Naturalist's Cloud Forest Retreat | House in Monteverde

10.0 (172 Reviews) |   2 Bedrooms  1 Bathroom  8 Guests
Monteverde House | Naturalist's Cloud Forest Retreat

2 Bedroom House in Monteverde

Our house is located on 40 acres of private property that abuts the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve and is one of the last private homes before the Reserve. More than half our land is in primary cloud forest, but we also have a large clearing below our house that is perfect for viewing wildlife. In fact, because our place is contiguous to more than 110,000 acres of protected forest, you’re likely to see many more animals here than in most other places in the Monteverde zone. White-faced monkeys, coatis, and agoutis are all commonly seen on our land, and several cloud forest specialists, including resplendent quetzals and black guans are also often seen near the house. Even brocket deer, which are very uncommon, are occasionally seen here.
Fred Morrison built the house in the mid-1980s. He first visited Monteverde in 1981 and during his stay, he and two other biologists had a picnic on the property, taking in the spectacular view of the forest and the Gulf of Nicoya in the distance. A week later, his friends called to tell him that the parcel was for sale and asked if he would like to become a part owner. The three of them purchased the property later that year from one of the original Quaker farmers. Since then, each shareholder has built a house or cabin on the land. None of the dwellings are in sight of the others, which gives you a very private experience.
The house itself is located on a hillside at the end of a 500-foot driveway. It was designed with lots of large, picture windows to bring in plenty of natural light and is oriented toward the southwest with dramatic views of the Gulf of Nicoya and the forest canopy below.
The downstairs includes a living room with a wood burning stove, a dining room, kitchen, two box seats, a large bathroom and a small utility room with a washer and dryer. There’s also a long front porch on the first floor and upstairs, a roofed balcony, where you can sit looking out at the Gulf of Nicoya and watch up to nine species of hummingbirds visit the feeders. The second floor has two good-sized bedrooms, one with a queen-sized bed and the other with two full beds.
At our place, you will be well away from the bustle of Santa Elena and the main road. You will be able to go to sleep to the sounds of katydids, cicadas, frogs and wake up to chorusing black-bellied wood quail and dueting gray-breasted wood wrens.
A public bus passes by at the bottom of the driveway several times each day and taxis are available at any time. Several good restaurants, a small grocery store and a few gift/coffee shops are located within 2 miles and many more are available in nearby Santa Elena.
The entrance to the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is just a ten minute walk from our house. But, of course, the walk could take much longer if you're looking at wildlife or plants!
If you’d like a home-cooked Costa Rican meal, we can arrange to have a talented local cook come before you arrive (or during your stay) and prepare one. She can also deliver groceries upon request.
If you're interested in hiring a private naturalist guide or taking a tour, please be in touch with us and we can make arrangements.

This 2 Bedrooms House provides accommodation with Bedding/Linens, Wellness Facilities, Fireplace/Heating, for your convenience. This House features many amenities for guests who want to stay for a few days, a weekend or probably a longer vacation with family, friends or group. The rental House has 2 Bedrooms and 1 Bathroom to make you feel right at home.

Check to see if this House has the amenities you need and a location that makes this a great choice to stay in Monteverde. Enjoy your stay in Monteverde at this House.

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Amenities

  • Parking
  • Balcony/Terrace
  • Security/Safety
  • Sports/Activities
  • Bedding/Linens
  • Wellness Facilities
  • Fireplace/Heating
  • Guest Services
  • Entertainment
  • Breakfast
  • Child Friendly
  • Internet
  • Kitchen
  • Laundry

Policies

Event Policy
Event Policy No events allowed
Check-in
Check-in Check-in time starts at 3:00 pm minimum check-in age: 21
Check-out
Check-out Check-out before 11:00 am
Child Policy
Child Policy Children are welcome.
Pet Policy
Pet Policy Pets not allowed
Smoking Policy
Smoking Policy Smoking is not permitted
Other Policy
Other Policy Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed this property is managed through our partner, vrbo. you will receive an email from vrbo with a link to a vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation

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Reviews

pd b. Jan 10, 2026 10:28:43 AM
Summary: Communication and hosts were great!
Krista Jan 4, 2026 09:35:47 AM
Summary: We had an amazing stay at the Naturalist house! The property is very cozy, and we often used the wood fireplace on those cool Monteverde evenings. There are large picture windows in every room, perfectly framing the beautiful views. We would definitely return and stay again!
N d. Nov 27, 2025 12:19:27 AM
Summary: Had a wonderful stay here that exceeded all of our family’s expectations! This home is perched in the cloud forest, just a short walk from Monteverde. The home itself was like your own authentic biology field station tucked away in the jungle. As a fellow biologist, this is exactly what I was looking for! Our kids thought it was more like living in a movie set for some intrepid explorer! Raul was very helpful and accommodating during our check-in and check out and was such a pleasure to chat with. Lilian’s home cooked food was amazing and we had so many leftovers, that we hardly had to stock up on groceries during our stay-gave us more time to explore the property and the nearby Park trails! All in all, one of the best stays we had in Costa Rica!
Britany F. Nov 14, 2025 03:49:44 AM
Summary: Great communication from Laurie and Fred and wonderful support from the staff at the home. We enjoyed the amazing meals prepared by Lillian and went on both a day and night guided hike with Raul Jr. We loved the location and the natural surroundings. If you are traveling with small children like we were- just a note that it was a bit of a challenging space to “baby-proof”.
Vanessa A. Aug 5, 2025 07:17:40 PM
Summary: We loved this house. We only stayed two nights, but I could've stayed here several more days. We had dinner prepared by Lillian before our arrival so we didn't have to worry about going out for dinner that night. It was wonderful and lasted us a couple of days. Raul met us at the house when we arrived and gave a great overview. The highlight was the upstairs porch with the hummingbird feeders. We spent a lot of time out there watching the action and identified several different hummingbird species. There is a trail head very close to the house. Beware that a tree has fallen across one part of the trail. If you can get through there, the trail continues on the other side. Overall, this was an outstanding experience - one of my favorite memories in Costa Rica!
Brian Y. Jul 9, 2025 05:10:44 AM
Summary: We love staying at the yellow house. It’s quiet, convenient if you are spending time at the MCFR, the views are great, and there are lots of opportunities for seeing wildlife. Raul is great!
Mary Lynn S. Jun 25, 2025 04:50:27 AM
Summary: My husband and I stayed in this beautiful, historic cabin with our three adult children. We knew it would be tight quarters with two bedrooms and one bathroom, but the house actually had lots of spaces for privacy --we loved the comfortable window seats--and an amazing porch and property with trails. Raul, Sr. met us and oriented us to the house. He was welcoming and very helpful. His son, Raul, Jr., gave us a tour of Monteverde and it was one of our highlights of our time in Costa Rica. Lillian cooked two delicious, traditional, homecooked meals and these were a treat. The views of the Nicoya Penisula and the abundant wildlife were amazing. I definitely recommend this experience for those coming to hike and to experience something more local.
Mary M. Jun 21, 2025 10:05:30 PM
Summary: We had such a wonderful time! Laurie and Fred were amazing and very responsive hosts. Raul (local to the house) helped us figure out tours in the area and transportation. Lillian made us a delicious Costa Rican meal for the night we arrived. This house is beautiful and comfortable. Our favorite part was the hummingbirds that visited feeders on the porches, and the other animals we saw right on the property. We enjoyed hiking the trails behind the house. This house was wonderful and we really felt welcomed! Do not miss this property! 10 out of 10 in every way!
Nadja P. Apr 21, 2025 11:05:36 PM
Summary: Great cozy cabin right on edge of cloud forest. Very comfortable. Could see outside from almost everywhere in house. Wildlife just walks and flies right by. Saw almost as much wildlife from the windows and balcony as from guided tour in cloud forest. The hummingbird feeders totally worth it. Raul was incredibly friendly and helpful and his son provided an amazing guided tour in the cloud forest. Awesome stay!
Dhruvish S. Mar 23, 2025 09:45:33 PM
Summary: This house nestled as close as possible to the Monteverde Cloud Forest is nothing short of a wildlife paradise. In the morning, you can hear the calls of toucans, motmots, and howler monkeys. At least six species of hummingbirds visited our feeders every day, and coatis and agoutis were a common sight. The scenic view of the trees and ocean from the second floor deck was amazing. In conclusion, I would highly recommend this property to anyone who wants an authentic Costa Rican experience.

FAQ's

Is this Naturalist's Cloud Forest Retreat pet-friendly for guests?

No, pets are not allowed at this property. Check the guest reviews to learn what guests had to share.

Does the Naturalist's Cloud Forest Retreat have a swimming pool?

No, this Naturalist's Cloud Forest Retreat does not have a swimming pool. Check the Facility Overview section for details about the pool and other available facilities.

How much does it cost per night to stay in Naturalist's Cloud Forest Retreat?

Best-rates for the Naturalist's Cloud Forest Retreat starts from $184 per night with includes Entertainment, Internet, Kitchen, Laundry, Security/Safety, Sports/Activities, Bedding/Linens, Wellness Facilities, Fireplace/Heating, Breakfast, Child Friendly, Parking, Balcony/Terrace, Guest Services with all other amenities. Perfect for Weddings is committed to ensuring every guest experiences a comfortable and extraordinary stay, whether planning a romantic getaway, a honeymoon, a pet-friendly stay, or celebrating with the entire wedding party.

Is Naturalist's Cloud Forest Retreat a family-friendly place to stay?

Based on the information we have received from the owner or our partner, this is considered to be a family-friendly property. Families have rated this house good or guests have recommended them suitable for families. As reported by the owner or manager, the house has specified that children are welcome. Please see details about suitability for your family or inquire with the property to learn more.

Is the Naturalist's Cloud Forest Retreat wheelchair accessible or offer services for disabled guests?

Based on the information received from our partner, the Naturalist's Cloud Forest Retreat has not specified they are wheelchair accessible. Likewise, there is not an elevator specified as being available at the property. Specific accessibility details may be addressed in the property details section of this page.

What is the minimum night stay policy for the Naturalist's Cloud Forest Retreat?

Based on the information reported by the owner or manager, the Naturalist's Cloud Forest Retreat indicates 1 day stay policy at this house. Guests are cautioned that the minimum stay policy may differ based on seasonality or availability and may be at the discretion of the owner or manager.

What cancellation policy is in place for Naturalist's Cloud Forest Retreat?

Based on the information reported by the owner or manager, details for the cancellation policy for the Naturalist's Cloud Forest Retreat are as follows: Cancellation policy Guests are cautioned that the cancellation policy may differ based on seasonality, availability, or current travel restrictions. Guests should also be aware that this policy may be subject to change and should be confirmed prior to booking. More details may be available on this page in the property description. However, early check-in or late check-out can sometimes be negotiated between the guest and the owner or the manager of this property.

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