Nothing

Every single thing. Magnificent forest with easy access. Plenty of wildlife sightings. Food and accommodation excellent.

Stayed in August 2025

The rooms were very basic. No wifi in the accommodation area. Cellular reception was poor too. The mattress felt like a piece of foam. We came in the rainy season and it was still quite hot and sticky. There’s no aircon but there were fans above the bed (they need a bit of cleaning!) which actually worked well. Because of the humidity, nothing dried. We used the same wet towels for 4 days and our clothes remained damp. There was a fridge in the room which was welcome, if a little noisy. But, you don’t book somewhere like this for the rooms, you book it for the outside!!!! Good insect repellent is a MUST. If the rooms were little more comfortable / enjoyable to be in, I’m sure we’d stay weeks. Although you feel like you’re in the middle of the rainforest, there were constant road sounds in the distance which took away from the remoteness a little. It wasn’t too intrusive though and the howler monkeys drowned it out most of the time! I would be nice to have some sort of cafe there open throughout the day for drinks like coffee and smoothies.

If you like adventure, wildlife, Science and feeling like you’re in the middle of the rainforest, this is the place. I wish I could do another PhD and come to this place for months. The research station was FULL of wildlife. It was by far the most abundant and diverse place we visited and we even went to the Osa Peninsula. The wildlife was also the closest we saw. You can walk the trails both day and night which was perfect for photography of birds and insects. They ask you not to leave the paths (obvious reasons - snakes, bullet ants, spiders etc!) but there was enough wildlife either side of the path that it was fine. We saw so many insects, monkeys, crocodiles, birds, snakes, frogs, poison dart frogs, armadillo, ocelot eyes shining back in the torch light and so, so much more. The diversity was incredible. Even the plants and fungus were fantastic. We even saw several species of slime moulds which were probably new to science. There’s a light trap they run most nights for insects (you can switch it on yourself if it’s not turned on). The stay comes with a free morning guided walk which was great - there’s no way we would have spotted the birds without the guide. You can also book other tours from them too. The accommodation is about a 20 minute walk from the research / food area which , for us, was great as we got to spot the wildlife along the way (you MUST take torches). It did get a little annoying having to walk it three times a day for meals though, esp in the rain, so you can drive. It felt very safe (people wise) at the accommodation as there’s a guard there most of the time at the gate (I don’t know our guards name but he was lovely and so reassuring to have him around). The food was basic but good. No choices other than veggie / meat but it was nice to experience different local dishes and we enjoyed the simplicity of it. There’s a basic shop by the food area selling snacks, crisps and lollies. That’s also where you can access the WiFi.

Stayed in July 2025

Wish we had a glass in the room or a hot kettle. The water was potable but there were no glasses whatsoever.

Direct access to the trails and right on site.

Stayed in July 2025

No A/C but it was ok the nights haven´t been too warm. The roads leading to the rooms and to the HQ are in bad condition.

Clean and spacious rooms on the edge of the rainforest. breakfast buffet was good. 24/7 access to a network of trails through beautiful primary and secondary rainforest. We have seen a lot of animals and we didn´t even use a guide. Highly recommended for naturalists

Stayed in June 2025

My shuttle driver and another couple that I know of had trouble finding the place as Google Maps sent them to the wrong place. I would have loved to have a coffee maker available in my room as my room was a kilometer from the cafeteria. (I was given the choice at reception of that room, which I had booked, or another that was very near reception and the cafeteria, but I chose the further room.) I did enjoy the walk to and from my room several times a day. I took all the available tours in two days so left after 2 instead of my scheduled 4.

Front desk was very nice and helpful. Genesis was wonderful to show me the herbarium, and her husband,, Reider (sp?) was a fun and excellent guide. Loved the night walk with him even though it was at times pouring down rain. Tons of different birds right around reception on the early morning guided walk, where they are easier to see in the open spaces. A blue morpho butterfly flew right by my seat at breakfast on my birthday, that made my day!!

Stayed in May 2025

This research station is interesting place to visit and stay at. The room was rather old and basic, but clean and comfortable, and a very nice 1km walk on a clear path through the rain forest to the main reception/dining area. The evening meal and breakfast were substantial and tasty and best of all, the overnight accommodation includes a 3-hour morning walk with a guide from ther station. Lots of wildlife, some of which we were also able to see on a couple of short walks we did ourselves - we wish we could have stayed longer to explore more of the reserve

Stayed in April 2025

We left a headlamp/light in our room after checkout, and found out later. I contacted the station via booking.com to ask if they had found it, but only got a response two days later saying that the mail was forwarded to the front office.. never heard from them again. This was only a headlamp but what if you forget something more valuable? Not good...

