La Selva Biological Station

Hotels
9 (144 reviews)
2050 San Pedro de Montes de OCA Ciudad de la Investigación UCR , Sarapiquí , cr

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Free
Children allowed

Facilities

Offsite parking discounted rates available
Restaurant
Terrace
Family rooms
Facilities for disabled guests
Packed lunches
Non-smoking throughout
Shared lounge/TV area
Concierge service
Wheelchair accessible
See all facilities

Review Highlights

Pros:
Great wildlife experiences
Friendly and knowledgeable staff
Cons:
Basic room quality
Food could be better

Categories

Cleanliness
8.39
The accommodations are clean but basic, with some reviews mentioning simple but tidy rooms.
Service
9.86
Prompt and friendly service highlighted in multiple reviews, especially during check-in.
Location
9.4
Amazing rainforest location with great access to trails and wildlife experiences.
Room Quality
8.35
Rooms are simple, lacking luxury, but this fits the experience focused on nature and research.
Amenities
8.88
Basic amenities are available, including organized tours and dining experiences.
Value for Money
9.34
Strong value with included tours and meals, especially considering the unique experience.
Food and Beverage
8.39
Food quality is decent, but some comments suggest it could be improved relative to price.
Overall Experience
9.36
Overall very positive experiences with many guests highlighting unique wildlife experiences and staff.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2026-01-07 12:01

Property Description

Nature Lovers' Paradise

  • Scenic Views: Enjoy stunning garden and mountain views from your own private balcony.
  • Culinary Delights: Indulge in a variety of breakfast options and savor local cuisine at the on-site restaurant.
  • Adventure Awaits: Embark on exciting hiking adventures in the picturesque surroundings of Sarapiquí.

To immerse yourself in the beauty of Sarapiquí and experience top-notch hospitality, book your stay at La Selva Biological Station today!

Important information:

Please inform of your expected arrival time in advance. You can use the Special Requests box when booking, or contact the property directly using the contact details in your confirmation.
Guests are required to show a photo ID and credit card upon check-in. Please note that all Special Requests are subject to availability and additional charges may apply.

Check-in and check-out hours:
Check-out: 11:30 AM

Property Policies

  • Parking

    Free private parking is possible on site (reservation is not needed).

  • Internet

    WiFi is available in public areas and is free of charge.

  • Pets

    Pets are not allowed.

  • Children and extra bed policy

    Children of any age are allowed.
    Children up to and including 4 years old stay for free when using an existing bed.
    Children from 5 years old to 12 years old stay for US$34 per person per night when using an existing bed.
    You haven't added any cots.
    You haven't added any extra beds.
    Supplements are not calculated automatically in the total costs and will have to be paid for separately during your stay.

Location

Guest Reviews

9
Based on 144 reviews
Cleanliness: 8.39
Service: 9.86
Location: 9.4
Room Quality: 8.35
Amenities: 8.88
Value for Money: 9.34
Food and Beverage: 8.39
Overall Experience: 9.36
L
Lisa • solo_traveller • cr
8
2026-03-06 • via Nuitee
J
Judit • couple • hu
10
2026-03-06 • via Nuitee
G
Gary • solo_traveller • gb
8
2026-03-05 • via Nuitee
E
Emmapera • couple • fr
10
Pros:

Excellent rapport qualité prix pour une immersion en pleine nature. Visite guidée super. Repas de qualité.

2026-03-04 • via Nuitee
J
Joan • solo_traveller • ca
8
Rustic accommodation in great location
Pros:

The guides were excellent. Meals good and plentiful. Excellent location, trails, wildlife.

Cons:

No A/C.
Reception staff could have been more helpful and pleasant

2026-03-03 • via Nuitee
R
Ross • couple • gb
7
Lovely atmosphere, amazing nature, basic cuisine
Pros:

This is firstly a working research station not a hotel, you are using rooms unused by visiting researchers and field classes. That said this is a beautiful tranquil location and your stay gives you access to the reserves trails and walks without the necessity of a guide. Our B&B package also included a 3 hr guided tour with a station guide. The main facilities are modern and wheelchair accessible, catering is basic but free coffee is constantly available. You will love the quiet ambience, abundant wildlife and the chance to visit an internationally renowned tropical research station

Cons:

The catering menu is a 2 choice (take it or leave it affair) designed to keep students and academics alive for the next 24 hrs. The breakfast was the finest example of how to destroy food so far experienced in my travels around the world. Congrats to the catering staff!

2026-02-28 • via Nuitee
R
Rebecca • extended_group • au
10
Fabulous wildlife watching.
Pros:

Amazing location for birding and other wildlife watching. Staff were great. The grounds are magnificent.

Cons:

The food is mass produced but is as good as you can expect in that case.

2026-02-22 • via Nuitee
F
Fyles • couple • ca
8
Worth a visit.
Pros:

We really liked the 3 hour morning, guided walk, included in the price. Our guide, Walter, is excellent. The cafeteria meals were good. Octavia our hired birding guide was informative.

