La Selva Biological Station
Highway 4, 41001 Costa Rica
Travelocity
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About
#2 of 30 Specialty lodging in Sarapiqui
Location
4.7
Cleanliness
4.3
Service
3.9
Value
3.8
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Property amenities
Free parking
Free internet
Internet
Restaurant
Hiking
Non-smoking hotel
Room types
Non-smoking rooms
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HOTEL STYLE
Green
Location
Contact
Highway 4, 41001 Costa Rica
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The staff here is friendly and if you stay on campus there is a free 8am guided tour that is very good. You can also pay for other guided tours (we did a 5:45 bird tour and the night tour). Our guided tours were fine, but not special. The food is adequate - actually a little better than we expected. The dorms are fan-only conditioned and bunk beds, so bring proper warm weather clothing. We walked the rest of the property and trails and after two days felt like we had seen everything there. Lots of folks stay outside and come in just for the tours.
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Date of stay: March 2023
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
An amazing area to visit if you are looking for a large native habitat to enjoy and learn about. Great birding, lots of all other creatures. They have highly skilled guides on site. (Our guide, Luis Vargas was amazing.) We stayed on site. It is very basic housing, like a college dorm room. The food was outstanding, including for special diets. All the staff were very kind and helpful. Again, nothing luxurious, but it was nature at its best. (One person I met there had come back for 31 years!)
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Date of stay: January 2023Trip type: Traveled as a couple
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Room Tip: We went in the "dry" season. Only needed a raincoat, used once. Don't need mud boots. Never had...
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Helpful
We stayed for four nights. It was a wonderful experience. It is like camp - you get to explore during the day and night, and they feed you three lovely meals. The people are helpful and nice. There are many paths that allow you to see the jungle and animals and birds that live there. I highly recommend.
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Date of stay: February 2023Trip type: Traveled as a couple
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Room Tip: Plan to get up early. The howler monkeys get you up early, but that is good because there are so...
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Our guide Wilson Huertes was an outstanding guide and really made the night walk tour a great experience. Wilson was knowledgeable about all aspects of flora and fauna; he is also a delightful person to spend time with and learn from. We are primarily birders but didn't expect to do much birding; we knew that the night walks focus on amphibians, snakes, and insects. But Wilson managed to put two birds on our life list that night: the Crested Owl and the Great Tinamou. Without his ear and eye, we would never have seen these birds. Of course, we enjoyed seeing all of the other fauna as well. We highly recommend La Selva-an exceptional location in Costa Rica--and Wilson as a guide.
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Date of stay: February 2023
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Helpful
A vast and vibrant nature preserve dedicated to research supported by AID with a secondary function of offering guided tours by appointment throughout the day and evening. The hike through the property guided by Luis Vargas was well-pace and attuned to the interests of the four participants - wildlife. We saw and photographed spectacular scenes and animals from excellent perspectives. Mr. Vargas was well-attuned to the requirements of photographers - good vantage and good light and made sure we all observed all that was to be seen.
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Date of stay: January 2023Trip type: Traveled with family
Room Tip: Very easy in all respects.
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Our guide Luis Vargas was wonderful. He has years of experience and found many different species of animals for us. He had a sense of humor and did his best to please everyone in our group of 7. Great guide. And La Selva: if you study tropical biology, you know that the results of the research/knowledge coming out of this place is immeasurable. It’s a privilege to visit this reserve as a biology teacher.
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Date of stay: January 2023Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
My husband and I visited today and had such a brilliant time, seeing far more than we expected! Monkeys, iguanas, turtles, frogs, sloths and many many beautiful birds, including the 3 native toucans! Thank you very much to Luis Vargas who made the morning extra special, pointing out all the animals and setting up the periscope. It’s not to be missed if you love wildlife, the birds and the white sleeping bats were a real highlight!
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Date of stay: December 2022Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Staying at La Selva Biological Station was our first stop in Costa Rica. This was a great place to learn about birds, plants, frogs, and more. The hotel setup was well accommodated for travelers, particularly interested in natural pursuits at all times of day and night. We were guided by Luis Vargas on mutliple4 occasions, and we greatly appreciated his knowledge, friendship, and generosity. 'He went beyond any expectation that I had for a guide and enhanced our trip to La Selva. My wife and I certainly recommend him. We also recommend Octavio Ruiz another excellent guide.
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Date of stay: December 2022
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
I spent the day at La Selva Biological Estacion today as a walk-in for a guided hike and I had a WONDERFUL time. My guide was Luis Vargas and he was so knowledgeable, so helpful and so patient I can not recommend him more. Not only did we find many, many birds but Howler and Spider monkeys also, as well as many frogs and bits and bobs. Luis really is an awesome guide and you should definitely ask for him when you visit La Selva!
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Date of stay: December 2022Trip type: Traveled solo
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1 Helpful vote
Helpful
We came here for birding and it did not disappoint. What a hidden gem in a not so popular area of Costa Rica. As many have pointed out, the rooms are very basic but we expected this, so it was not a surprise. The reason we came here is wildlife. The sounds of the forest in the early morning are indescribable and something I will never forget. Incredible biodiversity and natural beauty. Basically we checked off every bird on our wish-to-see list. Would go back in a heartbeat!
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Date of stay: July 2022Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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PRICE RANGE
$112 - $134 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
Costa RicaProvince of HerediaSarapiqui
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Frequently Asked Questions about La Selva Biological Station
Which popular attractions are close to La Selva Biological Station?
Nearby attractions include Finca Sura (2.9 miles) and Puerto Viejo Multicentro (1.7 miles).
What are some of the property amenities at La Selva Biological Station?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include an on-site restaurant, free parking, and free internet access.
What food & drink options are available at La Selva Biological Station?
Guests can enjoy an on-site restaurant during their stay.
Is parking available at La Selva Biological Station?
Yes, free parking is available to guests.
What are some restaurants close to La Selva Biological Station?
Conveniently located restaurants include La Cueva del Marisco, La Casona, and Soda La Casita Tipica.