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Rancho el Rio: Riverfront Integrated Farm–

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December 2024
January 2025

Photo gallery for Rancho el Rio: Riverfront Integrated Farm–

Terrace/patio
Property grounds
Fridge, oven, stovetop, coffee/tea maker
Property grounds
Property grounds

Reviews

9.6 out of 10

Exceptional

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Breakfast available
  • Pet friendly
  • Kitchen

Room options

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About the neighborhood

Map
Monteverde, Puntarenas

What's nearby

  • Wildlife Refuge Monteverde - 37 min drive - 25.9 km
  • Monteverde Butterfly Gardens - 37 min drive - 26.1 km
  • Reserva Biológica Bosque Nuboso Monteverde - 37 min drive - 26.4 km
  • Curi-Cancha Reserve - 38 min drive - 27.1 km
  • Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve - 42 min drive - 29.3 km

Restaurants

  • ‪Restaurante El Sol - ‬11 min drive
  • ‪Restaurante Nacazcolo - ‬24 min drive
  • ‪Rancho Ania - ‬24 min drive
  • ‪Restaurante Jupris - ‬26 min drive
  • ‪El Rancho de Lelo - ‬32 min drive

About this property

Rancho el Rio: Riverfront Integrated Farm–

Family-friendly farm stay by the river
Rancho el Rio: Riverfront Integrated Farm– provides a garden and more. Active travelers can enjoy bicycling at this farm stay.
You'll also enjoy the following perks during your stay:
  • Breakfast (surcharge), a bike on site, and smoke-free premises
  • Barbecue grills, a porch, and games
  • Books and local meal delivery service
Room features
All guestrooms at Rancho el Rio: Riverfront Integrated Farm– offer amenities such as internet access.
Extra conveniences in all rooms include:
  • 2 bathrooms with showers and toilet paper
  • Porches or lanais, outdoor lighting, and kitchens

Property manager

Veronica Sheehan

Languages

English, Spanish

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: internet access
  • Available in some public areas: internet access

Food and drink

  • Breakfast available for a fee

Things to do

  • Bicycling
  • Shared/communal pool

Guest services

  • Housekeeping (on request)

Outdoors

  • BBQ grill(s)
  • Garden

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • In-room accessibility

More

  • Books
  • Games
  • Smoke-free property

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Bed sheets
  • Sofa bed

Bathroom

  • 2 bathrooms
  • Shower
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels

Food and drink

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Coffee grinder
  • Cookware/dishes/utensils
  • Electric kettle
  • Kitchen
  • Local meal delivery service
  • Oven
  • Refrigerator
  • Spices
  • Stovetop
  • Toaster

Outdoor space

  • Deck or patio

More

  • Phone
  • Washing machine

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 2:00 PM

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Pets

Pets allowed
Restrictions apply; for more information contact the property at the number on the booking confirmation

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts cash
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a deadbolt lock
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation

We should mention

A car is recommended for transportation to and from this property

Frequently asked questions

Is Rancho el Rio: Riverfront Integrated Farm– pet-friendly?

Yes, pets are allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Rancho el Rio: Riverfront Integrated Farm– ?

Check-in begins at 2:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Rancho el Rio: Riverfront Integrated Farm– ?

Check-out is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Rancho el Rio: Riverfront Integrated Farm– located?

Located on the waterfront, this family-friendly farm stay is within 16 mi (25 km) of El Cafetal, Monteverde Orchid Garden, and Vista al Golfo. Mundo de los Insectos and Jardín de Orquídeas are also within 16 mi (25 km).

Rancho el Rio: Riverfront Integrated Farm– Reviews

Reviews

9.6

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 42 out of 50 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 6 out of 50 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 50 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 50 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 50 reviews" "

8.8/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Staff & service

8.0/10

Amenities

8.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

10/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Rebecca H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Best Parts of CR Vaca
This is our third visit to the country and second to this home. We shall be back due to the authentic representation of Pura Vida. It is not touristy, but a true representation of the life and culture of CR. Thank you to the family and community for making our stay amazing, again!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jeff B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Riverside retreat
Stayed 30 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Chela L.

