with the hike to the end as well! You get to see where two rivers meet and where some natural minerals have created a almost middle line between both coloring rivers. Hike the whole thing if you go! You won't regret it!
Mandie — Google review
Visited a few days ago and it was an amazing experience. The whole round trip hike took my husband and I about 2.5hrs. It was well worth it for the views we got. There’s plenty of parking and there’s also a restaurant and local people selling fruits and coconut juice. I will say, the bathrooms were a little jank, but nothing too bad. There are many stairs to get to the waterfall, but there are lots of spots you can stop at along the way to take a breather. One of the locals there told us that the water doesn’t look as blue when it rains, so def try to go on day there’s no rain on the forecast. Although it was hot, you can’t feel it very much on the hike since you’re covered by all the foliage. I recommend going to the end of the hike so you can see the bubbling spots and the end where the two different colored rivers meet. You can’t go in the water like you’re able to at Arenal waterfall, however there is a pot outside of the park at you’re allowed to go into the beautiful blue water, search Tenorio free pool.
Elda — Google review
The main attraction of this national park is the famous waterfall. At times it's a beautiful bright blue color. During periods of heavy rainfall, the water turns muddy and is no longer blue. That's the condition it was in when I visited, but the sheer power and size of the waterfall was impressive to observe, even if the color wasn't perfect.
As many of the other reviews state, the hike to the waterfall is relatively short, but the terrain is challenging. Expect many rocks, lots of mud, and slippery terrain.
This is a national park, and the fact that you're in a rainforest needs to be respected. We went with a guide, and they explained very clearly that there are vipers and other venomous snakes present, poisonous frogs, and wild monkeys that can attack in packs of 10+ if you have food they want. You really do need to be careful, as we encountered a baby viper and a pack of monkeys during the hike, just like the guides predicted. This is not a bad thing. In fact, it speaks to how well the habitat is maintained.
I heard some guides and locals talking about how this waterfall is in the top 3 most visited sites in Costa Rica, and the sheer number of tourists visiting it is now overwhelming. 5 years ago, it was a much quieter park. Something to note if you visited a whole ago and expect it to be similar now - it is far more crowded.
Noah G — Google review
Rio Celeste is a must see… If there hasn’t been much rain. Too much rain dulls the beautiful blue colors of this river. The paths are well maintained but you should be in good physical condition to manage the steep paths. I highly suggest bringing a walking stick or two. A guide is not necessary, but you will see more wildlife if you hire one.
Michelle Ressell (Fiona3D) — Google review
The reviews for this amazing waterfall were so confusing. The booking process as well. But the trail and waterfalls were absolutely amazing. We saw an eyelash viper along the trail. Probably the most beautiful waterfall I’ve seen. Doable with a 4 and 8 year old if you just want to see the falls. I’ve been around a lot of CR and believe me you don’t have want to miss this if you have the chance! Pura Vida!
Ray Erins — Google review
You can only buy tickets online through SINAC Costa Rica website. You have to create an account to buy tickets & choose time of entry. We chose the first entry 8-8:40 A.M. We didn’t get a guide as we wanted to do the hike at our own pace…the trails are clearly marked with signage that explains the attractions. We completed the hike in 4 hours. Rating the hike as moderate. The park was beautiful & well maintained. We hiked different types of trails; paved paths, bridges, rocky trails, tree roots & some mud. The 250 stairs down to the waterfall are in good shape and dry as we went in February. The waterfall was as mesmerizing as I anticipated. The local legend story & the science behind the milky blue colour are equally fascinating. Expect rain in the rainforest…it rained on us for the first half hour. Use the bathroom before the hike as there are none inside the park…It would be nice if there’s one. Tips: Bring a light rain jacket, water & proper footwear. Parking is 2000 crc. Bags will be inspected at the park entrance. No cigarettes, vapes, single use plastics, food…
May E — Google review
Lovely experience. A true wonder. We did the whole hike and everything was perfect. We hiked it without a guide and glad we did it that way. We spent as much time as we wanted in each spot. Wear hiking shoes, poles were very helpful. Have a pan go for drizzle or rain. Go early am. Make reservations in advance. Number of people on the trail is very well controlled. 10 out of 10 experience!
Sunshine A — Google review
What a beautiful park.
This is the best bang for your buck when it comes to the park admission fee.
The trail is well maintained and fairly easy to walk. There are some steep sections on the way that may be hard depending on the shape you are in. The way back is downhill.
We didn't see any wildlife, unfortunately, and regret not hiring a guide.
This is a must-see.
You are not allowed to go in the beautiful water, but at about 1 km down the road, you will cross a small bridge.
That's the spot where you can go for a dip.
During rain or just after a rainfall, it would be a muddy trail, and likely, the water would be too polluted to render its natural beauty.
Don't miss this trail.
PS: we rented a scooter and rode from La Fortuna. Thankfully, we had clear skies, and everything was dry. I'm an experienced rider, so it wasn't too bad on the scooter.
However, it was very uncomfortable for my wife in the back.
The experience was priceless, though.
Julio Hernandez — Google review
Such an amazing area with Rio Celeste. We saw lots of birds, snacks, the Costa Rican raccoon, monkeys, and the cool waterfall. The hike is moderately challenging with a steep incline on the way in. There are about 200 steps down to the platform for the waterfalls. You can't swim there. There mosquitoes. So, where bug spray and long pants and shirt.
Jessica Long — Google review
we went in December and Just missed the rain as it started right after we hiked out! Perfect timing. I heard if it rains before you go, the water may be brown, but luckily for us it was very blue. The hike to the fall was beautiful. The funny thing is (and now I am learning its like this everywhere where instagram has made famous) is that there was a line to get down the stairs to the fall because everyone was getting their picture taken. But overall it was a nice day. Just remember to book you pass to enter BEFORE you get there online! It was a hassle to do once we got there because we did not do it ahead of time.
Shanna Sottosanto — Google review
Awesome hike! Go do it! Bring water and hit the earliest enterance by reservation. If you like the stair master at the gym this is for you 😀
Absolutely amazing! Let me be clear, I do not like the fact that those places exist, because it does mean that animals get hurt.
However, this place tries their absolute best to rehabilitate them, if possible. We had a tour with Ester and she has been working in this place for 20 years. She knew all animals and all stories behind them.
This organization, together with 2 other ones in Costa Rica, has an international certificate related to animal sanctuaries (GFAS).
Highly recommended to visit and support them to help those animals which can be rescued!
Kevin Bogaarts — Google review
Nice rescue center, very easy access off the highway. Large natural enclosures and different areas to visit. Great for kids, easy to navigate and washrooms are never far. It's always a bit sad to see the big cats behind bars but the info at each animal's enclosure gives context about why they are there. During our visit, we saw a couple of new enclosures being built, which was encouraging. Definitely worth a visit and it's a valuable cause to support.
A tip: wear long pants/sleeves and use bug spray... there are a lot of mosquitoes.
Flavia Barandiaran — Google review
This place was very neat. We stopped ok the way back to Nicaragua. There aren't a lot of animals, but the price was fair and it looks like they are doing a good job of taking care of them. It was an enjoyable afternoon.
