Rancho Suizo

It’s been 20 years since our last trip to Nosara. I’ve often thought about returning to Costa Rica, but we rely on public transportation and it’s not an easy destination. This year we finally came back. I searched online for somewhere authentic to this beautiful jungle setting and found Rancho Suizo. I’m so glad we chose to skip air conditioning and polished luxury for a week in a sweet little cabin, well screened against critters and surrounded by lovely gardens. We had a wonderful pool and jaccuzzi, good food, and ice-cold beer in the lush tropical setting. Breakfast was included, and the fresh fruit, freshly squeezed juice, made-to-order eggs, ham and cheese, and what I’m sure was homemade jam on fresh French bread toast kept me full enough to skip lunch. Our hostess, Ruth, was kind and welcoming. She even indulged my odd request for diet coke instead of her very good coffee. Places this gorgeous and unspoiled will become memories as more of us settle for identical climate-controlled boxes, then spend hours with our chins down, texting or staring at screens, and pay someone to show us what Rancho Suizo offers as part of its atmosphere. If you can step outside your comfort zone for a few days and enjoy an authentic experience, you won’t be disappointed.

The owners are really friendly, and the place is pleasant enough to sleep in, though I wasn't especially taken with it. Breakfast was the bigger letdown: it was the same each morning and not tasty enough for me to want it four days running. The towels also didn't smell clean or fresh.

The landlady was lovely and gave us a great suggestion: head to the sea on the last day of the turtle migration, after the hatchlings had emerged 🐢. The bungalows themselves are charming, if a little dated.

I got to visit before the facilities had even opened. It looks promising and could become a great place.