Chayote Lodge
Chayote Lodge
Chayote Lodge offers a totally unique concept combining culture and nature for an authentic Costa Rican experience. Only an hour from the San Jose airport, this boutique lodge is nestled high up in a cloud forest with spectacular views of the Central Valley, three volcanoes and the Pacific Ocean on a clear day. A perfect place to start your Costa Rican vacation where you might want to consider spending more than one night to take advantage of the many interesting local activities. There is also a yoga platform for guest use and arrangements can usually be made to reserve a yoga instructor if requested in advance.
When you arrive at Chayote Lodge with its all-glass design and warm welcoming fireplace, you will find yourself in the midst of a cloud forest paradise. Immediately below you’ll see lush tropical gardens, distant villages, volcanic mountains and coffee tree plantations, the inspiration for creating 12 individual 535 square feet bungalow suites each built in the style of traditional coffee receiving stations called “recibidores”. These stylish concept suites, complete with suspended balconies, stimulate a unique cultural connection to the local area.
Located in the main lodge, The Quelites Restaurant mixes international cuisine with traditional dishes providing a fusion of flavors using freshly picked seasonal produce. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, the restaurant and bar is a local favorite. A full hot breakfast adorned with fresh tropical fruits is included with your stay.
In the immediate area you might enjoy a coffee plantation tour or visiting the town of Naranjo, with its historical local churches, working artisan shops and markets. Visit the Chayote Reserve, excellent for hiking and bird watching, the Toro Amarillo Waterfall, or the amazing Poas Volcano National Park. English speaking professional naturalist guides are onsite and available for a variety of tours from zip lining, to visiting a local home where you will be treated to a traditional meal prepared before you on a wood stove the way many rural people continue to cook today.
This beautiful boutique lodge with its commanding views and spacious recibidor bungalow suites place you at the heart of Costa Rican coffee culture. Still in use today, recibidores can be found in coffee growing regions all over the country where small town farmers deliver their handpicked, raw coffee beans at the end of day. These iconic wooden structures represent the history and the story of the hard working independent farmers and their rural lifestyle.
All recibidor bungalow suites are comfortably equipped with original furniture crafted by local artisans. Only totally sustainable hardwoods are used as protecting the natural environment is a matter of national pride. Locally woven rugs and baskets accent the interior décor which may include coffee sack wall hangings or even a coffee table made in the shape of a coffee bean.
All suites include WiFi, an IP phone, a safety lock box, hot water, a suspended covered deck with table and chairs. In contrast to the rustic look, all suites provide modern double sinks in the bathroom, large tiled open plan hot showers, quality luxury mattresses and wall mounted flexible LED lamps for individual reading in bed. In addition there is free delivered in-room coffee service. The lodge offers two room styles, eleven Junior Suites and one Master Suite.
The Junior Suites feature one king size bed or two queen size beds. Some of the Junior Suites that have a king size bed also have a sofa bed.
The Master Suite features an electric fireplace, one king size bed and a freestanding bathtub on a private glass enclosed porch. The master suite only offers handicap accessibility.
The vision of Chayote Lodge is to provide an authentic experience for the Costa Rican traveler who wants to understand the lifestyle and culture of the country while enjoying the richness of its biodiversity. Centrally located and only one hour from the San Jose airport, the Lodge offers the perfect opportunity to start or end your vacation enriched by your stay in this unique natural setting reflecting the cultural traditions of growing and sharing the love of coffee.
Latitude: N 10° 9' 26.18"
Longitude: W 84° 22' 19.12"
