Santa Juana Lodge
Santa Juana
Fresh mountain air greets you upon your arrival at Santa Juana Lodge located only an hour inland from Quepos on the Central Pacific side of Costa Rica. Five open air rustic ecolodges designed to best reflect the lifestyle of the tiny rural community sit on top of a ridge overlooking amazing panoramic views of the rainforest below with the Pacific Ocean seen in the distance. The cabins are well appointed providing for your comfort as you immerse yourself in an authentic Costa Rican experience unplugging from televisions, internet, and traffic while plugging into Toucans, waterfall trails, and friendly local people.
Originally started as a private organic farm, Santa Juana Lodge and its related tours emerged from the friendly outpouring of local involvement inspiring the owner to create a rural tourism site that would benefit both tourists and the tiny community. The Lodge offers an authentic experience for the traveler from the rustic cabins, traditional foods and friendly cultural exchange provided by the staff.
Surrounding the Lodge are nature trails, rivers with waterfalls, swimming and fishing holes, all places locals have enjoyed for generations. Explore on your own or choose a guided tour by one of the local Greentique certified professionals giving you an excellent interpretive experience while enhancing the skills, education and employment options for the community. Educational tours will show you local coffee producing techniques, traditional milling of sugarcane using oxen, identification of tropical garden flowers; plus take you on a fascinating birdwatching expedition. Local adventure tours include jungle ziplining on eco platforms protecting trees, hiking through wet forest habitats, and Tilapia fishing. Most tours allow for a refreshing dip in one of the natural pools found under a beautiful waterfall.
Many people come to Santa Juana Lodge wondering what there is to do onsite besides eating 3 fabulously prepared traditional meals every day personally cooked and served by a local family. The answer can be found in what you don’t do! With no TV stations, internet or other distractions of modern day life, most people discover that the cabins offer the ultimate in relaxation, typically the very reason you came on vacation in the first place. You will find a DVD player, monitor, and family friendly movie library, plus a kitchenette with refrigerator, stove, microwave, and coffeemaker. Large screened windows and ceiling fans provide comfortable natural ventilation.
Every cabin features one side that can be totally opened up to catch an incredible view from your own private terrace. Whether enjoying the scenic overlook from one of the patio rocking chairs, inside while resting on the couch, or when sitting up in bed in the morning, the weather changes, sunsets, Toucans swooping down the slope, and seabirds riding air currents constantly produce an ever-changing lush tropical landscape.
The small road to Santa Juana Lodge may require cars with 4-wheel drive during certain seasons. Secure parking and transportation from Manual Antonio can be arranged. The closest national airport is found in Quepos.
As of 2017, less than five years ago the population of Santa Juana was around 50 people with only 5 students in the local school. Young adults were leaving to find work in other areas. Now families are excited to be staying together and growing, proud that their community has become sustainable through sharing their cultural identity and rural knowledge while protecting the environment they grew up in. 100 percent of the people who provide the services for Santa Juana Lodge and tours are the friendly townspeople you will meet and likely fondly remember for years to come.
Latitude: N 9° 31' 58.38"
Longitude: W 84° 4' 40.92"
06/07/2019
This hotel is a treasure and it was very difficult to leave. My family was so well taken care of, the food was delicious, the staff wonderful and the lodge and preserve itself is nothing short of breathtaking. Anyone who loves nature, adventure, peace needs to stay here. I really can't say enough about it. It is a piece of heaven.
