We had a wonderful stay at the Living Forest. Johanna was a terrific host; she made us feel so welcome, and we loved the yoga class she taught. The grounds were beautiful; my family enjoyed swimming the in river that flows right behind our room. Nearby Macadamia restaurant, which was recommended by Johanna, had delicious food and a great view of the lake. Johanna also made arrangements for us to ho horseback riding with a Hector, a local man. Our room was comfortable and clean, and the price was reasonable. We wished we could have stayed longer.
We loved our 3 nights at a living forest. The place is so peaceful... You literally go to sleep with the sound of the river! There is a communal kitchen that has all you need (oven, blender,...) which is really perfect when you stay a couple of days. We also loved the common area with a beautiful yoga shala open on the jungle with also some hammock and great books to borrow... The rooms are also super comfortable. Would love love love to stay there again!
I stayed in the living forest and it’s exactly that..hearing and seeing the beautiful nature play out in front of you.. it was such a joy to hear and see the monkeys..with a jungle walk possible too! Johanna is a great host, always there for you, trying to make your stay pleasant and welcoming...the communal kitchen is a life saver as it gives you the option to stay in and cook.. There are activities that take place at living forest, such as yoga, dancing, workshops..and you meet great people staying here too.. I stayed a while so I got to know the place well..
The location of this hidden gem is extraordinary, with a babbling brook traversing the property and jungle climbing high onto the surrounding hills. The cabins facing the brook are clean and comfortable with really cool outdoor bathroom/showers. There is a clean communal kitchen and spacious yoga studio. Perfect place to read in a hammock and listen to the stream. We saw toucans from our porch! A short drive to many good restaurants. Johanna is a perfect host. I recommend Living Forest to anyone looking for a heavenly oasis in the Lake Arenal area.
True Pura Vida. Great Host Ms Johanna... Relaxing.......Cool and fresh....Beautiful... Lake Arenal and surrounding area's are an exceptional part of Costa Rica. Off the beaten touristy path. Clean air, Lush green mountainside/ Jungles and rivers....So Much to do if you like the outdoors and rain....at times...Will visit Again..for sure ....Cheers
I attended an amazing five-day retreat at Living Forest with a friend of mine who chose the center to host. She described it as "mother nature's womb" and I could not agree more. It is a beautiful, secluded little paradise where you can truly connect to nature. You will hear the sound of a rushing river, wind in the trees, birds, monkeys, and other animals. You can rest in a hammock and listen to this symphony. Johanna has created a truly peaceful place where we can re-connect to the earth. She is kind, welcoming, and extremely helpful. She offers solutions and is flexible with payment and other issues. I felt very at home and did not want to leave! There are two cute dogs and one sweet kitten as well, so you don't miss your pets at home too much. I highly recommend Living Forest and can't wait to return!…
I had the privilege to assist to a retreat by lake Arenal and stay at Living Forest, I have to say it's one of the most peaceful places I have ever been, always spotless with a beautiful place to practice yoga. I got to see monkeys and all kinds of birds. It is located by a river that gives this place a mystical and cleansing feeling. I adored the hammocks and seats right by the river. I have to say that while I was staying at Living Forest I just didn't want to go out and do anything else, all I wanted to do was to stay and enjoy the space. So thankful with Johanna for being so sweet and taking very good care of all of us during the retreat. I am coming back soon!!!
We stayed with Johanna from for 5 nights and loved every moment of it. She is a wonderful person, very helpful, accommodating, informative and interesting. The rooms are lovely with comfortable beds, incredible outdoor washrooms, and good Wifi too. The best part is sleeping with the windows open an night and hearing the jungle around you fully awaken. When you wake up in the morning there are all sorts of birds flying around to welcome you to a new day. Sitting in the river that runs through her majestic property is really an added plus. One really feels as if they are in the center of the jungle, meanwhile your room is only a few steps away. The property is very well situated; within an hour radius you can be in Monteverde, Tenorio National Park, Venado Caves, or in under 5 minutes you're right on lake Arenal. It was my first time to Costa Rica and staying at this place was like a dream. I highly recommend the Living Forest.…
We had the privilege of staying with Johanna at Living Forest for a 5 day retreat, and my biggest complaint was that we didn't stay a full week. The rooms were immaculate and it was a treat to be able to shower outside every day. The grounds were nothing short of a tropical delight. There were monkeys, toucans and other exotic birds ... and the abundance of hummingbirds was a real delight. The walk dow the jungle path is a great way to begin you day. We look forward to coming back soon!
Amazing, amazing, amazing! Not only were we so wonderfully welcomed and taken care of, but the place is absolutely wonderful and beautiful. Haven't felt so in touch and at peace with nature before. The flowing river, the howler monkeys, the hummingbirds, the iguanas were all there to greet us. The room was spacious with a great bed, super clean, and the shower and bathroom that were in the air (but with privacy) was also fun! Definitely the highlight of our trip (we stayed there for two nights).
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