Michelle Van Heiningen — Google review
This sanctuary is doing incredible, thoughtful work to help the animals of Cañas and surrounding areas. The staff are knowledgeable and friendly, sharing the tragic stories of the animals you'll meet and the exciting stories of animals they were able to rehabilitate and re-release back to the wild. Highly recommend!!!
Maggie G — Google review
Good place to stop when driving from Liberia to La Fortuna. Took us about an hour to walk around. Signs tell why/where each animal was captured. We saw pumas, jaguars, jaguarundies, deer, parrots, toucans, several kinds of monkeys, rabbits, a sloth, etc. My daughter LOVED the green parrots that would say hola, hello, and even would repeat her name and mimic my laugh. We're glad they're rescuing these animals and enjoyed seeing them even if they were now in captivity. We liked supporting a good cause. Parking lot has a worker watching it.
Denise Brown — Google review
A small little rescue centre that is on the main highway in Liberia, Costa Rica. It isn't too expensive and is definitely worth the visit if you like animals. All of the animals are rescues that cannot be re habilitated to the wild due to either injury or growing up in captivity. I'd recommend going during a cooler time of the day as the animals rest when it is too hot.
Noah Ceraldi — Google review
I highly can recommend to anyone who have the possibility to come here to do it!
The work what the people are doing here is so important and amazing and I learnt a lot during my visit.
Its really heartbreaking to see how cruel human can be, but good to know there are people who wants to do better and take care about these animal. If you can do, please donate to them🙏🏻
D?ra Borgulya — Google review
We were able to book a combination tour through Nacho tours which included a visit to Llanos de Cortez as well as Las Pumas which is just a short 20 minute drive from the waterfall. Nacho also set us up with a guide, Virginia, to take us around Las Pumas. Virginia took us on an excellent tour of Las Pumas, talking to us about the animals and the way Las Pumas rehabilitates and releases animals. We had tons of fun, getting the opportunity to see monkeys, jaguars, Pumas, ocelots, and many more. Definitely recommend supporting Las Pumas- the first rescue center in Costa Rica.
Laine Heidman — Google review
Beautiful place..Is amazing what they are doing!
Is small but if you love animals you can stay around from r a while to observe them..I really admire these people protecting and taking care of them .,They have Pumas,but i have no pictures of them because they were sleeping quietly..And that means the place is peaceful for them
Lilliana Fonseca — Google review
Such a great stop midway between Arenal and Guanacaste. The animals were beautiful, there were a lot of them and it wasn't a sad place like we had feared at first. It's actually really a beautiful environment that these animals, who otherwise wouldn't have made it, live in.
Alex Genovese — Google review
We came during feeding time and it was awesome watching the cats attack the meat. I also appreciated how the park educated people against taking in wild animals as pets.
Ashley Hostetter — Google review
Very good and very enjoyable, they are doing good for the animals.
Quite small so you only need around 45 minutes nothing more to see all the rescued animals.
5/5! Would come back next time I’m here.
Jason Murray — Google review
Awesome for the price! Monkeys, cats, birds, even other wildlife stopping by to visit. Don't forget the donation boxes!
We went early, so there was just us and one other family. The staff members were super friensly and working hard. Two members made it a point to attend the jaguars with treats qhen our group made it to that side, making sire the kids really got to see and learn more. Another staff member even noticed i passed by, not finding the snoozing sloth, to point him out! Very sweet.
V Alexander — Google review
A quiet and small animal rescue sanctuary. Seems like they put a lot of effort into rehabilitating animals and keep the ones that aren’t suitable for reintroduction to the wild. Animals seemed content and in good condition. The enclosures were clean and provided adequate space and enrichment for each of the species. Definitely worth a visit if you want to see many examples of native fauna.
Kristin Denryter — Google review
This is a small rescue center. It’s just the right size to enjoy your visit. My husband was able to use his electric / motorized scooter / wheelchair fairly easy on the path. They even share written information on the reason certain animals made it to the rescue center and why they are there. Nice place to take the children to. Some of the local schools also take field trips here. The bathrooms were very clean. The place is nicely shaded as well.
Tinnie Clifton — Google review
A great place to see wildlife kept in a very ethical and thoughtful way. Most animals they take in get rehabilitated and released, but those that cannot for health reasons stay and are wonderful to see. This was a very worthwhile stop between Rincon and Arenal!
Lake Arenal, the largest lake in Costa Rica, is a popular destination for wind- and kitesurfing enthusiasts. It offers picturesque views of the nearby volcano and scenic trails like Los Heliconias lead to breathtaking lookouts overlooking both the volcano and lake. This stunning location offers a range of activities to suit all tastes, with many options for accommodation and dining available around its shores. However, visitors should be aware that roads can be narrow and the pavement may not always be in great condition.
One of the most beautiful places I have ever seen or experienced in my life. 🌋🌊🌄
If you have to opportunity to visit you should do it.
Tina Bee — Google review
The view was breathtaking😍😍 The temperature was perfect, everything was great. Our boat captain was so nice. This is a great place for nature lovers ☁️
Travelwith Soph — Google review
Amazing view of the volcano. Probably the clearest and best view you can get is from the lake on a boat. The walk down to the lake was amazing! Lush and green. We even saw a sloth.
Jeff Harris — Google review
Amazing lake with arenal volcano view.
Tomas Pinter — Google review
Beautiful lake with breath taking views. There are all kinds of activities to do all around the lake.
Cee Dupree — Google review
The lake is beautiful from the distance but weirdly quiet and dead when you get close. Little to no activity or life. Turns out it’s a recently created man made lake…! Kayaking more expensive than in the US. Ridiculous prices.
Linda Treash — Google review
Glorious. Lots of water sports. Absolutely beautiful.
Sunshine A — Google review
I have been living on lake Arenal for 13 years now. I love it. If you are looking for a place to retire or investment property. I can help you with that
Tyler Madill — Google review
Crossing my his lake from La fortuna to Monteverde was an absolute highlight of our trip. We used Swiss Travels to book our ferry and it was a breeze. Stopped along the way to see nature and animals. Love the lake, the breeze, and the smells.
Didi Diaz — Google review
Pretty man made lake, silty looking so not clear. We crossed with jeep boat jeep from la Fortuna to Monteverde. Didn't see anyone fishing, swimming or sup boarding.
Barefoot mart — Google review
Beautiful lake, many different activities to do and places to stay and eat all around the lake. Beware roads are narrow and pavement can be less than ideal.
Kynan Suttle — Google review
Roadside picnic alongside the Lago Arenal. You could basically turn anything into a parking spot. We were lucky enough to see a group of white nosed Coatis drive slow.
Great views
Michelle Welsh — Google review
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4.5
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Costa Rica
I'll never travel to Arenal Volcano National Park without this trip planner again
Viento Fresco Waterfall is a must-see stop between Monteverde and Arenal. The series of five cascades includes the stunning Arco Iris (Rainbow Falls), which drops 75m into a refreshing shallow pool perfect for swimming. The well-maintained 1.3km trails offer a serene experience without crowds or commercialism, allowing visitors to fully appreciate the natural beauty of the place.
