El Gavilan Lodge is located on the banks of the Sarapiquí River in Puerto Viejo de Sarapiquí and is named for the renowned raptor and hawk migration that passes the lodge every year. The lodge has 24 acres of trails and gardens to explore with a guide or on your own, and is the only site within the Costa Rican Bird Route to offer guided birding by boat. Boats can take you along the Sarapiquí River, to the Toro River and Bosque Tropical del Toro (a Costa Rican Bird Route site), up to the San Juan River or even all the way to the Tortugero or the Atlantic Ocean. El Gavilan Lodge offers access to many different attractions in the area, including La Selva Biological Station and Selva Verde Lodge. However Gavilan holds its’ own and some of the superb birds one can find at El Gavilan Lodge are the Sunbittern, Green Ibis, Crimson Collared Tanager, Striped Cuckoo, and the Boat-billed Heron.
The lodge is a small, cozy and quaint location perfect for a peaceful retreat with family or friends. Relax in the surrounding greenery and native tropical vegetation. All rooms at Gavilan Lodge are equipped with private bathrooms, fans, and hot water. Each room has easy access to the gardens and you are never far from beautiful scenery. Be sure to take advantage of the Jacuzzi to relax after a long day of hiking and outdoor adventures. There is a charming dining with excellent meals and personal attention is always served.
Here there are more than 10 km of well marked rainforest trails that make birding and exploring nature easy; on your own or with a naturalist guide. Laguna del Lagarto offers several activities free of charge for its guests including unlimited canoeing on three lagoons, walking the jungle trails, and access to its butterfly garden. You can also sign up for a boat trip on the San Carlos and San Juan River or go for a horseback ride through the property.
The site offers single, double, and triple occupancy rooms with private baths and ceiling fans. The meals served in the restaurant are renowned for some of the best food anywhere in Costa Rica!
Contact Information
Email Gavilan Lodge at gavilan@racsa.co.cr. Make your reservations directly at 506-2234-9507 in Costa Rica. More information is available at http://www.gavilanlodge.com.
(N 10° 27' 36'', W 83° 58' 39'')
El Gavilan Lodge is a 1.5 hr drive from San José via the highway through Braulio Carrillo National Park. After approximately 45 minutes, you will pass over the Río Sucio. Continue for 7 km, and turn left at the main intersection. Follow the sign to Puerto Viejo de Sarapiquí, and continue for approximately 30 km. The Gavilan entrance is 1 km before Puerto Viejo de Sarapiquí on the right. Buses leave San José to Puerto Viejo de Sarapiquí from the Caribbean Bus Station approximately every two hours between 6:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. Be sure that you get the bus to Puerto Viejo de Sarapiquí and not to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca/ Limon.
If you take the Varablanca route you will pass through San Miguel, La Virgen, Chilamate and to the entrance to Puerto Viejo town. Turn right at the first main intersection and south for 1 km. After the Sarapiqui bridge, and take the road in the left side, for 1 km, at the El Gavilan sign.
