la tigra rainforest lodge

The food was delicious and there was plenty of it, and the staff were extremely nice. Joel’s Frog Tour around the Lodge is especially good for kids. The rustic lodges have a beautiful rainforest view, though there are absolutely no amenities. Don’t come expecting any luxury, and be prepared for a few mosquito bites.

The food was really tasty. Breakfast was a buffet, and dinner was included at a good price during our stay. The rainforest around La Tigra Rainforest Lodge was restored through an ecological project over 20 years ago, and guests can plant a tree with the very kind guide Alberto. This is a memorable place if you love nature and want something out of the ordinary, but it’s a poor fit if comfort matters to you. The lodges open directly onto the forest, where there’s plenty of wildlife, including frogs and exotic snakes. A professional, friendly guide showed and explained them during the night walk. There’s no hot water in the bungalows because of the solar-powered system. We were there in January, during high season, with constant rain and temperatures averaging around 18°C. A cold shower in those conditions was unacceptable to me. The road up is steep and the lodge is remote, though manageable in a 4x4. The bungalow front can’t be closed, so you’re exposed to the outdoor temperature while sleeping. I had to wear a jacket in bed. With the cold shower and unending rain, there was no chance to get warm or feel dry. They also won’t clean the room unless you specifically ask. It’s an interesting stay for 1-2 days, but a longer visit only makes sense for serious nature lovers willing to give up every kind of comfort.

We slept right in the forest with wildlife sounds all around us, which was awesome. The Costa Rican breakfast was great and the staff were friendly. We had a margarita and spotted a huge frog by the pond that night. Wish we’d had time to hike the trail.

The frog tour was a highlight. Our guide was enthusiastic and informative, and we saw lots of different frogs and insects. This place could work well for 1-2 nights if you want a remote jungle stay and plan to spend time on the property. It’s an hour’s trip from La Fortuna centre, so plan around the commute and the rain. The lodge is beautiful, surrounded by rainforest, with great views from the room. But it’s damp all the time, and we never felt dry, so bring warm clothes. There’s no cell service, and it’s about an hour from la Fortuna town over rough terrain. Getting an Uber is difficult, and taxis cost twice as much. Staff don’t arrange transport into town apart from tour shuttles at set times. Their taxi is reserved for staff, and when we asked, they didn’t suggest another option. Breakfast runs from 730-930 and the food was delicious. The staff were polite, but not helpful with recommendations. Nobody asked how we’d be leaving or helped arrange transport in this remote area, and we didn’t feel welcomed. Even making simple requests felt awkward. The support staff were warm and lovely, and I had a great massage. The chefs were very sweet, too. Our room wasn’t cleaned the second night, and the garbage was full. Everywhere else we’d stayed so far had given us warm, kind, above-and-beyond service and great local suggestions. Unfortunately, we found the opposite with the host staff at La Tigra.