Visiting these falls was a highlight of our first trip to Costa Rica. Read the whole thing because I have some tips and warnings.
We happened to see the sign and gave it a try. I was skeptical about the money (around $15 per person) but it was definitely worth it.
You first drive in to the parking lot on a couple miles of very narrow road. I would only try this with a 4 wheel drive.
You get to the parking lot and then hike down to a series of waterfalls. The trail is often steep, narrow, and sometimes slick. Not for the faint of heart or the out of shape. There is a shack to use as a dressing room about 10 minutes down the trail. It's filthy and decrepit (perhaps some of the entrance money could be allocated for a nicer one?). If I had a do-over, I would dress in my vehicle.
If it's not raining, it will be humid and probably hot (we were there in August 2021). We decided to hike all the way down first and then enjoy the falls on the way up. This was the way to go because we got to rest and cool off at each waterfall (remember, it's a steep trail).
All in all, it's amazing. The views and greenery are stunning. The falls are refreshing and beautiful.
By chance, when we returned to the parking lot, there were spider monkeys in the trees. This was the only time we saw spider monkeys on the whole trip. So cool!
John Shirts — Google review
Very nice waterfalls (3 in total on a ~500m one-way downhill trail) with beautiful views and hardly any tourists around. After paying $17pp, the drive downhill to the parking is just as steep as the price and requires a 4x4 with good ground clearance, not advisable during (or right after) fierce rain. During the walk lots of wildlife to spot, birds, frogs, lots of butterflies and even a snake crossing the path just in front of us.
Bathrooms were far from clean.
Caspar Boerlage — Google review
Each waterfall is distinct with its own personality building excitement and power each stop along the way. Tentatively Ray hike in and going up all the way back. Stop and enjoy the water and the lizards.
Kevin Markman — Google review
HIGHLY RECOMMEND! The 3rd waterfall is where you'll want to spend most of your time, bring a swimsuit so you can take a dip.
MK Jacobs — Google review
Beautiful waterfalls and nice owners. Great hike. Cash only so make sure to have cash.
Marius Rosedale — Google review
Wow! What an adventure getting to these falls. A bit of a steep hike both up and down but worth every step. Not for the very young or very old, my wife and I are fairly active and we had to step carefully and stop and rest on the way up. Best, waterfalls outside of Niagara falls that I've ever seen! Plan on 1.5 hrs and bring water.
Damon R — Google review
The waterfalls are great, especially the last one. There are many steps going back so be prepared. We didn't understand why we need to pay to see them when the road to the parking is so terrible and the trail is not maintained...
Daniela Tashkova — Google review
Three waterfalls for the price of one! Well, four if you include the one you can see on the other side of the valley. Well worth the visit. You will need a 4x4 to get to the parking or a slightly longer walk but well worth it. Stunningly beautiful. 4 waterfalls!!
Dan James — Google review
An adventure to access. Need a 4x4. $15 to access. Nice little hike. Very isolated. Worth the trip! Beautiful.
Rebeck Mac — Google review
This was my favorite activity we did in Costa Rica! We visited the falls on a Wednesday afternoon and it was so peaceful and stunning - we were the only ones on the trail and had the falls to ourselves.
There's a small office off the road where you purchase the tickets and then you get back in your car to drive another 5-6min to the head of the trail. It's $17pp for foreign visitors.
The drive from the office to the falls was very, very bumpy. We did the whole thing without using 4WD, but it also wasn't raining. We felt more at ease having 4x4 as an option.
Anna Figueroa — Google review
A wonderful place to visit!
Tricky access, and four-wheel drive useful. But you could walk the bit you drive and it would still be worth it.
We were given a useful little map and warned not to walk to the fourth waterfall as the path is not safe, but you can see it from other points on the descent.
Three excellent waterfalls, each more amazing than the previous one. Well-swept paths to access them.
We were the only people visiting while we were there. You can swim at the base of the falls. Plenty of shade if you want to relax, and places to sit and just revel in the views.
There's a restaurant at the top where you buy your ticket, with food, snacks and drinks available.
Tiggy Greenwood — Google review
Because so many wrote it here: a 4x4 is NOT needed. We rode down the road with a normal Toyota Yaris front wheel drive rental car and were just fine (dry conditions though).
The falls are very nice, the trail really cool but you do wonder where all the entry money goes to, since the trail is badly maintained. Makes the experience a little more wild and adventurous but nevertheless very enjoyable. Also great with kids!
Christoph Meysel — Google review
Nice hike. It wasn't too long of a hike but very steep when climbing back up I was exhausted lol. Also, don't underestimate the drive to the parking. The path really only fits one car and you are going to want a 4x4 with some clearance to make sure you get up to the parking area pretty easy. Other than that, it feels like on off-the-beaten path type of hike which is nice to experience. Makes you feel like a local.
Joel o — Google review
We didn't get to see all of the other falls. On our way there, there is a small shop that we stopped at and the guy told us it was $10/person and that there's a guide at the site waiting for us to only show us 2 of the waterfalls. We paid him $20, and drove through a horrible and scary road... That was a little over 5 minutes. We get there and there's no guide. The steps were muddy, slippery, crumbling and just scary. We were only able to see 1 waterfalls. It was a scary experience, then it started to rain, luckily there was a shelter we stood under until it stopped raining. If anything, I would say just guide yourself
Yea Wah — Google review
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4.5
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145 Ruta Nacional, de 11 km hacia Monteverde, Guanacaste Province, Tilaran, Costa Rica
Místico Arenal Hanging Bridges is a verdant nature reserve that offers numerous adventure tours. The park boasts of 16 bridges, ranging from eight to 98 meters long, along with a scenic lake. These hanging bridges take you up high in the rainforest canopy, providing an excellent view of the surroundings and wildlife that are not easily observable from below. Visitors have the opportunity to spot birds and other animals while exploring this lush jungle environment.
Absolutely worth the price! We spent a good 2 hours slowly enjoying the scenery, and although you sometimes have to wait to get onto the hanging bridges, there's always something to look at. We went without a guide and saw plenty of wildlife, but we were glad to overhear some groups to spot incredible little creatures! The restaurant then offers great food and drinks with a view of Arenal if you need to relax after your little adventure. Totally recommend this place!
Izzy Laurin — Google review
A wonderful tour. Definitely book a guide who knows what they’re doing. Our guide knew every animal along the way and spotted things we would’ve easily missed.
From toucans to vipers and bats to unique plants, our guide picked them all out and highlighted them for us to see.
We even saw a poison dart frog!
Well worth the visit. Even if you hate heights as much as I do. It was a great experience overall.
Michael Teicheira — Google review
WOW, we had been told that the hanging bridges were okay but not wonderful. We disagree. It was a fun adventure with many animals to see. We went in the afternoon and saw 2 different vipers, spider monkeys, squirrels, raccoon like critters, different birds, beautiful views of Volcan Arenal, not to mention the swinging bridges. Some children may not like it so much if they are not interested in animals.
Our guide, Alonso C. from Jacamara Tours was excellent. He gave the group options as we went along the trail. He was able to spot a variety of animals and told us a lot of information not only about the animals but also many of the plants too.
