Cantón Upala accommodation from NZ$107

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at blue River. The rooms were huge and super clean. We really appreciated the coffee maker every morning. We did the zip line tour with blue River and it was great. The spa pools were very relaxing with tables and chairs at each of them. there were no surprises with the bookings.

This is a wonderful location near the national park. If you are wanting to hike the waterfall trail in the national park, it is only about a 5-10 minute drive from this hotel. The hotel is unique in its design and location. It is nestled into the natural surroundings, and the grounds are lovely. There is a further hike across the road on some grounds owned by the hotel, and it is a nice little introduction to the rainforest. There are multiple bird species in the garden. The hotel has wide floor-to-ceiling windows that look out over the valley, and you can birdwatch from the main dining area. The food here is excellent as well. There is homemade bread with fruit/eggs/porridge in the mornings. The coffee is also plentiful and good. Some may find that these rooms need "updating" to modern decor, and that may be true. But, I found the rooms to be clean and well-maintained. The aesthetic of this hotel is unique, and I appreciate this more than any standard boring aesthetic from contemporary hotels that all look the same. The owner has clearly put thought into the decor, and it reflects the unique personality of this hotel. I would definitely stay here again. This are remains relatively undeveloped, and it is a good getaway from more touristy areas of Costa Rica.

This was a great place to truly experience the beauty of this part of Costa Rica. It is a long drive and one must be careful to take the right roads but we had a great experience and wish we could have stayed longer.