El Cerrito

Liz and Danjer were gracious hosts, and for $8 we shared a full dinner with them in their front yard. A typical Costa Rican breakfast was included too. The sleeping cottages have a bathroom, a little sitting area with a hammock, and a queen-size bed. There aren't walls, just a kind of tarp for privacy, and the bed has a mosquito net. The place runs on solar electricity and gets water from deep wells. It's in the middle of the Costa Rican jungle, reached by about a mile of very rough stone and gravel road. We managed in a sedan, but I'd really recommend a 4WD like a jeep. If you're into nature, waking to birdsong and monkey cries, watching macaws and toucans fly by, and maybe spotting a monkey, this is the place.

We stayed five nights at El Cerrito and wished we'd booked more. The place is surrounded by nature and has a kind of peace and beauty that's hard to put into words. We saw more wildlife here than anywhere else on our trip. Danger's jungle trek was a highlight, his knowledge and connection to the land made it special. Lis’s massage was deeply grounding and healing, and exceptional.

The road is bumpy, but we managed fine without a 4x4. Liz and Dan made us feel very welcome, and their care for the land and for us came through in the food and stories they shared. The view is lovely to wake up to, and the bed was luxurious and comfortable under its mosquito net, with the feeling of sleeping right in the jungle. We stayed two nights while visiting Corcovado NP and couldn't imagine a better place. If you're comfortable around nature, it's a perfect spot for a few nights or more in the jungle.

I found this finca by chance and had an incredible stay. It sits at the edge of Corcovado National Park, surrounded by jungle and wildlife, yet the beach and town are only 10 minutes away. The cabins are gorgeous, built from natural materials, and the finca runs on solar power. Lis and Dan gave me a warm welcome and were always available to help. I loved hearing about off-grid living, local plants, and wildlife from them. Lis is an amazing cook, and I'd recommend adding her traditional local breakfasts and meals. They're well worth the price. She also offers massages for an extra fee as a fully qualified massage therapist. That was the highlight for me, and cost a fraction of what I'd usually pay at home. I'll definitely return to Costa Rica and stay here again.