Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
( 2234-9507;
www.gavilanlodge.com
;
d US$65-75; )
Sitting on a 100-hectare reserve about 4km northeast of Puerto Viejo, this former cattle
hacienda (estate) is a bird-watching haven, with 5km of private trails on the grounds. The
cozy rooms have pastel paint jobs and wide porches, some with river views. Management
is quite charming, offering private boat tours (US$50) and bird walks (US$18) upon re-
quest.
Hotel Ara Ambigua
HOTEL
(
2766-7101;
www.hotelaraambigua.com
;
d/tr/q incl breakfast from US$86/106/128;
)
About 1km west of Puerto Viejo, this countryside retreat offers oddly formal but well-
equipped rooms, set on gorgeous grounds. There are birds buzzing in the luscious, bloom-
ing gardens, poison-dart frogs in the
ranario
(frog pond) and caimans in the small lake.
Even if you're not staying here, the onsite pizzeria,
La Casona
, is an excellent place to
grab lunch and spy on your feathered friends.
Hotel El Bambú
HOTEL
( 2766-6005;
www.elbambu.com
;
d standard/superior incl breakfast US$88/105; )
This big hotel is smack dab in the middle of town, with a popular restaurant and an invit-
ing pool. The rooms are spacious and attractive enough, though it's worth springing for the
'superior', which has a jacuzzi tub and a private balcony facing the trees.
Eating
Most of the lodgings in and around Puerto Viejo have onsite restaurants or provide meals.
Otherwise, there are several
sodas
in Puerto Viejo de Sarapiquí and a
Palí supermarket
(
8am-9pm)
at the western end of town.
Soda Judith
SODA
(mains US$2-5; 6am-7pm)
The excellent Soda Judith, one block off the main road, is where early risers grab brewed
coffee and big breakfasts or an
empanada
to start their day.
Bar y Restaurante Real Sarapiquí
CHINESE
