La Granja: Farm Paradise– Integrated farm

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La Granja: Farm Paradise– Integrated farm

Photo gallery for La Granja: Farm Paradise– Integrated farm

Fridge, oven, stovetop, coffee/tea maker
Property grounds
2 bedrooms, cots/infant beds, WiFi, bed sheets
Shower, towels, toilet paper
2 bedrooms, cots/infant beds, WiFi, bed sheets

Overview of La Granja: Farm Paradise– Integrated farm

Reviews
9.8

Exceptional

Popular amenities

  • Pet-friendlyPet-friendlyPet-friendly
  • KitchenKitchenKitchen
  • Breakfast availableBreakfast availableBreakfast available

Check out the area

Map
monteverde, puntarenas
  • Popular LocationReserva Biológica Bosque Nuboso Monteverde29 min drive
  • Popular LocationCuri-Cancha Reserve30 min drive
  • Popular LocationMonteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve33 min drive
  • AirportPuntarenas (JAP-Chacarita)54 min drive

Room options

Similar properties

About the area

Guacimal

A family-friendly stay in Guacimal awaits you at this farm stay. You'll be 24.6 km (15.3 mi) from Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve. Highlights at this farm house include a kitchen, a washing machine and a patio. .This pet-friendly farm house offers a garden and barbecues. .In proximity to this Guacimal farm house you'll find Arenal Volcano National Park.

What's nearby

  • Monteverde Orchid Garden - 25 min drive
  • Monteverde Butterfly Gardens - 28 min drive
  • Reserva Biológica Bosque Nuboso Monteverde - 29 min drive
  • Curi-Cancha Reserve - 30 min drive
  • Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve - 33 min drive

Restaurants

  • Rancho Ania - 26 min drive
  • Restaurante Nacazcolo - 25 min drive
  • Restaurante El Sol - 19 min walk
  • El Rancho de Lelo - 23 min drive
  • Rancho Nacascolo - 25 min drive

About this property

La Granja: Farm Paradise– Integrated farm

La Granja helps the community by managing a free-whey community project and is an example of integrated farming and humane animal husbandry. La Granja is an original farmhouse located on Rancho El Rio, a peaceful sustainable farm and wildlife paradise by the Río Guacimal, and is perfect for families or larger groups. Come stay with us in our rustic 2bed/1bath cabin and experience sustainable farming initiatives, visit our family-run environmental community center, spend the day swimming in the river or hiking through the forest, and take day trips to the cloud forest.

La Granja is an original farmhouse with true rustic charm, surrounded by gardens, tall fruit trees, and farm animals. This antique farmhouse was built 100 years ago has traditional tall ceilings and original wood construction. With a large open porch, you’ll feel as though you’re taken a step back into the past– with the exception of modern amenities including hot water and free Wifi. La Granja is situated just above the river, and you’ll have direct access to various natural pools in addition to many trails throughout the farm to explore. We provide you with free organic coffee from our sister farm in Monteverde for the first morning of your stay for you to settle in and enjoy the beauty of our farm.

La Granja is the ideal farmhouse for large groups. With two spacious bunkrooms, and the option to convert the comfy porch futon, La Granja easily sleeps 10. There is one full bathroom with hot water for the shower, and the farmhouse has fresh linens and towels. The large covered porch overlooks the farmyard, and our guests love relaxing in the hammocks and sofa bed. Our large open air kitchen looks out onto the porch/living and dining room and farmyard, and is a great place to cook your own meals, or enjoy traditional Costa Rican meals cooked by our neighbors from the local community and delivered to you. There is also a large wood grill for cooking on (we provide you with free firewood).

True to the spirit of a traditional farmhouse, our open air porch doubles as the living and dining room spaces. We have four rescue kitties that like to visit guests on the porch, so if you are allergic to cats we recommend staying at one of our sister homes, Rancho El Rio or Panorama. Our hand-reared chickens are also quite friendly and love to stop by for visits as well. We also have rescued dogs that are super friendly and run around the farm, although they do not enter the porch area or farmhouse.

