Located literally on a mountaintop about an hour outside the town of Quepos and three hours from San Jose, Costa Rica, this rural lodge is naturally magnificent. After a long and very bumpy ride through a palm tree farm, across streams, around windy, rocky roads and up hills, you will arrive at a breathtaking scene of green and blue that will have your family feeling as though you’re looking at a painting on the wall. But the view is even better than any painting!

The rural atmosphere of this hotel may leave some apprehensive about having no Wi-Fi, no swimming pool and no beach. But the horseback riding, waterfalls, fishing pond and being surrounded by wildlife will soon have families reconnecting and soaking in the Costa Rica pura vida (pure life) ways.

The onsite restaurant provides authentic local cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner (included in your rate) and the mountainside or village cabins make you feel as though you are sleeping in the clouds. Santa Juana Lodge, which opened in 2014, is run entirely by the people of the tiny Pueblo of Santa Juana. The community welcomes its visitors and takes pride in their hospitality and local food. The Santa Juana community will welcome your family to their home, and soon, you will a part of their family.

Santa Juana Lodge is part of the Greentique Hotel Group which also includes Si Como No.

Families will love the mountain or village cabins where you can turn off devices and reconnect. Each of the six cabins makes you feel as though you are sleeping high in the sky, and you won't be abe to stop staring out at the vistas in awe. All rates include all meals at the onsite restaurant (excluding alcohol) and there are extra persons fees. There is no Wi-Fi at this resort, but the cabins do have televisions and DVD players.

Casitas
These split-level, 650-square-foot mountainside cabins feature high ceilings and breathtaking panaromic mountain views. The greens and blues that will shine through the open-air cabins are amazing. A king bed and two sleeper sofas are in the cabins, along with a kitchenette and bathroom with stand-up shower. Ceiling fans, a refrigerator, stove, range and microwave can also be found inside. Plus, there is a full DVD library available.

Village Casa
This two-bedroom house is located in the village, but still offers amazing panoramic views. The mountain casa features two king beds, a sleeper sofa and kitchenette. The bathroom features a stand-up shower and there is a BBQ area, as well as a DVD library.

"In-Laws" Casa
This tiny "mother-in-law's" cabin features a double bed, small porch, bathroom and a mini-fridge. This cabin is ideal for a driver, guide or the in-laws. A maxium of two people can accommodate this small cabin.

You won't find a giant pool, waterslide or even a beach at Santa Juana Lodge, but you will have impeccable, one-of-a-kind experiences. As part of the Greentique Hotel group, Santa Juana Lodge offers guests numerous tour opportunities both on the hotel property as well as at other Greentique Hotel properties. The tours can be an additional purchase or you can book a package when you book your reservation.

Certified guides accompany groups on all tours and most of the tours take a full day. Lunch, snacks and transportation are included and costs vary based on the activity.

Tree Reforestation Program
Visitors are asked to choose a tree, which will then be planted in your name back into the rainforest. By adopting the tree, you help to conserve the mountain and you receive a tree adoption certificate.

Santa Juana Rural Mountain Adventure Tour
Hike or horseback ride through a jungle trail to an authentic sugar mill where oxen will churn sugar cane. Continue through the jungle and see beautiful waterfalls. Those who dare to can jump from a cliff into the waterfall. And for those who are more cautious, there is a steady staircase down to the bottom of the waterfall pool. Swim in the natural and refreshing waters before taking some time to fish (catch and release) in a small pond filled with tilapia.

Santa Juana Rural Mountain Adventure and Zipline Tour
Add zip-lining to the above tour. With multiple zip-lines, a Tarzan swing and rappeling, adventurous families will surely love this tour.

Rio Rodeo Gardens and Waterfalls Guided Horseback Tour
Explore the Cloudmaker Reserve on horseback. Arrive at the Rio Rodeo Gardens for some relaxtion, then hike to the waterfall to swim and fish in the tilapia pond.

Cloudmaker/Santa Juana Birding Tour
With more than 900 species of birds in all of Costa Rica, bird lovers will love this tour led by certified guides through the Cloudmaker Reserve.

Guided Horesback Rentals
An experienced guide and horse wrangler will take you through trails as you ride horseback and look out over the gorgeous mountain vistas. The two-hour tour (based on horse rental time) may also stop at the waterfalls and fishing pond.

Los Santos Coffee Tour
Discover the secrets of Costa Rican coffee at the Los Santos coffee plantation. Families will travel by 4x4 and receive a guided tour of the entire coffee making process from plant to cup.

El Mirador
This hilltop, open-air, casual restaurant overlooks the village of Santa Juana, mountain vistas and the Pacific coastline of Manual Antonio National Park below. The restaurant is also only a short walk from the guestroom cabins. Traditional Costa Rican meals (recipes handed down from generation to generation) are served here for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Vegetarian meals are available by request and the true Costa Rican coffee will have you constantly wanting a cup. The open kitchen and dining area are small, but it makes you and your family feel as though you are part of the Santa Juana community. All meals at El Mirador are included with your room rate. The restaurant is open from 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

All About the Extras
Wi-Fi
Take a break from your devices because there is no Wi-Fi atop this mountain lodge.

Groceries
For a fee, the hotel staff would be happy to stock your kitchenette with groceries. You supply the list and they will climb down the mountain and do the shopping.

Transportation
Transportation to and from the hotel can be provided by the staff and is highly recommended. A 4x4 vehicle is needed to reach the top of the mountain.

The Art of Smart Timing
December is high tourist season in Costa Rica. Rainy or green season runs from about April to mid-November in the Santa Juana area. Rainy season does not mean it will constantly rain, but do expect the possibility of heavy downpours in the afternoons for an hour or so. Dry season runs from December to March.

Getting There
San Jose International Airport is about three hours away from Santa Juana Lodge and Daniel Oduber International Airport in the Guanacaste region is about four and half hours away from the hotel. A 4x4 vehicle is needed to reach the hotel from either of the international airports.

Once you turn off the main paved roadways, the drive up the mountain to the hotel is not easy and takes about an hour. It is extremely bumpy on a rocky and dirt road as you wind around the mountain while crossing over streams to reach the top. Make sure to hit the bathroom before you begin this journey. The hotel does provided transportation to and from both airports for a significant fee, but it is highly recommended to let them do the driving.

Getting Around
The rural mountain atmosphere of this hotel does not leave many options to venture far outside of the community. Remember it's almost an hour back down the mountain. Transportation can be provided, but really you won't want to leave anyway.