Millie64

Hello,

I'm planning a trip to costa rica for my family of 7 (74 year old mother, 2 teenagers, 4 adults). We all love nature and am planning on going on the all day tour with OTS, probably an early morning tour and then a night tour (they said we could split it). We'll be staying in the area for three nights and can't decide between Selva Verde Lodge and La Quinta de Sarapiquia... Is one alot nicer than the other? Is one alot farther to drive to OTS? I've read previous posting but wanted some direct comparisons.

Help!

Thank you,

Amy

Jessie_

Have stayed at La Quinta a couple of times and have been to Selva Verde just for lunch a couple of other times. Food was much better at La Quinta we thought and the people at La Quinta were really really nice. It is situated away from the main road which makes it quieter. There have been some reports of some of the Selva Verde rooms getting a lot of road noise. From what I saw, the rooms seemed pretty comparable.

Millie64

Thanks alot! I'll book La Quinta.

Millie64

I am now back (6 months later) and I have to disagree with Jessie. We stayed in La Quinta one night and really didn't like it. The rooms were clean, the hosts were warm, and the food good BUT it is next to a pineapple plantation and it was noisy. Plus too much of it is paved. We ended up moving to Selva Verde Lodge which we liked much better for its wildlife/birdwatching opportunities. It's interesting how people perceive things differently.

jczinn

I am having the same dilemma...we had stayed at Selva Verde several years ago and while we loved the setting, and the rooms were fine, we felt there were too many groups there, and the food was mediocre. So had decided upon La Quinta for our upcoming trip. But now, reading Millie64's report, are a little discouraged regarding La Quinta.

Unfortunately, I emailed Selva Verde today and they are booked for one of the nights we need (8 months from now! I do think they cater to many large groups.) So, we are back to either La Quinta, or El Gavilan. The rooms at El Gavilan look really spartan and I can't find much in the way of reviews. Also, some guidebooks state that they don't serve alcohol...not that we are big drinkers, but we do like a tropical cocktail before dinner, or a beer with! Has anyone ever stayed there?

I have a feeling we may end up at La Quinta in the end. We have a full day guided birding tour booked at La Selva OTS so we do need to stay two nights in that area.

shillmac

jczinn, when will you be there? We, too, have booked a couple of nights at La Quinta based on suggestions that it might be the better hotel. I really don't expect to be disappointed, however. As long as the food is decent and we have a fairly comfy place to lay our weary heads at night, we're easily pleased. We'll be there July 4 and 5. We may head on up to Tortuguero from there--undecided.

I do know that I have had La Quinta booked for almost a month and it was none too soon. They were booked up for the next week which were my preferred dates. They said they were filling up fast--fascinating for low season in Costa Rica! This will be our first time to really stay in this area, although we have passed through several times. Looking forward to it.

gannetmusic

We've stayed at both places more than once. The food at Selva Verde is mediocre but was OK for us. The rooms are quite nice but simple. We had no problem with road noise. Birding on the grounds can be excellent especially along the river. [Sunbittern and Fasciated Tiger Heron among others]. More than once we've seen families of Neotropic Ottors playing in the river right from the restaurant. The lodge is fairly large but spread out and set in secondary 'rainforest'.
Selva Verde is very convenient to the OTS La Selva biological station.

La Quinta is a few minutes further west from Puerto Viejo [and La Selva].
It is several minutes drive back from the main road. Their grounds are smaller and a bit more 'manicured' but they still have decent birding including at the fruit feeders they have set up. They have a small but well done butterfly garden that was a treat on a rainy day during our last visit in January of this year.
The rooms are simple but pleasant and the food is better than at Selva Verde. We also found the hosts to be friendly and helpful.

I would have no problem recommending either of these places.

cheers

Jerry

jczinn

Thanks for the good info, based on Jerry's response I feel a little better about La Quinta. We don't need luxury at all...but we do want good habitat for birds and a natural setting. And I'll be interested in hearing Shillmac's report on your return. We are not going until February, and Selva Verde was already booked for one of the nights!

I emailed La Quinta last night but have yet to get a response.

gannetmusic

Jczinn,

I'm curious. Have you birded the caribbean slope of Costa Rica previously?

I might have a few suggestions for you.

cheers

Jerry
[in Kansas City, busily planning a trip to Newfoundland....]

shillmac

Hey Jerry, I hope to do some birding while at La Quinta--I'd be interesting in suggestions. Thanks!

Molly2

Hi,Shillmac. Marino would be proud!

shillmac

Hi Molly, Yep! Gonna be a birder. . . .I've even composed a little lullaby song about the birdies--but that's another story!

jczinn

Hi Jerry, on our very first trip to CR we were in Selva Verde and did some minor birding, but that was before we were really serious birders. On our last trip (2002) we were in Rancho Naturalista, and the Pacific Slope (Carara/Tarcol) as well as San Gerado del Dota. So this is exactly why we want to spend several days this time on the Caribbean Slope. We'll be two nights at La Quinta (yes, I did hear back, and have reserved there) and two nights at Poas Volcano Lodge, as I want to do Virgen del Socorro as well as Poas.

Would love to hear your tips! I do have both site guide books to CR and have read lots of trip reports on the web, but the more tips, the better!

Janet
[in Brooklyn, preparing for a trip to Peru..!]

Millie64

Although you can do birding at either La Quinta or Selva Verde, if you really want to do birding (either as a novice or expert) you must book into The OTS Biological Station in the region. I also can't recommend enough La Bosque de Paz which is about a two hour drive from this region (not close enough to do as a day trip but close enough for a stop over. (see Nature Lovers Report for info). Please report back about your experience of La Quinta. We may have just not found the places to bird around La Quinta.

jczinn

Millie, I did read your report with great interest! We do have a "full day" booked at La Selva OTS, and may even add the night tour. I will be sure to report back on La Quinta, but you'll have to wait awhile...this trip isn't until February!

We did consider Bosque de Paz but we really like to spend a couple of days at the beach during our winter trip, so we are heading to Manuel Antonio after Poas. I know this isn't a prime birding area, but that's okay; its more to relax, go to the beach, and eat and drink while watching the sunset ;-)

snorkelluvn

Hey, Millie.

What type of birds did you see in Bosque de Paz? it sounds awsome. We're staying in Alajuela and think we can day trip it there--not too far.

shillmac

Birders, keep in mind that one of the best places for birding (with beaches also) is the southern Caribbean around Manzanillo--I'm thinking someone told me that there are more species concentrated in this area than anywhere else in the country, but I could be mistaken.

As a "new birder", I sure enjoyed spending the morning with Abel Bustamante--not only is he a great guide (and very knowledgeable), but his English is excellent. In addition, he would be an wonderful teacher--evident in the way he guides.