La Ceiba
5
About
In this magical place the nature has survived to the destructive madness of human. Here some men are putting all their efforts to save animals when others wanted to annihilate them. La Ceiba RN, 50hec. of Primary forest (Gandoca-Manzanillo National Refuge) where the Jaguar R. C. reintroduces the animals that come through the Jaguar RC.
Features animals
Learn more about animal welfare in tourismSuggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listing
Full view
Top ways to experience nearby attractions
The area
Best nearby
Restaurants
46 within 3 miles
Attractions
15 within 6 miles
Contribute
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
157 reviews
Excellent
129
Very good
21
Average
4
Poor
2
Terrible
1
Caroline W
London, UK22 contributions
Jan 2023 • Couples
No doubt La Ceiba is a very special place. If you love wildlife, I mean really love it - like sharing the house with it - you will be in heaven here. The wildlife viewing tower as the sun sets is magical - soaking up all the sounds of the jungle and seeing miles of forest below you.
The house itself is lovely - very open plan and stylish.
There are a few buts. This isn’t like staying in a resort. There isn’t much in the way of help here - we muddled through but information prior to arrival is minimal and once you get here you need to figure it out for yourself. Most disappointing though is that they currently don’t offer day or night tours here which was a real draw for us. Bringing in all our food was fine but without a hire car you’d need to be pretty organised.
Overall wonderful to support great rehabilitation programmes but a shame there aren’t good paths to explore, no wildlife books to look at, tours or good comms once you get here.
The house itself is lovely - very open plan and stylish.
There are a few buts. This isn’t like staying in a resort. There isn’t much in the way of help here - we muddled through but information prior to arrival is minimal and once you get here you need to figure it out for yourself. Most disappointing though is that they currently don’t offer day or night tours here which was a real draw for us. Bringing in all our food was fine but without a hire car you’d need to be pretty organised.
Overall wonderful to support great rehabilitation programmes but a shame there aren’t good paths to explore, no wildlife books to look at, tours or good comms once you get here.
Written January 6, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Travel4Fun
Norfolk, NE86 contributions
Mar 2021
While we only had a couple of tropical blended drinks at this place while we waited for our taxi driver, the staff was friendly and welcoming. It was a good reprieve to get off the beach and was clean and charming.
Written March 26, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Jen
Brooklyn, NY37 contributions
Dec 2019
Our children will never forget Costa Rica, in large part because of our stay at La Ceiba! We stayed there for two nights over Christmas 2019. It was such a beautiful way to experience Costa Rica. Upon arrival, we were all thrilled to ride a little lift over the stream and literally into the rainforest. We were met by our guide, Ashli, who proved to be incredible! We were traveling with our two children (ages 8 and 10). Our son is blind, and has a dream of one day working to preserve and rehabilitate wildlife. Ashli immediately formed a bond with him, and patiently answered all of his many questions! The walk up to the houses was beautiful, as we were surrounded by huge trees all around. We even saw a monkey near the main lodge! Ashli explained that they were trying to release that monkey back into the wild, but it continued returning to the lodge. We watched silently as their talented staff carefully put the monkey on their shoulder and started the long walk back out to re-release it.
Once in our tree house, our children were in heaven! They spent an hour just swinging in the hammock and taking it all in. I should note that my husband and I were a little unprepared for how "natural" it literally all is...this is an open-air treehouse, so you have to be comfortable knowing that wildlife can and will come quite close! When we were staying there, a family of bats were living in the upstairs eve. Our son didn't mind, but our daughter was freaked out by this. She slept in our bed with us (zipped under the mosquito netting!). On another occasion, we were hanging out on the porch when a parrot came right up to the ledge! Ashli had trained us to scare the birds away, so that they don't get used to humans. On our first night, we made sure to walk up to the lookout tour. From there we could see howler monkeys! You can hear them all around you as well.
Please note that it is quite humid in this area in December, so if you choose to wash your clothes, they will likely not air dry! We made that mistake on the first day of our visit, after washing some sandy clothes from the beach. We then had to drive with wet stinky clothes in our car for a few days! While hot water is provided at La Ceiba, you do have to be careful not to use too much too quickly, or you may run out for the day.
We appreciated the home cooked meals by the staff at La Ceiba, and enjoyed hearing about their adventures while eating together. You should note that there is not an open bar or cafe of any sort once you're at La Ceiba; you should break drinks and snack food in with you.
On Christmas Eve, we were lucky enough to take a nighttime guided walk with Ashli. It's hard to explain how incredible that was!!! It was one of the coolest things I've ever done in my lifetime. Not only did we see incredible wildlife and learn so many amazing facts (Ashli is so passionate about her work, and had so much knowledge to share), but we were also able to stand in the middle of the rainforest in the complete dark with all lights out, and just listen to the sounds all around us. I'll never forget that. You should absolutely make sure to take this nighttime tour!
