Naturalist's Cloud Forest Retreat
5.0
Outstanding(147 Reviews)House in Monteverde
8 guests · 2 bedrooms · 1 bath
Reasons to book
Guests love it hereGuests give this property a top rating
Free cancellationFull refund if you change your mind
Includes essentialsGarden, Kitchen or Kitchenette, Internet / Wifi and more
About this house rental
Our house is located on 40 acres of private property that abuts the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve and is one of the last private homes before the Reserve. More than half our land is in primary cloud forest, but we also have a large clearing below our house that is perfect for viewing wildlife. In fact, because our place is contiguous to more than 110,000 acres of protected forest, you’re likely to see many more animals here than in most other places in the Monteverde zone. White-faced monkeys, coatis, and agoutis are all commonly seen on our land, and several cloud forest specialists, including resplendent quetzals and black guans are also often seen near the house. Even brocket deer, which are very uncommon, are occasionally seen here.
Fred Morrison built the house in the mid-1980s. He first visited Monteverde in 1981 and during his stay, he and two other biologists had a picnic on the property, taking in the spectacular view of the forest and the Gulf of Nicoya in the distance. A week later, his friends called to tell him that the parcel was for sale and asked if he would like to become a part owner. The three of them purchased the property later that year from one of the original Quaker farmers. Since then, each shareholder has built a house or cabin on the land. None of the dwellings are in sight of the others, which gives you a very private experience.
The house itself is located on a hillside at the end of a 500-foot driveway. It was designed with lots of large, picture windows to bring in plenty of natural light and is oriented toward the southwest with dramatic views of the Gulf of Nicoya and the forest canopy below.
The downstairs includes a living room with a wood burning stove, a dining room, kitchen, two box seats, a large bathroom and a small utility room with a washer and dryer. There’s also a long front porch on the first floor and upstairs, a roofed balcony, where you can sit looking out at the Gulf of Nicoya and watch up to nine species of hummingbirds visit the feeders. The second floor has two good-sized bedrooms, one with a queen-sized bed and the other with two full beds.
At our place, you will be well away from the bustle of Santa Elena and the main road. You will be able to go to sleep to the sounds of katydids, cicadas, frogs and wake up to chorusing black-bellied wood quail and dueting gray-breasted wood wrens.
A public bus passes by at the bottom of the driveway several times each day and taxis are available at any time. Several good restaurants, a small grocery store and a few gift/coffee shops are located within 2 miles and many more are available in nearby Santa Elena.
The entrance to the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is just a ten minute walk from our house. But, of course, the walk could take much longer if you're looking at wildlife or plants!
If you’d like a home-cooked Costa Rican meal, we can arrange to have a talented local cook come before you arrive (or during your stay) and prepare one. She can also deliver groceries upon request.
If you're interested in hiring a private naturalist guide or taking a tour, please be in touch with us and we can make arrangements.
Fred Morrison built the house in the mid-1980s. He first visited Monteverde in 1981 and during his stay, he and two other biologists had a picnic on the property, taking in the spectacular view of the forest and the Gulf of Nicoya in the distance. A week later, his friends called to tell him that the parcel was for sale and asked if he would like to become a part owner. The three of them purchased the property later that year from one of the original Quaker farmers. Since then, each shareholder has built a house or cabin on the land. None of the dwellings are in sight of the others, which gives you a very private experience.
The house itself is located on a hillside at the end of a 500-foot driveway. It was designed with lots of large, picture windows to bring in plenty of natural light and is oriented toward the southwest with dramatic views of the Gulf of Nicoya and the forest canopy below.
The downstairs includes a living room with a wood burning stove, a dining room, kitchen, two box seats, a large bathroom and a small utility room with a washer and dryer. There’s also a long front porch on the first floor and upstairs, a roofed balcony, where you can sit looking out at the Gulf of Nicoya and watch up to nine species of hummingbirds visit the feeders. The second floor has two good-sized bedrooms, one with a queen-sized bed and the other with two full beds.
At our place, you will be well away from the bustle of Santa Elena and the main road. You will be able to go to sleep to the sounds of katydids, cicadas, frogs and wake up to chorusing black-bellied wood quail and dueting gray-breasted wood wrens.
A public bus passes by at the bottom of the driveway several times each day and taxis are available at any time. Several good restaurants, a small grocery store and a few gift/coffee shops are located within 2 miles and many more are available in nearby Santa Elena.
The entrance to the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is just a ten minute walk from our house. But, of course, the walk could take much longer if you're looking at wildlife or plants!
