Costa Rica Wildlife

Hotel Bougainvillea: Day 1 (1 night),  Day 8 (1 night), San Jose, Costa Rica

The Hotel Bougainvillea is set among 10 acres of lush tropical gardens in the residential district of San Domingo de Heredia, just 15 minutes from downtown San Jose. This hidden gem of a hotel offers spacious rooms with comfy beds, tranquil grounds for strolling and birdwatching (wonderful butterflies, too), a swimming pool, tennis, and a fine restaurant. And don’t forget to try a Guaro Sour—the Costa Rican national drink—at the bar.

Monteverde Lodge: Days 2 to 3 (2 nights), Monteverde, Costa Rica

The winding paths of Monteverde Lodge’s beautifully manicured gardens are flanked by ferns and bromeliads, a magical butterfly and hummingbird garden, and a stream, pond, and small waterfall provide a habitat for riverine birds and a host of reptiles and amphibians. After an active day exploring the cloud forest, relax in a hammock or take a dip in the solar heated swimming pool. The elegant dining room, with its cloud forest mural and abundant tropical flora, offers excellent Costa Rican specialties. Spacious rooms with private bath have two double beds with fluffy comforters and large windows, and are designed to put you “in the forest”—there are no TVs!

Lost Iguana Resort & Spa: Days 4 to 5 (2 nights), Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica

This wonderful resort is like an oasis in the middle of nowhere. While the rooms are not luxurious, they are very comfortable and private, and feature balconies with fantastic views of Arenal Volcano (assuming clear weather). You can even keep your drapes open at night and watch the volcano from your bed! An open-air restaurant serves delicious meals (try the ceviche and tilapia dishes) and the free in-room Wi-Fi is a plus. There are also beautiful gardens, a spectacular double pool with swim-up bar, and if you have some extra time, treat yourself to a soothing spa treatment.

Tortuga Lodge: Days 6 to 7 (2 nights), Tortuguero National Park, Costa Rica

Surrounded by acres of landscaped gardens and dense forest, Tortuga Lodge offers 27 spacious and comfortable rooms with private bathrooms and screened windows. Its airy bar-restaurant is right on the river, as is the swimming pool. The lodge is located right next to Tortuguero National Park, but there’s plenty of wildlife on the grounds, too—take a walk on the trails behind the lodge and see what you can find! Solar energy is used at the lodge, which earned Tortuga ecotourism awards from Travel & Leisure and Condé Nast Traveler. The lodge supports the local community through sustainable development, hires local staff, and supports local conservation projects.

Hotel Bougainvillea: Day 8 (1 night), San Jose, Costa Rica

The Hotel Bougainvillea is set among 10 acres of lush tropical gardens in the residential district of San Domingo de Heredia, just 15 minutes from downtown San Jose. This hidden gem of a hotel offers spacious rooms with comfy beds, tranquil grounds for strolling and birdwatching (wonderful butterflies, too), a swimming pool, tennis, and a fine restaurant. And don’t forget to try a Guaro Sour—the Costa Rican national drink—at the bar.