No, we do not offer Spanish classes but there is a local Spanish School named Finca Siempre Verde a few minutes walk from our Main House.  Please contact them directly to inquire about taking classes.  

The Juan Santamaría International Airport, Costa Rica's main airport and where a grand majority of international flights arrive, is located near the town of Alajuela. For travelers wanting or needing to stay near the airport on their first night or two in country, it is sometimes more convenient to avoid San Jose (16 kilometers away) by finding lodging in Alajuela or Escazú. There are a number of modestly priced places to stay near the airport. Many hotels in Alajuela provide airport pick-ups and breakfast.  Following is a list of places that we or past visitors to the Ranch recommend in Alajuela, San Jose and Escazu as well as in the closest city to Mastatal, Puriscal, and destinations on the Central Pacific Coast.  

ALAJUELA
Hotel Brilla Sol
Cabinas Don Francisco Lodge
Los Volcanes Hotel
Hotel Casa Tago
Hotel La Rosa de America

SAN JOSÉ
Fleur de Lys
Hotel Aranjuez
Airbnb
Hostel Casa Colon
Stray Cat Hostel
Mi Casa Hostel
Costa Rica Backpackers Hostel
Hotel Talamanca
Hostel Pangea

ESCAZÚ
Casa de las Tías
Costa Verde Inn
Casa Laurin Bed & Breakfast
Posada El Quijote

PURISCAL
Cottage at SlothCreek Airbnb
Puriscal Airbnb (Maria Isabel Mora, isamora24@hotmail.com, +506 8319-2544, Barbacoas, Puriscal)
Ama Tierra Hotel & Retreat
Cabanas Ensuenos

MANUEL ANTONIO/QUEPOS
Costa Verde Hotel
Wide Mouth Frog Hostel
Hostel Vista Serena
Hostel Costa Linda
Hotel Karahe

ESTERILLOS ESTE
The Ranch’s favorite nearby beach!
Encantada Ocean Cottages

ESTERILLOS OESTE
Cabinas Cecilia, 011 (506) 2778-8485. This is a Ranch favorite. Owned by a tica. Pool looking out to the Pacific Ocean. Great rates. Cecilia's mom runs a nice little soda just around the corner of the hotel.

PLAYA HERMOSA
Falcon is a friend of the Ranch and has a nice, small house near Playa Hermosa, a popular surfing spot on the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica not too far from Rancho Mastatal.  
falcon@casaescondidacr.com
www.casaescondidacr.com
www.facebook.com/CasaEscondida
www.vrbo.com/283691
www.airbnb.com/rooms/7883501 

We have fewer problems with biting insects than many people expect when coming to the tropics. Nevertheless, they do exist and in larger, more diverse quantities than many of you are accustomed to. The flying, biting insects that do reside in and around Mastatal seem to like newer blood. Some people react worse then others to bug bites. Most people get accustomed to our biting friends after a few short days but some people do continue to get bitten throughout their stay. If you decide to bring bug spray, please make sure that it's friendly to the environment and your body.  If you are one of those that tends to get bitten a lot, you should consider wearing light, long sleeves and pants and socks.   

We generally do not offer short-term volunteer or work trade opportunities. Click here to learn more about our apprenticeship program. Click here to learn more about our internship program.

Contact family as soon as you arrive to Costa Rica and before heading towards Rancho Mastatal.  Communication in general is easier in urban and more populated areas.  If you are not traveling with your own phone and want to contact family or friends while in Mastatal, we recommend buying one or more Costa Rican phone cards prior to arriving to Mastatal.  There is a small Internet cafe in town with WIFI for those with their own devices but hours and connectivity can be variable.  You can arrange with your cell provider to use your own cell phone to make calls when in Costa Rica.  There is no Internet access at the Ranch unless you have your own phone with local service.  Our Main House is a cell phone free area.  For emergencies, guests can use the Ranch phone.  

Click here for information on vaccinations.

With regards to when to visit the Ranch, each season has its advantages and its disadvantages. The dry or high season generally runs from December through March and part of April; the rainy, low or green season rules during the remainder of the year. Some advantages of the high season include more predictable weather, less rain, and easier travel. On the other hand, the low season boasts fewer tourists, greener scenery, cooler weather and cheaper travel. The sun does show its face a fair amount during the rainy months. The temperature ranges from the low to mid-60s to the high 80s. It will occasionally get a bit cooler, or a bit hotter. It does get hot in the middle of the day, especially during the dry season. This is usually the best time to head into the forest or find a nice swimming hole or waterfall. Nights are generally comfortable for sleeping. Most sleepers use sheets and many opt for sheets and blankets. 

