Amazing retreat in the rainforest with Chilamate We love Chilamate so much we returned on our recent trip. We visited 3 years ago and just got... read more back from a 10 day kayaking trip with Selva Whitewater. During our trip we stayed with Chilamate again and our only regret was that we didn't stay there more nights on our kayaking adventure around the various parts of Costa Rica. Megan and her family are just wonderful hosts, the location is amazing, the rooms are wonderful, and the food is simply incredible. We stayed in the loft near the walking trails in the back and it has tons of space, complete with recent remodeling and an incredible deck from which you can watch the birds, animals and listen to the jungle. In addition to outstanding accommodations, service and meals, Chilamate is taking the high road to help preserve the natural habitat, minimize environmental impact and supporting classes for the community and children in the area. I highly recommend staying there, and taking advantage of their staff naturalists who provide guided day and night nature walks in the jungle. Thank you Chilamate for making our recent trip memorable! read less

A beautiful property, true nature retreat This was my second visit to Chilamate and I would happily return again. The family and staff who operate the... read more Lodge are friendly, hospitable, and knowledgeable about the rainforest itself and surrounding businesses. They made great recommendations for meals and activities nearby. I highly suggest you have dinner at the lodge at least one night. The food is simple Tico fare, elevated by fresh ingredients and excellent seasoning. I am still trying to replicate the spinach soup! read less

Stay at an Eco-Retreat in Real Costa Rica! My husband and I wanted to visit Chilamate Rainforest Retreat because we had heard good things about it from friends... read more at home in Canada. It is owned and operated by a young couple with three young children. We knew due to their efforts they had saved 20 acres of jungle and were helping bring jobs and tourism to the area and working with young students from across Costa Rica and North America! Chilamate is off the beaten tourist path in many ways but well worth the two hour bus trip from San Jose...we also visited La Selva Biological Research Station just down the road. What a wonderful experience to stay in a jungle, by a river, near a real Costa Rican village and be so comfortable and well treated. We learned so much from the Retreat's naturalist and main employee, William, who looked after our every need. He arranged drivers, trip to La Selva and a demonstration of the making of Chocolate. The two meals a day were Costa Rican dishes made with local produce and made by locals cooks...very delicious and nutrition! Our suite had all the conveniences of home with a full view of the river and sunrise. The deck was especially nice to hang out on when we took a break from the trails or touring. In the evenings we would enjoy a beverage in the bar and download our emails before joining everyone for dinner. Even... My husband and I wanted to visit Chilamate Rainforest Retreat because we had heard good things about it from friends at home in Canada. It is owned and operated by a young couple with three young children. We knew due to their efforts they had saved 20 acres of jungle and were helping bring jobs and tourism to the area and working with young students from across Costa Rica and North America! Chilamate is off the beaten tourist path in many ways but well worth the two hour bus trip from San Jose...we also visited La Selva Biological Research Station just down the road. What a wonderful experience to stay in a jungle, by a river, near a real Costa Rican village and be so comfortable and well treated. We learned so much from the Retreat's naturalist and main employee, William, who looked after our every need. He arranged drivers, trip to La Selva and a demonstration of the making of Chocolate. The two meals a day were Costa Rican dishes made with local produce and made by locals cooks...very delicious and nutrition! Our suite had all the conveniences of home with a full view of the river and sunrise. The deck was especially nice to hang out on when we took a break from the trails or touring. In the evenings we would enjoy a beverage in the bar and download our emails before joining everyone for dinner. Even with our limited Spanish we could easily communicate with the helpful local staff and owners. We may have even picked up a few words of Spanish words in the process. We would recommend anyone wanting an authentic eco-retreat in Costa Rica to reserve a few days at Chilamate Rainforest Retreat! iPura Vida! More read less

A wonderfully relaxing place to stay! I stayed at Chilamate Eco Retreat for a week in February 2017. I was staying in one of the bungalows,... read more and was very well looked after by Meghan Casey and her staff. Everyone was extremely friendly and helpful and did everything they could to ensure that my visit was comfortable and to arrange trips and activities for me.

The Eco Retreat is quiet and relaxing - you can spend many hours swinging in a hammock on your verandah, but there are also plenty of things to do and places to visit.

While I was there I visited a cocoa plantation, went on guided tours through the rainforest, did a cooking class, went on an ethnobotanical guided walk, and visited several wildlife parks. You can also go white-water rafting and go horse-riding.

Meghan was very good at arranging transport for me and she really made me feel at home. It was a wonderful visit and I can highly recommend it. More read less