The farmhouse is just minutes walking distance from the river, and our guests love spending time exploring the river in addition to the various trails that run throughout our farm and surrounding forest. We have a variety of animals on our sustainable farm, including rescue dogs and cats, donkeys, horses, cows, water buffalo, sheep, goats, pigs, geese, and chickens. We grow a variety of fruits and vegetables, and encourage our guests to try the fresh mangoes and starfruit just outside the cabin. We also encourage our guests to join us in learning about our farm work, and are happy to have your company when collecting fresh eggs or taking a horseback riding tour around the farm.

This is a working sustainable farm in rural Costa Rica, meaning that your stay with us will be close to nature and certainly a unique adventure-- please consider this before you book a farmstay with us, as this experience is not for all travelers. If you are looking for luxury accommodations or a place without bugs and critters, this is not the place to stay. If you are looking for a chance to reconnect with nature and experience authentic Costa Rican beauty, this will be the highlight of your trip! Our farm animals are very friendly, especially our dogs and cats, and they may follow you around when you adventure through the farm or go for a swim in the river.

We provide guests with the option of ordering homemade meals that are delivered straight to your doorstep! Please arrange with us ahead of time if you would like meals (breakfasts, lunches, and/or dinners) prepared throughout your stay.

Property manager

Veronica Sheehan

Languages

English, Spanish

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Internet access

Parking and transport

  • Onsite parking options include a garage

Food and drink

  • Breakfast available for a fee

Things to do

  • Books
  • Communal pool
  • Games

Guest services

  • Housekeeping on request

Outdoors

  • Barbecue grill
  • Garden
  • On a river

More

  • Smoke-free property

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided
  • Cot

Bathroom

  • Shower
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels

Food and drink

  • Coffee grinder
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Electric kettle
  • Hob
  • Kitchen
  • Oven
  • Refrigerator
  • Toaster

Outdoor space

  • Patio

More

  • Living room
  • 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 are welcome
  • Restrictions apply
  • For more information, you can reach out to the property at the number on the booking confirmation

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.
  • Cots (infant beds) are available.

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
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a deadlock
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
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A cash deposit, credit card or debit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
    This property is managed by a private host, not a professional engaged in trade or business. This property accepts cash. On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited. For guests' safety, the property includes a fire extinguisher and a deadlock in all accommodation.

We should mention

  • To make arrangements for your pet, contact the property directly using the information on your booking confirmation.

Frequently asked questions

Are there any beaches close to La Granja: Farm Paradise– Integrated farm?

The closest beach to La Granja: Farm Paradise– Integrated farm is Playa Blanca (19.5 km).

Does La Granja: Farm Paradise– Integrated farm have a pool?

La Granja: Farm Paradise– Integrated farm has a communal pool.

Is La Granja: Farm Paradise– Integrated farm family-friendly?

You bet! With amenities like a BBQ and highchairs, it's no surprise La Granja: Farm Paradise– Integrated farm is a winner with our family travellers.

Is there a free airport shuttle available at La Granja: Farm Paradise– Integrated farm?

No, La Granja: Farm Paradise– Integrated farm does not offer an airport shuttle service.

What time are check-in & check-out at La Granja: Farm Paradise– Integrated farm?

Check-in begins at 2:00 PM. Check-out time is 11:00 AM.

La Granja: Farm Paradise– Integrated farm Reviews

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 23 out of 26 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 3 out of 26 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 26 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 26 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 26 reviews" "

9.2/10

Cleanliness

8.0/10

Staff & service

6.0/10

Amenities

6.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Delia D.

Liked: Cleanliness
Amazing Hosts
Immediately upon arrival, the incredible hosts made us feel at home. The farm tour included a visit with all of the animals and their unique, charming personalities, including Frijoles the pig and Confite the dog. The kids loved swimming in the river and seeing the other animals on the farms such as howler monkeys, geckos, bats, tailless whip scorpion. We would definitely return!!!
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024

