Arte de Plumas birding lodge

I am used to air conditioned housing environment, which is rare in Costa Rica.

Nestled in a beautiful valley this property is very peaceful and gives a sense of intimate connection with nature while being very accessible by CR standards. This is a bird watcher paradise and everything is done to enhance the experience, from well appointed bird feeders to landscaping designed for colibris and butterflies and an open architecture that captures all the morning calls. Within the span of 2 days we observed more toucans than i can count, hummingbirds of multiple species in their continuous display, and were reacquainted with the striking Oriole in its “winter” dwellings. This is an enchanting spot. The host Andrey is very knowledgeable and an accomplished bird and nature photographer. Breakfast and dinner were well done by a professionally trained chef. Staff is extremely welcoming and helpful.

Beds could benefit from a memory foam… they were a bit too firm for our taste.

This lodge is totally devoted to birding. They have bird friendly plants all over the large property. There is even a banana plantation to grow bananas for the birds. I think it has been there five or six years and it is in the growing stage to become one of the top lodges for birding in Costa Rica. Fantastic staff, food is excellent. Be prepared to buzzed by hummingbirds all day :)

It rained a lot when I was there

Huge room with a balcony over looking the garden. Is it possible to have a better breakfast, tea on the balcony with toucans in the garden The Hotel Manager is really helpful and service minded and he will help you with everything you need. Big rooms and there is a desk to work with your laptop if you have any bird pictures. Good internet! The only thing, I am alone so no problem. Very big room with an open floor plan and the bathroom is not exactly private. But if you are alone it is a very big and nice room. They arrange birding tours from the hotel and there are many birds in the area. Highly recommended and I will be back.

The water could have been warmer

Absolutely stunning property beautifully set up for birding and bird photography. The rooms are clean and comfortable, and the staff are friendly and incredibly obliging. Outstanding value first money. I will definitely be returning.

The property was expertly maintained. Andrey who is the manager and guide made my wife and I welcome. He is extremely knowledgeable about the wildlife and plants in the area especially the bird species. Daisy, the chef, made fantastic healthy and tasteful meals. I would highly recommend Arte de Plumas.

Rooms were good. Daisy and Carol were great cooks. Andrey, the manager is very knowledgeable about birds and more than willing to help with info of birding sights off the property. Although, birding on the property was excellent.

No doors on the bathrooms. Beds were not very comfortable. No housekeeping, if that's what you need. But we didn't care. Too busy enjoying.

Our previous trips to CR were bus tours covering several "hot" birding spots. Moving daily, bouncing down bumpy roads covered a lots of ground but was schedule driven and hard on the joints. We were looking for a place in the middle of bird country to call home for a couple of weeks. Arte de Plumas is in a beautiful, misty, mountain valley near the town of La Suiza, 3 hours SE of SJO . The open dining hall and spacious deck look north down the valley. The weather was cool with light breezes. The skies alternated from clouds to sun, hourly, as mist rolled over the tops of the mountains. The lodge has beautiful architecture, bright, exceptionally clean, spacious rooms acoustically tuned to the rainforest sounds, no howler monkeys, great water (and coffee), and private baths with good plumbing. Every morning something new was sitting along the stairwell window sill (praying mantis, stick bug, elephant beetle, katydids, giant toads....) The pretty river running along the front of the property changes character daily. Lots of wildlife, tons of birds, amazing, friendly, accommodating kitchen with local produce and dishes. The manager is a bird guru who will talk about local species and photo ops as long as you want. The 28 acre park, in its second year of operation, is a diamond in the rough. On drizzly days you can sit on the sundeck, sip coffee and shoot humming birds and Oropendola. For the adventurer, there are several kilometers of newly constructed trails up the mountain and along the river as well as treks up and down the rocky farm road leading into the property. About half a kilometer past the end of the pavement, Arte de Plumas Birding Lodge is perfect base for day trips to destinations in the Turrialba area.

At home I sleep on an ultra firm mattress. The beds were large, fresh and comfy but were more on the medium-firm side. Probably because they are new, they seemed a little short on guides. I'm sure that will get better as they grow.

Superb location for bird watching and photography. Daisy and Andre make feel comfortable and well cared for. We will be back. Thank you, Randy for your hospitality.