Birdwatching, Wildlife and Rainforests

Balmoral Hotel

San Jose & Alajuela - Tourist Hotel

The Balmoral Hotel is located on Avenida Central, San Jose’s most famous street and walking distance to the historic centre. It is easy to visit  the Iglesia de la Merced, the cathedral, the central and Morazán parks, as well as the impressive gold and jade museums.

The hotel’s rooms include double beds, complimentary coffee, safe, hair dryer, FREE Wi-Fi, desk, and private bathrooms with power showers and complimentary toiletries.

There is a bar, restaurant, café, pizzeria and even a wine shop. The award-winning El Patio del Balmoral restaurant serves a variety of authentic Costa Rican specialties and international dishes in a casual and relaxing setting. There is also an on site gym.

Hotel Presidente

San Jose & Alajuela - First Hotel

The Presidente Hotel is located in the heart of San José in the pedestrian zone of Central Avenue, 2 blocks from the National Theatre and the Cultural Square. The hotel has over 100 comfortable and spacious rooms, which all include cable TV, air conditioning, safety box and en-suite bathroom. The hotel offers amenities such as a restaurant-bar, a casino, and a spa with beauty treatments.

Xandari Resort

San Jose & Alajuela - First Boutique

Xandari Resort and Spa is perfectly located for excursions to Poas Volcano, La Paz waterfall gardens, and Doka coffee plantation, and is only 30 minutes’ drive from San Jose International airport. Over 3km of scenic trails through coffee and fruit orchards lead into a lush natural tropical setting with a year-round river and five beautiful waterfalls.

The hotel consists of 24 comfortable and spacious villas, decorated in bright colours and adorned with original works of art. Set on top of a hill on a 40 acre coffee and fruit plantation, all the rooms are overlooking the Costa Rica's Central Valley, featuring private terrace. Each room has a bar kitchen and a private bathroom with toiletries. The resort has 3 swimming pools, with one overlooking the valley, as well as a spa offering a variety of treatments.

Evergreen Lodge

Tortuguero Forest & Canals - Tourist Lodge

Located near the entrance to Tortuguero National Park, Evergreen Lodge offers a sustainable way to explore the rainforest from the Penitencia Canal that flows directly in front of the Lodge.

The lodge has 66 rooms and private bungalows constructed over pillars designed in a Caribbean style, with wooden and bamboo furniture. Each has comfortable beds, ceiling fans, security boxes and private bathrooms with warm water.

Public areas include a swimming pool and dining room. 

The lodge offers various excellent value packages that include guided excursions exploring Tortuguero National Park.

Evergreen Lodge has a commitment with the environment and sustainable development, due to this we have been working hard to obtain sustainability certifications by implementing different measures and programs such as but not limited to energy and water saving, recycling programs, and training programs in topics such as sustainability, and others. The objective is to use and treat the resources appropriately, as well as to contribute with the environment and the community.

Tortuga Lodge

Tortuguero Forest & Canals - Deluxe Lodge

Overview and location

Tortuga Lodge and Gardens was the first upscale lodge built in Tortuguero National Park on Costa Rica's Caribbean Coast and remains the most comfortable place to stay in the area. Facing the Tortuguero River in its own 146 acre estate, the lodge offers a quiet, eco-friendly experience with solar powered energy, locally sourced ingredients and attractive and wooden buildings with a laid-back, tropical, yet classic design. The lodge has 20 hectares of attractively landscaped gardens with ornamental tropical trees, palms, shrubs, orchids, and other flowers that attract birds, lizards and butterflies.

Why stay here?

In a remote place like this, running a quality eco lodge with comfortable accommodation and a high standard of service is not easy, but Tortuga Lodge has got it right. Rustic elegance in the jungle.

Rooms

The 2 storey room blocks are set among the tropical gardens, with 11 downstairs terrace rooms, 12 upstairs balcony rooms, 1 large Penthouse suite and 2 family junior suites - all facing the river. The spacious rooms have quality beds, large en suite bathrooms with shower, ceiling fans and rocking chairs and hammocks in the outside terrace. There is a no smoking policy, no air conditioning or television - you will appreciate the sounds of the tropical rain forest - including a wake up call from a local howler monkey!