8/10 Good

Anne C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Car needed for this “off the beaten path “
The property, and the people who live and work here, are kind and helpful. The cabin that we stayed in was very spacious, plenty of room for a family. The photos online are true to our experience. Many thanks to Carlos, who took time to offer my grandkids a horseback ride, and a tour of the property! He also shared some tangerines, and fresh sugarcane from the property . Many thanks to Alex for picking us up upon our arrival, as well as the coffee beans from his farm! He makes his own rum from the sugarcane as well! If you’re going during the heat, you may want to be assured of sufficient fans. There’s no air conditioning, because it’s open air living. Please know, that you need a vehicle as well, transportation is very difficult to achieve without it. Thanks Stuart, for providing the directions needed, and thank you so much for the trip to the gorgeous waterfall! We really enjoyed it!
Stayed 8 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Stephen S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great experience!
We stayed Jan 1, 23 to Jan 5, 23. We wish we were able to stay at least a few days longer. It is what the description says it is. But it also exceeded our expectations. La Granja is sort of like trailer camping, but bigger, cleaner, more comfortable. It was very clean considering the kitchen and dining/living areas are basically on a covered porch. I was expecting more bugs and spiders, but saw few. Like most others, my 10 year old and 12 year old thought staying on the farm was highlight of our entire trip. The description says the cats come on the porch and the dogs don't, but it was opposite for us. Which was perfect because we love dogs and my wife and son are allergic to cats. Neither had any issues with allegies there. We never used bug spray at the farm and only got a few mosquito bites. But what made the place so great were the hosts. We didn't get to spend much time there, but eveyone was so welcoming, even the dogs. The dogs feel like part of your family while you are there. Highlights: Stuart's tour of the farm, Alex pointing out the white-faced Capuchins and howler monkeys right outside the cabin, Carlos bringing the baby chicks for the kids to hold, game night at Stuart's mother's cafe, and getting to witness/experience rural Costa Rican living. We had a an absolutely wonderful experience and hope to come back for a longer stay someday. Definitely recommend!
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kimberly J.

Liked: Cleanliness
Magical Jungle Farm Escape
Watching hummingbirds zip and hover unexpectedly, howler monkeys waking us up with the roosters, and colorful butterflies floating about, were all little gifts we’ll take with us. The river was the perfect way to cool down in the heat of the day. Our boys, 16 & 12, got to see a very different way of life, and we all truly felt a million miles away from our daily lives. The memories our family made here are precious and we have definitely bonded with this magical place, as well as with each other. On the farm, Carlos showed the boys how to milk the cow, which they did every day. He also let them take turns riding the horse. Stuart led us on a night tour of the farm and showed us a big flower that only blooms at night, amongst many other things you’ll have to see for yourself! We also very much appreciated the tasty food we had delivered that helped us settle in. We had lots of leftovers! Besides experiencing farm life, we went to Sky Park and highly recommend going to the earliest guided canopy tour and requesting Dennis. He was a wealth of information and his energy and love for the forest was contagious. After the canopy tour we went on the zip lines, which was a ton of fun. Stuart recommended El Tigre falls, and we’re so glad we went! It was absolutely incredible. So.many.waterfalls. Lush, tropical, and had a very Indiana Jones adventure feel because of the hanging bridges. We hope you experience the joy in the rhythm of life here too. Pura Vida!
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Alison J.

Liked: Cleanliness
Rustic, timeless gem
Rancho del Rio is a special place. We felt as if we had stepped back in time to a simpler life. Communication prior to arrival was excellent. The welcome we received was warm and genuine. Alexander is a gracious and caring host with a deep passion for the land. We stayed in La Granja which is an almost century-old original farmhouse. Think beautiful wide wood floorboards in the open porch, cutting fruit for breakfast in the simple kitchen, brewing coffee in a traditional sack… it was a pure, authentic experience. Bedrooms are screened and beds made up as needed, it sleeps quite a few people. Also, we ordered the typical meal delivered and it was sooooo delicious! Our daughter enjoyed a wonderful horseback ride with Alexander across the river, through the countryside and up to sweeping viewpoints thru country tracks and lanes. We enjoyed the farm animals, the wild birds including parrots and motmots, the sound of the Guacimal river rushing over its stony bed, eating little fresh eggs from the farm chickens, and the sense of stepping out of this century. We loved the nearby hot springs, a truly local sweet little attraction, do not miss if you stay between Weds and Sat. Monteverde and Santa Elena are a trip up the mountain with great views on the way. Roads are more interesting than smooth. The local restaurant El Sol has great food at fair prices.
Stayed 7 nights in Jan 2023

10/10 Excellent

Tiffany D.

