Hello again, my family and I were hoping to stay at Rincon de la Vieja Lodge this coming November, based in part on some very positive reviews here. I have tried calling them, e-mailing them and e-mailing the Costa Rica Tourism and Travel Bureau - can't seem to get anyone. Does anyone have any contact info or an alternative place to recommend??? Also, how rainy is it up there in mid-Nov.? Thank you, Ruth in Maine.

Mid-November is the end of the rainy season.
We xere there in mid Nov 2004 and had one half day of little misty drizzle and mostly sunshine the rest of the time.

For contact info - perhaps you could try one of the Costa Rican travel agencies.

The place was full in Nov and fully booked for several days, at least after our visit...so people are getting through to them .

Our reservations were made by someone in Tamarindo but unfortunately he has moved away so I can't contact him to get you the number.

Keep trying -it is worth the effort.

Jerry

I've had great success communicating with the lodge via [email protected]. They have promptly responded to all of my e-mails.

Terri

If you can't get through even with the address Terri has given you, e-mail Neta Talmor (who lives in Costa Rica and owns a hotel). She will be happy to make the reservation for you (at no charge). She will even pass along to you a hoteliers' discount that she ordinarily receives. She just that kind of gal! [email protected]

P.S. And you will hear from her immediately!

We just returned from Costa Rica. We've been there several times, starting in 1980. While Rincon de la Vieja National Park is wonderful, I would not give a positive review of Rincon de la Vieja (Mountain) Lodge. We have stayed in all manner of accommodations (including sleeping on the floor of ranger stations, at Rincon de la Vieja) and are very realistic about what one can expect in such rural settings. However, we were amazed at the dirty cabin, see-through thin sheets, worn-out mattress, grungy dirty floor and bathroom sink area, filthy swimming pool, etc. It would have been one thing if the place was priced at $50, but we were being charged $122 (U.S.) per night. As it turned out, the Park was closed Monday, so we took our one day visit and left early. If you are the naturalist type, I strongly urge you to visit the area, but try another accommodation. By the way, the term Mountain Lodge is something of a misnomer, the lodge is located in a large pasture in a relatively flat area that is quite exposed and very hot. If you still want to get ahold of them, I can probably dig up the phone number we used (calling is more reliable than e-mail).

Our family of 5 (children ages 8,7, and 2) just returned from an eight day trip to costa rica. We stayed 2 nights at Hacienda Guachipelin. We were happy with the place. The rooms were spacioius, clean, basic, and cheap. The grounds were lovely. It is about 3 miles from the entrance to rincon de la vieja national park. We did three tours through the hotel and we were the only ones on each tour ( a guided hike in the park, mud pots, and the kazm canyon canopy tour). I did not go in the Rincon de la vieja lodge so I can not compare the two.

Well tropicbird now you have me worried. After reading positive reviews on this and other boards, I contacted a travel agent in CR and have booked, but not yet paid for, a bungalow for 3 nights at Rincon de la vieja mountain lodge. I am surprised to hear that it was dirty after gannetmusic called it spotless in his review posted in Feb. I'd love to hear from others who have been there. Need to decide whether or not to switch accomadations.

Wow -the cabin we were in WAS spotless' and one of the smaller rooms that we saw seemed fine.
Regarding bed linens etc everything was good. My girlfriend most certainly would have complained or commented if there was a problem!
The lodge is on the edge of a pasture and ponds but is directly on the edge of secondary and primary forest. One of the trailheads was just beyond our cabin [ less than a 2 minute walk....]and it was IN the forest.

We spoke to quite a number of the other guests [mostly europeans and Americans] and got positive feedback from just about everyone.........

Very strange.

Jerry

linedweller: I stayed at Rincon for 6 nights this January. It is OK. Two things to lay your worries to rest:
1. Lower your expectation;
2. Realize that it IS the best choice if you want to stay near the Park. The area simply does not have better accomodations.