Food and drink

The reception, bar and superb restaurant are located in the main building built on the riverside, with veranda dining next to the water. The chef delights the guests with local and international dishes served in creative ways. All meals are served at your table. Veloso Tours recommends the full meal plan. An a la carte menu is available for all meals.

Facilities and activities

The lodge offers free Wi-Fi throughout. The stunning infinity pool features an environmentally-friendly purification system so the water does not irritate the eyes - a perfect place to relax after adventures in the jungle and the lodge's gardens. Expert-led excursions by boat exploring Tortuguero National Park are available from the lodge. These can be arranged in advance with your Veloso Tours UK travel advisor.

From July to October, the highlight in Tortuguero is standing a few feet from a 300-pound Green Sea Turtle while she lays 80-100 eggs, covers up her nest, perhaps digs a false nest to throw off predators, and finally, after more than an hour, returns to the sea.

Prices

Veloso Tours prices include room, local taxes and all meals. Packages including flight transfers from San Jose and excursions are also available. The National Park entrance fee is not included (USD $15.00 per person).

Families

Families with teenagers will appreciate the hotel's partnership with a local school where they can help teach local children with their English. Must be pre-arranged with our travel advisor. Families stay in a junior family suite with 2 beds (1 king) sleeping up to 4. Younger families benefit from up to 2 children aged 10 or younger staying FREE if sharing a room with 2 adults. The lodge offers a special 3 night family expedition package including transfers, room, meals and full excursion programme.

                                                                                           Please call us for a quote - 0208 762 0616

Manatus hotel

Tortuguero Forest & Canals - Luxury Hotel

The Manatus Hotel is located 2.5km from Tortuguero town centre, very close to the airstrip that you fly into thus avoiding a long transfer by road. It is also one of the few properties that sit directly on a strip of land separating the Caribbean Sea from several canals. With only 12 bungalows with 2 Queen beds each, it really is a unique place to stay surrounded by stunning scenery. Each air-conditioned luxury bungalow has a private patio with an outdoor shower - plus TV, bathroom, FREE Wi-Fi and mini-bar.

Public areas include a bar, excellent restaurant with a la carte international menu combined with the exquisite traditional Costa Rican cuisine, a spa, gym and swimming pool. There is also a small, on-site gallery of local art.

Manatus Hotel also features some private trails to enjoy the natural surroundings and the possibilities to observe the wildlife, as well as a dock where you can enjoy the views of the calm waters of the lagoon. Kayaks can be rented to cruise the canals.

One of the biggest attractions of the region are the nesting of the sea turtles. As well as our included adventures by boat, you can also take optional guided hikes into the jungle.

Luna Lodge

Osa Peninsula & Corcovado - Tourist Lodge

Luna Lodge is situated within 60 acres of primary and secondary rainforest, on the pristine and captivating Osa Peninsula in Carate near Corcovado National Park. 

Corcovado is one of the largest parks in Costa Rica and protects one-third of the peninsula. Described as “…the most biologically intense place on Earth.” by National Geographic Magazine.

There are eight bungalows, three haciendas, and seven platform tents - all well-appointed with private bathrooms. All are beautifully situated in the rainforest and offer breathtaking views from their decks. The spacious colonial-style hacienda rooms have private baths and are designed to comfortably accommodate three with one double-bed and one single-bed.

The completely enclosed “nature-lover” tents have two single beds or one double bed, a private bathroom with hot water, electricity, and a balcony overlooking the rain forest.

The restaurant, “El Eclipse Total”, is open all day and features creative local and international cuisine. There is also a large deck and spa.

There are many activities at the lodge including guided treks in the rainforest, stargazing, swimming in nearby Carate Beach and yoga.