Jean Robinson — Google review
This is a worthwhile excursion! The preserve is breathtakingly beautiful & very well maintained. The only reason I gave 4 stars instead of 5 is because half the park was closed off for maintenance. It seems they should offer a reduced price ticket or maybe a voucher for a drink from the restaurant if patrons are paying full price for a ticket, but not able to see the full park.
Note: We did a self guided tour & saw wildlife, but if I could do it again I would do a guided tour.
Shana Solis — Google review
I reserved the entrance tickets with a tour guide online. Highly recommend to book it a few days in advance to get the time slot you want. It's best to go early to enjoy a cooler walk. Our group was 8 people so two families.
In general, it's a one time kinda thing for us. The walk was about 2.5 hours. So not recommend for little kids. They will get tired and cranky. Plus to be honest it was hard to see the animals. The animals were fast moving and even with the telescope you can't see very much . We saw a ball of hair which was the slot. We did see the snake very clearly. And some monkey up top. The park was crowded. One group bump into the next, the tour guide helps each other to point out and locate the animals they saw. There was a bit of traffic waiting to cross the hanging bridge.
Trang Thu — Google review
I highly recommend this experience. It's a longer walk than I expected. A nice full experience with beautiful views of Arenal volcano. If you haven't seen enough animals in Costa Rica yet, pay the extra for a tour because the guides will find things you never could. The bridges feel safe and the place is well made. It is not accessible. Dirt road to get there. Plan 2 hours minimum but 3 is better.
Susan LeBlanc — Google review
Very enjoyable two hours. Lots of beautiful flowers and jungle animals. Walkways and bridges are well maintained and clean. The walk didn’t feel crowded and most of our two hour walk was by ourselves.
We visited the waterfall which was well worth the extra time and distance.
We felt that this activity was well worth the price. Good exercise too…. The total distance without shortcuts and the waterfall was just over two miles(3.4km).
Daniel Wylie — Google review
This is a magical place. The reason why I gave it 4 start and not 5 is because I do think it is overpriced. I went on august 2023 with my son and I paid $51 for both of us. We walked the loop in about and hour and a half and that was it. Once again, I do want to emphasize that this place is beautiful and it is amazing. The views are incredible and the bridges are super cool. On top of that all the employees that I spoke to were very friendly and helpful. As I wrote earlier, my 4 star rating is because of the steep fee. I do recommend the place even if it pours rain on you like it did on us.
Juan Pablo Naranjo — Google review
Enjoyed the walk and views. Heard monkeys which was fun. Trails are very nice and maintained. 10/23/2023 some bridges are under construction. Saw some wildlife. It did rain but the coverage from the trees helped a lot to keep us somewhat dry. Picnic areas, pack a lunch and enjoy the jungle. Close toe shoes. For the price extend your stay and plan to stay for a half day. Relax and enjoy don’t rush! @$26 each plus tax. I think the total for two was $62 US
Lisa Decker — Google review
We did the Natural History guided tour and it was amazing! Everyone enjoyed it from 5 to 50 years old. Our guide was Donald, we saw numerous animals in their natural habitat, we would have never spotted on our own. Highly recommended. The park is very well taken care off, restrooms available, restaurants, ample parking. Would deffianetly recommend it to anyone! The park is shaded, despite a sunny day, it was a very pleasant walk. Please don't skip this one! You can hike on your own, or you can hike with a guide.
Marianna Paulla Kuper — Google review
Beautiful walk through the rain forest and the hanging bridges were great fun.
We did not take the guided tour. Only 4 stars as a guide was showing a frog to his group and told my kid no as we weren't park of the group.
Didn't really see many creatures however a lovely hike.
Kelle Cross — Google review
Totally worth the price! We had such a great time! We saw monkeys, coatis, and cool birds. We came upon a group looking at a sloth, but it moved deeper into the branches, so we didn't get to see it. We chose to go without a guide, and in my opinion, it was still just as enjoyable. I didn't feel like I missed out on anything. The trail is really well maintained. The facilities at the trailhead were clean. To be honest, they were some of the nicest public bathrooms we've seen... even in the States and Europe. There are no bathrooms or water on the trail. They have an accessible trail in the park for those who need assistance. We brought our own binoculars and lots of water. We could have brought more water, so don't underestimate how much water you'll drink. We came at 9, but wished we had come earlier because I think we would have seen more wildlife. We took our time walking around, so it took about 3 hours.
Emily Sanders — Google review
We enjoyed not having a tour guide and going at our own pace. Beautiful scenery and surroundings. If we had a tour guide, we would have had more wildlife that we could have seen through a telescope,but we had experienced that on other tours
Not handicap friendly
Family friendly
Worth it
You have "bail out" spots if you don't want to commit to the entire loop
Karen Williamson — Google review
So glad we decided to do this hike even though there were storm clouds and light rain. We debated hiring a guide, but decided against it because of reviews here. We ended up catching up with a group who had a guide and they took us right in! The best part was, we saw what we needed to see with the other group’s guide, but we could break off and go explore on our own without a group slowing us down. There’s a really nice trail before one of the bridges that takes you to a waterfall (we would’ve missed it if with a guide). We saw many monkeys in the trees! The grounds are gorgeous, the bridges exhilarating, and the view of the volcano at the end was stunning! Great last minute decision. The rain made the experience even more magical. There’s enough tree cover that we really didn’t get wet.
Noelle Bradburn — Google review
A nice hike on well paved pathways. The area is beautiful but we did not see many animals as we had 10AM reservations. We found out later that you need to arrive/have reservations at opening to see the most wildlife. None of the trails are strenuous if you’re in decent shape. Be aware, the road into the park is steep.
Greg Bennett — Google review
Loved this experience! Super cool to walk along suspension bridges. I am personally afraid of heights, but this felt very safe and I ended up really having fun. There are some incredible views on the bridges. Highly recommend. This seems more like a family-friendly place and less for solo travelers (like me) but regardless, I had a great time:)
Maya Churi — Google review
I visited late morning during the week and it was pretty empty on the trail which was nice. I didn't book a guide, just had a walk on my own. I did bump into 3 other groups with guides and asked what they were looking at. Twice it was a snake. For me, I am not disappointed missing out on that. The other time, I didn't have to ask because I could hear the guide going on and on about a fern. On my own I spotted a toucan, so that was very nearly worth the price of admission. But I still feel like it was too expensive at $30 something dollars just for me to take a hike. The hanging bridges aspect was "meh". Didn't see much from above. So maybe it is more amazing with a guide, but I am sure it takes longer and I am not convinced it is that much more amazing.
S H — Google review
Fun activity, bridges are high up and can be difficult to walk on with others on the bridge, but felt stable.
Tours seemed to go slow, but I walk with purpose. I passed 4 tours on my way despite enjoying the scenery.
Great pics of Arenal on a clear day.
Cassidy Dalton — Google review
We opted for a guided tour and it was well with the extra $32 (for the two of us). Julio was an amazing guide and told us all about the area and the wildlife... But more importantly spotted the animals and pointed them out so we could see and take photos. How he spotted them I don't know, but without his direction it would have just been a nice walk, without seeing anything. Has to be a must if you're in the area.
