Hi, everyone - can anyone tell me about the grounds at Vista del Valle? Are there trails to hike? I've heard there's a waterfall on the property - is that worth hiking to? Thanks for any information you can provide.

Greetings,

I am an expat and have lived in this region for more than 15 years. I am a VIP tour guide. I specialize in sports fishing., but am familiar with all the tourist activities in Costa Rica. I like to help other people (no VIP)and would like to share my experience in this forum

i know this place very well.volcanogirl!i it's a very nice place to stay.you have trail to hike and a big waterfall.
but you will find some better stop to hike.since your name is volcanogirl,i think about Arenal for you.
if you need more info just ask
Winf

Thanks, winf - I have been to Arenal and loved it. We're staying at Vista del Valle for just a night, pairing it with the Osa Peninsula, so I'm interested in hearing the details about the Vista del Valle property. You're right - Arenal is how I picked my name! I've heard the hike to the waterfall at VDV is looong - would like to get people's feedback of what they thought.

If you are staying at Vista del Valle for just one night then ask for the Exotic Wood Suite cabin.

This is the cabin that over looks the Misty Canyon right from your front porch/deck.

You will see birds flying around and even landing on your deck railing.

The walk to the waterfall is about 15-20 feet straight in front of the Exotic Woods Suite .
Okay you are standing on your front deck facing the canyon.

Turn to your Right and walk several feet until you reach the Cobblestone walkway....., Now turn Left ..walk about 20 feet....Stop...now look to your Left...see the pathway....take this pathway and it leads you to a series of steps going down.

You have to go down these steps and then further down you will have to take a ladder going down.

There are plastic coated cables for support as you climb down.

Soon you will see the Waterfall,but you are already hearing the roar of the waterfall as you are climbing down... as the roar gets louder and louder as you descend.

Soon you will get this mist on your face from the off spray from the waterfall.

Nice isn't it!!! Now you have to ( puff puff ) climb back up.

Want to see the waterfall from the Top looking down !!! okay this is what you do.

Behind the Exotic Woods suite/cabin, there is an open area and corral with some horses... walk here and then turn Right...walk along the edge of the shrubbery and trees.....you will also hear the waterfall as you are getting closer.

Keep walking....now you see an opening in the trees....take this opening,walk slowly ,as you are going down a slight declined slope.

By now you really hear the roar of the waterfall.....edge yourself slowly closer, slowly closer!!!
Now lean over a wee bit and look waaaaay down...you are right beside the waterfall(on top) and look down!!!

Pretty cool isn't it.

Have a ncie time.
Percy

Hi volcanogirl,

My husband and I stayed at VDV two years ago (at the end of June) for our first night in Costa Rica before going to the Osa peninsula.

We did hike down to the waterfall and my husband videotaped the way down because at certain points you are actually climbing down ladders that are fastened to the rock so it's obviously very steep!! I am a little afraid of heights and had to steady myself here and there but overall it wasn't too bad and the waterfall was really beautiful. I really don't remember how long it took us to hike it, but I think it was reasonable. Because it was the green season, it was a little muddy.

We also walked around the grounds but not on any of the other official trails, mostly because of time constraints. We enjoy bird watching and saw some great birds right from the hot tub (with pina coladas in hand, of course.

Very beautiful place, you will enjoy it.

Melissa

Thanks for the help, everyone - that's exactly the information I was looking for. We'll definitely put the waterfall on our to do list.

I think the only "official" trail is the one down to the waterfall mentioned above. But we too enjoyed walking around the grounds - the plantation so to speak - as gardeners it was fun to see what was being grown - check out those fabulous bamboo stands etc. This was the first place we saw one of those surprising almost purple big land crabs!
This is a great place to stay on either end of your CR trip. It was the place I chose for the first night of our first trip down there - I wanted to start off with something lovely and relaxing - rather than, say, San Jose in town - not that there's anything too wrong with that. . .

Thanks, glover - it sounds like a good choice for us then. We did Grano de Oro last time and loved it, but this trip we'd like to relax outside the city and stay somewhere more peaceful. We're going to do VdV on one end and Peace Lodge on the other end. I love gardening like you do, so it will be fun to see all the plants like you mentioned. Thanks again for your help.

I have stayed at Vista Del Valle three times over the past ten years or so. I had two good waterfall experiences but the last time I was there in Feb. the waterfall was completely all dried up. It's not a long hike but I am not sure how safe it is either. It is a great place to stay though. Beautiful and the food is excellent.

wow Percy, haven't been to VDV but if I ever do I will take your amazing step by step (literally) directions with me!

Hi tully

Yes, by all means if you ever get to stay at the Vista del Valle, ask for the Exotic Woods suite/cabin.

We have Florida weather here right now !!

Doing research on my trip to the Baltic countries in middle of August.
St.Petersburg Russia just looks terrific.

Take Care
Percy

St Petersburg (FL) isn't so bad either Have fun planning, I know for me that's a huge part of the fun!

Hi tully

I have private tour guides in Copenhagen, Helsinke, Tallinn Estonia and St.Petersburg... still working on the other places.

I can be my own tour guide !!!but 3 others are coming and I don't want them all relying on me !!

Good Night.
Get to bed it is almost midnight where you live !
Percy

If you are looking for a wonderful experience when you fly in or out of the airport near San Jose, then I highly recommend the little boutique hotel called Vista del Valle. (Note, if you get lost and want to ask for it say " Vista da Vi yay" when asking directions. I have stayed there each time I have visited the last four years and can say that it is definitely the epitomy of a wonderful garden get-away! The rooms are scattered across the top of a ridge overlooking a canyon below and you see the lights of the valley twinkling at night. The lighted walkways are magical as you wind your way back to your room. The food is gourmet served by the nicest waitstaff you could hope for. The American owners take pride in their little hideway and love helping the local village they are a part of.

Unfortunately we had all our monies taken while shopping in Sarchi just before the end of our vacation. When we called them looking for help, their response was "Come here as fast as you can and we will take care of you!" From allowing us advance cash, helping to interpret during the FBI report, getting us new passports, to making sure we got home safe, they were our new family away from home. Brooke, Marvin, Mauda, and Elysse were all wonderful as were the accommodating American owners, Mike and Johanna. Thanks to all of them, we felt safe and protected in a foreign country.

Please email me if you have any questions. I would love for you to experience the same hospitality that we did. Plus, being only twenty minutes from the airport, yet being in the country gives you access to everything while being peaceful and safe. Just what two single ladies needed after an awful experience!

We thought Ilan Ilan was beautiful at Vista del Valle. . .