FAQ

Ecotourism is “responsible travel to natural areas which conserves the environment and improves the welfare of the local people”.  Ecotourism is defined by several key factors, including minimize impact on the environment and respecting and preserving local culture and economy.  For more information on how Tierra de Sueños is a Costa Rican ecotourism destination.

If exotic plants and animals, and unspoiled tropical beaches interest you, it doesn’t get much better than this!!! If you are looking for a TV, air conditioning or a swimming pool you will have to look somewhere else.

Guests that fall instantly in love with Tierra de Sueños are nature lovers. Beach goers, adventure enthusiasts, and people who enjoy a mixed variety of food and culture are thrilled as well. When walking along the pebble paths upon your arrival you will quickly note that a stay at Tierra de Sueños is an experience in nature and there is only so much separation between you and the jungle.

Although we are a minutes away from the beach, restaurants and grocery stores, we are located in a thick jungle setting and we share our space with many creatures. Often the neighborhood uses the same alarm clock- howler monkeys who like to start the day early and roaring. There are daily flybys in the reception house of various hummingbirds battling for first dibs on the surrounding flowers. The sound of the jungle at night accentuates the incredible biodiversity.

Guests staying at Tierra de Sueños are happy to be so comfortable while the jungle is at their fingertips. If our place isn’t right for you or if we’re full we will happily refer you to a near by neighbor or comparable location that you will also enjoy. Email us at info@tierradesuenoslodge.com for more info.

While it is true that the Caribbean side of Costa Rica gets more rain and the Caribbean is often reported as 70% chance of rain we are are actually blessed year round with a mix of sun and cloud. Forcasts generally report on one of the micro-climates along the long seacoast while the surronding areas can be bright and dry.

Thanks to this mix of sun and rain there is much more lush vegetation, and most of the time nothing more than an afternoon shower, you will enjoy the verdant natural surroundings of the uncrowded beaches and reserves. And anyway, there’s nothing quite like a tropical downpour, it is an experience in itself!

Temperatures vary little between seasons, with the average around 86°F (30°C) during the day and 70°F (21°C) at night. It is quite humid here year round, as we are in the rainforest, but it always cools down at night which makes for great sleeping conditions.

• running shoes for light hikes or activities
• sandals for beach and retreat center use – slip on sandals are great
• day pack to carry water snacks personal items to the beach or on tours
• swimwear – even if you don’t swim you may want to wade in the ocean
• beach towel
• sun hat / high factor sunscreen / sunglasses / SPF clothing- be aware that you will be close to the equator so the sun is intense and you need protection
• light long sleeved sweater and light loose pants for the evenings
• rain shell and umbrella
• water bottle
  
• flashlight
• ear plugs – it’s amazing to sleep in the sounds of the jungle but if they are too much you’ll have ear plugs to help. Howler monkeys wake up really early ;-).
• natural bug spray if you are sensitive to bugs
• US or CR currency for massages, tours and transportation. Cash is often the easiest option for paying for these things and give you the maximum options. Small bills under $20 are great as there is a large number of $20 bills that circulate the area.

There is so much to do here for all kinds of adventure seekers, nature lovers and folks looking to kick back and relax.

Check out our activities page for more details.

4Puerto Viejo – About 5-6km which is a 25 minute bike ride, 10 minute car ride and if you’re up for walking it takes around an hour and a half.

Cahuita – About 26km which can be reached in about 30 minutes by car. There are also frequent buses that will take you there. We wouldn’t suggest biking, however, for it is a busy road.

Manzanillo – About 8km which is a 30 minute bike ride, 10 minute car ride and if you’re up for walking it takes more than an hour and a half.

Punta Uva Beach – About 2km which is a quick 7 minute bike ride or a nice 20 minute walk along the beach from Playa Chiquita.

San Jose – Takes about 4 1/2-5 hours by car or bus. Although the highway here is currently under construction.

Playa Chiquita is a very kid friendly beach with calm, shallow tide pools and similar options at surronding beaches. We do our best to accommodate families but it’s always good to contact us to discuss your families specific needs.