Ally Fairgrieve — Google review
We chose the guided tours and are so happy we did. Gabby, our guide spotted so much wildlife. Her superpower is great hearing and eyesight. Her knowledge of the jungle and the wildlife with in was astounding. Had we taken the tour without a guide we would not have seen the wildlife we did. My husband is scared of heights, but it was me that was whimpering! They are very safe to cross and well worth the three hour tour.
Zoe Tremblay — Google review
We visited the hanging bridges on a Tuesday midday. It was not too busy. Beautiful scenery and very enjoyable hike through the jungle, the hanging bridges are beautiful and little scary to walk through, but worth it. Lots of wildlife, we got to see yellow snake 🐍 , monkey 🙈 heard many monkeys from far we didn’t get to see them all. Call and reserve your spot ahead a time since they sell out. Staff is very friendly and fun. We called them same day and was able to arrange it. Must see when you visit the area.
Mónika Molnár — Google review
This park was better than I expected, much bigger, denser forest, not overly touristy. We went at 8am and there was almost no one there. It was pouring rain for most of the 1.5 hours we spent there, but it was expected. We didn’t see a great variety of animals but it was quiet and peaceful and we thoroughly enjoyed our time spent there.
Emily Lammers — Google review
We had a really amazing time walking through the jungle with our guide Edgar. He was extremely knowledgable about both local plants and animals, and was able to show us families of howler monkeys, multiple kinds of vipers, and a variety of rare birds- some of which he only sees every two or so weeks. He really emphasized the ecological diversity of the forest and the way each plant and animal plays a specific yet equally important role in the overall ecosystem.
And of course, the hanging bridges were pretty incredible. I would say this park is a absolute must see if you’re staying in La Fortuna.
Hank — Google review
Beautiful scenery and park. The lunch/food situation was extremely confusing and disappointing. We paid for lunch in advance but there was no buffet as advertised. We had a wrist band for our meal but the instructions were totally unclear has to how to actually get our food. We ended up having to order from a menu and then 3 or 4 tables that arrived after us were served before us. We were very hungry and frustrated. The chicken with rice had only a few small bits of shredded chicken.
Michael Lynch — Google review
We had a phenomenal time at the hanging bridges rain forest. It was an impressive setup and we were told that they built the facility with a layout that makes it almost certain you see some incredible species. They are handicap accessible and even offer scooters. There are stairs in some places but I think those are off-the-main trail paths. The hanging bridges were really cool as well and gave you a glimpse of the volcano as well as the overall rainforest. We saw an owl that apparently was a huge deal. You can tell it is when all your guides take pictures on their phone and tell you that’s the best thing they’ve seen in months.
Callum Kerr — Google review
Amazing experience and would recommend for anyone. Hike was medium. There were small kids and elders doing it, and there are benches you can stop to sit at. Saw so much wildlife - 2 species of monkey, eyelash viper, poison dart frog, coati, birds. I recommend going with a guide if you want wildlife pointed out because it’s very easy to miss! They also know so much about the flora and can explain many interesting things along the way.
Dina Goodger — Google review
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4.5
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2km este de la represa del Lago Arenal, La Fortuna de, Provincia de Alajuela, La Fortuna, 21007, Costa Rica
Such a fun experience! Park along the road just down from Tabacon. The guys helping watch the cars asked for $5.00 which we paid no problem. They are helpful with getting you in and our safely.
I'd suggest water shoes so you can get around more easily. But you could definitely walk through barefoot if you don't have them.
It was quite crowded the day we went, but the water felt wonderful and it is such a cool and unique spot!
Diana Chaloux - LaCerte — Google review
This was a phenomenal experience! We parked on the road right outside the entrance across the resort. We paid $5 to the gentleman who helped us. We arrived at 8:30 am on a Monday and we had the whole place pretty much to ourselves. At around 9 it started becoming busier. The water was pleasantly warm and relaxing and the experience of sitting on the warm river while surrounded by the beach trees was just magical. Highly recommend this!
Samaneh Kazemi — Google review
NO CELL COVERAGE HERE - Read reviews before you travel there! 1. Not easy access. Highly recommend you take sandals/ water shoes to walk on the VERY rocky river bed. 2. The best pools you turn LEFT at the bottom of the steps and go through the dark tunnel - then turn RIGHT at the wall/ artificial waterfall and climb onto the dry river bank. (The guy in red is going the wrong way) THEN you can easily access an empty pool. VERY hard to go directly through the waterfall or left as you will see once you are there!
3. Some people don’t go through the tunnel at all and stay in the water right by the steps entrance. This is much faster flowing water and less places to keep your things dry.
4. Take some drink and speakers if you like! Some people stay here hours. The water is amazing!
5. Uber is the cheapest way to get here, however no cell coverage means you must walk uphill 5/7 mins before you can order a pick up to get back into town.
Pics attached
Matt Llew — Google review
4.7
(1649)
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4.5
(1132)
In front of Tabacon Hot Springs, La Fortuna, 21007, Costa Rica
Explore the lush green forest of Arenal Natura Ecological Park and find yourself amidst a crocodile lagoon, frog garden, turtle pond, and colorful orchids. Immerse yourself in nature and rejuvenate your soul while walking through the park's trails that encourage you to breathe in the fresh air, appreciate the surroundings and reconnect with nature. Experience an adrenaline rush by trying out their zipline activity.
Go. Worth every single penny.Go with your whole heart. Take in the nature. Cleanse your soul. Do the zipline!!!!!! The walk through the park has signs that tell you to breathe in, think of your joy, not just ," this tree is a _____, that flower is a ______." This park wants you reconnect with nature. It wants you to listen to the forest, to your heart and to the feelings you feel while there. Go. Go. Go. Bish. Go!
Julie Adrianna Olsen — Google review
We took the 2 hour night frog tour. We saw many animals and our guide, Leonela, was great. She was very knowledgeable about the animals and took great pictures (attached). We also got to search for the animals, which was very fun. The tour was a good length and the trail was not too difficult to walk, even in the dark. We would highly recommend our guide and the tour!
Katy Thorpe — Google review
So many animals! Very nice to visit. Loved the butterflies 🦋 There were so many different types of them.
Ana — Google review
We did a night tour at 6 pm tonight and our guide was not only knowledgeable but made sure that everyone was taken care of.
He took the time to find rare and hard to spot wildlife which made for a fantastic tour. We saw a viper, rare frogs, crocodiles, bullet ants, and an armadillo. He was very knowledgeable, we learned so much.
He took the time to take great pictures on several people's phones
He even noticed if a flashlight was starting to go slightly dimmer and offered his own to me nstead. At the end of the tour we had not arranged transportation and he called over 5 places to make sure we got a ride back to town.
Thank you for a great night, much appreciated!
Sophia Taylor — Google review
We were directed here by our tour guides recommended and now we know exactly why!
Our guide was Elias (I really hope I have spelt that correctly!) and he was fantastic. The experience from start to finish was brilliant and he had us gripped and laughing from start to finish! We learnt so much about the creatures of the night and were lucky to see so many frogs 🐸 in particular, an incredibly close and happy sloth 🦥 and even some rather ominous crocodile eyes 🐊.
