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Hacienda La Isla Boutique Lodge   Sarapiqui, Costa Rica

ABOUT HACIENDA LA ISLA BOUTQUE LODGE - in their own words:

Hidden in the foothills of the impressive Braulio Carrillo National Park, the Spanish colonial-built Hacienda La Isla Lodge is very well located in the center of numerous top attractions of Costa Rica.
A perfect gateway for your visit to the rainforests and the adventure sites (rafting, canopy, horseback riding, etc.) of Sarapiqui, the exotic Caribbean beaches, the active volcano Arenal or the world famous Tortugero canals and sea turtles (cf. Attractions and Tours).

Its setting alongside mountain streams and exuberant rainforest and pasturelands is breathtaking. Guests will encounter the mysteries of the rainforest while enjoying a comfortable stay in the historically designed rooms of the hacienda. Hacienda La Isla lodge is a unique departure from the common tourism experience in Costa Rica. It offers visitors and guests an imaginative program that expands a visit from passive to personal; all will come away with a vivid impression of colonial history and the dynamic life within the tropical rainforest.

ACCOMMODATIONS:
Hacienda La Isla has 14 exquisite deluxe rooms and 1 suite.  Staying in one of the historical hacienda rooms is a most romantic and unforgettable experience. The colonial ambience and the surrounding rainforest add to this feeling. There are no room numbers. Each room has been named after an aspect of the Hispanic colonial and pre-Columbian era and is subtly furnished and decorated with antiques and historical artifacts. Each room tells a different story.

CUISINE:
Breakfast or dining at La Isla is an extraordinary and romantic experience. The décor is exquisite: an” open” restaurant area (no walls) with a thatched palm roof, garden fresh flowers, and an overall Hispanic Colonial and Indigenous atmosphere. The restaurant is located at the edge of a wonderful lagoon, full of exotic fish and with intimate views of the surrounding tropical forest.

The menu features the finest in specially created cuisine fusion. Using the freshest produce, meats, fish and spices, fruits and vegetables of the region or from our own organic plantations and orchards, such as cassava, bananas, oranges and heart of palm, our skilled chef fuses a splash of Latin with exotic influences for an unforgettable dining event.

GARDENS:
The gardens are a natural extension of the surrounding rainforest. The most important plants are labeled with their scientific, English and Spanish names. The gardens are a true place of splendor all may enjoy.

Guests can enjoy a relaxing time at the swimming pool which is built with an environmentally friendly ionization system which needs no chlorine or chemicals.

Our tropical forest exemplifies what most people think of as a rainforest – a hot, steamy place with enormous trees and an exuberant growth of tropical plants. Stepping into this forest, one is struck by the diversity of fauna and flora. The La Isla trail on the farm is an exciting introduction to these wonders of the tropical forest of Sarapiqui Costa Rica.

SUSTAINABILITY:
The Hacienda has a genuine sustainability program, in which guests are kindly invited to participate. Hacienda La Isla aims to promote cultural, historic and social (indigenous) values and awareness, as well as environmentally friendly practices. Staff recruitment is local and actively implements equal and fair opportunities for all.   La Isla contributes to the local community not only supporting the school and social organizations, but also by using fresh ingredients from local farmers and indigenous craft items for furnishing and restoration. La Isla incorporates energy saving devices. The pool uses neither chemicals nor chlorine, but rather the innovative ionization system. There is an active recycling program and all rooms have solar water heating.

ACTIVITIES:
There are many activities in the vicinity of the farm.
The world famous Rainforest Aerial Tram is only 5 minutes away from the hacienda.
The entrance to one of the major national parks, the Braulio Carrillo National Park, is a short 10 minutes drive. Horseback riding, a spectacular rafting or floating trip, or a more quiet boat ride on the Sarapiqui River are the ‘traditionals’ in activities.
A must for the adventurous is the Canopy Tour.

