Isla Violin Eco-Lodge
Isla Violin leave in Combo Sierpe, facing the Park of Sierpe, Sierpe 60503 Costa Rica
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US$129
Free cancellation until 01/04/23
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About
#1 of 9 Specialty lodging in Sierpe
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ISLA VIOLIN ECO-LODGE We are a family business and our main goal is, you discover the wonders of Isla Violin. Violin Island is an island in the Pacific that hides great treasures both flora and fauna, and scenic beauty as its history of pirates and Indians and without leaving aside the true peace and tranquility you can breath and the quiet you get living in and the beauty of its mountains and coasts, in the forests and beaches. So we invite you to discover the lost treasure of the Treasure Island. Guide you will be a pleasure to you discover the hidden treasures of the Treasure Island Isla Violin.
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Property amenities
Car park
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Free breakfast
Beach
Canoeing
Babysitting
Children Activities (Kid / Family Friendly)
Pets Allowed ( Dog / Pet Friendly )
Wifi
Restaurant
Breakfast in the room
Kids' meals
Special diet menus
Hiking
Airport transportation
Open-air bath
BBQ facilities
Baggage storage
Concierge
Currency exchange
Mosquito net
Non-smoking hotel
Outdoor furniture
Picnic area
Laundry service
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Room features
Private beach
Safe
Sofa
Bottled water
Wake-up service / alarm clock
Kitchenette
Bath / shower
Complimentary toiletries
Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Family rooms
Smoking rooms available
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
Languages Spoken
English, Spanish
Location
Contact
Isla Violin leave in Combo Sierpe, facing the Park of Sierpe, Sierpe 60503 Costa Rica
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We didn't stay at the lodge but ended up on a five hour boat tour from Drake Bay with the owner which turned out to be one of our best guided tours in Corcovado. Exploring the stunning coastline and then the mangroves and forest upriver, we saw everything from a beach full of crabs to crocodiles, turtles, sloths, bats, iguanas, monkeys and dozens of birds. This is a chap that knows his backyard and is more than happy to spend as much time as you need to ensure you get maximum enjoyment. We briefly stopped at the eco-lodge and if you want to stay immersed in the mangroves and forest, completely away from tourism, then this is the place for you. We wish we had known about it when planning our trip! Oh, and also extremely well organised.
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Date of stay: August 2021
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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The place is far away from tourist hotspots, in the middle of the mangroves - which is great. However, the three day package we booked was price-wise on at all related to the service we got. To be fair, without our German travel agent, we had never booked this place as we defined some boundary conditions (he convinced us, but turned out as wrong promises). The family is lovely and the food was fresh and good. The place itself could had improved over the years much more without loosing the charm e.g. by using the gravel on the walk ways instead walking in the mud and taking it into the cabin (beside the danger it self on the steep and slippery way). The cabin is really simple and would be in general okay (holes in the moskitos net which is also the wall of the cabin and don‘t expect more water in the shower than in the wash basin). But what is not expectable at all was the bed and pillow as it was smelling horrible on moldiness. Regarding the package / tours: the bird watching tours was trough the farm but not at all comparable to the other tours we already had in Cost Rica (knowledge of the guide, the way how it was brought across etc.). Based on the first night with the moldiness bed/pillow and the first tour we decided to stop our stay and leave that place. Even if we canceled 25hours before the snorkeling trip, planned for the next day, we haven’t received any kind of refund (all tour provider in this area offer a free cancelation up to 24 hours before the trip), not to mention the remaining value of the service we have not used. Buy stopping this stay we have lost 1.500 USD (just to give flavor that this was not easy and comfort decision). As we where not the first ones who canceled / stopped their stay (confirmed by the hosts), I am suprised to read only very positives statements about this place...…
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Date of stay: July 2019
Value
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
we had a 2days stay at isla violin in early january this year. the host family made us really feel at home, sharing with us their time & meals, coocked by a professional chef and served at the family table. we enjoyed their company during tours and excursion, it was a great experience for us and our 9year old daughter. don't miss the night kayak tour in the mangrooves, the luminescence in the water is magic!
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Date of stay: January 2019Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Response from albertoquesada, Propietario at Isla Violin Eco-Lodge
Responded 22 Oct 2019
Thanks to visit our place was a real pleasure to have you as one of or guest at our little peace of natural paradise. You are welcome any time.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
+1
That was my first experience traveling to Central America and the night in San Jose was this far away jungle lodge with no roads to reach the place except the boat one. Even the trip from the airport drake bay to the lodge was already amazing and could be considered as an adventure. We live for the first time in the room with actual walls as it was plus 25 even during the night. The pictures on the site of the lodge shows everything. I strongly recommend the walk to the beach and have a picnic there all by yourself.
