La Anita Rain Forest

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:)

We spent three night at La Anita Rainforest Lodge and enjoyed our stay immensely. The cabin was spacious and comfortable. It had no air conditioning but the open windows with mosquito netting allowed a refreshing flow of air through. The sounds of the rainforest at night were amazing. Unfortunately for us the low rainfall season had forgotten to make an appearance so we did not get the views of the night sky that we we had been looking forward to seeing. Breakfast was included and was very tasty, The juice in particular was very good. You had no choice of the hot dish but on all three days it was delicious so no complaints there. For some very complicated reason we had no car on this part of our trip so we ate dinner here every night for a reasonable price. Again there was only one set menu but it was all locally sourced produce that was very well cooked. Wine and beer were available for those who wanted it. Not having a car we spent our days just walking around the paths in the ranch. The walk up to the viewpoint by the Research Centre was very good, about 2k each way. Some of the other smaller paths were a little difficult due to the rainfall and resulting mud but perfectly usable with a little care. On balance we would suggest having a car to visit some of the sites in the area although be prepared for some bumpy roads. That said if you need to just chill out then the wildlife, ambience and views will enable you to do just that. Pablo, the owner, was very attentive. He also ran the Cacao tour where we learnt an awful lot about Cacao and Chocolate, The tour lasted over three hours and included lunch for a good price. Pablo's passion for the Rainforest and Cacao shine through. Just be warned that having been on the tour you might just turn your back on the 'chocolate' that you eat back at home. Finally a big thank you to both Stephany & Raquel for their assistance during the booking process and for organising out taxi from and to Liberia at short notice when we were et down by ur driver who was supposed to take us from Puerto Carillo.

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!

We had a fabulous two days at Finca La Anita. Pablo and Ana were fabulous hosts and we truly enjoyed learning from their knowledge of all things Costa Rican, especially the history and quality of chocolate and coffee. We stayed in cabin 8 which was comfortably rustic with a refrigerator. We found the temperature in mid Feb to be approx 10 degrees C cooler than the coast. Travel by SUV is best as the road is quite rough at times. The home cooked meals were authentic, yummy and filling. We loved both the peacefullness, the nature and the birds at Finca La Anita. Many thanks Pablo and Ana, we are already looking forward to our next visit.

La Anita Ranch is the most wonderful place. The property is breathtaking, with beautiful paths to explore and a small watercourse running through it. The cabins are comfortable and we enjoyed time sitting on our deck listening to the birds or the rain. The cacao tour was fascinating and the quality and price of the cacao and chocolate I bought were amazing. The owners Pablo and Ana are beautiful, soulful people whose care and support of this land and their community are evident in all they do. All of the staff are respectful, warm, and dedicated to ensuring the guests have everything they need. The food was healthy and delicious. While at the ranch Pablo and Ana will connect guests with local experiences. We went on a horseback ride and took a local cooking class. Both were once in a lifetime type experiences. Anyone wanting to experience the rainforest and Costa Rican culture will be delighted to stay here. My week there was a profoundly beautiful experience that exceeded all my expectations.

Amazing place!!! Amazing people. Highlight of our trip to Costa Rica.