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
J
John • couple • gb
10
Simple accommodation in the rainforest. Enchanting!
Pros:

The accommodation was simple but comfortable, with a veranda overlooking the rainforest. The nights were punctuated by the calls of howler monkeys and, as we left each morning to get breakfast at the comedor, the toucans would shout at us from high in the canopy.

Cons:

A kettle would have been handy

2026-05-16 • via Nuitee
A
Antonio • solo_traveller • us
8
2026-05-12 • via Nuitee
S
Shapiro • family_with_children • us
10
We had a fabulous experience for 3 days.
Pros:

All meals were healthy, tasty and varied from day to day plenty of fruit and vegetables. Ice was such a treat in the heat

Cons:

I wish we had a cabin right at the reception area or across the first bridge.

2026-05-09 • via Nuitee
D
Donnie09 • solo_traveller • gb
8
Pros:

Great place for birdwatching and Hanging bridge was great . Really beautiful place lots of birds
Food was good ( Dinner )
Room ment we felt like we were in the forest as you can hear all the wildlife outside .Amazing
Morning i sat on the porch with my binos and saw toucans , parrots and lots of other birds .So i was happy waiting for our pick up
Birdwatchers paradise

Cons:

Unfortunately we had booked it when we were renting a car.But decided to get a driver. Plus we had just been to tortugero and done alot of walking.So when we go to la selva we were shattered.So the 1 km walk to dinner and back through the forest in the dark was too much .we decided to leave early next day. Not do breakfast or the 3 hrs walking tour . Great shame as i had been looking forward to it.
Really glad i had only booked 1 night as the worse thing was the BEDS very very hard in our room found it hard to sleep . But the room was good other than that and long walk to dinner hall.

2026-04-17 • via Nuitee
E
ERIC • couple • fr
9
Excellent séjour!
Pros:

Emplacement (dans le parc)
Calme
Confort du logement
Pension complète avec une restauration satisfaisante
Horaire du départ
Accueil cordial
Qualité de la visite guidée

Cons:

Horaires de la réception qui a priori ne permettent pas une arrivée tardive

2026-04-17 • via Nuitee
C
Campos • extended_group • cr
8
Muy buen servicio, muy atento el personal
Pros:

Muy buena ubicación y cerca de Puerto Viejo. Muy rico el desayuno

Cons:

Debe haber mejor iluminación fuera de las habitaciones

2026-04-16 • via Nuitee
P
Patricia • couple • ar
9
Lugar Maravilloso
Pros:

Un lugar maravilloso para disfrutar de la naturaleza y la fauna.

Cons:

Nada

2026-04-15 • via Nuitee
F
Franck • couple • fr
9
2026-03-21 • via Nuitee
A
andrea • couple • ch
10
Für Vogelliebhaber ein Muss, für alle anderen sehr zu empfehlen!
Pros:

Einfache, saubere Unterkunft. Grosses Zimmer mit kleinem Balkon zum Wald hin. 10 Minuten Spaziergang durch den Wald zum Biological Center. Wenn man Glück hat, sieht man am Morgen neben vielen Vögeln auch Affen dahin. Essen war tiptop (Buffet).
Führungen durch den Wald waren sehr interessant. Für Vogelliebhaber ein Muss!

2026-03-15 • via Nuitee
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
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
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
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