My wife and I recently spent 4 nights at Santa Juana Lodge. It was our first trip to Costa Rica, and this was the first place we stayed. What an extraordinary welcome to this amazing country! After a day and a half of arduous travel and multiple delays, we desperately needed a place to decompress. Once we arrived on the property and were welcomed by Allan and the amazing views of nature, all of the stress we'd been feeling melted away instantly. We'd barely parked the car, and Allan immediately showed us a sloth that had taken up residence in a tree nearby, as well as several toucans. When we set foot in our room (the Deluxe Bungalow), we were stunned by the panoramic views from the deck. Allan (who took us on a guided bird/nature tour of the area) and the rest of the staff were so welcoming and warm, truly exemplifying "pura vida". We also loved hanging out with Comanche, the exuberant and friendly dog who lives nearby.
This is not an impersonal, resort-style accommodation with multiple pools, bars, and restaurants. It is a small establishment that is run by local families. It takes about 45-60 minutes to drive from Quepos, up a sometimes patchy dirt/rock road, so be sure that you have a 4WD vehicle (and arrive during daylight). The drive isn't so bad once you've done it once or twice - if you're lucky, you might even spot a troop of squirrel monkeys on the way, as we did. If you are looking for tranquility, nature, and true escape, Santa Juana Lodge is the place for you!