Maquenque Eco Lodge & Reserve, Boca Tapada, San Carlos, Alajuela

The Lodge Website: https://maquenqueecolodge.com/

Likes

Possibly more nature photo options than any other lodge
Several guided hikes, morning, day and night
Many trails to explore on your own
Free canoes to explore the lake
Multiple boat trips on San Carlos River + one other river
Ample nature to photograph from my cabin whether on ground or in a treehouse with birds everywhere and monkeys near some treehouses.

Multiple guided hikes & boat trips mentioned above under nature, including two different rivers and morning, noon & night hikes.
Free canoes on your own + hiking on your own
A large swimming pool
A Chocolate Farm Tour
Birthday or anniversary celebrations at dinner

Individual cabins: Either on the ground or in a treehouse
The treehouses are newer and generally nicer and more expensive, but worth the cost and the climb up the 50 steps! 🙂
They are basic cabins, not luxury rooms, but with all the essential needs.
The treehouses have “outside” showers with privacy while you shower in the treetops.

The restaurant has doubled in size since I started going there.
It now includes a wood-fired pizza oven and a broader menu of about anything you would want.
I rate the food as excellent, even though it is not my main reason for traveling.

From Atenas it is 103 kilometers taking 2 hours and 45 minutes to 3 hours+ to drive, depending on stops.
You drive through the mountains first and then acres of pineapple fields. It is very close to the Nicaragua border.
I use Walter Ramirez transportation.
Check the bus schedules at https://thebusschedule.com/ — From Atenas through San Ramon it is 17 hours with 4 bus changes, so better to get to San Jose for a 6 hour bus ride with only 2 bus changes.