We are only seven miles from the Central Pacific Coast as the crow flies, though the trip from Mastatal to the nearest beach will take you an hour (by car). We do get some great views to the Pacific Ocean from our area, though unless you bring your hang glider, plan on it taking you some time to make it down to the Central Pacific Coast's famous beaches. If you rent a car, you can get to a beach in an hour. By bus, plan on 4 or more hours. 

Please see our Payment Information Page. 

The Costa Rican currency is the colón. The exchange rate changes frequently and can be found online. Carry your passport when changing money. Only change money in banks or at good hotels. Make sure that your US bills are in good shape, as it sometimes difficult to change worn or torn money. Make sure you change all of your colones back to dollars before exiting the country (or as many as possible), as it is difficult to change larger amounts back in the States.

Please note that the closest bank to Rancho Mastatal is more than an hour away. Cash advances are possible at many banks with your credit card. VISA is the card most readily accepted. There are also an abundance of ATM machines in most larger towns and cities. Check with your bank to see whether your card will be accepted and where in Costa Rica.  Most these days are.

There is no public phone in Mastatal though there is Kolbi cell service in town.  You will need to talk to your service provide to make sure that your phone will work in Costa Rica or buy a Costa Rican SIM card before or upon entering the country. Make sure that you "unlock" your phone with your provider prior to traveling.  You can use the Ranch's phone in the case of emergencies.  The Ranch phone number number is +506 2200-0920.  

You can use many smart phones in the area to access the 3G network if you buy and insert a Costa Rican SIM card. This option only works for KOLBI no other carriers have service here.  The Ranch does not have WIFI.

We recommend traveling as lightly as possible. Being mobile allows you to maximize your traveling experience. Resist the temptation to bring everything you think you’ll need.  In our tropical climate, darker clothes will make you hot and attract bugs though they hide the dirt better. Bring plenty of underclothes, and clothes that dry easily.

Bring a good hat to shade your eyes and forehead and to keep your head dry. If you are light skinned or very heat sensitive, bring a wide brimmed hat. We tend to use umbrellas more than rainjackets during the rainy season though some people prefer to have a light jacket on hand. Bring shoes that you don’t mind getting wet and muddy. If you bring hiking boots, you'll find that lighter, faster drying models will serve you best in this region.  Make sure that you have a pair of comfortable shoes to get around in for when you are not in the forest.  Many travelers opt for Chacos, Tevas or broken in sneakers. It's nice to have shoes that are easy to get on and off as you will find yourself constantly having to put on and take off your shoes (no shoes in the houses). Leather does not generally do well in humid environments. Light, long sleeved shirts and pants are nice for sun and insect protection. Shorts, t-shirts and skirts are popular too and will serve you well much of the time. A light, quick drying, absorbent towel works best out of the shower or at the swimming holes.

You should also bring enough cash with you as the closest place to get money is in Puriscal and to get there and back using public transportation signifies an 11-hour day.

Here is a list of smaller items that you may find useful:

• high quality flashlight with spare bulb and batteries

• Swiss Army-style pocket knife

• sunglasses (good ones as the sun is very strong)

• toiletries (use shampoos and toothpastes that are biodegradable)

• sunblock (use biodegradable type if possible)

• books that you have been meaning to read for a while

• water bottles

• first-aid kit

• prescription medicines

• large-brimmed hat

If you'd like to bring a gift for the Ranch, please see our "Wish List" on our Take Action page. 

Get it! This should cover you for medical expenses, luggage theft, and costs incurred due to unavoidable changes in your travel itinerary. It should also cover you in the case that you have an accident and have to be flown home. Ticket loss is also covered by many travel insurance policies. Check with your insurance agent to get additional information about the coverage that they offer; it can differ depending on the agent.

You will need a passport to enter Costa Rica. Passports should be valid for at least six months beyond the dates of your trip. You will most likely receive a 90 day visa upon entering the country. During your stay, the law requires that you carry your passport at all times, although a copy usually suffices.