Once in our tree house, our children were in heaven! They spent an hour just swinging in the hammock and taking it all in. I should note that my husband and I were a little unprepared for how "natural" it literally all is...this is an open-air treehouse, so you have to be comfortable knowing that wildlife can and will come quite close! When we were staying there, a family of bats were living in the upstairs eve. Our son didn't mind, but our daughter was freaked out by this. She slept in our bed with us (zipped under the mosquito netting!). On another occasion, we were hanging out on the porch when a parrot came right up to the ledge! Ashli had trained us to scare the birds away, so that they don't get used to humans. On our first night, we made sure to walk up to the lookout tour. From there we could see howler monkeys! You can hear them all around you as well.
Please note that it is quite humid in this area in December, so if you choose to wash your clothes, they will likely not air dry! We made that mistake on the first day of our visit, after washing some sandy clothes from the beach. We then had to drive with wet stinky clothes in our car for a few days! While hot water is provided at La Ceiba, you do have to be careful not to use too much too quickly, or you may run out for the day.
We appreciated the home cooked meals by the staff at La Ceiba, and enjoyed hearing about their adventures while eating together. You should note that there is not an open bar or cafe of any sort once you're at La Ceiba; you should break drinks and snack food in with you.
On Christmas Eve, we were lucky enough to take a nighttime guided walk with Ashli. It's hard to explain how incredible that was!!! It was one of the coolest things I've ever done in my lifetime. Not only did we see incredible wildlife and learn so many amazing facts (Ashli is so passionate about her work, and had so much knowledge to share), but we were also able to stand in the middle of the rainforest in the complete dark with all lights out, and just listen to the sounds all around us. I'll never forget that. You should absolutely make sure to take this nighttime tour!
Written July 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Henning J
4 contributions
Oct 2019
The Nightwalk was just how I expected it to be. La Ceiba Release Station is located right in the Jungle, and we went right down in it, down some steep hills and into a river bed. Saw several Treesnakes, Red-eyed Tree Frogs, a cayman (who lives in a basin on the premisis), Stick-Insekt, lots of Spiders, Tailless Whip-Scorpions, Bullet Ants etc. Auger Marquès is a nice guy who clearly lives for animals and had lots of information on the animals we saw. If you have never been into the jungle at night, you should definitely do this tour. That being said I have a major warning for future guests: It is NOT recommendet to ride your bycicle to La Ceiba (which we did). It is a 2km steep and rocky uphill-ride into the jungle, which will have you soaked and exausted once you've arrived. Also If you are a uncomfortable in the dark you might become a bit scared ;) That being said the Tour was absolutely beautiful and deserves 5 stars!
Written October 9, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Claire
London, UK15 contributions
Mar 2019 • Couples
We stayed for two nights in Casa Ilan Ilan and did both the day hike and the night hike.
Ashleigh, Auger and Virginia, we now consider as friends. They were accommodating, approachable and insanely knowledgable.
Staying in primary rainforest was absolutely incredible - we enjoyed having our own kitchen so we could cook and eat meals high in the rainforest canopy, and having so much wildlife not just on our doorstep, but also on our balcony!
The guides were excellent at pointing out the wildlife and plants on our hikes and even when it rained we saw so much. To those who genuinely care about protecting our planet, there's no place like La Ceiba.
Ashleigh, Auger and Virginia, we now consider as friends. They were accommodating, approachable and insanely knowledgable.
Staying in primary rainforest was absolutely incredible - we enjoyed having our own kitchen so we could cook and eat meals high in the rainforest canopy, and having so much wildlife not just on our doorstep, but also on our balcony!
The guides were excellent at pointing out the wildlife and plants on our hikes and even when it rained we saw so much. To those who genuinely care about protecting our planet, there's no place like La Ceiba.
Written May 28, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
MichelleM
25 contributions
May 2019 • Couples
Our favorite part of our vacation! We stayed in the Ceiba House and I honestly cannot recommend it enough. The people are amazing and what they are doing is incredible! If you have the chance, definitely do the night tour as well! All of the proceeds go to the animals! :)
Written May 5, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
jesusyanezdelpino
Alajuela, Costa Rica12 contributions
Apr 2019 • Couples
Very nice combination of dinner and night walk. The dinner was quite ok and during the night walk we saw many snakes such as the coral snake and some Fer-de-lances. Jungle and night make a great combination since many animals are nocturnal.
It was very safe but being around poisonous snakes is never 100% safe. Nevertheless you are provided with rain boots.
Recommended.
It was very safe but being around poisonous snakes is never 100% safe. Nevertheless you are provided with rain boots.
Recommended.
Written April 28, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
SugarKay8
Fort Collins, CO83 contributions
Mar 2019 • Friends
Our guide, Augen, was extremely knowledgeable about all of the frogs, snakes, turtles, and insects which we saw. He was also able to identify birds by their calls (spectacled owl and potoos). We were served a dinner of Spanish omelette and salad prior to the hike which was very good. Caution - slippery slopes to navigate, make sure you wear socks and closed-toed shoes and know that you will see snakes on this hike!