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Date of stay: November 2018Trip type: Travelled with friends
Value
Location
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Isla Violin was excellent the accommodation is made of see through fabric so you can see and hear the jungle all around you. The toilet and shower are outside (but with opaque fabric) and we saw hummingbirds and other birds whilst we showered. You stay on their farm and if you go out in the morning and evening you have the potential to see loads! The food was nice and we were not hungry at any point. If you are on a strict budget but want to spot wildlife I would recommend a short stay here and make sure you go out early morning and evening. I would definitely recommend the Night kayak tour and work out with them when it is best to go as it depends on high tide and the moon. Also you can hire a kayak on your own which was brilliant fun as you can kayak around the mangroves exploring each of the routes without a guide. The route to the beach is quite difficult as it has steep hills and is covered in fallen trees, I would recommend picking up a stick on your walk to clear spiders webs from the route as you walk as otherwise you will walk into one every other step. The guys there don’t speak English but are very friendly and helpful if you can communicate in basic Spanish or using google translate. We went to Cano Island whilst we stayed here, you have to have a guide in the water (which is a pity as we prefer unguided tours but it is in an effort to reduce damage to Coral etc), we did get stung by a few jellyfish you cant see but they are mild and if you are very worried bring a tiny bottle of vinegar with you. On the tour out there it is sometimes possible to see dolphins and whales, it is very crowded in the water at times as you will be in a group of 8 and other groups might also be around you. (we are used to snorkelling with no one around in all reality it wasn’t crazily crowded just more so than we prefer) It is quite expensive due to the boat ride over and the guide (but again if you are used to guided tours this is probably not that expensive in comparison) At Isla Violin we saw • Toucans • Sloths • Hummingbirds • Armadillo • Turkey and Black vultures • Large Morpho Butterflies • Amazon and ringed Kingfishers • Brazillian Wandering Spider • Golden Orb Weaver Spider • Terrapins • Opossums • Bioluminescent plankton • Scorpions • Loads of different spiders • Trogans • Loads of types of crab • Small snake At Cano Island (guided) we saw • Spinner Dolphin • Triggerfish • Angelfish • Hawksbill turtle As a tip we spotted 3 sloths as you first walk into the route to the beach so stop and look up high and you might see them, listen for the noise of the armadillo at night as it scratches around and you might be able to spot it. Make sure you have definitely explored the whole farm as it was only on our final night that we realised we had missed half of the farm (where we saw the Wandering Spider, Snake, Opossum and Terrapin)…
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Date of stay: February 2018Trip type: Travelled as a couple
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
We went there for 3 days and 2 nights, thinking this would be a nice stay, far away from the crowd of tourists you sometimes find in Costa Rica. Here are the good things: the cabins are beautiful, surrounded by wildlife and nature, you can see toucans, perrots, agoutis and hear them all night. The place is also very calm, away from the crowd of tourists, which is great and the food they make is quite good. However, there are many weak points that made our stay horrible. I would summarize this by saying that nothing there, except the cabins, is made to make you enjoy your stay. For instance, there are two trails, one leading to the ocean and the other to the mountain, but both are almost abandoned, with no signs at all, making it very hard to walk through. At one point, we crossed so many obstacles, big spiderwebs blocking the whole path and so on that we just came back to our cabins, without even reaching the ocean ... Even worse, they outrageously overcharge you the boat trip, which we thought would be included in the already very high price of the stay. So, you have no other choice than to leave your car at a private parking, which costs 6$/night and to pay 50$ to go to the island and 50$ to come back. This was for us a very bad surprise, as the website indicates: "The service we offer: lodging, food, transportation, ... It became even worse when they just took advantage of you paying the boat to go to town, visiting their family, or going for shopping. It really looked like they where using us to pay their boat trip. When coming back to Sierpe, they even dropped us in an unknown place, giving us some sort of indications how to get back to our car ... Then, the kayak tour we asked. That was just horrible. They started it late enough to get us burned by the sun. They would never ask if everything is ok, or try to be friendly. Basically, mangrove is beautiful, but again, they really don't know how to make a tour interesting and enjoyable. To summarize, I would say that the place is beautiful, but nothing there is done to make your stay enjoyable and there really is nothing you can do by your own, for free, on the island. And surprise: you have to pay 100 dollars for the boat (go and back) + 6$/night for the parking of the car in Sierpe, which is really disgusting.…