Cons:

The room is very clean, but few amenities....no kettle, coffee maker. No hot water in the shower.

2026-02-22 • via Nuitee
Y
Yikun • couple • us
10
2026-01-30 • via Nuitee
G
george • couple • gb
8
We will definitely be returning.
Pros:

Super easy access to deep primary rainforest with trails accessible by pushchairs!

2026-01-29 • via Nuitee
A
Andrew • couple • us
8
A good (and safe) place to experience the rainforest while supporting a teaching institution that deserves and needs sup
Pros:

Close to nature. Learning about tropical ecology. Seeing (and hearing) wildlife around us. Many trails.

Cons:

No bird feeders (although we understand why).

2026-01-27 • via Nuitee
B
Bénédicte • couple • be
10
Pour les passionnés
Pros:

La réserve est une mine d'or pr l'observation de la faune et la flore. Loger sur place est un privilège pr s'immerger 24h/24. Logement fonctionnel, repas sur place avec bon rapport qualité prix

Cons:

Tt correct

2026-01-26 • via Nuitee
J
Jan-Thijs • solo_traveller • nl
8
2026-01-25 • via Nuitee
L
Lasse • couple • se
9
2026-01-24 • via Nuitee
S
Sév • solo_traveller • fr
9
Très belle expérience
Pros:

C’est un paradis sur terre, j’ai vraiment eu de la chance de pouvoir loger ici dans un logement étudiant pour moi toute seule, il y avait cinq lits, une douche, jet puissant et bien chaude. J’ai eu la chance de pouvoir faire excursions gratuites dans la Selva avec les explications de Guide, parce que je suis arrivé très tôt dans l’après-midi.

Cons:

Franchement pas grand-chose, même le déjeuner buffet et le dîner sont super corrects

2026-01-23 • via Nuitee
E
Emma • couple • nl
10
Fantastisch
Pros:

Wat een mooi concept. Eten zit erbij in. Vogelwandeling ‘s ochtends is hartstikke leuk en je kunt ook zelf door het park lopen. Een plek waar ze veel kennis hebben over de dieren en waar je ook zeker veel dieren kunt zien. Daarnaast vonden we het erg fijn dat koffie en thee de gehele dag beschikbaar was om te pakken.

2026-01-20 • via Nuitee
E
Enrico • couple • it
10
Una dei posti più autentici da visitare assolutamente
Pros:

Incredibile varietà di flora e fauna, struttura curata, staff e guide preparate

2026-01-17 • via Nuitee
P
Petra • family_with_children • de
8
Einfache, empfehlenswerte Unterkunft für Naturbeobachter
Pros:

Wir hatten ein Upgrade vom Standardzimmer auf einen Familienbungalow, daher hatten wir eine Klimaanlage und die Familienbungalows liegen in der Nähe von Rezeption und Mensa (Standardzimmer ca. 1km von der Rezeption entfernt). Essen in Ordnung, offene Mensa, Buffet, ganztägig kostenlos Kaffee, Tee und Wasser verfügbar. Großes Gelände mit verschiedenen Trails für eigene Erkundungen im Regenwald (gut beschildert); interessante Tour mit Octavio (inbegriffen), viele Vögel gesichtet; spannende Nachtwanderung mit Cristian; Vogelbeobachtungen von der offenen Mensa aus möglich. Wer gerne Vögel bzw. Tiere beobachtet und fotografiert, ist hier richtig und wer eine Forschungsstation kennenlernen möchte, verzichtet auch mal auf Komfort. Guter Ausgangspunkt für Touren in der Umgebung (Rafting, Vulkan Poas, Kaffeetour, etc.);

Cons:

Die Einrichtung des Familienbungalows ist doch sehr in die Jahre gekommen (Möblierung, Couchgarnitur und Küche); es hätte etwas sauberer sein können; man sollte bezüglich Insekten (Ameisen, Schaben, Tausendfüßer,...) nicht so empfindlich sein, da es nicht überall geschlossene Fenster gibt.

2026-01-10 • via Nuitee
P
Pamela • couple • gb
5
Not for tourists
Pros:

The staff were very nice, the food was good. Free tea and coffee all day.
It's a research centre not a hotel.

Cons:

I chose to stay here because of reviews saying the bird watching was really good. But we didn't see many birds despite going along 2 trails. My mistake to not understand that this is not a tourist place. It's for students and people who want to go for long walks in the jungle. The accommodation was basic, sleeping in bunkbeds with a canteen for food. Expensive for what it is, we could have stayed in a nice hotel nearby for less. As I said, my mistake, I can't fault the work being done there.

2026-01-09 • via Nuitee
B
barry • couple • gb
8
Pros:

It's in the middle of the rain forest, sharing it with howling monkeys, red eyed frogs and sloths!

2026-01-07 • via Nuitee