Hotel Hacienda Guachipelin

The cattle ranch that serves as the site of Hacienda Guachipelin has been operating for over a century, and guests arriving at reception will immediately see that it continues to be as active as ever. Ranch hands work in the corrals alongside the reception area, and if you’re awake early enough, you might see them milking cows and getting fresh milk ready for breakfast. The ranch’s lush grounds offer gorgeous views of the Rincon de la Vieja and Santa Maria Volcanos, the Guanacaste plains, and the Pacific coastline. Pristine dry tropical forests cover part of the ranch grounds and surround the property, offering excellent trails for hikers and superb wildlife-viewing opportunities. Perhaps not surprisingly, given the ranch’s close relationship with nature, it aims to be as eco-friendly as possible. It has earned three leaves (out of five) in the Certification for Sustainable Tourism program by the Costa Rican Tourism Board, with initiatives that include solar-powered hot water heaters and reforestation programs. The ranch attracts a diverse mix of couples and families, as well as a few solo travelers. It's also a popular destination for group tours and day visitors, so the facilities can get busy in the high season. However, the ranch is large enough that it’s rarely difficult to find a quiet spot. As most guests are focused on active pursuits during the day, it’s not uncommon to have the pool completely to yourself when you’re in the mood to relax. 

Hacienda Guachipelin is located in northwestern Costa Rica, on the outskirts of Rincon de la Vieja National Park. The ranch is set on a 3,400-acre ranch, where it’s surrounded by dry tropical forests and other stunning natural scenery. This location is quite remote, with the nearest outpost of shops and restaurants located a 30-minute drive away in Liberia. While part of the route between the ranch and Liberia is paved, around eight miles of the journey takes guests along bumpy, unpaved roads. Even guests with rental cars generally have dinner at the ranch’s restaurant in order to avoid a challenging nighttime drive back to the ranch from Liberia. Liberia’s airport is around a 45-minute drive away. 

Guest rooms at Hacienda Guachipelin are large and inviting, featuring off-white walls, terra-cotta-colored tiled flooring, and dark wood furniture. Ochre-toned blankets are folded neatly at the end of beds made with white linens and matching ochre bolster pillows. Walls are decorated with a few nice pieces of artwork depicting local animals and plants. All rooms have simple desks, as well as wardrobes or shelving units that hold personal safes. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout, but the signal can be spotty in some rooms. Superior Rooms add TVs, telephones, and coffeemakers. Suites further add living areas with sofas, chairs, and dining tables. Additional amenities in suites include mini-fridges and hairdryers. Suites also have pretty terraces with nice views of the grounds, which are furnished with a pair of rocking chairs.Basic bathrooms, some of which have yellow or blue accent tiles, offer pump bottles of soap and shampoo. Roomy showers with older fixtures are covered by shower curtains, or enclosed by partial walls. Guests with rooms near the corral sometimes complain of odors and animal noise. During our visit, the ranch was in the process of constructing a new set of renovated rooms, which have lighter wood furniture and more modern bathrooms with vessel sinks. 

Hacienda Guachipelin’s Adventure Center is its stand-out feature, offering over 20 adventure and nature tours both on the property and in nearby Rincon de la Vieja National Park. Popular options include whitewater river inner-tubing on the Rio Negro Rapids, horseback riding, and zip-line canopy tours. There are also tours that introduce guests to cowboy life on the ranch. These tours and excursions come at an additional cost. The One Day Adventure Pass is a favorite of both guests and day-visitors, which includes lunch as well as many as different tours as the pass holder can fit into a single day. Regular shuttle service runs to the Rio Negro Hot Springs, where guests receive free admission. The site consists of several small, man-made hot spring pools of varying temperatures, surrounded by scenic forest. The pools are found on both sides of the river, connected by hanging bridges that stretch through the forest canopy. There are a couple of pots of warm volcanic mud that guests can rub on their bodies as a free natural spa treatment. Changing rooms, bathrooms, and lockers are provided. Simbiosis Spa offers open-air spa treatments, such as massages and aromatherapy, near the springs. The ranch has a modest kidney-shaped pool which is fed with natural spring water. It’s bordered by an attractive strip of greenery, and lined with a range of different seating areas, including wooden loungers and patio tables. Guests also have access to a variety of hiking and nature trails that wind through the partially-forested property, some of which lead to waterfalls or swimming holes. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout. A pair of computers are offered in the reception area for guests' use. There are two free self-parking lots on site. 

Hacienda Guachipelin’s restaurant is airy and offers picturesque views of the surrounding forests and valleys. The interior features rose-colored walls, wood beamed ceilings, and tablecloths spread over four-top tables. A bridge arches across one section of the restaurant, connecting two seating areas. Free buffet breakfast is included in the room rate, and the restaurant also serves a la carte and buffet options for lunch and dinner. Meals are primarily made with ingredients sourced on the property, including dairy and beef from the ranch’s own herd, as well as an array of herbs and veggies. The bar area found on the lower level of the restaurant is a smaller and more casual space. It offers a separate menu of light a la carte fare, along with drinks. Live music performances are often featured here.