The bungalows and grounds here are really very special! We especially loved the design of the bungalows with the living area outside of the bedrooms! Bathrooms were spacious and first class. The hammocks and rockers quickly became our favorite resting spots! Overall the bungalows were enchanting! On the room I have only one quibble and would be so easy to fix. The mattress pads are so thin that I thought there wasn't one! I could feel the tufting of the mattress---not particularly pleasant :( but so easy to fix.

The grounds are spectacular and the rubber boots and umbrellas provided by the hotel are a necessity for hiking the property---thank you!

I wish I could say something good about the food but I honestly cannot. Breakfast ham was inedible, eggs dry. Your best bet is to ask for pancakes----they will make them fresh. I am sorry to say that dinner buffet was equally poor. I am not exceptionally fussy about food and I love Latin food. They need to do some serious work in this department. You really are too remotely located to want to leave the hotel for meals. Other than food quality this was a dreamy hideaway!

It's the rain forest so what do you expect? The staff is very accommodating and the rooms are very unique: rain shower heads, windows that open ALL the way, double entry doors, and very comfortable beds. To reach the hotel you must travel 2 KM from the main highway down a very rough road. It's also a long but beautiful walk from the reception area if your vehicle cannot take it through the stream separating the reception from rooms and bar/restaurant. The pool is inviting but you're in a rain forest! Saw a worker in the organic garden adjacent to the dining room -- he was spreading fertilizer in time release form and then covering it with dirt. Hmmm. Food in the dining room is very good and the produce is grown on site -- best fried fish (tilapia?) I've had in a long time as it was very lightly breaded and fried to a greasless perfection. Flan was also delightful. Coffee preparation is uniquely Coasta Rican-- the drip method uses a cloth tube resembling a sock in which coffee is placed and boiling water is poured over. The kitchen and prep area are open so you can watch the ladies at work.

This was our second visit to this resort (our first was 15 years ago). And while little has changed in the way of wildlife and super friendly staff, so much has changed in terms of its respect of the environment and the local community.

But first let's start with the basics. This is a very comfortable resort with lovely bungalows made from local tropical exotic woods, large beds, an open-air shower and a large covered porch. The rooms have also been renovated recently and a new restaurant and kitchen have been built. The food was very good and the menu was varied and relatively inexpensive for Costa Rica. Staff were polite, friendly and professional. Please keep in mind that this is a Spanish-speaking country and be patient with staff if their English isn't what you're used to at home. Better still, make an effort to learn a few words in Spanish.

Second, this is a great place for bird watching and for learning about the "jungle" and its plants and inhabitants. We saw many new species of birds on our guided hike with the resident naturalist who speaks very good English and knows all about the rainforest and the many creatures and plants that inhabit it. He is super friendly and always available to help identify a bird or a flower. He is so keen on sharing his knowledge and love of the environment.

In addition, the new owners have put a great deal of effort into making this resort eco-friendly in many ways. They grow most of their own fruits and vegetables and raise their own pigs and chickens. And it's all organic farming.
The new swimming pool uses no chemicals; the water is fresh from the mountain streams and in filtered for purity.
A new methane gas system using waste from the pigs produces all the gas needed for cooking. Soon they will add a larger faciltiy to generate most of the electricity for the hotel. They have even introduced this inexpensive system for producing gas and protecting the environment to the local community.

They are also working with the community to educate locals on the benefits of farming on a smaller scale that is less destructive to the fragile rainforest environment and on the benefits of tourism if the environment is preserved.
To back this up, the hotel employs mostly local residents to support the local economy.

HIkes around the large former farm property with the resident naturalist are educational and enjoyable. Umbrellas and rubber boots are provided.

Although it is probably best to have your own car in order to enjoy the nearby thermal baths and Arenal volcano, an airport pickup can be arranged by the hotel. At $140, however, it is probably cheaper to rent your own car and you'll have more flexibilty to enjoy the local sites. The trip from the airport in San Jose takes about 2 hours. Allow extra time to get lost and to stop at sites along the way. And don't worry about the rough road into the hotel. Just drive slowly and take your time. It's not that bad.

This is a great place to relax and enjoy nature for couples or families.

The Chachaqua Rainforest Hotel has the perfect balance of adventure amid nice amenities. My husband and I came here to celebrate our 25th Anniversary. We loved being right in the midst of the rainforest. (Downside was being a bit out of the way and a treacherous 2 mile rocky road to get in and out of the hotel). However, that didn't keep us from all the adventure. There is plenty to do in the nearby Arenal Volcano area. I recommend renting a car so you can come and go at your leisure.

If coming to Costa Rica I definitely recommend staying at this hotel at least 3 nights. We stayed 5 nights and didn't want to leave. You can book tours from here and even go on a guided night hike with Christian (the hotel's resident Biologist) which I highly recommend.
The service is excellent and the food is good too.

If you are looking for a unique adventure give the Chachaqua Hotel a try. We will never forget our stay here.