If you’d like a home-cooked Costa Rican meal, we can arrange to have a talented local cook come before you arrive (or during your stay) and prepare one. She can also deliver groceries upon request.
If you're interested in hiring a private naturalist guide or taking a tour, please be in touch with us and we can make arrangements.
Amenities
Kitchen or Kitchenette
Internet / Wifi
Parking
Laundry
Balcony or Patio
Garden
Family friendly
Map of Monteverde
Reviews
5.0
Outstanding(147 Reviews)5.0
The house is old but kept clean and cozy. It is at a high position on the mountain with a good view of the forest and the ocean. We waked up morning with birds' song and the hummingbirds are not afraid of human at all. The meal prepared by Lilliana is very tasty. Our family enjoyed our stay of 2 nights.
5.0
Was very relaxing
5.0
We loved this house and the surrounding property. The trail on the property was fun to hike. The hummingbirds were absolutely amazing! Monteverde is a super place to hike with Howler, Spider, Capuchin monkeys, Coatis, and many beautiful birds. We even saw the elusive Resplendent Quetzal!
My only complaint is the terrible roads so full of potholes. A bit scary to drive and caused us some carsickness.
Otherwise loved the isolation and new habitat. Thank you!
5.0
We loved staying here! Raul was amazing to work with and he was so great to help us set up a night hike with his son (which was amazing) and helped us figure out transportation there. He was great and showed us plants around the property.
We also loved the dinner made by Lillian! It was delicious and fed us for 2 nights. So wonderful to have food waiting after a long day of travel.
Totally recommend this place. It was a little far from the town if you don’t have transportation but many of the places are hard to walk to if you want an awesome location with a view that can’t be beat! Sitting on the porch watching hummingbirds even when it was pouring rain was an incredible experience
5.0
Perfect cabin situated above the trees of the cloud forest! We were juat amazed by the view of this place! They had everything we needed to stay comfortably. Very nice sitting area on the second floor where you can feed the hummingbirds and watch other wildlife. We had tons of hummingbirds in the day and bats flying around at night, super cool! Toucanets and Motmots where also a common sighting. Thank you Raul for tracking down a whole Gunabana fruit for us while we were there! The property is very close to the Monteverde cloud forest reserve. You could walk to it but is a little uphill from the property. We decided to just park at the official parking spot a little ways down the road and it worked out good for us. Its also a short ride/drive to downtown Monteverde with everything you need. Definitely a special place amd so glad to have stayed here.
5.0
The little yellow house vibes love and family in all of its nooks and crevices! I wouldn’t be surprised if we are back again For a third visit.
5.0
Beautiful and peaceful location with a view of the ocean. The hummingbirds were loudly waiting for food within minutes of us walking in and they did not disappoint-a never ending show. Raul is a wonderful host and Raul Jr is a fantastic naturalist guide. So much to do and see, we wish we could have stayed longer!
5.0
Wonderful home next to the park. Huge property with very well maintained trails, it’s functionally part of the nature preserve. Highly recommend Raul Jr’s night tour if he’s available, it was outstanding. Incredible to stay so close to the cloud forrest entrance. We saw many birds from the porch, can see the Pacific Ocean on a clear day. Long term ecology conscious owner, warm and joyful local support folks. Can’t recommend enough, the perfect way to experience the cloud forrest.
5.0
Absolutely beautiful spot. We loved our stay and highly recommend this cabin. Everything is in great condition and very clean.
The only thing for guests to be aware of is that check-in requires meeting the property manager at the property a pre-arranged time (rather than self-check-in).
5.0
Two special people make for a unique experience. Raul Ramirez, the property manager, arranged for a guide in the Cloud Forest who was excellent, and called taxis that could manage the steep driveway and understand some English. Lillian, the cook and housekeeper, had the place looking spotless and provided dinner in huge proportions that fed us well for two meals. She kindly brought breakfast supplies as well.
There's a personal touch with a binder that provides the owner's story and a guide to the house, and a guest book with lots of thank yous. Children's drawings are especially appreciated.
Just as advertised, it's an easy walk from the house to the entrance to the Cloud Forest Preserve.
5.0
Nice quiet secluded house a short walk away from the entrance to the Cloud Forest Preserve. However, there is a fairly steep and long driveway to negotiate. There are animals and birds that frequent the property, and there is a nice walk through a trail on the property itself.
Just be aware, this is a comfortable but rustic house- no TV, but decent wifi (suggestion to Laurie: replace the router with one or two eeros. Shower head also should be replaced.). Pre-arrival communication with the owner was great, as was the check-in with Raul, the property manager. A short drive to the restaurants and shops at Monteverde and Santa Elena. Take advantage of the opportunity to have Lillian cook a meal for you.
