Frommer's Review
Formerly owned and operated by an ex-president of Costa Rica and his family, this lodge is currently part of a group of "Green Hotels" that includes Si Como No in Manuel Antonio and Aguila de Osa in Drake Bay. The hotel consists of a series of Tico-style casitas surrounded by 800 hectares (1,976 acres) of farm and forest. Each casita is built of adobe and has tile floors, open beamed ceilings, and whitewashed walls. Inside you'll find a fireplace in one corner, comfortable hardwood chairs, and either one queen or two twin beds covered with colorful bedspreads. The deluxe units and suites have a separate sitting area with a fold-out couch and bathrooms with a whirlpool bathtub and a separate shower. In many rooms the bathroom tubs look out through a wall of windows onto lush gardens. Some have private patios.
The main lobby features two restaurants, a bar, and large common areas. Movies are projected nightly on a screen in their THX theater. Four of the old casitas were converted into a modest little spa, and there are plans for a rather major new spa facility in the near future. Adjacent to the lodge are 11km (6 3/4 miles) of trails through the Los Angeles Cloud Forest Reserve. You can also rent horses or take an adventurous swing through the canopy on a canopy tour here. Villablanca is off the beaten track, but it is relatively close to San José, and if you're interested in bird-watching or exploring a cloud forest and want to avoid the crowds of Monteverde, this is a good choice.
If you're driving, head west out of San José to San Ramón and then head north, following the signs to Villablanca. Or you can take a public bus from San José to San Ramón and then take a taxi for around $15 (£7.50).
Facilities:
2 restaurants; bar; spa; tour desk; laundry service, Wi-Fi
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without
notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before
planning your trip.
