Iyok Ami Hostel Tours — Hotel in San Isidro

We planned to visit the Quetzal National Park but instead we booked 2 nights in Iyok Ami, like a friend of us recommend it too us. And the least I can say is that we weren’t disappointed ! The place is situated close to the road, 10 mins away (by car) from the Quetzal National Park entrance. The first thing we noticed when we arrived is the silence. It’s so quiet and peaceful ! The hostel is mainly made in wood. Because it’s fresh outside (don’t forget you are in altitude in a cloudy forest) on evening Bedrich make fire. The rooms are super cosy and very confortable. But the main thing about this place is the fact that you have access to more than 5km of trail which is why we came and stayed there instead going in the National Park. Several trails are available from debutant to difficult level (when I say difficult that mean you have strong steps going through hills sometime and you have to walk through roots). You have the feeling you are walking in a Jurassic forest. We managed to see Quetzal in the tree just in front of the living room. Except that, Bedrich is super friendly, and the food is super good. Also this place is really affordable: breakfast included (gallo pinto or the best pancakes of Costa Rica ! 🥞). I strongly...

Iyok Ami is a very basic no-frills hostel but excellent value and a great experience if you're up for something different. It's a multi level wooden building - think Alpine chalet - set at 2800m in a private area of cloud forest with numerous walking trails. The day we went was cold and windy and the interior was on the chilly side, with quite a draft in the very basic bathroom. HOWEVER the people who run it are wonderful (they don't speak English but we got by!) and once we got the fire going we had a warm and comfortable seating area. Bedrooms have small electric heaters and as many blankets as you could possibly want. We were given delicious trout for dinner and gallo pinto,huevos and patacones for breakfast. The other options were chicken and pancakes respectively. The garden has lots of flowering trees and there is a very good chance of seeing resplendent quetzals over breakfast. We didn't because it was a wet and windy day but there were hummingbirds and others - binoculars and...

Really nice hostel in the cloud forest! They only have a couple of rooms with common bathroom. There is a huge common room with table tennis, books, table soccer.

Eventually the hostel is a highlight for itself, the hiking trails around the hostel are a even better highlight. Some are rather easy, some are hard with a lot of climbing over roots etc. Plan a couple of hours to do all the trials.

The stuff is another highlight of the hostel. They are helpful, have a lot of Knowledge about the area and flora and fauna. Breakfast is included. They offer lunch and dinner. Everything is freshly made. Or, you can use the kitchen.

The hostel is just off the main street and therefore easy accessible.

But: be prepared! It's going to be cold up there. Don't expect 30 degrees as at...