Liked: Cleanliness
Back to the future
Our stay was a return to traditional Costa Rican farm life as it has been for generations. As a Costa Rican/ US family we really enjoyed our stay. We had a wonderful host in Don Carlos. He was kind and helpful. The children loved the horses, cows, ox cart, goats, dogs, pigs, chickens .... well you get the picture. It was quite hot in April so we really enjoyed spending time in the river, finding pools and looking for fossils along the rocking banks. This we did once or twice a day. We ate most of our meals on the patio over looking the river, trees and nature.The house is simple, the hospitality is wonderful, all Costa Rican style. Thank you Don Carlos and all the farm animals who made our stay one to remember.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Rob R.

Liked: Cleanliness
Such a great experience
Our time at the farm was very memorable! It gave us a real view of Costa Rica, something hotels cant do. We LOVED waking up in the morning to the friendly pig and dogs, while sitting on the gorgeous patio overlooking the river while enjoying the breakfast we had ordered. It away from the busyness of Monteverde, but not too far and the drive to and from here is breathtaking! Definitely worth considering!
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jillian B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful country living along Rio Guacimal
Our family had a fantastic time here. Alexander (for Stuart) was a wonderful host. He coordinated having dinner delivered to us the evening we arrived and it was delicious! We spent a lot of time outside either in the hammocks or swing and eating at the table there so we could enjoy the view of Rio Guacimal. We were escorted to the river by two of the farm dogs who spent a lot of time hanging out with us. The pigs visited a couple times as well which my husband loved. Alexander took us on a tour of the farm which was very enjoyable. Our daughter got to ride one of the horses while we walked the farm. We did drive up to Monteverde/Santa Elena one day but we preferred the quiet stay at the farm to the tourist laden area. We look forward to recommending a stay at the farm to friend and family. Our family is very comfortable with insects, bats and not having hot water or air conditioning. If any of those things are must not have or haves this is not the place for you. However, if those things don’t bother you, you are sure to have a fantastic experience!
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

RICHARD C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Authentic Tico Rancho on Rio Guacimal
Enjoyed natural living in the country.
Stayed 29 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

1efaUcy/ouKSEq6tEc4CvtZ41mVminL2azSsU+k9yeY= M.

Liked: Cleanliness
A true farm stay
The house is way off the beaten path and the pictures on the site are very accurate. Screened in kitchen and gorgeous view of river, lots of animals to see along with lots of fruit trees and bees (in a log making honey). The pig had piglets while we were there! The owner will give you a tour of the property and tell you about making sugar and rum. There’s a great restaurant up the road called El Sol and it’s terrific!!
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2023

8/10 Good

Anie-Claude B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great experience
The stay at the ranch was a great experience. It allowed us to experience what regular life might be like in Costa Rica. The people living at the ranch were extremely kind and went out of their ways to provide a meaningful experience to our family. The kids enjoyed all the farm animals and swimming in the river. The only downside was that the ranch is located a long way away from Monteverde, which we didn't realized until we got there. To get to the ranch from Monteverde, you have to drive over 45 minutes on mountain roads, and I would not advise doing the drive when it's dark. It's also a very different environment than Monteverde (dryer and a lot warmer). I think that it's just an important piece of information to know before booking, so that you can plan accordingly.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Alexandra L.