5.0
We loved our stay at the cabin on the mountain! Spacious and comfortable and located in a quiet, serene setting just a short walk to the Reserve and Cafe Colibri. We loved the cozy window seats to relax and peruse the many books on nature and look at our pictures from the day of exploring. We enjoyed our time exploring the trail behind the house, and sitting on the balcony, sipping wine and watching gorgeous hummingbirds come to the feeders. Raul was so kind and helpful and he was always quick to reply if I had a question. He arranged a wonderful night tour with his son and even let us follow him to the site so we wouldn't have trouble finding it. Lillian prepared several delicious meals for us that lasted us for a few nights nights. We stayed for four nights but would have loved to stay longer as there is so much to do in Monte Verde!
5.0
The spot was completely magical. Our only negative was that we didn’t stay long enough. Incredibly peaceful and beautiful with outrageous sunset views and very easy walks to Monteverde park. A true dream.
5.0
We spent to wonderful nights in this house. The hummingbirds are awesome. They drank two feeders in one day. The house is very cozy.
5.0
I wish we had booked a longer stay here! The views were so wonderful we were reluctant to go anywhere else. We spent hours on the upstairs deck watching the hummingbirds (9 or 10 different species that we were able to identify) and staring out at the Gulf of Nicoya. The house was exactly as advertised and we were very happy to be able to do laundry. We had dinner waiting for us upon our arrival and tons of leftovers - enough for a couple more meals per person. This was a perfect midway stop during our Costa Rica vacation!
5.0
The four of us (kids 9 and 11) had a wonderful stay at this home in Monteverde. Laurie the host was so helpful with information in advance, and Raul was on site to help us settle in and coordinate with our guides and other activities. Lillian made us an incredible dinner that we enjoyed all week. We enjoyed a guided tour of the nearby park and a night hike with Marvin. The house was clean with wonderful wildlife all around and had everything we needed to enjoy our time in the rain forest. We loved it- thanks to all!
5.0
We stayed for six nights in this very nice home. Comfortable beds. Very quite nights to sleep. An excellent meal was prepared for us upon arrival and feed us for four nights. Lillian is a superb chef. Trails into very nice forest around house. Ten species of hummingbirds were regular at feeders. We recorded 76 species of birds around the grounds. Will certainly make plans to return. Recommended.
5.0
My group of 4 had a wonderful five-night stay. The location is perfect for access to Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve and to Curi-Cancha. We enjoyed the trails on the property, taking hikes in the day and at night. We spent hours daily, especially in the evenings, on the upper deck, for the beautiful scenery and for the many hummingbirds. This truly is a perfect place for a naturalist, and has the warmth of a home that has been loved. If you are a reader, like I am, this place is perfect, with a couple of comfy nooks, plus the deck. I quite enjoyed the bookshelf full of naturalist books about the flora and fauna of the are. Beds were comfortable. The shower gets nice and hot. It had all we could need, and the kitchen was well-stocked with equipment, making it very easy for us to cook. Lillian’s cooked for us a couple of nights, and her food was delicious, especially the tres leches cake. Raul was so helpful for checking us in and answering questions. We took one night hike with Raul’s son, who was an excellent guide. I highly recommend this home to anyone who wants a comfortable stay, in a lush and peaceful place.
5.0
We were delighted to find that this property was so close to the preserve. It was easily the highest house on the hill, and afforded spectacular views, as well as lush vegetation that was just as impressive as the nearby a reserve. In fact, we had better luck seeing birds and wildlife on this property versus the preserve. We were glad we had four-wheel-drive to get up the driveway, since it was rainy that week. The property manager Raul was responsive and helpful and we hired Lilian (housekeeper) to make some amazing meals. The hummingbird feeders were a big highlight for all of us - we couldn’t believe the variety of birds that visited. The kids also loved seeing coatis and agoutis wander by. We were cozy, comfortable and very pleased with the house. Given our family size we wished there was more that just the one bathroom, but we made it work. We would come back again without hesitation. 5/5 stars!
5.0
Loved it. Staying in the cloud forest and having hundreds of hummingbirds buzzing around all day was amazing!
5.0
It was a great place to stay and we enjoyed our stay at the house.
