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]]>Drive about 3 1/2 hours from San Jose international airport along a bumpy little road before arriving at the lodge where stunning vista views and local charm greet you. Santa Juana Lodge’s restaurant, El Mirador, specializes in fresh, traditional Campesino cuisine and is vegetarian-friendly.
A variety of activities are available from the lodge. The Santa Juana Mountain Tour is an Expert favorite and completely flexible. Explore Santa Juana Mountain. Discover how the juice of sugarcane is extracted. Visit the little village, church, school, and restaurants of the quaint and charming town of Santa Juana. Hike to a secluded waterfall on the River Rodeo for a refreshing swim. Try Tilapia fishing or plant a tree. At the end of your fun-filled day, you’ll get to enjoy a typical Campesino style lunch. If it sounds like a lot, don’t worry. This tour can be customized and any of these activities can be skipped. Or if you’d like, you can break up your favorite activities over several days. A coffee plantation tour is also available from Santa Juana Lodge.
Each private casita is situated on a hillside looking out over the surrounding mountain range and coast. There is no A/C at Santa Juana, but you won’t need it in the breezy mountainous highlands.
Casita
The Casitas have high vaulted ceilings with panoramic terraces looking out over Manuel Antonio National Park and the Pacific Coast. Casitas have a king bed, two sofa coaches, and a spacious bathroom with a slate shower. The in-room kitchenette includes a refrigerator, range stove, microwave, and coffee maker. Three ceiling fans provide breeze in the rooms.
The Village Casa Chingolotea is a two-bedroom house with a panoramic terrace. The Casa has two king beds, a sofa couch, satellite TV, a kitchenette, bathroom with shower, and an area to barbecue.
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]]>San Ramon is known in Costa Rica as the crib of poets and artists. Villa Blanca is a Green Hotel property that participates in many conservation programs and is a member of C.S.T. (Certification for Sustainable Tourism). The Villa Blanca Cloud Forest Hotel has everything you need for a vacation in the lovely Central Highlands of Costa Rica.
For true rest and relaxation in the Los Angeles Cloud Forest area, you can’t go wrong with a visit to the Voices of Nature Spa at Hotel Villa Blanca. The experienced staff offers everything from facials to body wraps, and the massages are ideal for sore muscles after a day of hiking.
The cuisine at Hotel Villa Blanca is a fusion of international dishes and local favorites. Using fresh herbs and vegetables from the hotel’s gardens and greenhouse, Hotel Villa Blanca takes farm-to-table to a whole new meaning with delicious food prepared with organic ingredients and nutrition in mind.
Superior Casita
There are 35 individual casitas at Villa Blanca, which offer private baths, wood burning fireplaces, and a garden terrace. On the main hilltop is the Hacienda House, which houses the restaurant and bar that overlooks thousands of acres of pristine cloud forests and Arenal Volcano. There are few places more amazing and unique than a cloud forest, and the cloud forests of Costa Rica stand out even among their kind.
Deluxe Casita
Villa Blanca Cloud Forest Hotel is dedicated to offering all the comforts of a boutique hotel amongst the most unique and endangered type of tropical forest. There are also a terrace deck, library/game room, and Serenity Spa facilities. Spend your time hiking the reserve trails, horseback riding, and bird watching.
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]]>Recibidore-style bungalows
Nestled among the rolling green pastures of the Central Valley, Chayote Lodge weaves coffee and local culture into the design and details of the property. Even the bungalows resemble the typical Costa Rican Coffee Receiving Stations or “Recibidores.”
Chayote Lodge coffee decor details
The cozy main lodge features an intimate fireplace, floor-to-ceiling glass windows for optimal viewing, a cafe with outdoor terrace, a local bar, and a fusion restaurant.
At the highest point of the property sits Quelites Restaurant, a fusion restaurant that combines local flavors with international dishes. The restaurant features only locally grown produce and natural fresh food. Grab a drink before dinner at the bar located in the main building – it’s a popular place for chance meetings with locals! For breakfast, lunch, or an afternoon coffee, enjoy the charismatic, laid-back culture of Costa Rica on the cafe outdoor terrace.
