Paraíso Quetzal Lodge

We stayed at the Lodge for 2 nights. It is a birder paradise with many trails and beautiful gardens where many special species live. The food was well priced and delicious and the reataurant has a nice lounge area where you can chat to other travellers. The bungalow was lovely though do bring warm clothing! We did the quetzal tour at 5.30am. The guides worked very hard and got us some excellent sights and made sure we had souvenir photos

We did not stay at Paraiso Quetzal Lodge, but visited on two consecutive days to enjoy their Hummingbird Platform and Gardens ($10 USD/person). Very enjoyable time on both days. On second day we had lunch in the restaurant, LOS COLIBRÍE, excellent food and service.

The main reason to come here is the Quetzals. We joined a fantastic early morning walk and saw 8 frolicing in the canopy - it was fabulous. So too is the landscaping around the gardens and hummingbird feeders that allow you to get really close to these beautiful birds. There are some amazing walks around their land. We did two and they were some of the most enjoyable we had. From there on it wasn't great - basic doesn't quite capture it. We really wanted to see a quetzal so were happy to stay here. But if you're not a serious bird watcher, I would say go somewhere else. It reminded me of a school camp, but not in a good way. The 'Alpine chalet' we stayed in was terrible: - smaller than my small shed - so dark you could barely see in the evening. There was no point in having a coffee machine - there wasn't enough light to operate it. - cockroaches - A bathroom door with a lethal swing because the whole thing was wonky (catching fingers, banging limbs etc - my thumb still bears the scars) - absolutely freezing cold. There are signs asking you to turn the lights out because they have a high electricity bill. What a nerve! The lights are probably a tiny percentage of their leccy bill, whereas the electric heaters in each room (ours balanced precariously on a stool) must burn enough to power a small town. The blankets were so uncomfortable it was impossible to sleep. I have just one request to make - insulate!!!!!!!! Save your bill, save our planet and it will make your customers so much happier. Other rooms might have been better (at least some got a verandah - we didn't) but ours was a miserable affair - so do check. The main lodge were the food is served was ok. The food wasn't bad but service was mixed and not really a place to linger, which was a shame given the state of the shed.

We scouted for a halfway spot to overnight between Costa Rica’s south Pacific beaches and San Jose, during a recent CR road trip, and it soon became clear that Paraíso Quetzal Lodge was the ideal stop. We didn’t pick this birders paradise because we’re actually bird-nerds, but because of the wonderful accommodations, lodge and grounds. Each looked invitingly comfy, cozy and delightful and its mid-way location was ideal. We were provided one of the ‘new’ cabins close to the lodge, due to our excessive luggage. It was so nice of them to accommodate us! The rooms themselves were comfortable and inviting, with plenty of blankets and a small table-top heater to keep you warm, during the cold mountain nights. The views were standout – jaw-dropping even from the room, but the vista from our balcony of the valley below and mountains beyond, were unparalleled. With the verdant surrounds absolutely everywhere, the tropical bird spotting was at a frenetic pace. Our only beef was the shower temps could have been warmer. The space was lovely, clean and modern, it’s just that this am ritual was akin to bathing in lukewarm water, in a walk-in fridge (@max heat). The lodge itself was the star of the show. There was a very reasonably priced restaurant with delicious food (from breakfast, through dinner) and similar awesome views. The cute little shop supplied some unique souvenir finds and the precious wee bar served up great drinks to ensure we thoroughly enjoyed our stay. The centerpiece was a roaring fireplace with comfy armchairs around it to relax in, as if to solidify the experience as perfect. We popped out with the more avid bird watchers on the hummingbird deck and were incredibly impressed with the volume and variety that we saw. Unfortunately, we didn’t manage to catch sight of the Quetzal itself, but we would have had more opportunity if we had a longer stay and took a morning tour. That in no way stops us from whole-heartedly endorsing this San Gerardo de Dota lodge for your next Costa Rican stay. If a rustic, cozy accommodations vibe is your thing, this is the place for you! The amazing tropical bird watching can simply serve as a novel bonus.

We stayed in October and would have been almost the only guests which was good. The lodge has separate cabins and each appears private.We were in no6 which was very new. The lodge is at 2300 metres, so be mindful of the thinner air. This lodge is a very good place to use as a base to visit San Gerardo de Dota and to look for Quetzals and other birds that are found in a cloud forest. It was peaceful. The food was good. The staff were very friendly. There were hummingbirds galore at the feeders. It was a little chilly at night but there were lots of blankets and a heater. There was a tea/coffee maker and the view from our deck was great. This is a great place to visit in Costa Rica. Highly recommended.

Modern bungalows with large panoramic windows, through which you can enjoy the beautiful view as soon as you wake up. Hotel lobby: cozy interior with fireplace. Spacious garden, ideal for bird watching. Hummingbirds in particular feel at home here.