Skip to content

Rancho Naturalista

One of Costa Rica's most famous birding lodges, the Rancho Naturalista has a well-deserved reputation with over 450 species of birds recorded in the area. Many of these birds may be simply observed from the garden of this comfortable lodge, famous for its excellent food, welcoming hospitality and stunning views.

There are a select number of trails through the surrounding forest in which to view numerous other species and a stay here includes the services of a resident professional birding guide, available from first light to after dark every day.

There are 15 comfortable, well-appointed rooms. The main building of the lodge is in a traditional Spanish colonial style. It has a sitting room with a large internal and external dining area along with their world-famous, recently-extended birding balcony, where over 250 species have been recorded. There is also a reference area which is stocked with various bird-related literature and internet access.

All your meals are included during your visit and the range of international and Costa Rican cuisine is served family-style at the table. Please note this hotel does not accept credit card payments.

OUR RATING: Simple

Speak to someone
who's been there
Emma portrait

Start planning your tailor-made trip by contacting one of our Costa Rica specialists

Tour ideas in Turrialba

Our itineraries are there to spark ideas for how you could include a stay at Rancho Naturalista as part of your trip. Treat them simply as suggestions, because every aspect of the trip we create for you will be yours to define.

Location & places nearby

Places & hotels on the map

    Alternative places to stay nearby

    Where possible, we like to offer a range of accommodation for each stop of your trip, chosen by our specialists as some of their favorite places to stay. To help you make the right choice, we give each property a rating based on its facilities and service, but we also look for hotels with distinct character or a location that can't be bettered.

    • Canopy Villa, Pacuare Lodge
      Responsible Choice

      Pacuare Lodge

      Turrialba
      First Class

    Experiences while staying here

    The following activities are designed to give you the most authentic experiences of the area where you're staying. We work with local guides, who use their knowledge and often a resident's eye to show you the main sights and more out-of-the-way attractions. Our specialists can also suggest outdoor pursuits and activities, such as cooking classes, that will introduce you to the traditions of the area's inhabitants.

    • CATIE Agricultural Research Station
      Turrialba, Costa Rica

      CATIE Agricultural Research Station

      CATIE Agricultural Research Station

      Enjoy a guided tour of CATIE, one of the leading tropical and agricultural research stations in the world. Walk the winding paths, spotting many tropical bird, insect and reptile species along the way, and learn about the cutting-edge research and techniques being used by the center.

      View details

    Turrialba and nearby places