I would definitely recommend both the place and Elias.
Love that they use some of the money to fund such an incredible eco park to look after nature too.
Gracias !
Kate — Google review
Excellent experience. This eco park/trail is a different from the others in that they have a butterfly conservatory guaranteeing sightings of the elusive Morpheus butterfly. Meyling, our guide joined us to view the reptile areas offering snakes, many varieties of frogs, turtles, crocs and caimans. Knowledge, and delightful staff brought us umbrellas for the at times heavy rainfall that is common in December. The trail is fantastic and well marked with ample seating areas to enjoy the rainforest. Sheryl, Meylink and the rest of the staff is charming and helpful. They advised us they offer rides back to LaFortuna for $10 which we gladly accepted. Enjoy this…very special.
FireflySailing (Firefly) — Google review
Amazing experience!!! We were able to pet a Toucan!!!! Very cool!! It started raining and one of the employees came out with umbrellas for us! This place is full of good vibes!
Kassandra Diaz — Google review
We decided to stop here on a whim and I'm so glad we did! They have such a great collection of native reptiles and amphibians!! There are a lot of birds on this property also and the guides were very nice and knowledgeable.
Rebekah B — Google review
My friend and I visited and were very impressed with the friendly and knowledgeable staff. We enjoyed a lovely tour of the snakes and frogs. The animals all seem well cared for overall but we were very concerned about the quality of life for the pigs and rabbits. While their enclosures were clean, we were very disappointed to see the 3 pigs kept separately with no mental stimulation. One of the pigs seemed desperate for us to interact with it. Pigs are incredibly intelligent creatures and need social interaction. The rabbits are in very small enclosures, and have no room to run around. It’s almost as if they’re in prison. If these two areas were corrected, I would give the park five stars, as I think they do really care and are doing a great job otherwise.
j s — Google review
Awesome night tour! So many nocturnal creatures that we were missing from our “wildlife bingo”
Colby Rose — Google review
We just did the night walk and it was a very worthwhile experience. Ashley was a great guide and was able to point out animals and insects that we never would have noticed on our own. We saw frogs, spiders, snakes, lizards, bullet ants, a praying mantis, a few other awesome things - like an olingo, which apparently was super rare to see.
Hanna Mandelbaum — Google review
We went to the night walk. There were only two of us on the tour, so instead of a group tour, we ended up in the private tour. The whole park was empty and only for us. This was awesome! The guide was very knowledgeable and provided us with a lot of information. We saw many spices of frogs and toads. Before the tour, we didn't even know the difference. We also saw a couple of snacks, Lizard and armadillo. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
Gala Desonne — Google review
My family of five enjoyed a private tour of this special reserve with our tour guide Dennis. Dennis is so knowledgeable about the animals in the park and provided a fun, customized tour. His English was very good and he was very patient with the many questions from our young son. We leaned a great deal about the frogs, snakes and crocodiles on site and loved the experience in the butterfly pavilion. Dennis went above and beyond to help us get great photos of the many animals. If you are looking for an opportunity to learn about Costa Rica’s broad biodiversity up close, this is a great tour to take. The park is an easy drive from the Arenal Volcano area.
Margaret Erin Rodgers Schmidt — Google review
Most thoughtful tour guides and fun experience!
The guides were so considerate. My taxi driver was 20 min late and also took me to the wrong place. So we ended up 30 minutes late yet the guides waited for me and were very understanding.
Additionally, my camera phone broke, so the guides took lots of nice photos for me and sent them to me after. How amazingly kind of them.
I ended up being the only person to sign up for the tour and got to explore the park with the 2 guides at our own pace. It was so fun to walk around exploring and seeing so many creatures you usually can’t see in the day. We saw a lot of different frogs, a couple snakes, and lots of different insects.
Overall. What a special and fun adventure! Highly recommend!!!
Lizzie Stryker — Google review
We had a wonderful visit to Natura Park. The staff was great and our guide Ashley was outstanding. She went the extra mile to make sure we didn't miss anything and really enhanced the experience by providing context and background on all the creatures she showed us. It was a really good demonstration of why it is worth it to pay a little extra for the guided tour. Highly recommended!
John Owen — Google review
4.4
(435)
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4.5
(731)
G826+5X3, Alajuela Province, La Fortuna, La Palma, 21007, Costa Rica
Baldi Hot Springs Resort Hotel & Spa offers a luxurious escape with picturesque volcano views and an impressive selection of 25 geothermal pools. Guests can indulge in the spa's relaxing treatments or enjoy complimentary breakfast at the on-site restaurant. The well-maintained rooms offer a clean stay, while some balconies may require attention to ensure complete closure. However, guests can unwind and soak in the numerous pools, including one open 24/7 upon request from reception.
Wow... Great experience! There must be at least 20 different hot spring pools here, all different sizes and temperatures. We loved the warm water waterslides and the dinner buffet was good!
Yeah, it's a bit pricey for the day pass, but it was worth it. I've never been to a place like this one.
Jeff O. — Google review
This place was great pools are right outside and they keep one of the pools open 24 hours each night just need to ask reception which one. Breakfast is included which is always a plus. The entire place is clean, rooms are clean which is of course acceptable. Only thing I had a problem with was the balcony window didn't close well and the person in the room next to us kept smoking out there and the smoke got in our room and that was really annoying but other than that we loved the place! we will definitely be back!
animegrl610 — Google review
I came on a tour bus. Stayed for 2 hours. Lockers and showers are convenient. However to get to the hot springs the cars intersect with the path to the hot springs so you're dodging cars to and from the locker and the multiple hot springs. Poor setup.
The hot springs were good. Lots of room. Brought my towel instead of paying.
Dinner was not great. The steak was red and chewy. The salad was great. Main dishes not so much. The guava drink was enjoyable.
Oscar Aviles — Google review
I did a day trip here. I didn't spend the night. The hot springs are absolutely phenomenal. The separate pools offer something for everyone. The place is very clean, the staff were friendly.
The lunch buffet wasn't great. Simple enough fare, chicken, pulled pork, rice, fruit as long as it was watermelon or pineapple. Even the fruit was not really up to the standard I've learned in Costa Rica.
Chris Gross — Google review
We had a great time at the baldy Hot springs. They have a ton of different pools with different temperatures. And the place is done really well. Very clean. And although it rains all the times the canopies and the rain covers do a good job of covering you if you do not want to get wet. The water slides are also pretty fun. There is one that is a little more intense than the rest, and need to get past around a little bit.
Wesley Winsor — Google review
We've been here for day passes to the pools twice over the past 18 months. It's a great way to spend an afternoon, drifting from pool to pool, experiencing the different temperatures and features like waterfalls, saunas, slides.
Most of the pools have swim-up bars for ordering drinks (and maybe food?) Wasn't very crowded during our three hours there, but there were noticeably more people by the time we left.
The grounds overall are clean and well-maintained, giving some sense of being in the jungle. You may even spot some tropical birds moving through the palms and other plants.
We did not stay at the hotel, so I cannot opine on the rooms and accommodations. But all staff that we encountered were courteous and friendly.
