San Gerardo Biological Station (Santa Elena, Costa Rica): See 8 Reviews and 14 Photos

Address: 3.5 km from the Santa Elena Reserve, Santa Elena, Costa Rica

Region: Costa Rica > Province of Puntarenas > Monteverde > Santa Elena

Amenities:

Free Breakfast Free Parking

Hotel Style:

Ranked #9 of 23 Speciality lodging in Santa Elena

Price range (per night): S$38 - 63

Official Description (provided by the hotel):: The San Gerardo Biological Station is located on the Atlantic slope on the Tilarán mountain range at 1,200 above sea level, and within the BEN. The station can accommodate 32 people and offers facilities for students, tourists and researchers. There are 6 rooms on the second floor each with a private bath and 2 bunk beds. The second floor balcony provides a spectacular view of Arenal Volcano, Arenal Lake and the surrounding forest. The first floor consists of a kitchen, dining area, rooms for guides and group leaders, and a meeting/lecture room.The nearby areas of the Station offer trails along primary and secondary forest as well as regenerating pastures. The forest type in the zone is catalogued as Premontane Rain Forest, which is an evergreen forest, with a canopy at 30 to 40 meters in height, abundant epiphytes, and a dense understory. The annual rainfall is over 4000 mm and the duration of the short dry season could be 0 to 2 months.If you enjoy bird watching, we recommend visiting the site between April and June when a great portion of the species are very active due to their breeding season. The birds songs are melodious and the courtship displays of the Bare-necked Umbrella Bird (Cephalopterus glabricollis)are simply spectacular.How to get there: Take the Pan American Highway from San José to the gas-station turnoff in Sardinal, and take the road to Monteverde. From there drive 35 km (20 miles) until you arrive in Santa Elena. From the town of Santa Elena, drive to the Santa Elena Reserve parking lot. It is a 3.5 km (2 mile) hike to the station. ... more less

666666

Monteverde, Costa Rica

Contributor

16 reviews

12 hotel reviews

Reviews in 10 cities

9 helpful votes

“impossible to be disappoined..”

Reviewed 1 May 2013

ok, don't expect to sleep in a 3 or 4 stars hotel....expect only to enjoy the beautiful surround, the sounds of the birds and animals anytime. i didn't sleep all night....my 2 kids and my wife yes. For me was imposible , it was so beautiful and amazing the sound of the nature all night long that i went crazy.... More

Was this review helpful? Yes

Problem with this review?

chicbean

Seattle, Washington

Senior Contributor

23 reviews

17 hotel reviews

Reviews in 17 cities

5 helpful votes

“beautiful, simple, soulful”

Reviewed 27 April 2013

I want to preface that this is not a five star hotel, but it delivers a five star experience. The lodging is simple. We (2) got a room with 2 sets of bunk beds and a private bath. The layout of the room and the bathroom is very nice. If you have t share a room with another party, there... More

Ani_2013

Berlin, Germany

11 reviews

6 hotel reviews

Reviews in 8 cities

1 helpful vote

“Great experience!”

Reviewed 22 February 2013

The view on the Arenal volcano is outstanding! The one hour hike to the lodge is worth the atmosphere of this biological station, off the touristic trails. We enjoyed the great food (full board). You can even hire a guide for a tour (we went on a night tour), who will come to the station.

Was this review helpful? Yes 1

Paul E

Arlington, Virginia

Senior Reviewer

6 reviews

3 hotel reviews

Reviews in 6 cities

“What a view!! What a place”

Reviewed 18 September 2012

We came back to this beautiful rustic place in the rain forest. The view of Arenal Volcano - just prop your pillow and you can see it! The sounds of the howler monkeys, sunset, sunrise, birding, hiking the trails, etc.. The food tastes better there - as does the piping hot coffee! Good to know staying there supports the Monteverde... More

Minnmo

St. Peters, Missouri

10 reviews

6 helpful votes

“Great place, long hike”

Reviewed 4 September 2012

A clean and comfortable "cabin" atmosphere. The married couple that host you are wonderful and the food is great. We went closer to the rainy season (August) and unfortunately did not see as much wildlife as we would have liked, but the view from the station of the volcano and the overall atmosphere is great. A group of college kids... More

See 2 more reviews by Minnmo for Santa Elena

Gary H

Evergreen, Colorado, United States

2 reviews

Reviews in 2 cities

“Magical place...”

Reviewed 3 May 2012

Really nice way to stay deep in the forest without needing to worry about logistics. The views are outrageous... the night we were there we saw a sunset with a double rainbow, amazing colors reflecting in lake arenal, lightening lighting up the volcano from behind, fireflies, bats, owls, and great stars. Lots of birds and wildlife during our stay. The... More

Cheznlinz

Virtnam

4 hotel reviews

“San Gerardo Station Childrens Eternal Rainforest Costa Rica”

Reviewed 19 April 2012

We had a fantastic time at San Gerardo Station. The walk in is an adventure in itself, the views are spectacular. The family who look after you, Giovanni and Ivana are very friendly, and even though our spanish is not great, Giovanni still gave us lots of info about the station and the animals that inhabit the rainforest. Ivana is... More

CRResidents

Santa Ana, Costa Rica

“A quiet spot with an amazing view, beautiful trails, and rustic experience.”

Reviewed 3 May 2011

The station is an hour walk down a gravel road followed by a narrower trail. The walk offers views of Volcan Arenal and then you arrive at the San Gerardo Station. It is a refugio; four bunk beds per room, a large eating/sitting area, a beautiful balcony with hammocks upstairs; an amazing but simple place to escape the touristy Monte... More

1-8 of 8 reviews

Monteverde Rustic Lodge 616 reviews	Monteverde Lodge & Gardens 335 reviews	Hotel Belmar 367 reviews	Monteverde Cloud Forest Lodge 132 reviews
	ABS:HotelCheckRates-d310473?&src=Hotel_Review&fromServlet=Hotel_Review&Action=QC_AlsoViewed_Hero	ABS:HotelCheckRates-d302957?&src=Hotel_Review&fromServlet=Hotel_Review&Action=QC_AlsoViewed_Hero	ABS:HotelCheckRates-d639844?&src=Hotel_Review&fromServlet=Hotel_Review&Action=QC_AlsoViewed_Hero

Mar Inn Bed & Breakfast 73 reviews	Camino Verde Bed & Breakfast Mon... 308 reviews	Rainbow Valley Lodge 209 reviews	El Establo 587 reviews
ABS:HotelCheckRates-d1588199?&src=Hotel_Review&fromServlet=Hotel_Review&Action=QC_AlsoViewed_Hero	ABS:HotelCheckRates-d1211332?&src=Hotel_Review&fromServlet=Hotel_Review&Action=QC_AlsoViewed_Hero		ABS:HotelCheckRates-d302958?&src=Hotel_Review&fromServlet=Hotel_Review&Action=QC_AlsoViewed_Hero

San Gerardo Biological Station, Santa Elena Reviews

San Gerardo Biological Station

8 reviews from our community

Been to San Gerardo Biological Station? Share your experiences!

Additional Information about San Gerardo Biological Station

Owners: What's your side of the story?

Related hotels...

Browse nearby

Explore Santa Elena

Hotels around Santa Elena