Rancho Naturalista

Tucked into the forest, the peaceful views and understated design of the ranch put nature firmly in first position. Both Costa Rican and international fare is prepared with locally-sourced ingredients in the restaurant and accompanied by flower garnish and 'carved' fruit. In fact, the fabulous fruit is a major feature in both breakfast and lunch. All meals are family-style and encourage guests to mingle, while the living area is a great spot to swap stories and ponder your next sighting. Always have your eyes peeled for a sun bittern, toucan, tanager, or the secretive lovely cotinga.

The Rancho Naturalista has 15 rooms, most of which are in the main building, although there are four private cabins in the garden. Each room is uniquely decorated with bright textiles and handmade furnishings and all have their own cheerful colour palette. Upper floor rooms enjoy views of the smoking Turrialba Volcano, and some have a private balcony and bird feeder. Certain cabins are larger than others with a kitchen and living room, while some can be combined for larger groups.

Rancho Naturalista boasts 7 kilometres of trails on which 450 species of birdlife has been spotted; explore them on your own or enlist the help of a guide. Night walks are available and ideal for spotting curious frogs, reptiles and other nocturnal mammals, whilst the surrounding reserves offer the best chance to see resplendent quetzals, fiery-throated hummingbirds and silky flycatchers. If you're up for an adventure, ziplining, canyoning, white water rafting and mountain treks can be added to the itinerary.