La Anita Rainforest Ranch

“Finding paradise !”

Literally like arriving into paradise ! In the heart of a rain forest . The cabins are beautiful with everything you need ( fridge , hairdryer , coffee machine ) So peaceful , the bird watching listening is out of this world . Pablo and Anna are the best hosts , so helpful and knowledgeable. Nothi… more

Literally like arriving into paradise ! In the heart of a rain forest . The cabins are beautiful with everything you need ( fridge , hairdryer , coffee machine ) So peaceful , the bird watching listening is out of this world . Pablo and Anna are the best hosts , so helpful and knowledgeable. Nothing is too much trouble for them . A very personal touch from as soon as you arrive. Evening meals and breakfast are excellent, and sociable without having to mix if don’t want to. The breakfast is 7.30 a.m which put us off as we aren’t early risers, but the way of life, ambiance here is early to bed , early to rise ( which is great for bird watching ) so 7.30 breakfast works well . Lovely walks around the ranch . It’s hard to sum up this place in words , you’ll be amazed and definitely not disappointed . It’s a long drive to it but so definitely worth it. ( Download the Merlin bird recognition app as you’ll never believe the amount of different birds , it’s great for identifying. ) We did 4 nights here in January . 4 nights is perfect . Though we had heavy rain at times , sitting on your sheltered veranda watching is heavenly. The chocolate tour on site is a must Pablo is so knowledgeable , it’s very interesting and fun .

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“A Peaceful Retreat You Won't Forget”

This family-run cacao farm is a stunning place to stay. The property features 10 beautifully appointed cabins nestled among trails, rivers, rainforest, and ponds. Each cabin is positioned privately from the others, giving you a true sense of escape. My cabin was custom built with local wood and mat… more

This family-run cacao farm is a stunning place to stay. The property features 10 beautifully appointed cabins nestled among trails, rivers, rainforest, and ponds. Each cabin is positioned privately from the others, giving you a true sense of escape. My cabin was custom built with local wood and materials. The woodwork is gorgeous. Inside, you'll find built-in storage, a fridge, and a spacious bathroom. Each cabin has a large veranda with handmade leather and wood chairs, a bench, and a cozy hammock, perfect for relaxing and writing this review! Mine didn't have air conditioning, but I didn't need it. Screened windows, a ceiling fan, and smart design keep things naturally cool. Evenings are the perfect temperature. I was never hot. I had the best sleep I've ever had. At night, look up. There are a trillion stars. While you're here, take the Chocolate Tour. Pablo, the owner, is passionate about every step of cacao production, growing, harvesting, roasting, and crafting what I believe is some of the finest chocolate in the world. You'll realize how little you knew about chocolate before this tour. Expect plenty of tastings, real hot chocolate, and maybe a few surprises. The location is ideal, close to several volcanoes and surrounded by natural beauty. Roads suck, but that's the way it is...Highly recommend La Anita Rainforest Lodge. You'll remember this place forever.

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“Wonderful place!”

I want to join the chorus of amazing reviews of this wonderful place. We loved everything about the lodge: the hiking trail in the forest, the hammocks for reading, the delicious meals, and of course the chocolate tour. We stayed in a family cabin which worked for our 2 family, 6 person crew of 3… more

I want to join the chorus of amazing reviews of this wonderful place. We loved everything about the lodge: the hiking trail in the forest, the hammocks for reading, the delicious meals, and of course the chocolate tour. We stayed in a family cabin which worked for our 2 family, 6 person crew of 3 adults, and kids 13,14,19. It's a rustic experience and you see hear and feel like you are off the beaten path which was what we wanted for our first few days. The owners have partnered with a number of local businesses and through them we were able to schedule a cooking class in a local home a few minutes away and horseback riding about 20 minutes drive. My daughter proclaimed it the best part of our visit to Costa Rica! Mileage wise it's pretty close to Liberia airport but it did take us almost 3 hours on very bumpy terrain to get there using Waze. It was definitely part of the fun for the kids:)

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“Sweetest Education You’ll Ever Get!”

Welcome to Chocolate University—where the only exams are taste tests, and the coursework is delicious. We signed up expecting to learn a thing or two about cocoa. What we got was a full-on love affair with the fine art of chocolate making. No students have ever been more excited for “homework.” Fi… more

Welcome to Chocolate University—where the only exams are taste tests, and the coursework is delicious. We signed up expecting to learn a thing or two about cocoa. What we got was a full-on love affair with the fine art of chocolate making. No students have ever been more excited for “homework.” First, let’s talk about the hosts Pablo and Ana — charming doesn’t even begin to cover it. Knowledgeable, warm, and genuinely passionate about both the art of chocolate and the beauty of the surrounding rainforest, our hosts made every moment feel special. It was like having Willy Wonka as a personal guide. Pablo actually knows everything—and I mean everything—about the history of chocolate and the local ecosystem. The campus is a paradise of indulgence. The drive there and surrounding National Parks provide Indiana Jones style adventures, so be sure to hire an automatic 4x4. The cabins: cool, comfortable and clean were surrounded by the most impeccably maintained ranch land. Every morning, we wake up to the sound of birds and rustling leaves. The ranch has old growth rain forest trails, streams, waterfalls, spectacular hilltop views of the tropical tree canopy and the surrounding mountains. Everything is here to escape from stress, including a discreetly hidden yoga platform. Meals are served overlooking a private lake. Bring binoculars to view the many birds seen settling at dusk. Eating the best chocolate in the world, it’s hard to focus on anything else but the food was delicious and fine wine and beers were available. Graduating with a degree from Chocolate University means one thing: You’re officially a connoisseur of life’s finest edible creation. A+—would recommend to anyone!

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