San Gerardo de Dota and the Quetzales

Welcome to another exciting destination discovery! 

The village of San Gerardo lies at around 2000 meters above sea level and is still considered an insider tip among nature and bird lovers. In contrast to the more well-known regions of Costa Rica, there are only a few hotels in the area.

Guided hikes to observe the rare quetzal are particularly popular. Especially the drive along the mountains and gorges with views of the rainforest and partly to the Pacific make this an experience. The two small towns of Copey de Dota and Santa María de Dota, both typical Tico communities, offer wonderful views and a refreshing climate for bird watchers as well as the opportunity to indulge in their passion.

Your accomodation, the Savegre Hotel wont leave any wishes open, enjoy the beauty of the nature in this little hidden mountain paradise with all its amenities and the huge area of trails of the Hotel waiting for you to be discovered! Dont forget to visit the hotel owned Spa!

Are you ready to see the miracle of having a view like a bird?

One trail, which starts at 3492 meters (11,450 feet) above sea level at the highest point of Buena Vista mountain, leads down through the forest to reach the hotel at 2200 meters (7,220 feet).
On a clear day, it’s possible to see the central and southern Pacific and some of the volcanoes of the Central Cordillera. You feel as if you are looking down on a life-size map.

After exploring and learning about the eco-system at this elevation, the hike starts back for the hotel. At first you are surrounded by sub-Alpine forest where vegetation does not grow higher than a meter. This forest zone is also known as Páramo and is only found on the high ground of the Talamanca Cordillera and in the South American Andes.

As the hike progresses, you can see how the eco-system changes until you are totally immersed in the cloud forest with its huge oaks and perpetually green vegetation … without a doubt, this is a unique experience that will stay with you forever.

Approximately five hours after starting off, the hotel awaits you where you can enjoy a drink at the bar or reward your body with a relaxing massage (excluded).

At Savegre Hotel, you have the best opportunity to find and observe this spectacular bird in the area which surrounds the National park Los Quetzales. The Aztecs believed that the Resplendent Quetzal was the representation of Quetzalcoatl, their supreme god.

One of the guides will take you to the places where the quetzal feeds on aguacatillos, its favorite fruit. A few seconds of observation of the quetzal is enough to appreciate why it is considered the most beautiful species of the American continent.

The afternoon you are free to do whatever you feel like. Enjoy your hotel and relax, take a visit in the Spa or discover on your own one of the awesome trails around your accomodation!

Today you leave this little paradise and make your way to your next destination, you will certainly not soon forget the Quetzale and San Gerardo de Dota!