The road is tricky and slow. You may be tired from a long trip but from the moment you step out of your car you hear the river and you feel yourself freed. As others have said it's not luxury but it is definitely Pura Vida. Swimming in the river and looking at the fish with the mask provided by the owners was fun. The wood-fired hot tub soothing, especially in the candlelight. The rooms are rustic which suited the site and us just fine. We had the private cabin on the hill with a separate master bedroom, a private bath and a large second bedroom with two double beds and a single bed for our kids. There was an outdoor table, a hammock and a wrap around porch. Mosquito netting hung over the beds if you felt you needed it. The beds were comfortable, a private shower, toilet and a a shared sink in the main room. If you are looking for luxury, look elsewhere, if you are looking for authenticity stay here. The staff is wonderful and and the owners regard them as family. We went on the horseback ride with Alejandro who is a champion jumper and roper. The horses were extremely well-trained and even the person who had never ridden enjoyed it. They have a beautiful hike on the property that wanders through pastures and jungle alive with exotic birds and some guests spotted monkeys. Alejandro is also the guide for the Rio Celeste trip and even though we did not have our own transportation the lodge arranged it. The food was excellent!!! They grow their own food and even my daughter who rarely eats meat or poultry loved it. My only regret is that we were only there for one night and as we drove away I kept asking myself "Why are we leaving." For me it was my most enjoyable experience in Costa Rica and I loved it everywhere we went! (Pacuare, Arenal, hiked Cerro Chato, Playa Langosta) We will definitely be back.

My wife and i stayed here for 2 nights and we loved it. The hike to the waterfalls and Rio Celeste was "dampened" by some serious rain, but that did not stop the Lodge's guide Alejandro and the 10 of us from seeing what we were there to see. (They also offer an afternoon horseback ride, but we passed on that.) All the meals are included and were excellent. Most of the meat, vegetables and fruit comes from their own farm so it is FRESH. In fact, the eggs in the morning were some of the best eggs i have ever eaten -- the yolks were bright yellow.

Try to book the River Cabin if it's available and you're only 2 people.

A couple of things to keep in mind: the staff does not speak much English (but they are very gracious and we managed to get by), the road up to the lodge and from the lodge to the hike is an adventure in itself, and there was no hot water in our cabin for the 2 days we were there. If your usual lodging is the Ritz Carlton or 4 Seasons, Le Carolina Lodge is probably not for you, but if you are willing to go a little off-the-beaten-path you should definitely spend a couple of nights here.

My stay at La Carolina Lodge was the experience of a lifetime. We went as a group of four friends and stayed for three nights split in two cabins. The property was absolutely gorgeous! There was so much wildlife on the property that you can catch a photo opportunity of almost every Costa Rican animal you wish.

Going to Rio Celeste with Alejandro is a wonderful experience. The climb down to the waterfall is grueling, but worth it. Definitely wear the right clothes. Alejandro is quite patient.

The food at La Carolina Lodge was quite delicious. On our first night we had pork, which came from their pig farm, and it was the best pork I had ever eaten in my entire life. I dream about the pork to this day.

The service is fantastic. The owners are quite hospitable and have a really nice bunch of children who are both polite and fun to play with.

The horses are beautiful and the trails are quite interesting. Overall, La Carolina Lodge is one of the best experiences I've ever had. I wish I'd stayed there in the middle of my trip to Costa Rica. I think at the start, I was still unwinding from work and at the end I was anxious about going back to work. So, it probably only would have been a better stay if I could have forgotten about work completely.

We have just returned from a 3 night stay at La Carolina Lodge. We happened on this place from a recommendation while on the road just touring around the country. We had no reservation, but were heartily welcomed and pleasantly surprised at the warmth of the staff. The owners were not in residence, so Alejandro placed us in the casita at the river's edge, which is very quaint and secluded. This is a working ranch with lots of available activities to participate in, if you want. But the bird watching alone is worth the trip. Everything is included for a per person price, so there are no surprises. The food is excellent and plentiful; all cooked on a wood stove! The outdoor areas are lit at night by candles, and the scene is perfectly lovely. We are already talking about a return trip. Please note, it is very rustic, so don't expect any luxury. But be prepared for the utmost in hospitality. The horses are excellent specimens and well trained also.