When hiking, always stay on the trail and stay with your guide if you have one. Bring plenty of water. We normally recommend 2-liters for moderate hikes. It is best to wear light, long pants and shirts to minimize your exposure to both sun and insects. Good hiking or comfortable rubber boots or sneakers are recommended. Keep in mind that it can be dangerous to swim in rivers without any supervision, especially during the rainy season when rivers can rise dramatically after a heavy rain. Don’t forget your binoculars and camera and have a great time. Hiking in the rainforest is an incredibly rewarding experience. Dawn and dusk provide your best opportunities to see wildlife. Walk quietly, listen, and become a part of your environment, and you will be rewarded.

It is of utmost importance to follow some simple, common sense guidelines when traveling to minimize the impacts of tourism and to emphasize sustainable development.

• Waste Disposal – Don’t create garbage. The water in Mastatal is potable. Bring a water bottle to avoid having to buy bottled water. Plastic bottles are a real problem in Costa Rica. Carry out what you bring in. Minimize the amount of garbage that you generate. There is no garbage collection service in Costa Rica. Locally, garbage is generally burned or buried. Please don't add to this challenge.

• Wildlife – Don’t disturb animals or damage plants. Stay on trails. Observe wildlife from a distance with binoculars. Follow the instructions of your guides. Never feed wild animals. Do not collect or buy endangered animals or plants.

• Local Communities – Allow the small communities at your destination to benefit from tourism. Buy locally made crafts and souvenirs.

• Cultural Sensitivity – Interact with local people. Speak as much Spanish as you can, even if it’s very little. The locals will appreciate your intentions. Appreciate and learn from the different cultural traditions of the areas you visit. Remember that you are the visitor. Be courteous, smile, and say "sí" a lot.

• Education – Learn about wildlife and local conservation, environmental, and cultural issues both before your trip and during your visit. Ask questions. Practice your Spanish.

• Sustainability – Avoid overcrowded areas unless you really want to see them. Support tourism companies with conservation initiatives and long-term management plans.

There is currently no bus service to Mastatal.

We serve 2 or 3 delicious homemade meals a day.  We source almost all our food from within Costa Rica, and over 80% comes from within ten miles of the Ranch.  We do not own a can opener, and each meal is made by hand from whole foods.  

For brunch we generally serve pinto (local beans and rice), eggs, tropical hash, fruits, local organic coffee with local milk and sugar, and herbal tea.  Dinner usually features fresh local salad, homemade salad dressing, rice, beans, a main dish with local tubers or vegetables, fermented vegetables, and other homemade condiments.  At brunch we also serve fizzy homemade herbal and fruit sodas. Meals are served buffet style and are plentiful.  We serve local meat once a week and use local lard as our cooking oil and often serve dishes made with our neighbors’ eggs and homemade cheese.

We often feature Costa Rican specialties, exotic fruits, and foods that are unique to the area.  We frequently highlight local delicacies like zorillo, pejibaye, yuca, bamboo, flor de itavo, siplina, heart of palm, tiquisque, starfruit, mamonchino, taro, mango, and water apple, as well as a seasonal selection of exotic fruits and nuts from our farm.    If you’re here at the right time, you may get to taste from a selection of seasonal fruits and nuts, including custard apple, peanut butter fruit, sundrop araza, miracle fruit, lovi-lovi, jackfruit, Amazonian tree grapes, sachi inchi nuts, salak, and many more.    

People continually say that the food served at the Ranch is some of the best they have ever eaten. If you have food allergies or dislikes, please let us know ahead of time so they can work within your dietary restrictions. 

We always appreciate folks asking us this question as there are certain items that we use at the Ranch that we cannot get in Costa Rica easily.  Check out the Take Action page to see our "Wish List".

To make reservations, fill out our reservation inquiry form, send us an email,  contact us via this website, text us at +506 8539-1404, or call +506 2200-0920.

We try to be as flexible as we possibly can, yet we appreciate and oftentimes need as much advance notice as possible for new arrivals. The Ranch gets busy during certain times of the year and we cannot guarantee a bed unless you contact us before your arrival.  Thanks for your understanding.   

Please browse this website for more information on a variety of topics. If after reading through all of our information you still have a question, please send us an email to info@ranchomastatal.com.