Selva Verde Lodge - Bungalo Or Lodge Room?

Old Feb 20th, 2011, 06:58 AM
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Selva Verde Lodge - Bungalo Or Lodge Room?

My husband and I are planning to stay at Selva Verde in April, 2011, and are struggling with whether to book a bungalo or a room in the lodge. Most of what we've read on the subject is pretty old so we would welcome comments from anyone who has stayed there in the last year or so. Specifically, we're wondering about differences in noise levels, cleanliness, safety, etc.

Also, we've heard that the main road from San Jose was under construction and could cause significant travel delays. So, we're wondering if that is still the case and to what extent.

Your input would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance.
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Old Feb 20th, 2011, 12:01 PM
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We liked the river room. Plenty of wildlife, clean, very nice and close to the restaurant, reception, parking lot, river terrace, etc. On the other hand, the area wherethe bungalows are is a bit further from the road and is more secluded. We did see a tayra there on a morning bird hike.
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Old Feb 20th, 2011, 01:34 PM
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I stayed in one of the bungalows and was very happy with the choice. Very, very private and quiet. The walk back to the main lodge area takes about 10 minutes, maybe a little less and I'd say about 80% covered and lit up. No one was staying back there other than myself so I truly felt like I had the place to myself. Lots of birds and monkeys. The bungalows come with a coffee maker and mini fridge which was nice to have on hand. Also has a/c, which was good to run for an hour or so and cool off. Found it very clean, huge bathroom, outside small screened porch and bathrobes were a nice touch. There is a security guard who walks around the property with a big Rottweiler, who looks fierce but is a big pussycat.
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Old Feb 22nd, 2011, 04:02 AM
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WE WERE JUST THERE A FEW DAYS AGO. HAVE BEEN IN COSTA RICA FOR A MONTH AND HAVE SEEN A LOT OF THE COUNTRY. SELVA VERDE LODGE WAS NOT ONE OF OUR FAVORITE PLACES. RIGHT BY A BUSY ROAD, STAYED IN LODGE AND COULD HEAR THE GUY COUGHING NEXT TO US. THE NIGHT WALK WITH THE GUIDE WAS A JOKE. GOOD LUCK
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Old Jul 30th, 2012, 11:42 AM
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For people who have stayed at Selva Verde, I've heard that some of the rooms have road noise from big trucks that go by. Which rooms would offer the best chance to avoid that? And which rooms do you think have the nicest views? Do any of the rooms have views of the river? And do the rooms have outside seating areas?

Thanks for any info. you can give me. This looks like a neat area for seeing wildlife.
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Old Jul 30th, 2012, 02:29 PM
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vg I only stayed in the bungalows. I really liked it back there personally. Just views of the forest though back there, with a screened in porch. I lucked out too as there was no one else staying back there. I am not sure if any of the rooms by the river have river views, can't hurt to request one. If you email Holbrook, who handles their bookings, Lisa P is most helpful. Great area to visit!
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Old Jul 30th, 2012, 02:45 PM
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Thanks, tully - what tours did you do while you were in the area? We want to see toucans! Did you end up using the AC while you were there? I was thinking it would be pretty warm and humid, but no worse than Tortuguero or the Osa. Looks like there's some great wildlife and birding in the area. I thought the cooking class looked kind of cool too and a visit to La Selva.
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Old Jul 30th, 2012, 06:32 PM
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If you get a river room, you will not be by the noisy road.
It's true that the entrance to the resort itself is right on the busy road. It's all quite lovely when you close that gate, but you will hear loud trucks from the the road in the reception area. Rooms nearer there would get some noise I'd think. So go for a river room - and don't let them talk you out of it! Don't remember that there's an actual view of the river, but you hear it and its nice and jungly there. There is a small balcony (hammock?) outside those rooms, I have a nice memory of sitting there. If Lenin is still guiding at Selva Verde or La Selva - be sure to go out with him. He's EXCELLENT - the best and fastest ever at getting the scope on a bird. Amazing.
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Old Jul 30th, 2012, 06:59 PM
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vg I did the Sarapiqui river tour, a tour at La Selva (excellent!), the free bird watching tour and an afternoon hike with Alex on the other side of the river. I did end up using the a/c, it was great to come back all sweaty and turn it on I admit! Plus it was nice having the mini fridge & coffee maker as it was several minutes walk back to the main lodge. I think you should be able to find a toucan or two around there.
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Old Jul 31st, 2012, 03:03 AM
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Thanks glover and tully - I appreciate all the awesome information. I'll put La Selva on our to do list too.

Jungly with river noise - I can feel myself relaxing already!
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Old Jul 31st, 2012, 06:19 AM
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One more quick question - did you all go with the buffet meal plan? They have that pizza/Italian type restaurant there that's open for dinner but is not on the meal plan. I'm wondering which way to go on that.
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Old Jul 31st, 2012, 06:34 AM
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I would go with ala carte. The breakfasts were pretty good, but I'd have preferred the pizza to the lunch and dinner offerings.
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Old Jul 31st, 2012, 06:35 AM
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Collared aracaris are usually seen eating the fruit set out by the terrace. Best place for toucans is probably just across the road from the main lodge.
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Old Jul 31st, 2012, 07:09 AM
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I've had fun looking at everyone's pictures. Looks like there are keel-billed and chesnut-mandibled ones in the area. Did you guys see both?
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Old Jul 31st, 2012, 07:32 AM
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Yes, plenty of both. We got bored seeing toucans. One time we even saw a chestnut-manidbled toucan in a tree with a troop of howler monkeys. Not unusual to see all three species on one bird tour.
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Old Jul 31st, 2012, 08:19 AM
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You're making my day! It looks like there are great green macaws in the area too.
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Old Jul 31st, 2012, 09:03 AM
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There are. We saw a pair flying in the distance (identified by the sound) but that was lucky. They're much rarer than scarlet macaws are on the Pacific side.

On the down side, there are bullet ants in the area. And this is the area where I almost stepped on a juvenile fer-de-lance.
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Old Jul 31st, 2012, 10:04 AM
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Looks like closed-toe shoes for me then rather than my usual Keen's. I found the menu for their La Terrazza restaurant - a wood fired pizza is only about seven bucks so looks pretty good. They also have things like salads, soups, pastas, shrimp, even chicken marsala so a pretty good selection. Good to know if you ever go back.
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Old Jul 31st, 2012, 10:45 AM
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Having a pizza place there makes it a lot more likely we'll be back.

Cold Imperial, hot pizza, watching tiger herons wading in the river. Pura vida.
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Old Jul 31st, 2012, 11:45 AM
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Margarita pizza and Imperial - I'm all over that.
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