Overall- I recommend this place if you are comfortable with shared spaces and have a car.
But when I booked this, I thought it was a local hotel room next to a waterfall. It is not, it's a separated room in the back of someone's house and the national park with the waterfall is 15 min away driving. So my review is mixed:
Pros:
- Very peaceful and quiet
- Very clean room
- Felt very safe
- LOTS to do in the area
- Beautiful national park 15 min away (driving)
- Friendly hosts
- Pet friendly
- Little towns are 5 min away driving
- Local culture was wonderful to be immersed in.
Cons:
- Need a car to get around
- No way to heat up food or clean anything if the hosts are not there because it's in their main house. You do have a little fridge and coffee maker though.
- Shared living space and separated bedroom. I just wasn't expecting this and it made me uncomfortable at first since I am a female solo traveler. So that should be made more clear on the listing.
Tidy and roomy, but bed was too firm for me and no hot water. It was very difficult for the taxi driver to find the location due to no address, or sign. We finally had to call them for directions. Maria and hubby were very accommodating, but said they couldn't do anything about the lack of hot water until the next day due to needing a part. They acted as taxi drivers to get us to the park and also to La Fortuna, stopping at stores as needed along the way. Super nice! They don't speak English, but do use a phone app to translate.
Maria and family are very welcoming, place is very clean. Hidden gem in friendly community. Enjoyed sitting in bed or balcony watching birds, listening to monkeys and searching for local sloth. Swim in Rio Celeste down the street! Close to attractions but own vehicle necessary