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Date of stay: March 2017Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Location
Cleanliness
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Our stay at Isla Violin Eco-Lodge was a fantastic experience. We were picked up by Elizabeth, her husband Andy, brother Giovanni and his little son by boat in Sierpe. The hour and a half trip to the island was wonderful. We arrived in the afternoon and were treated to a glass of star fruit juice from fruit on the property. We stayed in the Cabana Toucan which had plenty of room and the furnishings were made with local woods. Very rustic and cool. The cabana was very private and surrounded by nature not to mention all the beautiful flowering plants put in by the owners. Every time we went out I saw something flowering that I hadn’t noticed before. We spent 4 days at the Eco-Lodge. Every afternoon we toured the jungle with Carlos. Although he spoke little English and we spoke no Spanish he was a fantastic guide. We learned so much from him and had so much fun. This was a value added part of the trip we never expected. Carlos was so much fun and so filled with life. You need to meet this guy. Our first morning there we went on the tour of Corcovado National Park. Giovanni took us through the river to the ocean where we transferred to a larger boat. That in itself was an adventure. We hooked up with other travelers at Drake Bay and had a wonderful ride to the park. On the way we saw a humpback whale and her calf. The park is a must see. So many animals! Our second morning we did a day kayak of the mangrove swamps with Elizabeth. Elizabeth speaks excellent English and is a trained guide. It was a wonderful experience. The next morning we hiked through the jungle and forest to a secluded beach. It was a beautiful spot where you could walk for hours and explore the caves and beach. That evening we did the night kayak with Elizabeth. We saw Scarlet Macaws, sloths, other birds and a baby crocodile. It was so beautiful and serene being in the mangroves and river in the evening. There was a wonderful surprise on the way back but I will not spoil it for you. Just go to Isla Violin and experience it for yourself. The food was delicious and varied. We had different fresh juices with every meal. Andy and Rosa did a great job making delicious food that was beautifully presented. The day we kayaked we found Carlos already in the water in his kayak. He was catching crabs from the mangroves which he used as bait to catch the red snapper that Andy prepared for dinner. It doesn’t get better than that. The entire family was very kind, gracious, and accommodating. The kids were cute and funny. Our time there was an exciting adventure and I would not trade that experience for anything. This place is a must see! The gardens and farm and all the vegetation were amazing. There are chickens and cattle to enjoy not to mention you never know what you’ll see in the jungle. It was an exciting time and if you want an adventure come here and spend at least 4 days. We retuned to Sierpe with Elizabeth, her mom, and her son. Another great trip and we even saw capuchin monkeys.…
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Date of stay: January 2017Trip type: Travelled as a couple
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
The stay at Isla Violin was a wonderful experience. It started with being picked up by Jeannette (spelling?), Elizabeth and her little son by boat in Sierpe - all our luggage was put on the boat and off we went through the canals, the mangroves and the Pacific for about an hour and a half. That alone was an experience worthwhile! We arrived in the dark. What a different and great place! Since I was afraid of mosquitos in standing water, Carlos, who came down and managed to bring all of our luggage all the way up the hill to our cabin, even carried me backpack for a few steps so that I was on solid ground :) We had the "honeymoon" cabin all the way on top. It was very nice with mosquito nets over the beds, and we had a nice bathroom and shower. We happened to have very hot and humid temperature when we were there, so probably best to take a cold shower here and there. The cabins are surrounded by nature which is wonderful. The food was wonderful and very tasty with a great variety. It was a fantastic experience to hike through the forest all the way to a secluded beach which was simply beautiful. It was adventurous to find our way, but orange ribbons and explanations given by the hosts helped us. The gardens and farm with their wild vegetation was amazing. I must say that the eight roosters woke me up super early every morning, and they just keep on going once they start! Tours to Corcovado and to a nearby island for snorkeling etc can be arranged - we preferred just enjoying the premises before traveling on... This is a beautiful place and I would highly recommend the experience to explore the mangroves this closely.…
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Date of stay: January 2017Trip type: Travelled with friends
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Room Tip: Not a hotel, cabins on property. Would recommend deluxe, if possible honeymoon cabin (one larger...
