Fodor's Expert Review Fonda Vela

Steep-roofed chalets have large bedrooms with wood floors and huge windows; some have views of the wooded grounds, and others, of the far-off Gulf of Nicoya. A forest trail winds throughout the property and is frequented by coatis, squirrels, toucans, and hummingbirds. Two restaurants prepare local and international recipes with flair, served indoors or on the veranda. The place is owned by the Smith brothers, whose family was among the first American arrivals in the 1950s—their father's paintings grace the public areas. The indoor pool and Jacuzzis are inviting after a morning hike.