We would definitely go back a third time if in La Fortuna again.
Jared Miles — Google review
These hot pools were amazing! The temperatures were all different, which made it really nice. The natural steam room was very cool. The price is about $45 per person, but if you're there all day, it would be worth it. There is plenty for adults and kids. I would recommend you visit if you're in the area.
Chory_MuthaFucken_B — Google review
It was a beautiful, reasonably priced hot spring. It’s fun to wander and test out the different pools, they also have paths through the trees that are fun to explore at night. The bars closer to the entrance have less costly drinks. Use the slides at your own risk-they are absolutely fun and absolutely painful if you’re over age 30.
Emily Lammers — Google review
We went to the Hot springs and dinner.
The pools are great. Not crowded even though there is no reservation required.
Dinner was a buffet and very average. You are only paying about $20 and the non alcoholic drinks are unlimited but was still a little disappointing considering the rest of the place. Drinks at the pool bars were more than $10 each.
Jane Stone — Google review
We visited Bali Hot Springs as part of a tour package and it was a relaxing way to spend the end of an awesome day. The buffet had a great selection and we didn't leave hungry. Eating with a view of the Volcano in the background was great. After eating we made our way to the springs which were heated by the volcano. The temperatures are different by pool and get warmer the higher you go. The top pool was hot tub hot and the lower pools were more "summer pool" hot. We had a couple of drinks and found ourselves very relaxed for our return trip.
Chris Campbell — Google review
I would not recommend staying here. The room was clean, but the sink smelled like rotten eggs (sulfur), no hot water in shower (even after maintenance came), AC made noise all night. One of the hot springs made our bathing suits smell. This resort offers day passes for people not staying on property so it can get very crowded. We got massages to be able to use private springs but there wasn’t any water in the springs? Drinks are $20 a piece. I would not stay at this resort again. For $500 I expect better plumbing. I was actually ready for my vacation to end.
Kelly McClure — Google review
Baldi Hot Springs is one of the best hot spring hotels in La Fortuna. The rooms are large and comfortable. They come with a small patio deck. The plants and foliage are well appointed on the property and add privacy in an otherwise large hotel. The hotel is right off the highway and very easy to find. They boast 25 pools on the property and include a kids area with water slides for kids. We did come during slow season so we didn't see too many kids which was nice and relaxing for us. But it is family friendly for those wondering. The hotel room we got came with a rather large closet, armoire, dresser, mini fridge, and bar. There is also a super cute vanity. Inside the bathroom was a little tight. Definitely not enough room for two people to be in there comfortably. The bathroom had a slight paint smell and also a slight sulfur smell but it wouldn't deter us from coming back. The shower came with a large deep tub in our room. So I would recommend anyone with knee or balance issues might want to request a different bathroom set up. The king size bed was nice for me and my husband and it was on the firmer side but not uncomfortable. We had house keeping daily and enjoyed the little towel characters they left on the bed each day. The property has several bars throughout and a few restaurants. Breakfast is included if you stay on site and it was different each morning. We stayed for 3 nights and enjoyed 3 breakfast. They also offer day passes for hot spring use if you choose not to stay in site and you can eat at the restaurants for extra cost. This property is not all inclusive. The staff was all very friendly and would say hello every time we passed them. I loved our visit. The pools all had something cool to them. I loved the ones that had the little day beds. Some were hotter than others and some were cold. There was a steam sauna and a spa as well. I would recommend it to everyone!
Karina Cecilia — Google review
This is truly an amazing experience that I’d highly recommend anyone check out when visiting the area! I believe there are 25 pools/saunas/hot tubs, and they get hotter as you go up the resort. A select few are even cool if you need to take a break from all of the heat. Everything was super clean and it was easy to navigate. One of the employees even loaded us up in his golf cart to give us a tour of the facility prior to paying. If you need food or drinks, they’ve got restaurants and bars available, but they also allow you to leave and come back as long as you have your wristband. We easily spent all day here, and would happy visit again! For the price, you really can’t get much better for “luxury” hot springs (but if it is a bit pricey for your group, there are free hot springs on the way to Arenal. They’re also amazing, but purely natural - not resort style, so wear water shoes to protect your feet).
Christian Prescott — Google review
We purchased a day pass to use the hot springs. It was well worth it, several hot and cool pools are situated on site. The natural hot sauna was incredible. Highly recommend going to pools where both hot and cool pools exist. Switching between them was really nice. The kids section in Baldi is small but well designed, it will keep the kids entertained. Overall was pleasantly surprised by the size of this hot springs resort
Nirupan N. — Google review
Location and the room was great, gorgeous views. But the staff was not pleasant. The price for the drinks and food was very high. For the price of a nights stay was $500/night and in my opinion not worth it. There are many other places in Costa Rica with beautiful hot springs. I paid for a night stay and then an hour after check out stayed around the hotel and asked to dry my clothes and they would not allow since it was past check out. For the cost to stay I would expect better service.
amanda ellis — Google review
A very well maintained and clean resort. Food is reasonably priced and good. There are several swimming pools and they are quite clean.
Only, improvement point I can think of is- bars should either not give drinking straws, if they do then they should be a bit longer than they are now.
Dushyant Sethi — Google review
I came to just visit the springs with a day pass and thought it was great, very well worth it. Total entry for myself (no time limit for the hot springs) plus locker rental and 1hr buffet dinner was under $80 which I think was reasonable. Facilities were very clean, spacious, and welcoming. There may be an extra fee for towels so I recommend to bring your own. Be prepared the walk to the further springs and the buffet area is on an upwards incline - not hard to walk but may be difficult for elderly/physically impaired.
Dina Goodger — Google review
This place is pretty cool. They have like 25 pools or something crazy. Swim up bars, hot pools, cool pools, party pools, pools with slides, pools for kids. It just goes on and on. Oh also, a steam/sauna area. So much fun.
Food was medicore at best. Drinks are pricey. Entry is pricey....but still worth it!
Christine Protz — Google review
It is a nice and clean place. The resort is well maintained and has a lot of pool options. I would recommend going there for sure. The only thing I didn't like was the amount of time we waited at an empty bar to get a drink with servers looking at us but not approaching to see what we want until 15 min later. It may be a thing to not bother you so much as I noticed that a few times but it is nice to get that first drink quick.
mehafroozs — Google review
Stayed a little over a week in May, Rooms are huge, great A/C, spacious balconies--a little dark inside but probably due to the wall colors and lighting. Wifi was also fine--I brought a laptop and used it daily, didn't have issues. Didn't use video though, so not sure if that would've pushed it. Breakfast buffet was delicious, so many options--seating area is open air with a lot of shade. So many pools, all heated, range of temperatures. It feels nice and secluded because of all the landscaping and tall palm trees throughout the resort. Large parking lot for overnight and day stays. Resort is in a pretty central location--feel like mostly everything we drove to was under 20 minutes. About 2.5 hour drive from San Jose airport area--roads are windy but all paved, and speed limit is pretty low. But it was a nice drive over--nice views of different towns and rolling hills/farms.
