Costa Rica in a Nutshell
This beautifully situated cattle ranch is one of Costa Rica’s most favored rain forest getaways. Located in the Tilaran Mountain range, one of the most biologically diverse areas in this verdant country, the Chachagua’s 50-acre spread nestles up against the Children’s International Rain Forest, which in turn joins the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve: Potential for bird and wildlife viewing here is tremendous.
Arenal Volcano and Lake are an easy four-wheel drive away; there is spelunking, white-water rafting, and rappeling for those who aspire to do it all, and the Tabacon Hot Springs for those who don’t. In this working cattle ranch, a stable of fine horses is on standby, and resident naturalists act as your guides. At the end of every perfect day, your handsomely appointed bungalow awaits by a mountain-clear stream. Chachagua could only be the brainchild of an owner dedicated to detail and creature comforts; the kingpin behind this smoothly run operation is the charismatic Carlos Salazar, who – with a lifetime of experience in the hotel industry – enjoys himself as much as all his international guests put together. Let him loose in the kitchen (much of the fruit and produce is grown on the ranch), and dinner becomes an event. Let him loose in the dining room, and he’ll convince you that nothing less than a lifetime in Costa Rica will do.
