Savegre Hotel Natural Reserve & Spa ★★★

"Superb hotel ideally located in the middle of the San Gerardo de Dota Valley and still managed by the descendants of the pioneers who "discovered" the valley in the 1950s. We chose this hotel for its proximity to Los Quetzales National Park. Finally, we stayed in the superb San Gerardo de Dota Valley which is home to quetzals all year round thanks to the presence of Guatemalan avocado trees - whose fruits they feed on. The hotel grounds include a garden designed for the many hummingbirds, various hiking trails, some of which are particularly popular with ornithologists, as well as a viewpoint offering a superb panorama of the valley. We went on a quetzal observation outing (among others) with Raul Fernandez Chacon (Whatsapp +***********), grandson of the pioneers who settled in the valley; to be booked directly or through the hotel. Spa equipped with jacuzzis and an impeccable sauna and restaurant."

Monbellis ★★★

Dantica Cloud Forest Lodge ★★★

"The room was clean, the breakfast was good and the service was good. The hotel's own protection area is very large, and the forest trail is very good. There are many gardens and nearby road birds near the hotel reception desk, and the environment is good. The only downside is that the room is far from the hotel reception desk and the restaurant, and it is not convenient for bad legs."

Hotel de Montaña Suria ★★★

"We had such an enjoyable stay at Hotel Suria we didn’t want to leave! It is situated in the most beautiful surroundings up quite a steep road ( I highly recommend using a 4x4) . Our cabin was beautiful, clean and very comfortable beds. The staff were just amazing, the manager Christina is clearly someone who loves her job and her enthusiasm is infectious! The waiting staff are so friendly and thoughtful, and Joshua makes the best margaritas! We had a lovely walk to the waterfall close by. I highly recommend the trails at Savegre Trails nearby. We will never forget this beautiful place!"

Toucanet Lodge ★★

"I highly recommend the Toucanet Lodge. I stayed four nights in one of the Cabins and would certainly go back and will recommend El Toucanet to friends and family. The cabin in which I stayed was clean and comfortable. Local Costa Rica. Coffee on the porch in the morning was a great way to start the day. The Lodge and dining room were spacious and well appointed. I love the pictures on the wall of the local attraction, the Quetzal. I also appreciated having wildlife guides and birding books to help me know what I had seen during the day. The grounds were well kept with plenty of flowers that attract hummingbirds. The grounds include an extensive trail that went up to much higher elevations. I was able to walk more than a mile and found a forested section with large cedar trees and eventually found a spot to see the entire valley. I took several photos. The food was excellent with many choices. I especially enjoyed the trout fillet and the two different ceviche appetizers. The amount of care taken in the meal preparation, local natural ingredients used and the table service were outstanding. Jonathan, the chef, has excellent skills and showed creativity in every meal he prepared. Taking a few minutes to share a conversation with me after each meal made the experience more personal, warm and friendly. Michael did an excellent job as host and manager. Each morning Michael was available and constantly checked in on how I was doing. From my initial contact with the lodge, Michael was able to answer my questions, make some suggestions and always handled my requests with care. I was able to have the best of vacations because of Michael’s assistance. I wanted to see birds and other wildlife. Michael was able to arrange local guides to assist. Both guides that were arranged were great. Both knew the places to go and when to be there. I was able to see six Quetzals, a couple of Capuchin Monkeys and the Costa Rican Pigmy owl. In addition to these highlights, I saw many more birds and have some of the best coffee Costa Rica has to offer. The guides made the experience seem effortless and I am now left with great memories. Both Michael and Jonathan are excellent ambassadors of the fine country of Costa Rica and the Dota region. I highly recommend El Toucanet Lodge."

Cedrela Eco-Lodge & Restaurante ★★

"It is not worth traveling from San José to visit Copey to stay at Cedrela, the restaurant I think there are better in San José. The service actually leaves a lot to be desired. We do not recommend it. There are better places in Copey, the area if too beautiful."

Paraíso Quetzal Lodge ★★★

"We scouted for a halfway spot to overnight between Costa Rica’s south Pacific beaches and San Jose, during a recent CR road trip, and it soon became clear that Paraíso Quetzal Lodge was the ideal stop. We didn’t pick this birders paradise because we’re actually bird-nerds, but because of the wonderful accommodations, lodge and grounds. Each looked invitingly comfy, cozy and delightful and its mid-way location was ideal. We were provided one of the ‘new’ cabins close to the lodge, due to our excessive luggage. It was so nice of them to accommodate us! The rooms themselves were comfortable and inviting, with plenty of blankets and a small table-top heater to keep you warm, during the cold mountain nights. The views were standout – jaw-dropping even from the room, but the vista from our balcony of the valley below and mountains beyond, were unparalleled. With the verdant surrounds absolutely everywhere, the tropical bird spotting was at a frenetic pace. Our only beef was the shower temps could have been warmer. The space was lovely, clean and modern, it’s just that this am ritual was akin to bathing in lukewarm water, in a walk-in fridge (@max heat). The lodge itself was the star of the show. There was a very reasonably priced restaurant with delicious food (from breakfast, through dinner) and similar awesome views. The cute little shop supplied some unique souvenir finds and the precious wee bar served up great drinks to ensure we thoroughly enjoyed our stay. The centerpiece was a roaring fireplace with comfy armchairs around it to relax in, as if to solidify the experience as perfect. We popped out with the more avid bird watchers on the hummingbird deck and were incredibly impressed with the volume and variety that we saw. Unfortunately, we didn’t manage to catch sight of the Quetzal itself, but we would have had more opportunity if we had a longer stay and took a morning tour. That in no way stops us from whole-heartedly endorsing this San Gerardo de Dota lodge for your next Costa Rican stay. If a rustic, cozy accommodations vibe is your thing, this is the place for you! The amazing tropical bird watching can simply serve as a novel bonus."

Cabinas El Quetzal ★★

Trogon Lodge ★★★

"Great food, views and staff. 100% recommend. Comfortable room with double beds."