Santa Juana Lodge & Nature Reserve

This is a WONDER-FULL place to visit!!! Accommodation is spacious, open, beautiful, down to earth, quiet. Walk down to waterfall for a swim each day was good exercise and delicious. Birdwatching tour with Allan was so informing... his enthusiasm is contagious. I recommend this Nature reserve for a laid back easy vacation. I will be back again. Staff is honest, sincere and caring.

Santa Juana lodge is just a piece of heaven in the mountains of Quepos/Manuel Antonio. Allan and his family make you feel welcome as soon as you arrive and you will get to understand how they live in the Santa Juana Pueblo. This is the true Costa Rican experience plus you get to see some cool animals of you're lucky. We saw 2 types of tucans, squirrel monkeys and so many colorful birds. The road to get there is a mountain road with rocks and dirt so you'd be better with a 4x4. We loved this place and we recommend it to anyone without any doubts.

A great place, where you wake up in the nature with an amazing view ! Great houses, very cozy and comfortable ! Very good kitchen, you can eat very well cooked local food. Very welcoming and accomodating staff. Perfect for a family trip. Will be back !

We loved this family run hotel and would highly recommend it! The nature that surrounds the hotel is tranquil and lush. We stayed in 2 different rooms during our stay due to our last minute booking. Each room was comfortable and well appointed but the views of nature and the birds (humming birds, different varieties of Toucans etc) that came to our terrace every morning were extremely beautiful and memorable. Allan, Andreas, Allan's mom and the rest of the team were attentive, caring and generous hosts. We couldn't recommend this place enough - you'd be missing the real Costa Rica if you don't stay at this hotel!

Andres, Allen and the rest of the team were wonderful; plus, the views, waterfall hike and food were remarkable. I was so full, but couldnt stop eating! The large screens allow you to take in the all around natural beauty. For a relaxing, authentic experience, stay here!

Santa Juana Lodge was the highlight of our 17 days in Costa Rica. The lodge is isolated, but that is a big part of the appeal. If you love nature and want to enjoy it in a tranquil and authentic setting, this is your place. But the staff is the true highlight. The entire staff is very friendly and treat you like family. Allan, in particular, is extremely knowledgeable about the local flora and fauna, especially the birds. His family, including his wife, mother and aunt, do a lot of the cooking, which is traditional Costa Rican cuisine (and very delicious). As far as accommodations, we had a two bedroom house that was decked out traditionally and had incredible views of the surrounding countryside. Don't come here expecting a modern hotel, because that's not the intent. The individual units, which are separated for privacy, are constructed and decorated traditionally. All have screens instead of windows and no AC (but plenty of fans). But this is by design and part of the immersive experience. Since the location is up in the mountains, it is cooler than the lowlands and the lack of AC isn't really an issue. You will be surprised and amazed at the night sounds, that you never would have experienced if your room had traditional windows. Because the lodge is remote, transportation to and from needs to be considered. The last 4 km of road is pretty rough and will require a 4WD or higher clearance 2WD vehicle for access. We didn't feel comfortable taking our rental vehicle the last 4 km, so the staff graciously arranged for our vehicle to be left in a safe place and picked us up.

There aren’t enough superlatives in either Spanish or English to shower on Santa Juana. Where to start? Of course it’s a beautiful spot; of course the casitas are airily gorgeous, and of course every aspect of nature greets one in abundance (with the miraculous omission of bugs!). But it is the people of the staff, from Mama Julia in the kitchen, to Andreas in the open-air dining room (and beyond), and perhaps especially, to Alan, the birder (and beyond)…seemingly no one has a bad day, and everyone seems delighted to be with their guests, no matter the time or temperature! (And it got truly HOT every day for our 5-day stay.) Allison, their Quepos connection, even masterminded, with my daughter in Brooklyn(!), a cake and hand-created card, for my special birthday. Our one suggestion…a more accessible place to swim. The waterfall/swimming hole is picturesque, the water refreshing, but it ‘s more than a hilly walk from the lodge, and pretty challenging to enter, particularly if one didn’t bring water shoes…or isn’t fond of nearby snakes. (And more generally, one needs to be aware that the whole place is either naturally hilly, or to varying degrees, difficult to maneuver, if there are age, conditioning, or otherwise handicapping issues.). That said, Santa Juana is unbelievably maravillosa!!

What can we say about this place, Stunning! Location is everything you could ask for, a view from all angles, with a view out over the Pacific Ocean. Lodges - each have there own amazing views, and are a great size with large balcony's. Then there is Alain, what a guy! he will look after you so well and if you have come to Costa Ria to see birds book a Bird tour with him, you wont be disappointed. If you want a morning to relax then book a massage which is also available. This place is in a beautifully remote spot so you can expect it to be an interesting drive/transport to get there (as with all the best bits of Costa Rica). Hire of a 4 wheel drive is what we did and would recommend. Thank you to the team here and especially Alain.

Thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Santa Juana! Allen and his family were so warm and welcoming. The home cooked traditional food was excellent and we were frequently visited by hummingbirds and toucans. The screened in bedrooms in the cabins make you feel one with nature. Like you are in a treehouse on top of a mountain. Unforgettable experience.