Gran Gavilán del Sarapiquí Lodge — Hotel in Puerto Viejo

The value of Gran Gavilan is that it is set in its own grounds all of which you can walk around. It is enclosed and gated so that you don’t need to worry about security. Central lawns, flowering shrubs and a swimming pool and surrounded by secondary rain forest and the river. The place is teeming with wildlife. Hummingbird feeders attract Rufous-tailed Hummingbirds and Bananaquits. Bird tables with fruit attract Tanagers (Palm, Blue-grey, Scarlet-rumped and Yellow-hooded), Buff-throated Saltators and Yellow-throated Euphonias among others. We saw Toucans, various Parrots, Snowy Cotinga, Gartered Trogon, Orange-billed Sparrows and very close views of Great Green Macaws. Lots of butterflies, lizards and geckos too.|The accommodation consists of a large room with adjoining bathroom. There is a fridge and air con. Our apartment had 4 single beds. Comfortable and clean. All apartments are single storey, so no stairs. Comfy chairs outside each apartment are a nice addition.|Food is fine - usual Costa Rican cuisine cooked nicely. Breakfast is the typical Costa Rican breakfast that you will get very used to if you travel around the country.|Price. It is expensive, but you get what you pay for - a comfortable relaxing stay with everything you need and no hassle. Specific parking areas. But your own cold food (salad stuff, milk, beers) and store in the fridge to make some of your own meals and reduce overall costs.|Location is good. Set just over the river from the main town, but that is only 5 minutes drive away. 5 minutes drive from La Selva and other wildlife reserves (Pierella Gardens and Frog Heaven are worth a visit).|It is well worth buying some milk and other supplies and keeping them in the fridge if you are staying for a few days. Keep an eye on how much you spend on meals because you pay for it all at the end of your stay and we were quite surprised at how...

Gavilan is a pretty older lodge set in the jungle. We were there in January and were comfortable even without air conditioning. The grounds are really pretty and the jungle is right outside your door. We saw and heard howler monkeys every day. The food was good and plentiful. The cooks were so nice and friendly...they came to our table to make sure everything was good and there was enough of it. The open-air restaurant looks out on a courtyard with a bird feeder that is stocked several times a day. We saw a bunch of new species of birds from our table at the restaurant. The grounds have some nice walking trails, even one that goes down to the Saripiqui River. We took the morning boat tour with Adolfo and it was wonderful. The river was quiet and abounded with iguanas, monkeys, turtles, and a bunch of birds. There are bigger tour boats at other locations on the river, but this is the was to see the jungle from a smaller boat and a very knowledgeable guide. The young gentleman who seems to be in charge, (Halor??), went out of his way to make us feel comfortable. Our room was comfortable and clean. The motel is a little dated, but the location in the edge of the jungle make it...

It was our first stop in Costa Rica. After more than 18 hours of airports and planes and driving from San José, we were ready to sleep when we arrived. Maite gave a warm welcome and showed us around. It was only the following morning that we realized how beautiful everything was. Be aware that this is a very simple Lodge, but rooms were spacious, beds were confortable, we had air conditioning and a big shower. But it's the outside that's beautiful. The colors of the cabins, the pathways full of trees, bidrs, butterflies. The very first morning we made our way to the river walking one of the senderos in the property. Breakfast is delicious, especially the rice and the coffee. The property had also a pool. Although lacking chairs or shades, we dived in the pool every afternoon. Ever been in a pool during heavy rain? Do it! The property has private parking and it's two minutes from Puerto Viejo and 20/30mn from natural parks and...