Reviews of Finca la Bonita, Playa Carate

We loved staying up in the trees with wildlife all around us. Squirrel and Spider monkeys nearby and Howler monkeys off in the distance but very audible. Hummingbirds and leaf cutter ants part of the parade of nature. Staff were very helpful and personable. Christian helped to get us a great guide for Corcovado National Park. Wendell went out of his way to show us It is helpful to know some Spanish. The food was simple but good.

Hiking the steps up to our room was a bit challenging, but definately worth it. Careful when wet. We noticed that everywhere we stayed in Costa Rica, the showers did not have grab bars, which would be helpful for those of us with balance issues.

Exceptional location in the middle of the rainforest. From our cabin we could see and hear the ocean in the distance. At night, there is no human-made light to be seen or sound to be heard. Instead, the night is filled with the sounds of the rainforest: cicadas, birds, howler monkeys.

No warm water at the shower. (But we managed to heat water in our kitchen.)

It was a unique stay in the middle of the jungle with an amazing view up to the sea over the canopy of the jungle. The sound of wildlife and the stay right inside the forest was very exotic.

Nothing

This is the place for true nature lovers, those who want to explore the jungle in almost complete solitude, with a guide who was born and raised there. You need to work for it, a long journey and some 45 km dirtroad, might have to cross a rives in rainy season. You will sleep in cabins in the green, no window just bug protection and a cold shower outside, and you will wake up with nature. The darkish beach is incredibly beautiful, just as the pure jungle all around. We started here, and it reduced other parks to an amusement park experience. Don’t go there for any luxury, be willing to get tired and dirty clothes, and you will get an unforgettable nature exploration under guidance of a most friendly, relaxed and very knowledgeable owner and guide. An absolute highlight in our Costa Rica journey.

Nothing as you as you don’t search for luxury or a long warm shower

Friendly and helpful staff (thank you Cristian!!); conserving the environment; delicious food

A small valley neighboring the jungle, with the very interesting sounds from the rich fauna 👍🤓.The cabin on the top offers sea view

My wife loves Playa Carate, and enjoyed her time at this lodge. (I went along as good hubbie, as nature is not my thing, so these are her views). The cabin we had was rustic but spacious, set in the rain forest and with a great view. 3 types of monkey could be seen,and she reports the birding was very good. We stayed 3 nights, and went to the same spot on the beach each day. Carate is definitely the place to see macaws. My wife also loves its remoteness and isolation.

The 1hr 40min drive on dirt road from Pto Jimenez. The climb up the stairs to our cabin, although this somehow got easier over time. Important to know that Playa Carate is really quite remote and "the end of the line", which meant absolutely no bars, restaurants, shops and so for miles. Although we brought a big cool box, we knew this would only work for the first day as no way to keep the cool bricks cool. You depend on the lodge for everything.

All food was extra. The breakfast was very good.

It was further from the hike to La Leona than I thought and I didn't have a car, but the owner Cristian (who was kind and helpful and interesting to talk to) gave us a ride there, so no problem. Honestly, it is definitely walkable, but it would be a chunk to add on if you were coming or going all the way to Sirena. The beach and lagoon at Carate is easy to walk to, though

Isolated screened-in, open air cabanas overlooking jungle. Great jungle birding. Great local food must be booked ahead.

Be prepared for a rough road in from Puerto Jimenez, no air conditioning or refrigerator.

The place is for nature lovers. We felt like in the middle of the jungle with nobody around us. Bungalows are up in the hills, very basic, not well insulated, there were bugs inside, no hot water. The kitchen is not available for the guests to use. We had to take your trash back with us.

The location is in the middle of the forest, near the Corcovado national park. You are surrounded by monkeys and other wildlife. The howler monkeys wake you up in time for your Corcovado trip 😊

We really enjoyed this place, so for us there was nothing that we didn’t like. However, it is good to know that there are limited facilities (for example, just 1 lightbulb, limited to no refrigerator space and shops are restaurants are more then 1 hour drive away). Being prepared for this, makes it a great experience.

Place, surrounding, wildlife was stunning! We saw more animals than on the Corcovado NP tour! Team was very nice and helpful and prepared us delicious meals 😃

The Lodges are placed in a beautiful „Jungle garden“. You can feel and see the rainforest from this Location. The owner is a really nice, friendly and helpful guy. He is a local who knows many trails around corcovado and can tell you many interesting things about this place! Food was awesome, cooked by himself or his neighbour for a good price. Lodges are basic, you get everything you need and its clean. Dont expect a 5-star hotel, this is not the right place for this! You have to feel the rainforest, and therefore its the right place! Stayed there 4 nights and can highly recommend it!