When you are staying at La Isla, you not only have exciting tours and activities within a short distance, but you are in the center of many top attractions of Costa Rica.
The Poas Volcano is at 1h 45 minutes drive, the Arenal Volcano is a 2 hour drive.
The major pickup place for Tortugero is 5 minutes from La Isla.
The Caribbean beaches are a 2 hour drive.

EXCURSIONS:

La Isla Trail:
Perfect for an early morning stroll. Excellent bird watching.  Howler monkeys are always around.
An exciting trail, crossing mountain streams, rainforest and pasture lands.

Aerial Tram Tour:
Created to raise the world's consciousness of the importance of the tropical rainforests, the Atlantic Rain Forest Aerial Tram allows guests to discover the hidden secrets and hanging gardens of the tropical rainforest from an awe-inspiring perspective.  The Aerial Tram takes you to each unique rainforest dimension: flights above the canopy treetop, guided nature hikes for all levels of physical ability, a snake exhibit, a colorful Frog and Butterfly Garden and bird watching

Braulio Carrillo National Park:
Braulio Carrillo National Park, consisting of 44,000 hectares of virgin rain forest, is one of Costa Rica's largest national parks. Only 10 minutes away from the hotel, entering the park is like entering another world - one of endless verdure dripping with the frequent mists and rains that bathe the upper reaches of the mountain pass. A walk through these rainforests is a spectacular adventure.

Sarapiqui River Rafting:
The Sarapiqui River is one of the best choices for rafting in Costa Rica. We invite you to discover this beautiful river while admiring the splendor of the rainforest. Challenge the most adventurous spirit with rapids while paddling the upper section (class III) of the Sarapiquí river, or the lower half (class I and II) of the river that flows along the borders of the beautiful protected reserves, thick with lush flora and fauna.
The bilingual and professional guides will ensure your safety and comfort during your river
experience.
The exciting trip lasts 2½ to 3 hours.
Departure times are scheduled at 9 AM and 2 PM
Minimum 2 participants.

Sarapiqui River Floating:
For those visitors who want to experience the waterways of Costa Rica – without the adrenaline rush of whitewater rapids – we recommend a float trip down the scenic and historic Puerto Viejo River.
The tour starts at the small village of El Tigre (15 minutes drive). The Puerto Viejo River is class I (flat water) and is a great opportunity to float through the pristine rainforest of La Selva. You will be able to see howler monkeys, sloths, iguanas and all manner of birds which are sometimes difficult to spot while hiking, including toucans, herons, ospreys and more. This trip is a must for bird watching. With guide.
Depending on the water level, the tour lasts between 2 and 3 hours.
Departure times are scheduled at 9 AM and 2 PM
Minimum 2 participants.

Sarapiqui Canopy:
This amazing experience consists of 14 zip-lines located in Hacienda La Linda, from which you can enjoy incredible passages through an exciting tropical rainforest of 114 hectares, as well as the magnificent Sarapiquí River, which you will cross two times during the trip. During this experience, you will be accompanied by experienced guides, using specialized equipment of the highest quality.
Departure times are scheduled at 9 AM and 2 PM
The exciting trip lasts between 2 and 2½ hours.
Minimum 2 participants.

Sarapiqui Horseback Ride:
A horseback ride through dense rainforest, pastures and rivers.
Explore undisturbed nature on horseback, cool off at a spectacular waterfall in the Sueño Azul Rainforest Reserve, and visit a spectacular butterfly farm.
The trip lasts 3 to 3½ hours.
Departure time is scheduled at 9 AM
Minimum 2 participants.

Sarapiqui River Boat Tour:
This is one of the most easy going but none the less exciting tours of the Sarapiqui Region, as you have the chance to see so many different kinds of animals, especially the howler monkeys, caimans, sloths, crocodiles, iguanas, oropendolas, toucans and so many other birds. The boat trip takes about 2 hours.
Departure time from the boat dock (Puerto Viejo Sarapiqui) is scheduled at 9 AM and 2 PM.
Minimum 2 participants.