Vacationers enjoy a small waterfall near the Lodge.

Excerpts from...

Patricia's special report: Manuel Antonio & Quepos

...

QUEPOS HOT SPRINGS, GETTING HOTTER

I have trouble reading my notes on this one, you can't blame me. I started scribbling as we traveled about 12 miles down bumpy country roads, getting deeper into the wilderness. Assistant Manager Isaack Miller of Quepos Hot Springs Lodge drove the truck, laughing at my moaning and groaning over the bumps. Isaack, born in Belize of Amish people who moved for a time to Pennsylvania, found my complaints hilarious, especially my insistence that a wilderness lodge should be 4-star, with room service.

Despite my delicacy, I found myself overwhelmed by the beauty of this land along the River Canitas, where the mountains formed a deep lap for the lodge. We passed through communities where electricity and indoor plumbing were undreamed of and the inhabitants got around on foot or horseback.

One of our guides at the Quepos Hot Springs Lodge points out the jungle that surrounds the unique location on all sides.

IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE

Isaack, who no longer follows the Amish ways, works with General Manager Andres Morales at the wilderness retreat consisting of rooms for 30 and a restaurant/lounge and outdoor barbeque. Roughing it can be quite decent, though, considering that Chef Daniel formerly of Costa Verde Hotel is brought in to feed the group, who also enjoy direct TV, stereo and a fully stocked bar.

The project is owned by Americans who discovered the volcanic hot springs gushing forth near Quepos a few years ago, built the facilities and then waited for government permission to construct the pools to contain the volcanic waters. The latter permits have finally been obtained, assuring a new tourist attraction for the entire region in the coming year. Meanwhile, even without the pools, groups of fisherman and nature lovers have been booking the facilities.

Beautiful mountains covered with lush greenery surround the Lodge.

This article was written by Patricia Marting for the A.M. Costa Rica "net newspaper". For more information on this newspaper or for the full version of this article, see www.amcostarica.com.

The mountains are high, the land green, the river wild. A waterfall spills down close to the lodge, and as you proceed on horseback an hour further, you begin to smell the sulpher from the hot springs of 120F degrees.

HOW WILD IS HIS VALLEY

According to our guide, more wildlife and winged creatures can be found here than in Manuel Antonio Park. Isaack has personally spotted goats, the tapir, the little spotted cat, the paca, margery and ocelot. He has seen the black guan, falcon, broad-winged hawk, and mottled owl, among others. The river abounds with 3-4 lb. machaca and catfish.

...

For reservations at Quepos Hot Springs Lodge, or to simply arrange tours to the interior, or mountain biking excursions, contact Carlos Sanabria (inside Costa Rica) at 390-3629.