Rancho Margot

It was a retreat from the WORLD

Most visitors stay longer than we did to learn about the permaculture and sustainability ethos or there on a volunteering stint, but we were made to feel very welcome. The staff are friendly, helpful and passionate about their home. Our 2-night stay allowed us to enjoy a morning farm tour and evening twilight walk, hike up to the top of the property to take in the spectacular views of the lake and volcano, afternoon horse riding hack to explore the surrounding areas and relaxing dip in the spring pools. Our deluxe room was big and comfortable with farm made soap provided. The kitchen staff provided meals that represented the farm to plate and local community buying concept and the pizza made with farm made cheese was some of the best I've eaten. Wi-fi was available in the bar and communal areas, but not the rooms. The drive into Rancho Margot is bumpy and unmade, so slow and although a 4x4 isn't a must, it is recommended. It's a great base to look upon the Arenal sights rather than being in it and looking outwards.

I really loved this place and already want to return. Two days is not enough time! It is rustic, like glamping accommodations but if you’re into health, authenticity, and sustainability, it’s such a dreamy, magical place. I loved the horse riding and farm tour. Make time for them. The farm tour is thorough! We wished we could make the cheese and soap but ran out of time to take those classes. The food was so great—the tomatoes taste like tomatoes! The WiFi is spotty in the cabin & frankly it helped my mental health! The front desk and staff are so kind and real people who truly connect with you.

Beautiful location with a great story of hoow it got started. Highly recommend this place to everyone and anyone. Staff were fantastic, our tour was insightful and the food was amazing and so fresh. Came with 3 kids age 1,3 and 5 and they absolutely loved the place as much as we did.

If you're interested in sustainability, the environment and being in the wilderness, this is an amazing place to be. The farm tour was incredible. The area it's in is absolute heaven, surrounded by rainforest and rivers and on the edge of a lake under a volcano. The bird life is astounding and the activities and tours available are great. The room I was in was very small, but perfect for 1 person. 2 would people would have been cosy. But it has a gorgeous little terrace out the front and back with a hammock :) The food is fresh and delicious and simple, although not a huge variety as each day is very similar. The daily yoga was delightful and in a beautiful setting. The downsides are, it's very isolated. You can't walk anywhere easily so you do need a car. It rains a lot. it is the rainforest so it's to be expected(!) but nothing dries and everything is damp. With this comes mosquitos! So take lots of spray, they seemed to stay away, once I was covered in Deet. The other slightly disappointing thing was that most (not all) of the staff seemed very bored and miserable. They were all helpful and polite, but they didn't seem too happy! The tour guides were good and knowledgable, but didn't go much beyond the necessary. I was there for 5 nights, which was maybe a little too long without a car and eating the same food every day. Overall, it was a wonderful experience and amazing to see the biodiversity and positive environmental impact they are having.

As a solo traveler, I was welcomed and my needs were met from the very beginning. The owner, Juan, joined me for dinner the first night, which was welcomed and resulted in a very interesting conversation. The bungalow I was assigned was very comfortable. The farm tour is not to be missed. The included three meals per day were tasty and satisfying. The rancho and its facilities are well thought out, efficient, and highly sustainable. Truly a remarkable experience. Highly recommended (don't forget to bring and apply bug spray).

Staff very friendly and helpful. Helped plan excursions and able to speak English & Spanish. New Years was a blast❣️

Very cool experience, very minimal room amenities (none). Super rustic but very authentic and educational and beautiful Hummingbirds everywhere! Farm tour, horse back riding and hiking!

Exactly what we were looking for in an eco + budget friendly stay in the heart of Costa Rica. Far away enough from the hustle and tourist madness of La Fortuna but close enough that you can still take a short drive to all the sights. Rancho Margot food was average and having access to three meals a day was clutch. Legit working farm and the tour is a must. Horse back riding with a river crossing. Played soccer, pool, ping pong. Yoga classes in a true pura vida scene. El Mirador hike for volcano views. Not fancy amenities but clean rooms and fresh farm made soap. All the jungle feels and sounds. Extremely friendly young staff that truly seemed that they enjoyed their jobs.

This property was amazing, literally one of the most beautiful properties that I have ever stayed at! The staff were so accomodating, especially given a reservation error . They had us check in, stated they would handle the problem with Expedia, and told us the most important thing is that we have a good time. AND THEY LIVED UP TO IT! I couldn't believe there wasn't 100 extra charges and excuses etc--such incredible service! Our family of (6) kept busy on the hiking trails, at the beautiful river/waterfalls/rapids, reading on our porch hammocks, sitting by the big dining-side fireplace, or grabbing a beer at their cute little bar. We would absolutely return! Thank you Rancho Margot!

I can’t say enough about Rancho Margot. It’s relaxing, inspiring in its commit to sustainability, and the staff is wonderful. It’s a gem in a beautiful part of the world. We loved the tours, the free workshops, the forest walks, the pools, the food. All great.

I came here for 3 days and rented a deluxe cabin. We had the most amazing time at rancho Margot. The photos don't do it justice! It is stunning. It is so relaxing and mind altering. I would highly recommend taking them up on the farm tour. It is so informative and you can just feel how much the property means to everyone who works/lives there. You could certainly bring a light raincoat however they provide umbrellas which we found more that sufficient. There were some mosquitos but being from canada they were do where near as bad as we are used to.

C’est une magnifique expérience. La nourriture est incluse et délicieuse. Le personnel est passionné et c’est vraiment un projet grandiose qui mérite d’être vécu.

We loved our stay at Rancho Margot. The staff was so kind and accomadating. The property was lovely, it was so nice that food was included. We loved going to see the animals. The Pook is warm and fun for kids to swim in. It was more adventurous as the drive in is on a dirt road. I definitely recommend driving to La Fortuna first and coming on the road from La Fortuna. We drove straight from Liberia and it was a rough road where we crossed several rivers, including a VERY large one at the very end. I highly reccommend this ecolodge. The rooms you stay in are separate little bungalows with a porch and hammock, which is fun!

Excellent sustainable farm stay! Highlight of our trip. Educational walks were wonderful as well as staff and food.

Rancho Margot is an amazing place. Completely self sufficient. Really amazing. The ranch is secluded and completely in the rain forest. When you get the end of the road, you just have to go a little bit farther. What they have done to the land over the last 16 years is mind bending. If staying in the rain forest appeals to you and you're heading to Costa Rica, do yourself a favor and book a few nights at Rancho Margot. You won't regret it.

The ranch itself is a beautiful property. Is a magical place were you’ll receive great service. Is a place to in contact with nature, farm animals

Great experience but basic accommodation. Slightly overpriced in my view.

The "bunk house" was misleading in its advertisements and less that spacious...further, it is very noisy with all the people staying in dormitory style lodging and grass/straw/open walls and ceilings...it was also packed with mosquitos.

My family and I had an amazing time. They said it was their favorite place in Costa Rica.