El Colibri Lodge — Hotel in Cahuita

We booked two nights in August. The good: Luiz is an amazing host. He met us at the gate and helped us with luggage. He is a nature lover and loves to share his passion with the guests. He offered to give us a little night tour around his property that was very nice. The beach close by is very nice too. There is a hotel bar on the beach. The hotel was temporarily closed, but I assume that when it is opened you should be able to grab a drink while enjoying the beach.

The acceptable: there is no direct access to the beach from the property. You need to go back to the main road and walk around. It is 10-15 minutes walk. The property was advertised with hot water, however the instant shower head didn't work. Since we decided to leave early we didn't talk to the owner about that. The water flow in the toilet is very weak and does not always do the job. The property is very close to the main road and can be a bit noisy.

The bad: we knew that the property didn't have the AC, however until we arrived we didn't realize that the room also doesn't have the ceiling fan and the windows don't have a mosquito net. There is a portable fan in the room, but it was not enough to circulate the air. Luiz told us we can keep windows open as long as there are no lights in the room. We tried and after a couple of hours we had a room full of mosquitoes and bugs. We also had two lizards and even one butterfly. With windows closed there was no air circulation and with 95% humidity and 95F in the room it was not possible to breeze. Luiz provided a mosquito net for the bed, however unlike other places we stayed it was not big enough and one could literally suffocate with the net ON. This is not our first time in Costa Rica. We stayed in jungle hotels, tree houses, and beach houses that didn't have AC, but this was the first time we felt we couldn't stay in the place. Eventually we decided to forfeit the second night and find another...

The Genuine Article||5 stars, way, way up there because El Colibri Lodge is a real, no BS, no pretense, no greenwashing, jungle experience. That we chanced upon this place online, among all the selfie-central, ultra trendy, boozy, party palaces and yoga glamping, the Costa Rica, eastern Caribbean coast is known for, was like wining the lottery. Here's why: It is NOT close to the beach. It has NO bar. It has minimal landscaping. It is owner operated and absolutely cherished. It is PART of the environment. It has NO air conditioning. The rooms are impeccably clean. The service is beyond compare. It is the most QUIET place we have ever been to! It is the most respectful place we have ever stayed -- respectful to the natural environment, and to their guests. Not just the guests in the lodges, but the guests in the jungle canopy overhead: monkeys, parrots, toucans, lizards, butterflies, amphibians... We observed and were awed by more nature on the El Colibri Lodge property, than we have experienced anywhere! No kidding, and we consider ourselves off-the-beaten-path adventurers. The owners are in love with their tiny parcel of jungle, (and fiercely protective of it) and delight in appreciative guests who are blown away by it's...

My sister and I had the pleasure to stay at the Colibri Lodge for a week. Beautiful private bungalow that included a porch with a hammock, two chairs and a table - you will be served delicious substantial breakfast on your porch every morning. Inside, a wide bedroom (bed with mosquito net), a table and two chairs area (semi-livingroom) and a private bathroom (shower included).||The place itself is located very close to the town of Manzanillo - just an easy walk down south. Also, it is just by the greatest beach of all in the lower East coast, "Playa Grande". The Colibri Lodge always feels intimate, quiet, one with nature. The whole place is a beautiful garden maze with a path. We saw a few monkeys and toucans during our stay. A really great spot to appreciate nature and relax. Though, if you ever wish to go to Puerto Viejo, you can just take the bus; they will pass by the lodge's entrance every couple of hourl, and they are very cheap too (around 600 colones - a little over an american dollar). ||The attention at the Colibri was A1. The owners were always there for anything we ever needed. They would help us gladly with a smile on their...