Lapa Rios

Osa Peninsula & Corcovado - Deluxe Lodge

Lapa Rios is a wonderful combination of a sustainable luxury lodge and eco-conservation project spread over 1000 acres of tropical rainforest on the Osa Peninsula overlooking the Golfo Dulce. The main lodge and bungalows line three ridges, connected by walking paths and many steps.

Nearly all of the 17 thatched bungalows have an ocean view and all are surrounded by the rainforest. Each bungalow has huge windows, a ceiling fan (no air-conditioning), private deck and patio garden.

The buildings are of native materials, existing in harmony with the surrounding forest and beach environment. The main building houses the reception, bar and restaurant. There is also a swimming pool, access to the beach, and many trails throughout the forest leading to rivers with natural pools and waterfalls. There are daily guided excursions and activities inside and outside the property that take advantage of the pristine natural setting and discover the abundant wildlife, particularly birds.

The rates include transfers from Puerto Jimenez, accommodation, all non-alcoholic drinks, 3 meals a day and all on-site guided tours.

Arenal Volcano Inn

Arenal Volcano Park - Tourist Hotel

Arenal Volcano Inn is a cozy hotel located in front of the Arenal Volcano, just minutes away from the main attractions in Arenal National Park.

The hotel has just 25 rooms, from standard to deluxe. Each is air-conditioned with FREE Wi-Fi, private bathroom with shower, cable TV, mini bar, safe and telephone. Choose from a garden or volcano view.

Public areas include beautiful gardens with exotic plants, colourful birds and other animals. There is also  the Que Rico Arenal Restaurant offering excellent Italian, International, and Costa Rican cuisine. The restaurant offers a spectacular view of the volcano. The wood fired pizza is a must try for those who visit Que Rico Arenal.

The hotel can arrange a wide variety of activities, including zip wire adventures, treks, boat trips, horse riding and coffee plantation tours.

Arenal Springs

Arenal Volcano Park - First Resort

Arenal Springs Resort is the ideal combination of modern comfort and exuberant tropical surrounding. The rooms are all in semi-detached bungalows spread over a wide area directly facing Arenal Volcano. Each room has a patio with seating, as well as air conditioning. The hotel also has its own hot springs, which feed into a number of hot tubs and pool of different temperatures, all of which guests can enjoy at their leisure. There is also a spa, a yoga studio, and two restaurants.

Nayara Hotel & Gardens

Arenal Volcano Park - Deluxe Resort

Located in the outskirts of the Arenal Volcano, Arenal Nayara Hotel & Gardens provides a uniquely natural experience. Surrounded by lush tropical rainforest, each one of its 24 spacious casitas provides an exclusive retreat in which you can relax amidst the breathtaking view of the volcano. Interwoven with rich gardens its tropical grounds create the perfect setting to rest and enjoy nature. A large Jacuzzi and wet bar provide a place to rest after enjoying the various guided activities, including white water rafting, hiking, mountain biking, volcano treks, and hot springs. Arenal Nayara Hotel & Gardens offers a full service restaurant, where local ingredients blend with a world-class cuisine to provide an incomparable dining experience. The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and boasts a direct view of the active volcano. 

Every (room) casita at the Arenal Nayara Hotel & Gardens has been designed to provide the utmost in comfort and style while maintaining a close connection with the natural surroundings. With the guests' experience in mind, Arenal Nayara offers a unique concept of individual casitas separated by lush tropical gardens. Each one of its large suite-size casitas provides independent space and privacy that includes a private backyard with an outdoor shower and a front balcony overlooking the volcano. For a full pampering experience select the Nayara Suites featuring in-room breakfast, bathrobe, and the best panoramic volcano view. Each of the casitas is equipped with a King or two full size beds, Plasma 27" Cable TV, DVD / CD Player, IPod Stand, Internet Access, Safe Box (Laptop capacity), Air Conditioning, private bathroom with hot water and rain shower, backyard with outside shower, in room "mini" bar service, coffee maker, front balcony overlooking the volcano with jacuzzi for two, high speed internet connection. Accommodation includes room and breakfast.