La Selva Biological Station

3.0 star property
Hotel in Las Horquetas with free breakfast and a coffee shop

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Photo gallery for La Selva Biological Station

Reception
Food court
Property grounds
Children's area
Double Room, Garden View | Balcony

Reviews

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful

Popular amenities

  • Breakfast included
  • Laundry
  • Housekeeping
  • Parking included
  • Free WiFi

Explore the area

View in a map
De Rancho Robertos 28 km carretera, Puerto Viejo de Sarapiquí, Horquetas, Las Horquetas, Heredia
  • Place, La Selva Biological Station
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • Place, Poás Volcano National Park
  • Place, Braulio Carrillo National Park
    ‪49 min drive‬

Room options

Double Room, Garden View

7.6 out of 10
Good
(9 reviews)
  • 323 sq ft
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed OR 2 Twin Beds

About the neighborhood

Las Horquetas

Located in Barrio Flaminia, La Selva Biological Station is adjacent to La Selva Biological Station and within a few miles (5 km) of San Agustin Church. This 8-room, 3-star hotel has free breakfast along with conveniences like free in-room WiFi and free self parking.

What's nearby

  • La Selva Biological Station - 1 min walk - 0.0 miles
  • Tirimbina Rainforest Center - 23 min drive - 11.4 miles
  • Braulio Carrillo National Park - 49 min drive - 27.3 miles
  • Rara Avis Waterfall - 56 min drive - 20.4 miles
  • Juan Castro Blanco National Park - 59 min drive - 35.7 miles

Restaurants

  • ‪Pizzaria La Terraza - ‬11 min drive
  • ‪Restaurante Típico La Carreta - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪Yacare Bar - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Panadería cafetería La Sarapiqueña - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Palmitour - ‬15 min drive

About this property

La Selva Biological Station

Hotel in Las Horquetas with free breakfast and a coffee shop
La Selva Biological Station features free WiFi in public areas, a library, and a terrace. You can take advantage of free parking, along with an airport shuttle (available 24 hours) for USD 120.00 per vehicle one way. Front-desk staff can assist with tours/tickets and securing valuables. Additional amenities include laundry facilities, a vending machine, and a banquet hall.
Guests can stay connected with free WiFi. Balconies, ceiling fans, and safes are also standard.
The recreational activities listed below are available either on site or nearby; fees may apply.

Similar properties

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • 24-hour roundtrip airport shuttle (surcharge)
  • Area shuttle (surcharge)
  • Free self parking on site

Food and drink

  • Free buffet breakfast available daily 6:30 AM to 8:00 AM
  • A coffee shop/cafe

Things to do

  • Library
  • Playground

Family friendly

  • Laundry facilities
  • Playground

Conveniences

  • Laundry facilities
  • Limited-hour front desk
  • Safe at front desk
  • Vending machine

Guest services

  • Concierge services
  • Housekeeping (daily)
  • Tour and ticket assistance

Outdoors

  • Garden
  • Terrace

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • No elevator (single-level property)
  • Well-lit path to entrance

More

  • 1 floor
  • 3 buildings
  • Banquet hall
  • Mosquito nets
  • Smoking not allowed

Room amenities

Bathroom

  • Private bathroom
  • Shower
  • Towels provided

More

  • Ceiling fan
  • Desk
  • Safe

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 8 AM; Check-in end time: 5 PM
Contactless check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before 11:30 AM
Contactless check-out available

Special check-in instructions

The front desk is open daily from 8 AM - 5 PM
Guests must contact the property in advance for check-in instructions; front desk staffed during limited hours
This property doesn't offer after-hours check-in
To make arrangements for check-in please contact the property at least 72 hours before arrival using the information on the booking confirmation
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Access methods

Front desk (limited hours)

Pets

  • This property doesn't allow pets or service animals

Property payment types

Important information

Optional extras

These fees and deposits will be charged at check-in, check-out, or the time of service.

  • Airport shuttle fee: USD 120.00 per vehicle (one way)

This list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits might not include tax and are subject to change.

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 credit cards and cash
Safety features at this property include a first aid kit
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children; if you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room
  • Check-in: 8 AM
  • Check-out: 11:30 AM
  • Minimum check-in age: 18
The front desk is available during limited hours. For convenient arrivals and departures, you can take advantage of the airport shuttle (available 24 hours), which is offered for a fee. Driving? This property offers free parking.

