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!

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!

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.

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.

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!

Loved it. Staying in the cloud forest and having hundreds of hummingbirds buzzing around all day was amazing!

It was a great place to stay and we enjoyed our stay at the house.

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.

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).

It was a great place to stay and we enjoyed our stay at the house.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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!

Renting was straight forward and simple, I’m old, I need straight forward and easy! Lol

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!

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.

It was right at the edge of the cloud forest. Beautiful!!

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!

This is a well made house full of history in an absolutely incredible location. All the bedrooms are up a steep flight of stairs however, and the bathroom is on the first floor. So anyone who is slightly disabled be forewarned. The house is at the top of a steep winding driveway which we handled ok with 2 wheel dr. If the weather is extremely rainy however you will need four-wheel-drive. There's a town about 10 minutes away by car which has groceries and restaurants. There are a lot of things to do in the area. The man who checked us in was more attentive than we care for. We like to be totally alone. He checked in every day to make sure we didn't need anything. He scared us a couple of times when he showed up without letting us know first. At first check-in he was great though. He showed us everything in the house and showed us a tarantula in a burrow and hummingbird feeders we could use. For a hummingbird watcher this is an incredible location. We saw four of the seven species drinking from our feeder at any given time and we got as close as 2 feet away while they fed. WhatsApp is used everywhere in Costa Rica. I wish I had set it up before I got to Costa Rica because I wasn't able to once I was there. But you could communicate with pretty much everyone, including the caretaker if you have WhatsApp. The Wi-Fi in the house was good. My cellular didn't work at all. My friend and I would like to return to this house again. It was truly an amazing location.

Traditional cosy home with all the comforts of your own home PLUS view toward Nicoyo Peninsula, your own hiking trails and up close and personal wildlife viewing. And, Oh, those hummingbirds... Steep and rocky driveway.

My wife and I and our two sons, age 15 and 11, stayed here for 4 nights. Plenty of room--beautiful, quality furniture and appliances. Had everything we needed. Amazing views and intriguing wildlife right on the property. What a treat to have Lillian prepare a couple of meals and shop for some breakfast staples upon our arrival. You won't find that in just any rental. We walked to the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. Made our own hummingbird nectar and sat back and enjoyed the show with morning coffee and evening happy hour! Raul is a great property manager and was helpful in our check-in and check-out. It's a 15-minute drive to Santa Elena with LOTS of restaurants and markets. We drove there about everyday because we couldn't be bothered to make our own dinner, BUT it would be easy with the well-stocked kitchen. Highly recommend renting this VRBO and we hope to return...soon!

Our second rental of this property, and it's still charming. Don't expect a TV or multiple baths, as this rentals doesn't have those frills. This is a family sit at the table and play games type of place, homey, quaint, with a wood burning stove as your heater. Wood floors, walls, virtually everything is wood. Hummingbirds are nonstop visitors at the feeders, We had a cudi mundi stop by daily for a visit. Great trails behind the property to hike and watch nature. Fully stocked kitchen is a plus. Arrange for Lillian to prepare a meal for your arrival, you won't be sorry. Also, ask for Marvin if you want a knowledgeable guide for day or night tours in the forest.

Oh my, where to begin?!!! We absolutely loved this property. It is in the cloud forest with a view that includes the ocean! Our daughter is an animal lover and was in heaven. She woke up early each morning to see the hummingbirds, other birds and one day we had a Coati walk up onto the deck. At night, a colony of bads would fly past the windows and we loved that also. The sound of the rain at night was magical. If I had it to do over, I would spend more than three nights here. The property caretaker, Raul, was helpful in getting taxis for us since we had no car and also helped arrange a tour in a cloud forest with a naturalist, Marvin. He was great for a private guide and we learned so much from him!

Our family had the most AMAZING time staying at Fred and Laurie's beautiful property in Monteverde! Laurie answered my MANY questions prior to our trip which was incredibly helpful. Thanks to Laurie's recommendations we had fantastic drives to and from Monteverde and other destinations on our trip with Jose and a magical tour of the Cloud Forest Reserve with Marvin - just a short walk from the house - where we saw quetzals, a viper snake, spiders, lizards, and so much more. We also enjoyed a delicious dinner our first night prepared by Lillian that provided enough food for additional meals as well! Laurie and Fred's property provided us with a feeling of comfort and "home" and was perfect for our family of 5 - we have three kids ages 16, 14, and 11. The location and views are STUNNING! We enjoyed watching the hummingbirds on the upper deck, exploring the trails around the property, our regular visits with an adorable coati, and seeing a number of baby armadillos. During our stay, we also enjoyed a coffee, chocolate, and sugarcane tour at El Trapiche, zip lining at Selvatura, and a visit to the town of Santa Elena.