Where to Stay
Every captivating tailor-made itinerary needs a perfect base. Our team has handpicked this collection of properties to give you luxury options in styles to suit any adventure.
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Steppes Travel is made by the people who work here. Incredible holidays are made possible because of their vast travel experience and the great enthusiasm they bring to their work.
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We carefully select our experts based on their knowledge, companionship and influence, ensuring that you can travel with the most knowledgeable leaders in the field.
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The people who lead the way when it comes to those things which matter to us: exploration, the environment, women’s empowerment and education.
Cloud Forests
Costa Rica is home to diverse habitats with an incredible variety of plants and animal species. Over 880 bird species, 90,000 recorded species of plants, 200 mammals, 2,000 butterflies as well as 50 species of hummingbirds and 150 species of amphibians and more.
There are 12 distinctive ecological zones from dry forest to mangroves to tropical rainforests and many of these species reside in the cloud forests of Monteverde and San Gerardo de Dota, a must for those looking for a birding holiday to Costa Rica.
Monteverde
Preservation of the remarkable forest of Monteverde is largely thanks to a community of Quakers who left the USA to avoid military conscription in the 1950s and settled in this highlands area of Costa Rica. They very soon realised that conserving the forest was crucial to the protection of the area’s watershed. The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve was officially established in 1972. Despite the effort needed to reach Monteverde (a long drive, poor roads) it has become a leading destination for eco-tourism and bird watchers flock there between February and April in hope to see the resplendent quetzal.
San Gerardo de Dota
For those looking for something more low key, San Gerardo de Dota is a great alternative. Of course, where there are no crowds, variety of accommodation can be limited but located in the highlands of the Talamanca Mountains San Gerardo de Dota is referred to as the emerald valley and is one of Costa Rica’s best-kept secrets.
San Gerardo de Dota is at a high altitude, approximately 2,200 metres above sea level, and therefore the climate is much cooler and wetter with daytime temperatures reaching around 20 Celsius. The small town was founded in 1952 as a small agricultural settlement, growing Cubano beans and fruits such as apples and peaches. The picturesque terrain is ideal for nature hikes, well-maintained trails fan out from most lodges, offering leisurely hikes through meadows of wildflowers.
Our Specialists 'Must Do'
A nocturnal nature tour is a magical experience that opens the door to a completely different appreciation of the forest environment. The sights, sounds and smells are very different to those during the day and accompanying guides will expertly draw attention to snakes, tree frogs, porcupines, agoutis, blue-crowned mot mots and hole-dwelling tarantulas, among other creatures of the night.
It’s not just the cloud forest that Monteverde is known for. It is also home to one of the best cheese companies in Costa Rica, the Monteverde Cheese Factory. The cloud forest of San Gerardo de Dota is considered the best location to see quetzals.
Experiences
Tell us what you love doing and we’ll curate a journey that’s perfect for you.
Idea
Costa Rica
Journey through Costa Rica & Nicaragua
Combining the prolific wildlife and outdoor pursuits of Costa Rica‘s Carribean coast with the colonial architecture and volcanic islands of Nicaragua‘s Pacific coast, this customisable trip is suited to intrepid travellers who seek a balance of exhilarating explorations with time spent unwinding…
Idea
Costa Rica
Highlights of Costa Rica
Through a combination of protected areas and community-based, sustainable tourism, Costa Rica has successfully restored its forest cover to over 52%. Suited to thrill seekers, nature lovers and those with a curiosity to learn more about conservation, this holiday dips a toe…
Idea
Costa Rica
Remote Hiking in Costa Rica
Unveiling some of the unknown highlights of Costa Rica, this itinerary takes in the cloud forests of Monteverde and the ancient indigenous paths of Chirripo National Park on a journey that seamlessly blends down and dirty hiking with a 3,821-metre summit attempt.…
Idea
Costa Rica
Journey through Costa Rica & Nicaragua
Combining the prolific wildlife and outdoor pursuits of Costa Rica‘s Carribean coast with the colonial architecture and volcanic islands of Nicaragua‘s Pacific coast, this customisable trip is suited to intrepid travellers who seek a balance of exhilarating explorations with time…
Idea
Costa Rica
Highlights of Costa Rica
Through a combination of protected areas and community-based, sustainable tourism, Costa Rica has successfully restored its forest cover to over 52%. Suited to thrill seekers, nature lovers and those with a curiosity to learn more about conservation, this holiday dips…
Idea
Costa Rica
Remote Hiking in Costa Rica
Unveiling some of the unknown highlights of Costa Rica, this itinerary takes in the cloud forests of Monteverde and the ancient indigenous paths of Chirripo National Park on a journey that seamlessly blends down and dirty hiking with a 3,821-metre…
Costa Rica
Trogon Lodge
Surrounded by 205 acres of private cloud forest reserve at an altitude of 2,200 metres above sea level, Trogon Lodge provides 25 rooms in 12 log cabin units dotted around the gardens.
Costa Rica
Senda Monteverde Hotel
Featuring 24 contemporary and spacious bungalows with open-air porches overlooking lush gardens, Senda Monteverde hotel offers a range of upscale duplexes and individual rooms. Light and airy yet warmed by the delightful wooden interiors, the aim…
Costa Rica
Belmar Hotel
Hotel Belmar is a small Swiss-style chalet hotel with 30 rooms, beautifully decorated; many with private balcony. Experience personalised service in a comfortable rustic atmosphere offering good food in a local style. Many of the rooms…
Meet our experts
A passion for travel runs right through every one of our experts - meaning they're always ready with first-hand insight about their specialist countries.
John Faithfull
Costa Rica is simply the best spot in Central America for nature lovers, and is always John’s top recommendation for those wishing to hike, swim, zip, raft, ride or float through outstanding scenery and rich biodiversity.
Talk with our experts
- 01285 880 980
Why Choose Steppes?
Our knowledge and expertise set us apart. So too our curiosity. It is this that drives us to create a journey that is really bespoke to you, all the while ensuring we travel and operate sustainably.
Are you ready to discover extraordinary once again?
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