The place corresponds to the description/pictures. It’s fully in the nature but offers electricity in the rooms +good WiFi. Breakfast lunch and dinner have to be booked in advance (I recommend you to do it as there is nothing around) and consider that you don’t get to chose what to eat (food was good).

The owner (who was also the guide for our walks at night and in Corcovado) is very serious and of a few words. Don’t expect him to explain you something, unless you ask (and even if you do, the answers are always very dry). Not sure there is anything to do apart from the night walk and the Corcovado trail as he did not explain anything about the area.

This place is a hidden gem! A rustic cabin with the basic facilities you need to experience the jungle up close and immerse yourself in nature. Christian and Gabriel, along with Marley the dog, are welcoming local hosts who have a huge amount of insight, history, and knowledge to share. They offer different tours, and we recommend all 3 we did - the day tour in Corcovado, kayaking, and night turtles. They also offer meals if you let them know in advance (there are no easy options locally, so we'd highly recommend), and this made the stay really easy too. This cabin is for those looking to experience the jungle on their doorstep (literally!), if you are after a luxurious stay there are eco lodges nearby, but for an authentic experience (and possibly stepping out of your comfort zone) we would 110% recommend staying here. Thank you for an amazing experience :)

Not a complaint, just to make others aware - you will need a 4x4 to access the property and wouldn't recommend to attempt the road (and river crossing) at night.

really special location and rooms

Great location. Natural setting surrounded by pristine rainforest. Cristhian, the host, is extremely helpful and knowledgeable. He’s a true local, and an expert on the Osa Peninsula. Views from the cabins are fantastic.

Very comfortable bed and cabin was immersed in beautiful nature.

I don't understand the high rating at all. The place has a lot of potential. The hosts were not unfriendly but they weren't very welcoming either. They didn't seem to care one way or another. Food was ok'ish. We were the only guests but was impossible to put 2 beer in their fridge. Instead they serve a pitcher of Tang. (Yuck) Maybe my expectation was too high because of the ratings. Wouldn't come back.

10 points go to...Mother Nature (magical forest, colorful birds, mischievous monkeys, unusual animals, power of ocean...). You don't need a guides and overpriced organized tours in this region. Just go for a walk down the road in the direction of the small airport (early in the morning for a birds watching and during the day to meet the animals and reptiles and parrots also).

It was our first time in Costa Rica and during our 25 years of exploring the world we felt unwelcome from the host. The communication took place via WhatsApp (just texting, he did not answer the call). After a long drive on an almost impassable road no one was expecting us. We searched almost the entire abandoned lot and on the end of the property we finally saw a woman💪 She showed us our accommodation (a very cute wooden house). That was it🤷‍♀️. No information about the place, no instructions, no recommendations.. When we asked in the evening if we could get hot water (two cups) for coffee, we got the answer "no" (from host via WhatsUpp😉). His answer was "we generate our own electricity using water and that fact limits our capacity!" Hmmm..the large stove that stands in the kitchen is gas- powered. We left this place as soon as possible.

location and style: it was truly fabulous - simple but comfortable, clean and nice bungalows in the midst of rain forest, we could see monkeys, birds, butterflies directly from our balcony - amazing! We felt like in a paradise. people:,Our host Kristian was very kind and knowledgeable, we did a Corcovado trail with him and learnt a lot about nature and the region. Thanks to him we had a chance to see a tapir! The cook was also very nice and friendly, the food simple but fresh, local and tasty. we loved this place and would gladly come again.

for us all was good, because we came here to enjoy and learn about nature. But u have to know that this place is off the beaten track, isolated and the road is bumpy and dusty. And you shouldnt be afraid of animals because u are in the jungle.

Bungalow-type of lodging in Corcovado jungle. Mosquito-nets replacing windows brought nature really close, and we were woken up in the morning by a concert of birds and monkey shouts from nearby trees. Cristhian is an excellent host with outstanding knowledge and appreciation for nature, and was working also as a guide for one-day trips. food excellent also for special diets. This is more like a camp than a hotel/hostel. The gravel road to the site is in poor condition with steep hills, narrow bridges and a river crossing. 4x4 car is mandatory.