Today you will drive to the charming village of San Gerardo de Dota in the Cerro de la Muerte. This mountain range separates the Caribbean and Pacific Coast. Before reaching the highest point of the road (3300m/11000 feet) descend into a beautiful green valley carved by the river Savegre and enjoy the breathtaking scenery before arriving in the charming, small town of San Gerardo de Dota (2500m).
Your hotel
Here you will be staying at Dantica Lodge, founded by a Dutch-Colombian couple. They’ve built a fantastic boutique hotel that offers excellent views of the valley, a jacuzzi, and a wood-fired heater in your room.
In the 1950s, a few local families settled in this area devoted to nature conservation. They promote sustainable tourism in the valley and the surrounding cloud forests to protect nature.
The village is also one of the few places in Central America where you can spot the quetzal. This elusive bird was sacred to the Mayans in Mexico. It also is the national symbol of Guatemala and, without a doubt, one of the most extraordinary birds to see in the wild in Costa Rica.
Explore the area
The elegant Hotel Belmar. Since the hotel was founded in the 1980s, the family Belmar has been well aware of the environmental impact, and social commitment that running a hotel entails. To balance this, they have always been involved in various projects of ecological conservation and social welfare, which have contributed to the integral development of the local community.
Nestled in the heart of the Arenal region, Hotel Manoa offers a tranquil retreat surrounded by lush greenery and breathtaking views of the iconic Arenal