5.0
We enjoyed our stay at this cabin. We are a family of 6 and had enough room using the sitting area cushions, which were very comfortable. Raul, the property manager, was very helpful and assisted with setting up tours in the area. We even did a night hike with his son, Raul Jr, who was so nice and a really great guide. Things we enjoyed in the area were, zip lining at 100% Adventura, sky adventures hanging bridges, and the Don Juan chocolate tour. The Don Juan chocolate tour really surprised us. It was a lot of fun and very informative and our guide, Jocsan, was so funny and entertaining. We loved eating at Open Kitchen, that had healthy and delicious options! The house itself was rustic, but was clean and had everything we needed at a great price. Lillian prepared a meal for us upon arrival, which was wonderful, and we even had leftovers for the next day.
5.0
We really enjoyed our stay here - a family of 4. The house is clean and the chairs on the deck have been updated and are nicer than the ones in the photo. The house manager was friendly and helpful and we could walt to the Reserve, which was fun. There's a cook who can make local dishes for you too, which was nice (tho I'd recommend avoiding the gluten-free desserts and they were costly and not very good but the meals were).
5.0
It was a great place to stay and we enjoyed our stay at the house.
5.0
We had a great stay at this wonderfully unique cabin in the cloud forest. The house is full of rustic charm & the surrounding area is one of the most private locations you can find. The driveway may have been improved lately because I read 4x4 was required, but our shuttle driver drove his Mercedes Sprinter van up with no trouble. The beds were very comfortable & the house was sparkling clean. We only found one spider during our stay & we had no trouble escorting him gently outside.
I must highlight all the help we received from Laurie & her team during our trip. This was our first time in Costa Rica & she provided us with invaluable contacts to make our trip smooth & memorable. First, she introduced us to Jose who has an immaculate red tourist van & is an excellent & safe driver. He took us wherever we needed to go & patiently waited while we did errands, etc. He even went into the bank with my husband to help translate during a transaction. Way above & beyond! Secondly, Lillian prepared delicious food that was waiting for us at the house. It was so convenient since we did not have a car for shopping. You must try the Arroz con Pollo & Tres Leches Cake! Third, the property manager, Raul, was incredibly helpful throughout our stay. The location is remote, so it was nice to know Raul was close by & accessible via WhatsApp for anything. He even arranged for his son to take us on a Night Hike. Raul Jr. is an excellent guide. Highly recommend! Overall, a 5-star experience!
5.0
Our family, including our 3 children ages 14, 14, and 9 loved Laurie’s home. The place was clean and check in with Raul was easy peasy. Lillian’s dinner was so delicious, we never went out to eat. There’s no A/C, but it’s not needed as the evenings were very cool, we wore sweaters outside. The roads are rough and a 4WD is definitely helpful. For reference, it took us about 28 min to get to Selventura park for zip lining. Also, sipping coffee while gazing at the peninsula and watching hummingbirds fight over the feeder was just another plus to this place.
5.0
This property and it's location are special, simply put. It is a simple and clean house that focuses on the nature it exists in. Check in and organizing tours with Raul was easy and helpful. We did a guided early morning hike with Marvin and a night hike with Raul, Jr. Both hikes were worth the cost. We would not have seen most of the wildlife we saw if we tried to go through on our own.
It was so nice to arrive to a meal and groceries, courtesy of Lillian.
But the crown jewel of this house are the hummingbirds. We spent the afternoons on the balcony watching them come to the feeders. There were many other species of birds as well. If you consider yourself a birder, this is the place you want to be.
The beds were very comfortable, which is not usually the case with vacation rentals. I would absolutely recommend staying here if you're coming for the cloud forest.
5.0
Nice remote location! Very close to Cloud forest reserve and to town. House is very clean. Kitchen has everything you need! I gapped that there wasnt a TV nor A/C...so be aware of that.
5.0
We stayed 5 nights. We were looking for tranquility, beauty, and several new bird sightings. This property has it all. There can be no better choices for those with the same expectations. Definitely put it on your list.
5.0
We thoroughly enjoyed our stay. The house is rustic and soooo peaceful. Extra blankets were helpful during the cool nights, but the climate up there is so perfect. We enjoyed visiting the resident tarantula and had coati’s visit us. Raul was very helpful in arranging rides and I was glad I waited for his help in booking activities as it allows for more flexibility. Highly recommend Raul books Marvin for a tour of the park, he is so knowledgeable and a kind man with very good English if that’s helpful for you. We also enjoyed a delicious meal prepared by Lillian when we arrived. The driveway is very steep as mentioned but the view is worth it if you can manage it physically. If you don’t have a rental vehicle (like us) I suggest arriving with some food so you can relax. Multiple tour companies will also pick you up a short walk away.
5.0
Fantastic secluded location but still quick to get into town. The views are great, and we even had “pet” coatis and a tarantula who visited (outside) everyday. Communication was great and Raul the property manager was very friendly and helpful. The home cooked meal by Lillian was also a highlight, and it provided several meals. Highly recommended!
