Cerro Lodge

Cerro Lodge, on the hill above the Tárcoles valley

Cerro Lodge sits on a hillside at Tárcoles, on the Central Pacific, with panoramic views out over the valley to the Pacific. It is close to Carara National Park and the Tárcoles River, two of the richest birding spots on this coast, and Jacó is an easy drive. It is one of our team's favourites for birders and nature lovers.

Why we choose it

• Macaws from your terrace. Scarlet macaws fly through the valley below the lodge, and you can watch them without leaving the hotel.
• Close to Carara. The national park, a protected area known for its birds, is a short drive away, so you can be on the trail at first light.
• A real farm. The lodge's small organic farm has goats, horses and cows, and grows food for the kitchen.

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Rooms and views

The lodge has bungalows and rooms, all with a private bathroom and air conditioning. They are simple and comfortable, and the setting is the point: from the hill, the views run over the green valley toward the ocean, with birds moving through the trees from early morning.

On the property

After a morning of birding, the swimming pool is where most guests spend the heat of the day, and the restaurant serves meals made with eggs, milk, cheese, fruit and vegetables from the lodge's own farm.

The farm, which the lodge calls its Green Land, also has a butterfly garden, and a walk around it is a good way to learn how Costa Ricans raise animals and grow food in a sustainable way. Children love the animals.

Location and getting there

The lodge is at Tárcoles, near the mouth of the Tárcoles River, on the Central Pacific. From here we arrange guided birding in Carara National Park and boat trips on the river, where crocodiles and water birds are easy to see. Jacó's beaches and restaurants are an easy ride down the coast.

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