Frequently Asked Questions

There is free Wi-Fi available in our downstairs lobby.

It is better to hire a guide when you are at the lodge,  you can discuss with your guide about what you would like to see and where you would like to go. You will see many more birds on your visit to Rancho Naturalista if you decide to hire a local guide because the guides know the local birds – where to find each species, its calls, its behavior, and how to show the bird to guests. Guiding is subject to availability, if there are not enough guides than you may have to share a guide. You also may be able to join a group and split the cost of the guide.

Our guides are excellent bird guides. The guides work “freelance.” They are paid directly by the clients who hire them at Rancho, and we do not take any money from them. They charge $90.00 for the morning and $70.00 for the afternoon for groups of up to 5 people (guests after 5 people pay $30.00 each). Most guests are more than satisfied with this arrangement because they like having a private guide. A private guide may not always be available in all situations. In this case, you may need to share a guide.

We do have a Checklist of over 450 species of birds recorded in our private forest reserve and within the local area and we are proud of it! Click here for the checklist.

There are plenty of other activities here besides birdwatching.  Take a look at our ‘Activities‘ page to see what we have to offer and we will be happy to help you organize something for you. And remember that Rancho Naturalista is also a good place to just relax.

At Rancho Naturalista we encourage parents to bring their children. It can be a wonderful learning experience for children to be in the rainforest! Children under 11 years old stay for free (including all meals) as long as they are in a room with their parents.

The chef at Rancho Naturalista is incredibly flexible with the menu and is able to handle any number of dietary restrictions. The requests for special diets are cheerfully accommodated for all diets including gluten free, lactose free, vegetarian and vegan. Please let us know what you need and we will be happy to help!

The policy for guests who want to watch birds at Rancho Naturalista but are not staying at the lodge because the lodge is full or due to other factors, is the following: The cost for the use of the trails for the morning is $45.00, which includes lunch (not breakfast) We encourage all drop-in guests to hire a guide when available (this is extra) as the trail system is complicated.

Note: You must call or email us at least a day in advance to make a reservation for a day visit.

Due to the problems and complications in traveling during the time of the COVID-pandemic, we are currently waiving all cancellation penalties. If you have had something happen beyond your control, please contact us and we will do our best to help you find a solution.