This is a research station, not a hotel. The rooms are basic, clean, with good bed, good shower and fan. The communal kitchen provides tasty if basic meals.gluten free was no problem! Free tea and coffee throughout the day. The restaurant is easily reached by a concrete walkway from the bungalows. Plenty of opportunities to spot wildlife on the way. The main reason for going to la Selva is the reserve, which is absolutely beautiful and chockful of animals. The tours are pricey but you get to see more birds, mammals and insects than in many other well know parcs. La Selva is for wildlife lovers, and worth the money, even when it rains "-)

Stayed in April 2025

Very basic.

Great location. Great Wildlife viewing.

Stayed in April 2025

Don't choose the meal plan. Do yourself a favor and eat in town for lunch and dinner.

Very good birding. Knowledgeable guide

Stayed in April 2025

Had a little trouble getting the lock to open but managed. Beds a little hard but ok for us. Included 3hr tour was too long for us but guide was kind and very knowledgeable.

Room was very clean and spacious. Steps to the trails and dining area. Friendly and helpfull staff. Breakfast food good, filling, and good options.

Stayed in April 2025

Amazing peaceful natural location. Incredible guided walk included with stay with superb guide Tavo who had excellent biological knowledge and a passion for the environment.

Stayed in April 2025

Access to the forest.

Stayed in March 2025

Expensive!

Meals were great. Place is awesome.

Stayed in March 2025

We stayed in the visiting natural history rooms, which we knew in advance were fairly spartan. But the mattresses and pillow were uncomfortable and the bathroom was in pretty bad repair. We only stayed one night, but I imagine it would get old after a longer stay. That being said, we would do it again for the opportunity to view the wildlife.

The guides for our tours were fantastic: extremely knowledgeable about the wildlife, great at spotting it and patient in making sure that everyone in our group could see it, too. To see the birds and animals in their natural habitats was priceless. The meals (served cafeteria style) were good, especially the breakfast. There was an issue when some of us took an early morning tour and arrived back to find that there was no breakfast, but that was remedied. We all appreciated the endless coffee, which fuels all the science being done at the station.

Stayed in February 2025

It exceeded my expectations. It is a functioning research station so it is not going to have the facilities of the luxury hotel. There was nothing that I would criticize.

This was our first stay in Costa Rica and it was wonderful. We are interested in wildlife and it was great to be surrounded by other like-minded enthusiasts. Accommodation was in a lovely spot - food was very good and excellent value. The guides and the guided walks were excellent and we really enjoyed being able to wander the paths at leisure. And a great place for spotting wildlife!

Stayed in February 2025

Cabin met our needs. Beds were comfortable and the shower had plenty of hot water. Windows are screens only and air is circulated by ceiling fans. If the day is hot the room is hot. The 5 a.m. wake up from the howler monkeys and birds is what being there is all about. All the best bird sightings happen before 7 a.m. The tour guides are wonderful and very knowledgeable. They helped us see birds we never would have found or identified on our own. A highlight of the trip was a rare sighting of a golden eyelash pit viper in a tree by the trail.

Stayed in March 2025

The good was basic. For vegetarians it was even more basic

The location is perfect for all nature experiences you wish. Our focus was on birds; for which this place is magnificent

Stayed in February 2025

We knew the room would be basic, but we were sad it had no windows, so was not a place we wanted to spend time other than to sleep. But for the money it was good value and a great nature experience.

If you love nature, this outs you in the heart of it. Sarapiqui is a region of Costa Rica that is relatively untouched by commercial tourism. The nature walks were excellent, and we saw many birds and species that we hadn't seen before. Staff were friendly and knowledgeable. Food, which was included in the price, was simple but plentiful and good.

Stayed in February 2025

The rooms are very much like a cabin at summer camp. They are somewhat frugal but we'll worth the stay

This is a really cool stay at a working research station. When you book, they provide you a complimentary 3 hour complimentary jungle tour. The guides are so knowledgeable it makes it a must do event if you are in the area.

Stayed in January 2025

We started out in a student dorm which was not attractive. The dinner meal was poor.

Wonderful opportunity to experience rain forest. Amazing nature tour offered complimentary. Miles of nature trails plus bridges crossing several rivers.

Stayed in January 2025

Our room wasn't cleaned so towels were always damp. Everything felt damp as were in a tropical jungle.

The location is in pristine jungle. Best place to see birds and wildlife with expert guides and many of the other guests were very knowledgable scientists/entomologist . Breakfast, lunch and dinner served in the canteen was nutrious and filling.

Stayed in December 2024

Liked everything

We came for the nature and we got it! A paradise for bird watchers. Also great food and staff.

Stayed in December 2024

What other than 10 can you give to this property with the largest garden jungle in the world. Included in the price is a 3 hrs guided walk in the morning, unlimited entry to reserve and breakfast. These are of such velue that it makes actually the hotel part of the service virtually for free

Stayed in November 2024

Hot inside the sleeping facilities, but they got fans.

Basic stay, but very nice experience.

Stayed in September 2024