Begun in 1982 by Giovanna Holbrook and Holbrook Travel, this was one of the first ecotourist lodges in Costa Rica and is still going strong. Set in a patch of thick forest on the banks of the Sarapiquí River, the property includes a large private reserve on the other side of the river. A series of raised wooden buildings connected by a maze of covered walkways house the main river lodge rooms, which are rather bare-bones. The decor consists of varnished wood floors, screen-and-lathe windows, beds with plain white linens, a fan, and a smallish bathroom. A few bungalows are a bit larger and have air-conditioning, but these are located across the street farther from the main lodge, restaurant, and river. A large, open-air main dining room overlooks the river. In addition to a more typical lodge menu, it also offers buffet dining (aimed primarily at tour groups), as well as pizzas from a wood-burning brick oven. There’s a lovely pool area and several swimming holes along the river, plus a network of trails through the rainforest, and a zipline tour.