Liked: Cleanliness
Magical farm stay right on the river
If you love animals and nature, don’t mind a rustic location, and value a truly special, authentic experience, this place is for you! My family (six adults) LOVED our stay on this rustic property. Four sweet farm dogs will escort you anywhere you go and hang out with you on the patio for your entire stay. Prepare to be visited by chickens, pigs (and newborn piglets!), cats, monkeys, bats, and more! without even leaving the house. The farm also has horses and goats you can visit. Suffice it to say that the wildlife interactions were amazing. The groundskeeper, Alejandro, lives on the property and is incredibly accommodating- he treated us to multiple tours of different parts of the farm throughout our time there. There is plenty of parking right on the property for your vehicle, and the house has all the linens and towels you need as well as the basics for cooking in the spacious kitchen. The only thing to keep in mind is that this place is a bit rustic and it doesn’t have a/c, so be prepared to spend some time outside exploring or taking a tour of the farm, cooling off in the shade on the covered patio overlooking the river, or IN the river- and don’t worry about seeing some wildlife (including insects) outdoors! Don’t forget to take advantage of some of the extras that the owners can arrange for you, we arranged to purchase a kilo of the local coffee which was a cool experience. There are some small restaurants and shops in the small, authentic district of Guacimal where the farm stay is located, including a restaurant right down the road. You can also arrange for meals to be brought to you right in the farm. We opted to arrange for breakfast to be delivered daily, the food was super authentic- highly recommend! You’re also close enough (about 30 min south) to the Monteverde/Santa Elena area to visit famous attractions like the Cloud Forest with ease. That being said, life in the farm is so nature packed and peaceful, you might not want to leave at all!
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Li L.

Liked: Cleanliness
Friendly people and animals
The local people in the farm are very friendly. My kids really enjoyed the dogs and other farm animals. We appreciated the tour from the owner as well.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Samantha R.

Liked: Cleanliness
Authentic and memorable Costa Rica experience
We loved our stay at Rancho El Rio. Alexander was a very caring host, and Carlos showed our children all the farm animals, which they loved. We also had a lovely local woman cook and bring us all our meals since we didn't have our own car. She and Alexander joined us on the deck over the river for one meal, and we shared another of our meals with them in the farm area. We got to (had to!) practice our Spanish, which we enjoyed. We cooled off in the river every day. It was all so peaceful and special. We had to leave early for a medical reason and Alexander was so caring and helpful, and arranged a taxi to take us to San Jose. I can't recommend Rancho El Rio enough if you're looking for a memorable, authentic stay in Costa Rica. Not fancy, but clean and perfectly lovely.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Brenna E.

Liked: Cleanliness
Amazing!
Rancho el Rio is a very special place. The house was super cool with all the natural wood and indoor/outdoor living. The amount of wildlife and animals we saw during our stay were countless. So many lizards of all sizes, several toucans and monkeys almost everyday. That on top of all of the farm animals that live on the Ranch. We were there during the off season (rainy season) but still enjoyed the river (carefully). Our host Alex went over and above to ensure we had a great stay. We ventured across the river to get ice cream, my girls got to ride horses, play with baby pigs, observed the process of a hen taking care of her eggs and then having them hatch, taking care of the hen and chicks and so much more. Santa Elana and Monteverde are only a short drive away and offer countless opportunities for day trips but staying at the Ranch offers a unique opportunity experience authentic Costa Rican culture without the tourists. We are already planning our next stay here! It was AWESOME!!
Stayed 28 nights in Sep 2022

8/10 Good

Lynna S., Denver

Liked: Cleanliness
Fantastic farm!
A true small town Costa Rica experience! Far from tourists, this beautiful farm allows families to truly be a part of Costa Rica culture. The owners of the farm are wonderful and their sustainability efforts are important. It was nice to know our vacation money was going to something of consequence.
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Daniel S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Amazing location along the Guacimal River
We spent 5 days at the farm and had a wonderful time picking fresh mangos, visiting with the farm dogs and pigs and swimming in the river while toucans flew over head. The accommodations are adequate but rustic which is what we were expecting from a rural farm stay. We loved it and and would gladly stay there again.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2022