Affectionately called “Chayote Country,” the lodge is surrounded by local villages and coffee fields, sugarcane, and vegetables. The neighboring El Chayote Forest Reserve – just a hike away from the main lodge – is home to abundant wildlife and the richest collection of bird species in this part of the country. Arrange a tour of the reserve and surrounding area with the lodge tour guide.
A look out over Chayote Country
A variety of experiences are available from the lodge including a local coffee plantation tour, the local markets and artisan shops of Naranjo City. Poas Volcano National Park, Juan Castro Blanco National Park, zip lining, Toro Amarillo Waterfall Hike, and dancing with locals. These adventures can be planned either before your trip or when you arrive.
The 12 individual bungalows of Chayote Lodge each boast their own private viewing terraces with stunning views of the Central Valley and of Poas, Barva, and Irazu Volcanoes. On clear days, guests can even see out to the Gulf of Nicoya on the Pacific Coast.
Recibidor Suite
Locally designed furniture inspired by Costa Rican coffee culture and luxury amenities have created a unique high-end experience perfect for the culturally curious traveler.
Recibidor Suite
Look out into the cloud forest over a private coffee garden from your balcony. Amenities include a Dream Line king-size bed, sofa, 2-sink bathroom, private suspended balcony, IP Phone, and WiFi.
Read more about Chayote Lodge featured on the Matador Network: In Costa Rica’s Central Valley, Experience and Support the Heart of Traditional Coffee Culture
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]]>Poas Volcano from Poas Volcano Lodge
Poas Volcano is the main attraction of Poas Volcano Lodge. Be sure to book a guided tour during your stay. A variety of other tours are available from the lodge including zip lining, rafting, a coffee plantation tour, and a La Paz Waterfall Gardens tour.
Additionally, the lodge has a game room, library, and restaurant. The Bromelia Restaurant and Bar serves up a fusion of Costa Rican and European dishes with locally sourced ingredients. Breakfast, a light lunch, and a la carte dinner are served at the restaurant daily. Picnic lunches can be arranged upon request. WiFi is available throughout the lodge.
Poas Volcano Lodge offers 5 garden rooms, 6 deluxe rooms, and the field house. All rooms are equipped with WiFi, coffee service, and a hair dryer in the room.
Heliconia Garden Room
The garden rooms, including the Heliconia Garden Room pictured, have 1 queen bed with a private bathroom and a variety of sleeping configurations.
Deluxe Toucanet Room
The deluxe rooms also come in a variety of configurations to accommodate your group. The Deluxe Toucanet Room features 1 king bed and can sleep a maximum of 3-4 people. The Deluxe Quetzal Room has 2 queen beds, a single bed, and a private bathroom with the capacity to sleep 3-5 people. The Field House has a main bedroom with king-size bed and two single beds, an in suite bathroom, fully equipped eat-in kitchen, living room with fireplace, TV, and a panorama terrace.
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]]>El Castillo is a luxury destination for adventurous travelers. Guests come to El Castillo to enjoy some of the highest rated restaurants in Costa Rica, numerous high quality outdoor adventure experiences, and to relax and be pampered in luxury. Best of all is El Castillo’s incredible staff that outnumbers the number of guest rooms two to one.
The private island beach is a short five-minute boat ride to an undeveloped tropical island directly across from El Castillo. Complete with hammocks, lounge chairs, and a rustic outdoor shower and bath. Many guests have described the private island beach as the highlight of their vacation.
El Castillo has its own Azul Restaurant and Bar that features Mediterranean style dining with a local flair. Enjoy starters like tuna carpaccio and calamari, a range of entrees like Moroccan chicken and fettuccine with seafood, and desserts like flaming Bananas Foster at your table-side. Venture five minutes to the tranquil village of Ojochal for some of the best restaurants in Costa Rica—a culinary destination for fresh, authentic fare with an international flavor.
Ocean View Suite
El Castillo Hotel offers three Ocean View Rooms, two Ocean View Suites, and one Garden Room. Each room is well-appointed and comes with a private cabana on the exclusive guest deck with its own bar, Jacuzzi pool, and spa services.
Ocean View rooms and suites have King-size four-poster beds with 300-thread count organic cotton linens, beautiful curtains for privacy and light/temperature control, rain shower baths, private terraces, plush bathrobes and towels, and signature El Castillo bath and body amenities.