The Family Casitas work well for 4-6 people, and although our regular bungalows have only a queen bed, we are more than happy to set up a third mattress for children. We also have a portable crib and pack n’ play that are available.

Not really, if you don’t mind riding bikes around to the small towns on this coast, visiting the parks, restaurants and shops is easy to do without a car. Taxis and Tuk Tuks are available for as well, and buses run frequently to the all local towns like Puerto Viejo, Cahuita, Bri Bri, and Limon. Scooters are a popular rental option too.

Although many places do accept credit cards here, it is recommended to bring cash in either USD or Colones. Cash is useful in many circumstances including booking tours, paying taxis, and smaller businesses that don’t offer credit card services.

Most places will not accept traveler’s checks, however the BCR bank in Puerto Viejo will cash them and do currency exchanges. There are two banks in town:

Banco National – will only give you Colones

Banco do Costa Rica – the most popular option and will give you dollars or colones

And two other ATM:

Scotia Bank – this is a stand alone bank machine in the grocery store

BAC – stand alone bank maching in town

Click here for the most current exchange rate and more advise on money matters.

Yes, this is the jungle! Lizards, frogs, caterpillars, crickets, mosquitoes, spiders, snakes, bats, insects, beautiful birds, butterflies, sloths, monkeys, and many more creatures live here for you to see and hear.

The closest beach, Playa Chiquita, is many guest’s favorite. It is a series of small tide pools and coves (great for kids) created by live coral formations. It’s quaint and private but also has a strong undertow in it’s most alluring sections.

Punta Uva our next beach over (only 2kms away) is a classical beautiful beach with a long straight beach lined with palm trees and perfect for swimming with no strong undertow.

For surfing there is the renowned Salsa Brava in town or the more consistent Beach Break in Cocles. Playa Grande and Manzanillo offer miles of coast waiting to be explored.

Yes, we have fiber optic internet available in the common areas of Tierra de Sueños. Password is available upon arrival. Also, there are cafes all over the area offering high-speed service.

Our bungalows are very secure and each one has a safe for valuable items such as cameras, passports, etc. The hosts also live on the property. Petty theft is a consideration throughout Costa Rica but also easily avoided with good practices. 

One of the great things about our area is the variety and quantity of restaurants serving food from all over the world. Because of the various backgrounds of foreigners that have moved here to share their recipes with travelers, you can find Thai, Italian, Caribbean, Latin fusions, sushi, and more.

The traditional dishes of the Caribbean usually consist of rice, beans, plantains, seafood, chicken, & beef spiced with coconut milk and local flavor.

We clean and tidy bungalows each day however, in our efforts to limit water use, linen changes are every three days, or once over a weeks stay.

We do not offer room service, but reception is a short walk from the bungalows and they can help you get to anything you may need or want in the area.

There are many options to reach Tierra de Sueños from San Jose or other parts of the country, it just depends on what will suit you best. The option that is the most economical and efficient is generally a shared shuttle offered through a few shuttle companies. For help booking a shuttle that will best suit your needs email info@tierradesuenoslodge.com. 

Refer to our location page for more info.

Groups, certainly!

We can offer discounts for groups that would like to reserve several bungalows.

If you would like to run a retreat here just shoot us an email at retreat@tierradesuenoslodge.com.

The Caribbean is the kind of place that can be magical for many and not right for others.

It is the most diverse area in Costa Rica with descendants of Jamaica first populating this coast around the turn of the century. Foreigners began flocking here in the 70’s and Costa Ricans followed as more work became available.

Eco-tourism, private businesses, friendly people, beautiful beaches, adventure travel, verdant natural surroundings and wildlife are abundant!

Golf courses, five star resorts, tennis courts and posh facilities are almost non existent although new construction and ‘progress’ continues to happen.

Get more details and history on the Caribbean here.

Yes, we accept volunteers of all kinds to stay with us for a month and help support us with keeping up with the garden, the kitchen, and the kids among other things. Please visit our Volunteering Program page or message us at info@tierradesuenoslodge.com for more information about our volunteer program.