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Staying at Rancho El Rio in Guacimal made us feel like we were truly immersed in Costa Rican culture. The farm and town are not touristy at all. The accomodations are very simple but VERY cool. We stayed during rainy season and it DEFINITELY rained, more so than usual we were told, but every morning was dry, at least. The river ran hard right behind the house and had a peaceful, but ever present, rushing sound. There are several friendly farm dogs who make themselves comfortable on the porches. Farm animals and wildlife are right outside the door...horses, pigs, sheep, chickens, roosters, bats, and my husband saw howler monkeys the first morning of our stay. We dealt with Stuart for the coordination of our stay. He is a very young but responsible man with great knowledge of the ranch and was a huge help to us. He communicated frequently with us prior to arrival to make sure everything went smoothly. He arranged a local woman to make us dinner that first night because we would be arriving late. It was delicious and affordable and she delivered it herself in her own Tupperware like a neighbor welcoming us home. Stuart also gave us a walking tour of the farm, sampling sugar cane and pineapple, and guided our family on a personal horseback riding your of the property. He was great! Things to know before you go...expect a 40-60 minute drive to Monteverde for any activities off the farm. There is only 1 nearby restaurant. Most activities close early. Minimal hot water for showers
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2021

8/10 Good

Sophie W.

Nice farm with a lot of animals. Basic house.
The property is located in a local farm which has a lot of animals, dogs, pigs, cat, chickens, horses, ducks, etc. My kids really had a lot of fun playing with those energetic and sweet dogs. We even saw monkeys and Iguana on the trees. The river behind the property is clean and shallow, so kids are safe playing water there. House is rustic style and basic. There are bugs, spiderweb, even bats inside the house. And WIFI barely works. But I think the basic house and nature is a good combination, and that is how we are close to mother nature.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2020

10/10 Excellent

Kirsten B., Los Angeles,Ca

Liked: Cleanliness
A memorable stay
Veronica and Alex are an amazing couple doing amazing work in an amazing place. We will never forget the warm crystal clear water in the river rushing behind the house. Veronica is kind, passionate and compassionate. It was a pleasure. My kids loved the farm and didn’t want to leave. Thank you Veronica and Alex for a wonderful adventure.
Stayed 5 nights in Jan 2020

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Real Farm
We loved everything about our stay. We woke to Howler monkeys, geese and a river every morning. The cottage was rustic. The shower was made out of stones. We are a family of 4 including a 17 year and 15 year old. We rode horses, fed the pigs, held the piglets, played with the cats/ dogs and the list goes on. We fully embraced the experience and appreciated Alex sharing his knowledge with us. They grow many varies of fruit outside of the cottage which we able to sample. We swam in the river outside of the cottage. We did a day trip to Monteverde. Our kids requested we spend one day just hanging out and exploring the farm. There is a swimming hole on the property as well. We visited Veronica at the Sustainable Center and learned a lot about Costa Rican culture/ history. We did not do the in home meals as we enjoyed our restaurant experience at El Sol just up the street. We ate dinners and breakfast there. The food was filling. We always left with leftovers. We were able to share our leftovers with the pigs/ piglets/ geese/ cats/ dogs and Guinea hens. This was a very fulfilling experience. If we have the chance to return to Costa Rica I would stay at the farm again. Enjoyed all of it!
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2019

10/10 Excellent

Steve A., Holland, Mi

Liked: Cleanliness
Rustic cabin charm
We very much enjoyed our stay. Our kids (ages 9 and 8 had a blast observing the chickens, guinea fowl, peahen, horses, pigs, digs, cats, aguanas, geese, water buffalo, bats, butterflies, donkeys and cows. They were excited to gather a few eggs, pick fresh limes or give our organic slips to the pigs. The roar of the river is soothing, and a perfect spot to cool off on a hot day because there are plenty of natural pools that are just the right depth to splash around. I was a little unsure about how an outdoor kitchen would work - we ended up loving it! The large patio overlooking the river was a lovely place to relax. It's indeed a working farm - there is an equipment shed inbetween the two rental properties, and the interior of the cabin has a rustic quality to it - it's all part of this property's unique charm. We were sorry that we didn't book more time there.

