Guapote Lodge

Amazing food, wonderful property river and jungle all in one!

Nous avons passé un excellent séjour. Le logement est très bien, confortable et situé au cœur de la nature ce qui offre une expérience unique. Giovanni est un hôte sympathique, très arrangeant et investi. Il nous a montré les animaux de sa propriété (paresseux, oiseaux de toutes sortes, grenouilles...) et donné des bonnes recommandations locales. Le petit déjeuner était excellent et copieux. Le restaurant est également très bon et peu cher, on recommande. Si vous aimez la nature et l'authenticité n'hésitez pas, c'est super ! Encore merci à Giovanni pour son accueil et sa bonne humeur, un séjour qui restera gravé dans notre mémoire. A bientôt au Costa Rica ou en Pologne 👋

Guapote lodge was a warm and welcoming space. The owner, Giovanni, welcomed us with open arms and really made the experience special. We were greeted with him showing us sloths and telling us the history of him growing the place.

Guapote Lodge is a great place to stay after arriving in Costa Rica, it takes about 2 hours to drive from the airport. Located in La Tigre, near La Fortuna and Arenal Volcano. Fresh mountain air cools down at night for sleeping. We did not have any problem with bugs and mosquitoes; we did not have to use the mosquito netting and slept with our cabin open outdoors. It was quiet and peaceful, there was not any vehicle noise, no traffic and they are located at the end of the road. Our tent cabin was very comfortable; we had our own bathroom and shower. The property has many cabins shaded by trees, next to a mountain stream with boulders and natural pools. We enjoyed the sound of the stream while we were sleeping, it was very peaceful. The grounds have tropical plants and flowers, there are ponds with aquatic plants and fish, the pond next to the restaurant is surrounded by trees, plants that attract wildlife, hummingbirds and sloths can be seen in the trees near the restaurant. The owners, Giovanni and Vanessa and their family live there. They were friendly and helpful, offering ideas for things to do nearby that you wouldn’t know about, like hiking a mountain trail with waterfalls. Their hospitality was genuine and sincere, and they made us feel welcome and comfortable. We enjoyed talking with Giovanni and Vanessa. When we were there in August, it was off season, and we were the only guests. We enjoyed having dinner and breakfast at the restaurant.

Everything was great.

Giovanni è una grande persona, gentile simpatica e solare. Disponibile a tutto. Il lodge in cui abbiamo dormito era immerso nella foresta, a pochi metri scorreva un ruscello così di giorno e di notte siamo sempre stati coccolati dal rumore dell' acqua corrente. Ristorante molto buono, molti locali venivano a cena, segno di vera autenticità e qualità della cucina Costaricana. Nei dintorni ci sono alcune piccole attrazioni. Per andare a La Fortuna (dove non mancano le proposte di ogni genere di attività) ci vuole un ora d'auto.

Nel lodge non c è acqua calda

An amazing stay in a jungle Oasis. Over 800 species of rainforest trees are planted here, including very rare ones. There are many animals right in front of the lodge and restaurant and on the property, I saw Basilisks, kolibri, many sloths, many kind of birds like the Motmot bird and many frogs like the glass frog. Giovanni and Vanessa were very kind and took me on free tours over the property showing the trees and the animals. It felt like coming home. I would definitely recommend this place.

I liked everything

Don’t miss the intimate environmental experience of family-owned Guapote Ecolodge if you can possibly make it! Whether for an overnight or extended stay (I was there for 7 days), this small paradise provides you with the exciting yet peaceful experience of a whole range of environments —from forest and woodland to a small river and forest transition, with a huge diversity of birds, iguanas and other lizards, sloths!—all with the FREE guidance of the family head and owner, Giovanni, who of a local family and has massive environmental knowledge and a love of sharing it with guests. All ecolodges that I had checked charge for a ‘guide’ to take you around their property: Giovanni is happy to hunt for the mother sloth and babies and teach you about the birds (over a hundred species there), lizards and other life abounding. Every day here was a glorious experience —meeting the wonderful family of Giavanni and Vanessa, communing with all the amazing wildlife —magic moments with the perfectly camouflaged 4-foot iguana catapulting off a log onto its small prey, the tiger heron almost next to me as it surveyed the river for its potential fish meal— right down to the beautiful yellow-throated toucan who I was sure “came to say goodbye” to me the day that I left, as did the mother sloth high above me. There are beautiful little trails, with little resting places to pause for taking in life around you. In the beautiful restaurant-bar are exquisite meals and snacks by ‘Higgins’ the wizard chef, a full bar and a gorgeous pond with giant tilapia to feed. Honestly, though you will surely visit ‘spectacular’ tourist spots, Guapote will likely capture your heart, and maybe you—like me— will be sure to return to this unforgettable little paradise and welcoming family.

There was nothing that could be better --- unless some extra sloths would join the mother & her babies.

Giovanni was incredibly hospitable and kind. He took us on a nature night hike to see different frogs and lizards and other wildlife. He accommodated our early morning departure by cooking us a fresh, typical Costa Rican breakfast very early!

It is located in the Costa Rican jungle which comes with jungle features including bugs and rustic vibes, but I would definitely stay there again. Giovanni’s hospitality is one in a million. We also finally got authentic Costa Rican food and an authentic Costa Rican experience!

This was my best stay in Costa Rica so far. The property is so beautiful and you really feel immersed in nature. Giovanni and Vanessa were excellent hosts and took great care of me. Giovanni took me on a night walk after dinner which was a real highlight - we saw sloths after just a few meters! Also frogs, turtles, and a firefly-type beetle that I had no idea even existed. The restaurant / bar has a great vibe and the food was delicious. Would definitely go back.

That I couldn't stay longer.