We should mention

Details about charges, deposits, or other important information:

  • This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business, or profession.
  • This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children. If you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room.
  • Charges for extra guests may apply and vary depending on the property's policy.
  • A cash deposit, credit card, or debit card for incidental charges, as well as a government-issued photo ID, may be required at check-in.
  • Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in and can't be guaranteed. Certain requests may come with additional charges.
  • This property accepts credit cards and cash.
  • Onsite safety features include a first aid kit.

Additional information about polices, regulations, and more:

  • There are no elevators.
  • No cribs or infant beds are available.
  • No rollaway or extra beds are available.

Property is also known as

Selva Biological Station Hotel Sarapiqui
Selva Biological Station Hotel
Selva Biological Station Sarapiqui
Selva Biological Station Hotel Las Horquetas
Selva Biological Station Las Horquetas
Selva Biological s Horquetas
Selva Biological Las Horquetas
La Selva Biological Station Hotel
La Selva Biological Station Las Horquetas
La Selva Biological Station Hotel Las Horquetas

Frequently asked questions

Is free cancellation available at La Selva Biological Station?

La Selva Biological Station offers free cancellation on select room rates. For additional details, look at the cancellation policy on our site.

What's there to do near La Selva Biological Station?

This hotel is situated in Barrio Flaminia, just steps from La Selva Biological Station. You'll also find Tirimbina Rainforest Center and Costa Rica Best Chocolate nearby.

Is there parking available at La Selva Biological Station?

Yes, self parking is offered for free at the hotel.

Does La Selva Biological Station feature a casino on the premises?

No, La Selva Biological Station doesn't have a casino.

Will I find an indoor pool at La Selva Biological Station?

No, there is no indoor pool at this hotel.

Is La Selva Biological Station good for couples?

Couples staying at this hotel will appreciate amenities like a café and free breakfast plus some guestrooms include garden views.

Are there hot tubs at La Selva Biological Station?

No, this hotel doesn't have a spa tub.

Does La Selva Biological Station have a restaurant that serves breakfast?

Yes, La Selva Biological Station serves free buffet breakfast each morning from its cafe.

Will La Selva Biological Station allow pets to stay for free?

No, pets and service animals aren't allowed at La Selva Biological Station.

Are there connecting rooms at La Selva Biological Station?

No, there aren't connecting guestrooms at this hotel.

Are there rooms with balconies at La Selva Biological Station?

Yes, every guestroom at La Selva Biological Station comes with a balcony with some featuring garden views.

La Selva Biological Station Reviews

Reviews

9.0

Wonderful

Rating 10 - Excellent. 56 out of 94 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 30 out of 94 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 5 out of 94 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 3 out of 94 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 94 reviews

8.8/10

Cleanliness

9.2/10

Staff & service

7.8/10

Amenities

8.4/10

Property conditions & facilities

9.6/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Charles

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Sam

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Highly recommend for anybody interested in nature.

I loved my stay at La Selva and ended up extended it by an extra day. You feel fully immersed in wildlife and free to explore. A memorable moment was being on the hanging bridge in the dark with bats flying everywhere, my torch picked out the eyes of a caiman in the river and a great potoo flew overheard and along the river. Breathtaking!
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Catherine

Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Nicholas

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Come here for the wildlife and the birds, they are incredible. The food is good, and the facilities are more than adequate.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

8/10 Good

Andrew

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
This is not a typical hotel or cabin stay. If you want luxury, keep looking. The food and accommodations are quite basic but serve the purpose. The real bonus about staying here is the great access to being very close to the nature of Costa Rica. The purpose of my trip was birding, so please be advised that I speak from this perspective, and fancy accommodations and other excursions were not important to me during this stay. You can do some great birding right around the cabin houses and have an easy stroll to the reception area. There are many kms of marked trails and I’ve probably walked 10 (km) of them in my two stays, and have very rarely run into other people other than near the researchers’ compound. If you stay on site there is a 2-3 hr nature tour with a knowledgeable guide which is good. Morning birding and night tours can be arranged as well. I hope to return one day.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