5.0
My family of four had an amazing time exploring the trails, watching the hummingbirds and relaxing at the cloud forest house. We also opted for a prepared meal to be made on the night we arrived - lots of food, tasty, and very convenient.
5.0
We couldn’t have been happier with this spot! It’s quiet and feel secluded but it’s only a few short minutes to drive to some of the attractions around Monteverde. Raul (property manager) was SO helpful and accommodating and went above and beyond to make our trip memorable. We had Lillian cook three meals for us, as well as get some groceries to have on hand and that was such a treat. I would not hesitate to recommend or to stay here again.
5.0
You really are part of the forest here. Great birding and wildlife viewing right on the property. Raul is great at introducing you to the house and area, and making conne tions for guides and activities.
5.0
My husband and I just returned from a stay at the Naturalist Cloud Forest Retreat in
Monteverde and it was one of the most unique vacations we’ve ever experienced. The setting is spectacular and the views of the cloud forest are breathtaking. The property manager, Raul, was an incredibly welcoming and friendly host that went out of his way to ensure that our stay was enjoyable. He gave us some excellent tips and provided us with great recommendations. We stayed in a cozy cabin and the amenities provided met all our needs. The beds were comfortable and the kitchen was well-equipped. Lillian, prepared us a delicious meal that was waiting for us when we arrived. Marvin, gave us an incredible night tour that I highly recommend. He is professional and very knowledgeable of the wildlife and is an amazing photographer. He took beautiful pictures with our cell phones providing us with long lasting memories. The owner of the property, Laurie, answered all our questions in a timely manner and was helpful providing information about the property. Overall, the Naturalist Cloud Forest Retreat was an amazing place to stay in Monteverde and I would absolutely recommend it
to anyone looking for a unique and unforgettable experience. Many thanks!
5.0
Renting was straight forward and simple, I’m old, I need straight forward and easy! Lol
5.0
My husband and I stayed three nights at this property. Prior to arrival we got clear instructions as to location, check in and options for having food prepared for us by the owners' housekeeper. We were met at the property by the caretaker who was friendly and very helpful. The house itself was extremely clean and comfortable, but best of all was the location in the heart of the Cloud Forest. We spent hours watching dozens of hummingbirds of many varieties at the provided feeders, enjoyed a curious coati who came up to visit on the porch and were awed by the view. The road to get to the property is rough, but oh so worth it. A truly magical place. We will be back!
5.0
Wonderful location if you are mainly interested in the cloud forest preserve (easy walk if you park at the bottom of the driveway), CuriCancha, etc. We loved the deck and sat there a lot, watching hummingbirds and babanaquits at the feeders and the clouds/mist/rain sweeping across the view to the Gulf of Nicoya. The house was comfortable and had all we needed, and Lillian’s guacamole was incredible (though I’d suggest providing some chips or more tortillas to dip into it). The driveway is a bit of a challenge even with 4wd due to a couple of narrow spots and deep ruts, but we managed. Definitely recommend 4wd for all of Monteverde, but especially if you’re staying here.
5.0
It was right at the edge of the cloud forest. Beautiful!!
5.0
Laurie's home was just what we were looking for in our Monteverde stay! Surrounded by nature, quiet, gorgeous views and a rustic feel. We loved sitting outside enjoying the sounds and sites around the house. We hiked the trails connected with the property and walked the property and surrounding area several times.
The house has everything you need and Lillian & her daughter's cooking was fabulous! We were greeted with wonderful smells and a delightful dinner. Ask Laurie for details.
Monteverde is a 10 minute drive, and we loved that the restaurants, shops and tours were easily accessible. We ziplined via Sky Adventures and its was GREAT!
Raul is a great care taker & Laurie answered all of my questions in a timely manner. Thank you for a wonderful experience!
FAQs
How much does this house cost compared to others in Monteverde?
The average price for a rental in Monteverde is $101 per night. This rental is $191 above the average.
Is parking included with this house?
Yes, parking is listed as an amenity at Naturalist's Cloud Forest Retreat. For more information, we encourage you to contact the property about where to park.
Is there a pool at this house?
We didn’t find pool listed as an amenity for this house. It may be worth double checking if a pool is important for your stay.
Is Naturalist's Cloud Forest Retreat pet friendly?
Unfortunately, this house is not pet-friendly. Try searching again and filter for "Pets Allowed"
What amenities are available at Naturalist's Cloud Forest Retreat?
We found 7 amenities for this rental. This includes kitchen or kitchenette, internet / wifi, parking, laundry, and balcony or patio.
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