A recommendation for travellers, who wish a fully care-free time in the Costa Rican jungle - Rancho Naturalista!
Rancho Naturalista is one of the most famous lodges for birdwatching worldwide! And is one of the finest lodges in Central America! Perfect for nature-lovers and people, who enjoy a quiet and serene green surroundings. The lodge is located deep in the rainforest. Jungle as far, as the eye can see. Here is the location on the map.
All meals are included in Rancho Naturalista. That's three main courses (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) as well as snacks with tea and coffee, which are available all day around.
The food is top-quality, varied and healthy (if you enjoy the splendid desserts moderately). Rancho Naturalista serves lots of fresh vegetables, and natural freshly made juices are part of every meal! We ate vegetarian, but vegan, gluten-free and meat options are also available. As you wish.
All the ingredients are fresh from the region, the vegetables are from the local farmer. Most of the animal-based products are from the animals, that live and are cared for at the Rancho. The meats come from healthy animals, which live outside and get nutritious food, and do NOT get any injections or additives. The milk as well is from the cow, that lives on the Rancho. The cheese, guests get served at the breakfast, is made from that milk. Anna was even allowed to help milk the cow and participate in the process of cheesemaking! That was a new experience!
The area around the Lodge is home to about 500 bird species! Birdwatchers from all around the world come here, to see and photograph rare species!
There are several trails, leading around the Lodge through the forest, which you can trail by yourself or with a guide.
Professional guides with multiple-years of experience work at the Rancho Naturalista. Tours and hikes are available daily, as well as binoculars.
Here you can observe lots of different species of animals as well as birds. By the end of this article you will find a video, where the owner and manager of the Lodge, Lisa Erb, explains what kind of animals live in the surroundings of the Rancho.
Did you know?
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Birdwatcher is a recognized profession in Costa Rica!
Photo: Birdwatching directly from the breakfast table 🙂
Is a visa necessary for Costa Rica?
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No, holders of an EU pass (as well as many other) can stay up to 90 days for touristic purposes without a visa. No Test or Vaccination required (July 2022) to enter.
Photo: Anna is observing a tucan!
In the Lodge there are 13 beautiful rooms, each one differently designed. The rooms are cleaned daily. Most rooms have a view over the green rainforest. Our room (on the picture below) had a separate entry and a terrace looking directly into the forest! So nice to wake up listening to the birds singing!
Photo: Our room!
Photo: Another gorgeous room. This one is located in the main building and has access to the balcony, where the birdfeeders are.
Is Costa Rica expensive?
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In Costa Rica you pay a more for accommodation, but you also get better quality.
Public transport is more expensive than in other Central American countries. Comparable with Mexico (identical to ADO Bus).
Having all your meals at restaurants can get expensive.
What is noticeably expensive - the entrance fees to the national parks 18-20 USD per person is the average price. If you are traveling as a family, it will be pricey. Fortunately, there are always alternatives. You don't necessarily have to go into the national parks to see beautiful nature and animals.
Photo: community rooms for the guests to enjoy books, games as well as a workspace for digital nomads like ourselves.
Families with kids of any age are welcomed with open arms. Children up to the age of 11 even get to stay free of charge (and get all meals included as well)! My daughter really enjoyed the time at the Rancho!
Photo: On the balcony with dozens of humming birds
Is Costa Rica safe?
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We both felt safe everywhere in Costa Rica. We even travelled partially by hitchhiking. I think, if you travel with common sense, everything will be fine.
Costa Rica
Tel.:506-2100-1855,
506-8704-3217, 506-8994-8994
https://ranchonaturalista.com/
info@ranchonaturalista.net
We produce documentaries!
We record our life on the road in documentaries, which we produce independently together. At the moment our 2-part travel film "Anna, Asia and Me. 250 days on the road" is finished!
Check our cinema trailer!
"Anna, Asia and Me. 250 days on the road" Part 1 (this film is available as a download with English subtitles)