10/10 Excellent

Sherri R., Calgary

Liked: Cleanliness
Urban Canadian family meets Costa Rican farm
Our family of four (kids aged 10 and 8) had a great time at the farm, particularly with the dogs on the farm. We learned a lot from the hosts about the farm and their work at the sustainability centre. It was the immersive experience we were looking for, and although there were definitely bugs and other critters around, everything was as expected. We enjoyed home-cooked Costa Rican food from a local resident, and were also able to share in the process of making candy from raw sugar cane. The hosts were very welcoming and are also great to chat with and learn about the culture. Our trip to Costa Rica wouldn't have been the same without our stay at the farm.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2019

8/10 Good

Deanna F.

Liked: Cleanliness
Family Vacation
We had a really good time here. The location was beautiful and peaceful. It is a bit farther from the town of Monteverdi then I thought - it is about an hour due to the small, twisting road up and around a beautiful mountain range! The house was clean but had a few holes in screens so moths sometimes got in - not a big deal really and quite understandable. The staff was very helpful when my daughter got sick and helped us out above and beyond what they had to. The only thing I wasn’t really prepared for was the lack of food options. There are a few stores around but they are more like convenient stores and not stocked with much. There is a restaurant nearby if you want to eat out all the time but I would suggest stopping at a larger grocery store before you get into the small town where the house is located. I would suggest having at least one home cooked meal by one of the local women - it is very good and well worth the money!
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2019

10/10 Excellent

Renee K.

Animal Lovers Paradise!
Are there dogs and cats running around? Yes. Does it smell like farm animals? Yes. Are there occasional bugs in the house? Yes. Is Rancho El Rio one of the most wonderful places on Earth? ABSOLUTELY YES! This home may not be for everyone but my family (husband, me, 2 teenage boys) had a fabulous stay for 3 nights in July 2018. We loved all the animals, walking around the property, swimming in the river, and being "unplugged" from iPhones and video games). The weather was perfect...not too cool, not too hot. Even at night with no AC, I was a bit worried, but honestly we did not need it. Thank you to Veronica and Clare for arranging horseback riding at Finca Lindora and a trip to Selvatura for ziplining....both excursions I highly recommend! We also ate 3 dinners at nearby Restaurant El Sol because it was so delicious. Book your best vacation ever at this incredible ranch! We hope to be back soon.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2018

10/10 Excellent

Joel M.

Great place to stay and enjoy the natural beauty of Costa Rica
Rancho el Rio is a terrific and unique place to spend some time in Costa Rica. I recommend working out a simple itinerary with Veronica ahead of time to maximize your stay. You can help on the farm, enjoy the local farmer's market, go birding and night hiking, wade in the river, ride the horses and more. Veronica and her family are wonderful people - you will also immensely enjoy chatting with them and learning more about some of the important issues for the local area. Highly recommended!!
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2018

8/10 Good

Liana S., Campbell River Canada

Great Costa Rica Experience
We loved our experience staying at Rancho El Rio! The donkeys, horses, pigs, chickens and best of all the dogs ... we loved them all. Eating oranges and bananas from the trees, and wandering the beautiful farm was a delight. The cabin was charming and rustic, and Veronica, Stuart and Alex were amazing hosts. Their work in Guacimal is inspiring and everyone should learn about the Sustainability Centre and amazing community work that takes place there. Even if you're scared of spiders, this is truly a memorable place. Please keep in touch if you ever come to Canada!
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2018

8/10 Good

Susan T., West Vancouver, BC, Canada

Warm, welcoming hospitality and a slice of rural life
The host family and the experience of being on a farm is what really made our stay at Rancho El Rio special. We were glad to experience something so different from a beach holiday and our hosts are wonderful people doing so much to try to make things better for their community. We felt very taken care of and were so happy to be able to support their efforts through our stay. It was great for our kids to experience chickens and piglets and taste sugar cane right from the field. We loved swimming in the river daily and riding horses on the extensive property was a highlight. The accommodation was rustic but had everything we needed. Do visit for a slice of life in Costa Rica.
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2017