Liked: Cleanliness
This Place is Magical
Rancho El Rio is not for everyone - it is rustic and truly out in nature - but it might be one of my favorite places in earth. Our open air casita was full of friendly dogs and cats, we had local meals delivered every day (including a lesson on how to make empanadas and chimichurri!), and we learned so much about the land from Alexander and Stuart who showed us around the farm and really taught us about farming and the history in this area. The property sits on a river that you can hear at night, and the roosters crow in the morning to wake you up. Socorro the pig patrols the property and chicks peep under your window all day. We found it truly magical. Thank you Alexander, Veronica and Stuart for the warm welcome. We will definitely be back again!
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Stacy G.

Liked: Cleanliness
Two Months on the Farm!
I highly recommend staying at Rancho el Rio! My four children (ages 6-14) stayed on an extended vacation for two months (June-July 2022). It was exactly what we were looking for. I wanted the kids to get a break from our busy lives, schedules, and technology to enjoy time together as a family close to nature. My husband also joined us at the beginning and end of the trip. On the farm, the kids had the freedom to explore the property and visit the animals as they pleased. They loved seeing the newborn piglets, riding horses, and visiting the donkeys. The also liked having the farm dogs and cats around; the dogs would even escort us on walks to the river. Señor Alex, as the kids called him, was a fantastic host! He watched out for us, welcomed us into his life on the farm, shared his knowledge, and became a friend. He invited us to share meals together on several occasions and even invited us to visit his family’s farm in a nearby town. He introduced us to the youth soccer coach in Santa Elena and my oldest son was able to train with them during our stay. He also helped us coordinate a bread-making class with Señora Juana and basic Spanish lessons for the kids. His generosity, kindness, and love of the Costa Rican way of life are sincere. His adult son, Stuart, was also a great resource and always available via WhatsApp. He was very accommodating and flexible with our requests. Señor Carlos, who lives and works on the farm, was wonderful with the kids! The kids were able to help him with the morning animal chores. He would bring us fresh fruit and small eggs as gifts, especially for my youngest son. With our rental car, the location of the farm was convenient to drive to Santa Elena /Monteverde whenever we wanted. The nearby town of Guacimal had groceries and two good tipico restaurants. We took almost weekly trips to the hot spring up the road. The farm made a good home base to explore different parts of the country. We split our time between the two rental homes on the property. They are both simple, with a lot of charm and all the essentials for a comfortable stay. Our family made great memories together over the summer at Rancho el Rio. I feel lucky that we chose this place, almost blindly just based on the reviews (hence my reason for writing such a long review). It is a hidden gem!
Stayed 48 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

April M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful Experience!
If you love nature and animals and want to get a more authentic Costa Rican experience than staying in a fancy house or resort, I encourage you to bring your family here to ranch by the river. This was a highlight of our trip to Costa Rica. Stuart is wonderful to communicate with. He was so helpful and kind. My kids fell in love with the wonderful men who care for the farm. They made us feel so welcome and included our kids in many farm activities. Our kids loved all the animals, especially the friendly little pig and the loveable dogs. The river right next to the ranch was such a fun and beautiful place to swim and explore. Our kids loved that the dogs would lead the way to the river to swim. We spent one day in Monteverde for zip-lining and hanging bridges, which was a blast. Otherwise, we just didn't want to leave the ranch. We bought eggs and coffee from the farm and went into town for dinner. It was a short drive to a great restaurant. The two bunk beds and one lofted bed worked great for our family. There is no a/c, but the two box fans were all we needed to sleep comfortably. The kitchen had what we needed and the shower was great. We were also surprised what good wi-fi there was, not that we needed it. :) Thank you again to Stuart and Alex! We 100 percent recommend this property! Each of our 5 kids said this place was their favorite part of our 12 day Costa Rican adventurel
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2022

10/10 Excellent

Louisa H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Real Farm Living!
Our family of 5 (kids aged 24, 26, and 27) stayed here over Christmas and enjoyed every moment. Animals are everywhere! Stuart, Alexander and Veronica were extremely attentive and friendly. It's best for people open to a real rural experience, bugs included!
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2021

10/10 Excellent

Holly H.

Liked: Cleanliness
This is truly living on the farm!
Our family stayed three nights here. The open air house was very authentic and fun! The animals are right outside the door. If you want to experience a taste of farm living, this is the perfect place. Stuart was a wonderful host and we feel so lucky to have met him and to have learned about their farm.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2021