Vacanze San Rafael

An excellent stay and highly recommended for those looking for place in the La Fortuna area

If you want to be right in the middle of nature and wildlife this is the place to go. Most of the resort is raised up into the treetops so you can be eye level with creatures you'd usually only see way above you from the ground. The included hikes and birdwatching were wonderful with very knowledgeable and passionate guides. We also arranged a day trip to Corcovado by boat through the lodge in advance, seems pricey at first but was well worth it. Over the course of a week we saw sloths (lodge & Corcovado), monkeys (everywhere), tapirs (Corcovado), ant eaters (lodge and Corcovado), coatis (lodge), frogs and lizards (lodge) and so many different birds (everywhere). We chose a forest bungalow room which is just screened in from the outside. I was a bit worried the lack of AC might make it too hot to sleep, but at the end of April the fans in the room were enough to keep us comfortable over night. No need for alarm clocks, the howler monkeys will get you up every day. Overall a fantastic nature focused lodge that combines the ability to relax with adventure.

From the moment we stepped onto the property until the moment we left, we felt completely pampered. The staff at Parador were exceptional—friendly, attentive, and genuinely invested in making sure we enjoyed every moment of our stay. Their warmth and hospitality made us feel welcome from day one. We loved everything about our visit, from the delicious food and beautiful pools to the incredible local wildlife throughout the property. Being surrounded by Costa Rica’s natural beauty made the experience truly special. There was always something to see, and we loved having the opportunity to enjoy the wildlife right where we were staying. The location was also fantastic. We could easily walk to the beach, and it was just a short ride to additional beautiful beaches and the small downtown area. Quepos was also only a quick cab ride away. The staff made exploring the area easy and stress-free by offering great recommendations, helping us understand where to go, and making sure we were headed in the right direction. We always felt comfortable and safe coming and going. Parador gave us exactly what we hoped for from our Costa Rican vacation—a beautiful setting, incredible hospitality, great food, nature, relaxation, and easy access to explore the area. We would absolutely stay here again and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a special Costa Rican getaway.

The staff were incredibly attentive with lots of little touches to help make your lives easier e.g. golf cart from the main entrance, leaving gift with snacks for my road trip, choice of toiletries, free umbrellas available and more.