Connie Jung — Google review
We enjoyed our overnight. They had one pool open 24 hrs for guests which was great. We enjoyed the pools even more after dark. The free welcome drink was a nice touch.
The only reason why I had to give 4 stars instead of 5 was that our suite, in the furthest most building, overlooked a construction site so it had no view at all except for a green screen and it was noisy during the day. We were not warned of this when we made our reservation or during check-in.
Jenny L — Google review
Purchased a day pass and spent a relaxing five hours at this luxurious hot springs resort. $44 pp + about $15 in a la carte food. I wish we had purchased the included lunch option. There are countless hot pools (25?), many of them with waterfalls. The staff were friendly. My teenage daughter did not like the big water slide - ouch. Overall we had a great time here. The free hot springs at Choylin is an amazing alternative for those who are nimble and adventurous.
Burton Filstrup — Google review
We didn’t stay at the resort so I can’t review the rooms. We did spend the afternoon at the hot springs though. So many pools you feel like you can’t even hit them all. Varying temperatures in each pool if you find some are too hot.
My kids loved the waterslides. They particularly liked the funnel slide.
The afternoon included dinner which was delicious. Rice and beans, chicken/pork/beef, salad and desserts.
Ben DeRoo — Google review
We got a day pass with lunch included. There were many pools and we were delighted that each pool had a sign that listed its temperature. There are some thermal pools that have cool water pools nearby. At night, the colorful lights on the waterfall tower were spectacular! There were shallow pools with built-in lounges and a swim-up bar in another. The design is certainly well thought out. The customer service was stellar! As you walk around, when staff pass by, they always verbally acknowledge you. BUT the lunch buffet was pretty horrible. The pork in BBQ sauce was tasty, but I nearly broke a tooth because it was so tough. The rolls were stale and dry. The mashed potatoes were obviously instant and way too salty. The veggies were cooked to death, the chicken was dust, the pasta was mush, and both sauces, red and white, were watery and insipid. Desserts were your typical jello-like cheesecake and a fruit sponge with more whipped cream than cake. The best thing we ate was the fresh pineapple. It was sweet and delicious. DO NOT pay $22 for lunch. Leave, eat, and come back. Trust me.
Tena Jackson — Google review
What a fun place to relax! The varying water temps of each pool was really fun. It’s an excellent place to take kids. We were in the off season, so it was not crowded at all, but the water slides were not available because of this, I think. We had a pretty good lunch that was included in our price, and though pricier than a restaurant nearby, the convenience of having it in the park was great. And the food was decent. We did the day pass, so we didn’t stay in the resort , but speaking for the pools itself , I’d definitely recommend to anyone with kids staying in the area.
Emily Price — Google review
Great way to spend an afternoon, drifting from pool to pool, experiencing the different temperatures and features like waterfalls, saunas, slides. Most of the pools have swim-up bars for ordering drinks. Wasn't very crowded during our three hours there, but there were noticeably more people by the time we left. The grounds overall are clean and well-maintained, giving some sense of being in the jungle. You may even spot some tropical birds moving through the palms and other plants. Fair warning, the slides lead to super shallow waters, you'll end up regretting it.
Anthony M — Google review
Went here on a day pass. If you're tired of trekking or just need a break from the jungle this is a perfect place to unwind and enjoy some drinks in a really unique hot springs/waterpark. Entry fee for the day and drink prices are a little on the high side $47 to enter, around $8 for a beer. That said it is a totally unique experience. I think they have 14 hot spring fed pools. 5 or 6 of those have swim up bars. Parking can be tough for day pass visitors. You have to park along the road outside of the hotel property and it can get crowded. Another fun and unique experience in Costa Rica.
Joe Pickell — Google review
Very over priced. Drink prices are outrageous. They sell day passes and over the holidays it was packed with people. They don’t sell Imperial beer but they sell imports. How can you not have Imperial in Costa Rica? Our room was located backed up to a construction tarp. We paid extra for a large family suite with balcony. Never did anyone mention construction. They did not care when we complained. Not even a free meal. There are a ton of pools on property. Property is large and well manicured, so it’s not all bad. But it’s like Disneyland with bad customer service. It’s very commercial feeling. I would not stay here again. The staff was nice at the main restaurant and around the resort. The buffet is very bad and mainly for day pass guests I suppose. The breakfast buffet is included and was pretty good. Property is very large and required tons of walking up hill. So if you’re out of shape this would be very difficult. Also not fun with hot and tired kids.
Nicole Dalesandro — Google review
the hot springs are great. they are large areas that are more public. on certain nights you can have whole areas to yourselves. The bar at the top is stupidly expensive while the bars further down the hot waterfalls are less expensive.. there is a nice sauna and several cold pools to do small cold plunges. You can have a great experience starting from the top and working your way down. If you want cheap drinks and good hot springs you can do Los Lagos but the experience is a little different.
Alan Jacobson — Google review
Too hot for me. Would be nicer if air temp wasn't 95 degrees. Would be great in much cooler weather. Thought the price to get I was fair. Can be hard to find three chairs together unless you get there early. Food and drinks were average.l, avoid the pizza. Was awful. Thought the staff and bartenders could've been nicer
A Warner — Google review
Not entirely what I was expecting, but made the best of it. We went in the evening around 5pm for a day pass (which costs the same as if you went in the morning - no evening rate). My initial reaction and feeling was Disney Land meets all inclusive. Many of the pools had swim up bars, one pool had water slides for kids, and there was a separate kids water park area. Not our jam, was looking for a more tranquil thermal pool experience which you can apparently find at other hot springs resorts. We went on a recommendation from a friend, but could have done more research ourselves prior to going. We did end up enjoying ourselves a bit more once it got dark and the pools started clearing out, at one point we had a large thermal pool to ourselves, but could hear loud music coming from another pool/part of the resort. All in all we enjoyed being in the warmth of the hot springs but would have enjoyed a different environment. Might be suitable for you if you have kids and are looking for the best of both worlds. I myself was looking for a more relaxing, spa like experience.
Ashley Mitton — Google review
We went there and got a day pass⭐️. Food was absolutely fantastic. Best bruschetta and salad I ever had! Beautiful interior. We did not stay at the hotel we did this for the experience. The water pools are gorgeous with nice design. One thing that needs imposter the directions how to get from pool to pool to find different temperatures and what benefits they carry. Me and my daughter loved it ! Thank you
Dominika Staniewicz — Google review
It was truly an amazing experience when visiting La fortuna. Definitely won of the highlights to go visit and relax in Costa Rica. The place has roughly 25 different pools with a few slides available for kids / adults. Be mindful to experience a few whiplashes from the slide!
Dannie Nguyen — Google review
Went last year with my family. Very good location, had an amazing welcome drink, breakfast is DELICIOUS and rooms, bathrooms, public areas are well kept and super clean. Funny name too (I have a weird sense of humor) and I love the statue of the lady in the front 😂
Will be going back!
Stacy Peng — Google review
We stayed one night at this location, breakfast was included and it was pretty good with a wide selection of food to choose from. We had a nice sized room that was in a quiet location. There are multiple pools at this resort and at night the lights look nice when you are bathing. I suggest to book way in advance because prices can go up quickly. Will definitely come back one day.
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