Chosa Manglar Nature Retreat

The garden is beautiful, though it could be better maintained, and the pool was quite dirty. There’s no bar or restaurant on site. Our Tucan hut room was outdated and unclean, the air conditioner was very noisy, and the place felt tucked away. There was no fridge, kettle, or coffee machine in the room. We paid more for this than for most of the places we booked during five weeks traveling around Costa Rica with our young son, and it was the worst stay overall. Not worth the money.

The jungle garden around the cabins was the best part, absolutely full of life. We loved the crabs and the scarlet macaws dropping almond husks onto the roof, though I can see how that might not suit everyone. We stayed in a basic cabin, really a room with a bathroom, but it was comfortable. The shared kitchen, wifi, and other facilities were pretty good, the staff were helpful, and the location was great. Activities can be arranged at competitive prices.

The gardens are beautiful, and Andrew and his family made the place feel so welcoming. They were incredibly helpful and had good contacts for arranging activities and trips in and outside Covacado National Park. The rooms are basic but clean, and the bed was really comfortable. It’s within walking distance of the Puerto Jimenez landing strip, so it’s a good option. I’d definitely stay again.

The owners were incredibly kind, and when we had a small issue they put real effort into finding a solution. The owner handled it professionally and thought about the longer term, which made me confident recommending the hostel. We also loved the wonderful breakfast buffet. At first, driving through Puerto Jimenez, I wasn’t sure how much of a nature retreat Chosa Manglar could be. But once we arrived, I was pleasantly surprised: even though it’s fairly close to the road, the place feels wonderfully peaceful, surrounded by green forest and mangroves. During our March visit we saw a few macaws, crabs, and iguanas, and I’m sure there are more animals around.