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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+1
We had a great stay at this eco-farm/lodge. The family that runs the business told us it was their goal to make us feel that we were part of the family - and they succeeded. We were met in Sierpe by one of the family members who took us through magnificent mangroves on the way to the island. We stayed in the Toucan lodge which had a double bed, a single bed, bathroom and shower under a metal roof with wood/bamboo frame and canvas walls. It was the furthest away from the main house and felt wonderfully private. We enjoyed sitting on the hammock swing in front of the house, especially at sun rise. The hummingbirds were so abundant and we had a nest of baby birds in the tree a few feet away. At night we enjoyed watching the fire bugs and the bats. We heard kinkajous each night coming down the mountain to each the ripe fruit off the many fruit trees on the property. We had a sloth visit one day and an agouti one evening. During our kayaking tour of the mangroves we saw many crabs and birds and one baby crocodile. The herons and macaws were our favorites. We were taken on a tour of the farm and shown all of the fruit trees, corn plants (all planted by hand), cows and chickens. Did you know that chickens love fresh coconut? Ask Carlos about it when you are there. During our stay we went on two excursions – hiking in Corcovado National Park and snorkeling at Cano Island. Transportation from the island started early in the morning as we were transported by boat through the mangroves to the Sierpe river. There we transferred to another boat that took us to Drake Bay. In Drake Bay we joined other vacationers for our tours. At Corcovado National Park we saw spider monkeys, howler monkeys and squirrel monkeys – three of the four types of monkeys that you can find in the park. We also were able to see a tapir that decided to go to sleep near the beach. The snorkeling at Cano Island was amazing. Sharks, turtles, rays and so many different kinds of fish were easy to spot in the clear waters. The most memorable experience was hearing the songs of the humpback whales that were feeding and playing just a few miles from where we snorkeled. Overall, this was a great place to stay and refresh the soul. No noise other than the sounds of nature, beautiful evenings lit by the moon, and amazing home cooked meals. There were just two very small items that I would change – we had one hammock chair and it would have been nice to have two and the shower was a little on the cool side.…
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Date of stay: August 2016Trip type: Travelled with friends
Value
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
+1
We spent a wonderful time in at Isla Violin Eco-Lodge. I'll always remember it fondly, because we could really relax here, enjoy nature and the amazing hospitality of the family running the lodge. The lodge is situated on an island in the mangrove river delta in the Humedal Nacional Térraba Sierpe. This mangrove region offers many canals, birdlife, waterlife, as well as various species of mangrove trees. We saw various crocodiles, monkeys, iguanas, lots of birds and more on our way over to the lodge, because you can only reach it by boat. Arranging a boat pickup was easily done by e-mail, communications were clear and prompt. The lodge itself is situated at the end of a creek and lies on a hill, offering some views of the surrounding region, though the views are mainly jungle. The accommodation we had was a hut/bungalow. The walls were green mesh, which offered a view to outside. The hut did have lights and some outlets to charge devices. The bathroom was outside in the back, surrounded by none see-through mesh. . Taking a shower outside, in the middle of jungle was definitely amazing. At night you would sometimes hear animals scurrying around. I ended up seeing an Armadillo at night once. On the property we saw many many animals, sloths, birds (toucans). One morning we were awoken by a Laughing Falcon, or as we and the locals dubbed it: "the alarm-clock bird". Fun experience :) At Isla Violin they offer many tours. I feel that some of them might be a bit overpriced. We did the snorkeling tour which involved them bringing us out to the main river, where we changed into a different boat that brought us out to Cano Island for snorkeling. On the way back we were picked up again, this time by kayaks as the tide was to low to pick us by boat. This tour was definitely a great value. We spent three nights here, and on our second day, we decided to hike to the beach on the other side of the island. This was a pristine and almost deserted beach, though it was an our hike over a fairly steep hill. There is no other beach close to the property. As for the food offered, it was nothing short of amazing. Everything was very fresh and expertly prepared. We for example had an amazing orange chicken. You have dinner at a communal table near the main house and outdoor kitchen. The family, including some children lives around there as well and it was fun to interact with them. They are a lovely bunch and maybe a bit too modest! Also we were there at New Years, and we did some BBQíng that night for dinner, which was fun as well.…
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Date of stay: December 2014Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Location
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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PRICE RANGE
US$31 - US$145 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
Costa RicaProvince of PuntarenasSierpe
NUMBER OF ROOMS
5
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Frequently Asked Questions about Isla Violin Eco-Lodge
What are some of the property amenities at Isla Violin Eco-Lodge?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free wifi, free breakfast, and an on-site restaurant.
Which room amenities are available at Isla Violin Eco-Lodge?
Top room amenities include a kitchenette, a mosquito net, and a sofa.
What food & drink options are available at Isla Violin Eco-Lodge?
Guests can enjoy free breakfast, an on-site restaurant, and barbeque facilities during their stay.
Is parking available at Isla Violin Eco-Lodge?
Yes, a parking garage and secured parking are available to guests.
Does Isla Violin Eco-Lodge have airport transportation?
Yes, Isla Violin Eco-Lodge offers airport transportation for guests. We recommend calling ahead to confirm details.
Are pets allowed at Isla Violin Eco-Lodge?
Yes, pets are typically allowed, but it's always best to call ahead to confirm.
Which languages are spoken by the staff at Isla Violin Eco-Lodge?
The staff speaks multiple languages, including English and Spanish.