Vida Aventura Ranch

We specifically searched for a hotel where we wouldn’t feel like just another guest in mass tourism or in one of those huge, impersonal resorts and this place exceeded all our expectations. We travelled during the low season, so it was generally very peaceful, but I’m convinced that even when the hotel is fully booked, you would still have plenty of privacy and be able to fully enjoy the surrounding nature. We stayed in the Dome, and it was absolutely beautiful. The room was spotless, very tastefully furnished, and the panoramic view was perfectly positioned so we could watch the sunset directly from our bed every evening. The whole property is stunning. It’s a ranch surrounded by nature, with horses and the sweetest dogs imaginable. Watching the horses graze while listening to nature around us was pure relaxation. The owner, Jorge, personally welcomed us on our first day. He is incredibly kind and gave us many great tips for activities and for Costa Rica in general. Throughout our stay, he was always available via WhatsApp whenever we needed anything. We had dinner at the hotel every evening because it was simply too beautiful and cozy to want to eat anywhere else. The food was delicious, and the atmosphere was incredibly idyllic. The pool area was also fantastic: one pool to cool down in and another warm relaxation pool with bubble jets. Since the entire property is immersed in nature, we constantly saw beautiful birds and wildlife around us. Overall, this was one of the most relaxing places during our entire Costa Rica trip. The staff, especially Jorge, were unbelievably friendly and helpful. We truly felt welcomed and cared for throughout our stay. We would absolutely come back.

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We had an amazing time at the Vida Aventura Ranch! Our room was large and the kitchen had all the necessities. We loved the pool, the hiking trails around, the zip line and horseback riding and were so thankful for the amazing staff!

There was nothing we didn’t like about the property! It is a bit out of the beaten path so just a reminder to bring snacks and toiletries so that you can fully soak up the relaxation.

We stayed two nights on Vida Aventura in room 5, one of the two apartments on ground floor level. Very clean. It had one very large bed, a room with twin beds and a single bed in another place, rooms with beds not divided by doors. There even was a large kitchen. The advantage of the disadvantage that Vida Aventura is located at the end of a rather bad (only the last few km) unpaved road is the remote and quiet location. No mass tourism. The additional dinner, very convenient because of the location, was good. The way to the Natural Park is easy to drive and takes about 30 minutes. We liked the swimming pool and jacuzzi.

The large restaurant in particular lacks atmosphere and coziness. The windmills in the neighbourhood - not visible from the accommodation- don’t fit with the landscape and the image CR wishes to spread of unspoiled horizons.

The location is beautiful and surrounded by nature. We enjoyed the activities and the staff in the restaurant were friendly and welcoming. The accommodation itself was comfortable and our children had a great time during our stay, especially the swimming pool.

Before extending our stay, I explicitly asked whether the extra night could be booked at the same rate as our original reservation. The property confirmed in writing that it could. After checkout, additional charges were added that had never been disclosed beforehand. When I requested clarification, the property eventually acknowledged that the difference was caused by an additional guest surcharge that had not been mentioned when the extension was agreed. An additional amount was then charged to my credit card without my approval. Once I challenged these charges and requested a refund, I stopped receiving responses. Mistakes can happen, but transparency, accurate billing and communication are essential. Unfortunately, this is where our experience fell short.