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]]>The hillside infinity swimming pool is surrounded by lovely and expansive tropical gardens, secluded decks and shaded verandas where guests can sunbathe and enjoy the magnificent views. Personal service and gourmet, country cuisine prepared from its fruit orchards and organic greenhouse vegetable and herb garden create an aura of graciousness.
Finca Rosa Blanca infinity pool
The spa, pool, restaurant, and beautiful gardens are enough to keep guests lining up at the reservation desk, and then there are the views. The views! Gorgeous views of the Central Valley are one of Finca Rosa Blanca’s best features. At night, the view goes from splendid to romantic as the lights from the valley illuminate the mountainous backdrop.
El Tigre Vestido & Bar Búho – Finca Rosa Blanca’s alfresco bar overlooking the Central Valley
Hotel Finca Rosa Blanca is dedicated to combining service and comfort with business practices that are environmentally friendly. This location is ideal for anyone who wants to spend a day surrounded by nature but also return to a luxurious and comfortable room and a gourmet meal.
Finca Rosa Blanca cupping session
You don’t want to miss the Organic Coffee Tour and Cupping while staying at a Costa Rican coffee plantation. A tour of the coffee plantation will reveal the secrets of Costa Rican coffee from origin to harvest. Visit the processing area where the coffee cherry pulp is removed, the beans are fermented and dried, and the coffee is roasted and packaged. Discover the smells and tastes and freshly roasted and organic Costa Rican coffee at a cupping session. In the afternoon, enjoy your coffee with homemade biscuits on the outdoor terrace overlooking the beautiful farmlands of the Central Valley.
Visiting San Jose markets from Finca Rosa Blanca
Aside from the Finca Rosa Blanca Coffee Plantation itself, the hotel has a variety of activities available. Surrounded by coffee, volcanoes, and culture, it also serves perfectly as a jumping off point to the myriad of tours and cultural experiences in the area. Finca Rosa Blanca’s viewing terrace gives you a magnificent view of the Poas volcano crater (one of the world’s largest active craters) as well as views over the northern lowlands of the country. It is also only an hour’s drive from the Carara Biological Reserve.
Hotel Finca Rosa Blanca has 14 unique suites including two extraordinary master suites, and eleven elegant yet whimsical junior suites, four of which can be united to form two spacious villas. Each suite is unique and features fine local woods and pieces from the owners’ extensive modern art collection. All of the luxurious rooms at Finca Rosa Blanca Inn include Jacuzzi baths and minibars as well as private verandas overlooking the lovely Central Valley and the volcanoes above. Standard amenities include a king-size bed, complimentary Wifi, coffee maker and complimentary local, organic coffee, refrigerator, closet space, daily maid service, spacious bathrooms, and daily complimentary afternoon coffee with cookies.
There are 10 unique Junior Suites at Finca Rosa Blanca: Las Avas, El Cafetal, El Higueron, El Pino, El Roble, El Valle, La Caretta, La Guaria, La Piedra, and La Ventana.
Finca Rosa Blanca has four master suites: Rosa Blanca Master Suite, El Cielo Master Suite, El Guarumo Master Suite, and Ranchito Master Suite.
The Rosa Blanca Master Suite balcony
If you’re lucky enough to stay in the magnificent Rosa Blanca Master Suite, you’ll be treated to a stunning 360-degree view from your balcony. The Rosa Blanca Suite features stairs winding around a tree trunk leading down to the master bathroom, and a bathtub-pool fed by spring water.
El Ranchito Master Suite
The Ranchito Master Suite is an open-air bungalow built in the traditional Costa Rican structure with murals and cane ceilings throughout. Ranchito features a bathroom with Jacuzzi surrounded by lush gardens, and a living room that opens up to a private patio.
There are two villas options at Finca Rosa Blanca: Villa Boyero (El Pino and El Higueron Junior Suites combined) and Villa Laguna (La Guaria and El Roble Junior Suites combined).
Enjoy this 60-second highlight from our latest 4-part series with Tom Corpolongo featuring Finca Rosa Blanca Coffee Plantation Resort. Follow us on YouTube to watch more episodes featuring Pacuare Lodge River Rafting, Tabacon Hot Spring Resort, and Andaz Resort a Peninsula Papagayo.
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