Rio Chirripó Lodge, Chirripó NP & Cloudbridge Reserve

This was back when using rental cars for trips those first 2 or 3 years and I went here “on the way” to a birding club trip to Mariam’s Quetzals Cabins in San Gerardo de Dota, though it is an hour or so the other side of the San Gerardo de Dota exit on the highway. But it was a good choice and I loved my two nights there with lots of birds plus I hired a guide to take me birding in the Cloudbridge Reserve. A good little trip and all before the two or three nights at Mariam’s. This lodge is run by a husband and wife team and is real homey with great healthy food for meals. They refer to it as a “Retreat” and they host a lot of Wellness Retreats and Yoga Retreats. Read more about it on their website: https://riochirripo.com/en/home/

Would I Go There Again!

Yes!

Likes

Just hanging out at the lodge for days would be fine with me, a very relaxing place!
Plenty of birds & other nature for me to photograph.
Very nice room & great food!
Close to Cloudbridge Reserve which I love.

Dislikes

None that I can remember.

BIRDS Slideshow from Rio Chirripó . . .

Great Kiskadee
Talamanca Hummingbird
Sulphur-winged Parakeet
Sapphire-throated Hummingbird
Tropical Peewee
Masked Tityra
Rufous-collared Sparrow

Nature & Other Activities

Birds and other nature on the lodge property.
Cloudbridge Nature Reserve nearby.
Chirripó National Park which is famous for its hikes to the top of the highest mountain in Costa Rica, but I’m not up to that now.
I did not have time on that trip, but with a car and another day I could have made a day trip to the Los Cusingos Bird Sanctuary or Refugio de Aves Los Cusingos which is just outside the nearby town of San Isidro de General.

Cloudbridge Waterfall, Cloudbridge Reserve

Rooms & Food

Excellent room and food!

Getting There

The drive from Atenas was about 200 km or 4 1/2 hours and I went the mountain route because my other destination was in the mountains, but one could go the mountain route through Cartago and return the coastal route through Dominical & Quepos.
Public buses go to San Isidro de General and then you get a taxi or local bus to Rivas where the lodge is located. Check your options at: https://thebusschedule.com/cr/ or talk with the lodge about their recommendations.
There used to be a small airport at San Isidro de General but it is no longer open, so no good flying option.