Written March 26, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
0520
Okotoks, Canada17 contributions
Feb 2019 • Family
We did a private family tour as a family of 8 adults and 3 kids (ages 6, 8 & 9). It was amazing and enjoyed by everyone.
The evening starts with a delicious meal of fruit, rice & beans, meat and juice. After supper everyone is fitted with rain boots and given flashlights. Then it's off to the jungle. We started our evening by meeting a few animals that had been released or were in the process of being released. Then in was into the wild. It started with some leaf cutter ants and bullet ants. Then a spider. I figured maybe my expectations were too high and I should lower them. I was wrong. By the end of our walk we had seen 5 different types of snakes, 4 different types of frogs, 3 different types of spiders, an eel and a basilisk. Lots of the snakes & frogs & spiders we saw multiple times. Our guide was so knowledgeable and really engaging. She was happy to answer everyone's questions and examine any little creatures we spotted.
On top of all the interesting animal facts, my husband learned "Never walk off the path and never go into the jungle alone".
The evening starts with a delicious meal of fruit, rice & beans, meat and juice. After supper everyone is fitted with rain boots and given flashlights. Then it's off to the jungle. We started our evening by meeting a few animals that had been released or were in the process of being released. Then in was into the wild. It started with some leaf cutter ants and bullet ants. Then a spider. I figured maybe my expectations were too high and I should lower them. I was wrong. By the end of our walk we had seen 5 different types of snakes, 4 different types of frogs, 3 different types of spiders, an eel and a basilisk. Lots of the snakes & frogs & spiders we saw multiple times. Our guide was so knowledgeable and really engaging. She was happy to answer everyone's questions and examine any little creatures we spotted.
On top of all the interesting animal facts, my husband learned "Never walk off the path and never go into the jungle alone".
Written March 12, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Rachel122
Halifax, Canada69 contributions
Feb 2019 • Couples
Had an informative tour, food was delicious as a start to the evening.
Guide was knowledgeable and showed us many things we wouldn’t have seen on our own (not that we would venture into the jungle at night). Obviously nothing is guaranteed as you’re dealing with nature, but what we did see made it worthwhile
Guide was knowledgeable and showed us many things we wouldn’t have seen on our own (not that we would venture into the jungle at night). Obviously nothing is guaranteed as you’re dealing with nature, but what we did see made it worthwhile
Written February 17, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Hi, FellowTraveler762890. HI Yuka and other travelers...I'm pretty sure it's allowed (just want to make sure), but are you able to take photographs on the night tours? Just want to make sure it's allowed/the flash doesn't bother the wildlife
0520
Okotoks, Canada17 contributions
Yes. You can definitely take pictures on the night tour.
Melony V
1 contribution
What transportation is there from hotel in Puerto Viejo to La Ceiba?
TheProdigitalSon
London126 contributions
None. You have to get a taxi (local bus will stop at the turnoff from the main road but it's then a 2km walk (quite a hard one). When you contact them to book your tour or accommodation, they can recommend taxistas)
Leoparadiso17
Lujan, Argentina224 contributions
Hola a todos. En Agosto estaré en Puerto Viejo, y tengo un gran interés en conocer La Ceiba, sobre todo a través del tour nocturno. Mi pregunta es si alguien podrÃa recomendarme la mejor forma de llegar al lugar, teniendo en cuenta que no tendremos movilidad propia. Imagino que hay taxis o remises en Puerto Viejo, pero desconozco si se acercan al lugar y si el camino de acceso es transitable aún durante la temporada verde. Muchas gracias. Un saludo.
Hola,
Muchas gracias por su interes en nuestro proyecto.
Para los tours en el bosque primario La Ceiba se requiere una reserva con antelación vÃa email.
Para llegar a La Ceiba recomendamos ir en carro o taxi porque está ubicado en el bosque primario. Nosotros le podemos organizar un taxi con mucho gusto.
Muchas gracias y saludos.
Hola a todos!!
Esta junto el centro de jaguar rescue center y la ceiba?
Quiero visitar el centro pero también hacer la ceiba de noche y era para saber si se reserva allÃ.
Gracias
Rafael_D_France
Limeil-Brevannes, France92 contributions
Hola,
No esta junto del jaguar center! tienes las informaciones nel site rpceiba*punto*com en la pagina contacto
Desde la 256 son quince minutos de coche hasta la entrada
La Ceiba (Puerto Viejo de Talamanca) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about La Ceiba
- Hotels near La Ceiba:
- (0.22 mi) Unique Jungle-beach Home sleeps nine
- (1.25 mi) Korrigan Lodge
- (1.26 mi) La Kukula Lodge
- (2.09 mi) Hotel Aguas Claras
- (2.52 mi) Colina Secreta Glamping
- Restaurants near La Ceiba:
- (1.30 mi) El Refugio Grill
- (1.17 mi) Pita Bonita
- (1.49 mi) Pura Gula
- (2.74 mi) Colores Restaurant And Beach Lounge
- (1.45 mi) Pizzeria Pulcinella