catherine

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The forest and the wildlife are the reason for staying here so in that respect this place gets 10 out of 10. We did a birding tour and a night walk and took advantage of the free nature walk. The latter was conducted by Joel and I strongly encourage people not to pass on this even though they may have other tours booked. It was absolutely superb and held our interest for every minute of the 3 hours. The accommodation is simple. The beds were a little hard and the pillows win the prize for the worst in the world but the bed linen was clean and fresh and the fans were effective so overall we slept well. The bathroom was clean and well lit and the shower was probably the best we encountered throughout CR, even in some expensive places. The wifi worked well in the rooms and there was a pleasant balcony at the back of the cabin to sit and watch the birds. Laundry is cheap and efficient and there is a bag in the room for this purpose. Food was served in the canteen and was buffet style. It was pretty much the same every day and I think it was a bit over-priced for what we got. We had a car however so we ate in town for 2 of our 3 nights there. Breakfast was ample and there was free coffee and water all day. There are many trails here that you can follow without a guide and the beauty of being a resident means you have free access to them whenever you want. All the staff here were excellent. We would certainly return but might consider bringing our own pillows next time!
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Brian

Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Brian

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
True and non-comercialized Costa Rican nature. A wonderful place to experience native flora and fauna.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Mary Ann

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Disliked: Amenities
Staying at La Selva was a unique experience. The accommodations are very rustic, which fits a research station. The highlight was the 3-hour guided tour that was included in the stay. A great experience for nature lovers.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Carol

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
An outstanding research and educational center. It was a privilege to stay onsite and enjoy an example of Costa Rica’s stellar conservation example
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025

8/10 Good

Gordon

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Excellent birdwatching and a great vibe with plenty of young people enjoying nature. The only problem was Google Maps kept directing us in the wrong direction down tiny little country lanes. This led to severe frustration because we wasted our limited time before even arriving.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2025

6/10 Okay

Roger

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Disliked: Room comfort

It’s about the wildlife not the accommodation

The accommodation is basic . It’s designed as shared student rooms . While the food too is fairly basic - served in student canteen fashion - it is perfectly edible and satisfying. But you don’t come here for either . You come to be close to the biological reserve and the wonderful birds and wildlife . So you can be up at dawn to catch the chorus and do the night walk after dark with the knowledgeable guides
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kathryn

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Lovely place to stay for those interested in wild life and nature. Accommodation is basic but that’s not what you come here for. Maps of trails could do with being better
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2025

8/10 Good

Youjie

Stayed 1 night in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

James

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Daniel

Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2024

8/10 Good

Cathy

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This was an amazing area for birding, either on a tour or just sitting on the patio. Staff was very accommodating and especially helpful when constant rains caused flooding in the river. Our living quarters were roomy although beds were quite firm. The property is several miles from Puerto Viejo, the nearest town so transportation is a little difficult without a car (but taxis are available). All roads n all, our stay here was great!
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2024

8/10 Good

Ann

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Peacefulness. Birdlife.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Neil, Westminster

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This is a unique place of natural wonders and that makes it difficult to review or compare to other accommodations. This is not your regular hotel with a/c, maid service, restaurant and bar. No, this is a cabin with resident gecko and without a/c. If you eat on site, the meals are cafeteria style, good and hearty. In return, you wake to the sound of Howler Monkeys, toucans and macaws. You walk from your cabin into the forest and you are immersed in the natural world. We love this place. It was our second visit and we will return.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Husong

Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

8/10 Good

Lin Lee

Traveled with partner
Liked: Amenities, property conditions & facilities
The counter staff were very patient and helpful. They made our stay stress free. The kitchen staff also very hardworking. Food is reasonably good . The park staff and workers are all very friendlly and helpful. Had a very good time staying there for more than 2 week. The room service was not average . Had to remind them to clean the room thrice.
Stayed 6 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Lin Lee

Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 8 nights in May 2024

8/10 Good

Narayan

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
One should be careful about the ' Auto latches ' which may lock automatically behind us. ( So we should ensure to carry the keys always with us !!) 2. The reception desk/restaurant are in 25minutes walking distance from the room..
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Edward

Liked: Property conditions & facilities

Great place to see wildlife (Sloths) and birds

We had a great stay but wished there was air conditioning
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024