Finca Queveri

The owner was so nice, and the view from the living room is unreal. The homemade half-board meals were really tasty and made the stay feel authentic. It was cold, so the lack of air conditioning wasn’t an issue, though the bathroom could use improvement and the water was cold. Getting there takes a car, and the road up is tough. Still, it’s worth it for a night or two.

My son calls Finca Queveri his favorite place in all of Costa Rica, and I can see why. It feels like a family home, full of atmosphere and comfortable, with polished wood throughout. Some parts are worn and a little leaky. Gisela and Roger were welcoming and clearly love the place, which has been their family home for years. The main farmhouse has an outdoor restaurant, a fire pit and seating, while the farmyard sits farther up the hill. We had unseasonable rain, though the sunny sky on our last day was stunning. The setting is extraordinary: a thickly forested mountain, a small waterfall nearby, and the central volcanic range across the way. The weather can be rough and the road is steep, so keep that in mind. We took a 90-minute horse ride, which our six-year-old managed on his own despite never having ridden before. I’d recommend it because it gives you a good look at the land and the different views across the valley. There are lovely dogs, beef cattle from a newer venture after the farm’s dairy years, and some cheeky baby goats. We’re vets and missed our animals by the end of the trip, so we enjoyed seeing them. We also walked a couple of trails at Tapanti, with lush dripping greenery and a frothy river, and found them manageable with two young children. The loop road took us to Ujarras and Lankester Botanic Gardens. On a cool, wet day, Hacienda Orosi was a nice stop, with steaming hot pools. It was surprisingly good, which was fortunate given the price. The restaurant food was solid and the servings huge. The coffee tour was actually a five-kilometer uphill walk, followed by a slippery downhill stretch that had us laughing. Not what we expected, but fun, and it helped work off that big lunch. Gisela and Roger looked after us so well and let us experience a side of Costa Rican life far from the sterile Pacific resorts and organized tours. Gisela trained as a biologist and can tell you about the local wildlife. They have trail cameras, and the number of birds flying around was overwhelming. This farm is special, and we wish them all the best.

The owners made us feel very welcome, and the property has a charming feel. We had a great time riding gentle horses, with a fantastic view all around. The prices were very reasonable, and our guide noticed I was nervous and stayed close by.

We only came for a horseback riding tour, but the owner was so welcoming and made amazing food. The views from the hotel and homestay are breathtaking, and you can feel how much work and love has gone into the place. They really make you feel like family. I wish we’d found it earlier so we could have stayed a couple of nights. That gives us a reason to return to Orosi, and I’d definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys home-cooked meals and warm hospitality.