Hummingbird Cottage B&B La Fortuna, Costa Rica

As a business traveler I am visiting my ornamental plant farmers in the Arenal area several times a year. I usually stay at Hotel La Fortuna but this time I was running late and badly needed a hot shower and a firm mattress. That's how I found Hummingbird Cottage B&B. What a delightful coincidence! I will resist to repeat the previous reviews about the spectacular architecture of the cottage. It is all said and certainly not exaggerated. But what really impressed me was the relaxed atmosphere of the place, the friendly owners, the breakfast buffet with such unusual details as gourmet coffee or the morning newspaper, and above all the serene tranquility of the tropical park around the cottage. If you have to tackle the Tico traffic frenzy all day long you really appreciate a place where your nerves are finally beginning to unwind. A perfect spot for a relaxing night and a hearty breakfast. Unfortunately, I had no time to check out the owner's art studio and the rainforest walk. But I will be back, guys, and thank's a lot for your genuine hospitality.

Hummingbird Cottage is a delightful and charming refuge in what may seem like 'way-out-of-the way' location in central Costa Rica. But it was easy to find, and the location ideal to explore all that the area around Volcano Arenal has to offer. The German husband and wife team were attentive, informative and very helpful. This is a rare find. Do pack rain gear as it can rain and rain some more!

I discovered Hummingbird Cottage B&B on a weekend trip to Arenal volcano together with my husband. My first impression walking-up to the cottage was like arriving at Tolkien's Rivendell. Warm colors, Guatemalan fabrics all over and the "canopy-like" high ceilings create a very peaceful exotic environment. The bathroom is more a cave carved out from the ground and decorated with a number of incredible details tastefully arranged to complete this magical feeling of taking a shower in the heart of the rainforest. The cottage is set into a huge tropical park hidden behind bamboo, banana plants, palm trees and a variety of heliconias. The glass front of the building creats the feeling of sitting in the middle of this lush jungle. Breakfast is served on the deck of the owner's home overlooking a romantic tropical valley. A very tasty homemade buffet was arranged for us including fresh fruits&vegetables from the property, cheese, cooked meat, bread, eggs and excellent Costa Rican dark roast coffee, adding to the very private and delightful environment. Another unexpected and exciting experience was our meeting with one of the owners, Ruth, a mixed-media artist working in her studio next to Coco Loco Art Gallery where she exhibits her colorful tropical artwork. Ruth kindly introduced us to the amazing world of tropical materials (like hardwood roots, palm leaves, seeds and dried fruits etc) which can be used for crafting tropical mixed-media artefacts. We also got an introduction to the indigenous artwork of Costa Rica's ethnic groups which is also sold in the gallery. To make a long story short: if you look for a unique place close enough to the attractions of Arenal volcano but away enough from the crowd you might have found it. The perfect service, the relaxed privacy of the cottage and the friendly owners make this place highly recommendable.

If you are looking for something extraordinary, this is the place to go. There are many unpersonal big hotels in La Fortuna - this is very a sweet, special and personal B&B. You will be the only guests as there is just one room which has a very special interiour design - especially the bathroom is amazing! The owners are very kind and helpful and lovely to chat with. The breakfast is delicious and home made. The place is surrounded by a tropical garden. The owners also have an art gallery which has beautiful paintings. My boyfriend and I stayed there for two nights and did all our excursions to la Fortuna surroundings from there. We highly recommend this place!

My husband and I just returned from our fabulous trip to Costa Rica. Staying at the Hummingbird Cottage was the highlight of our trip! This place is like something out of a fairy tale; being an artist myself, I totally fell in love with the location and the just the cottage itself. I cannot say enough about our wonderful hosts Ruth and Alfons. They are the two most wonderful individuals we have met (and we have travelled a lot!!). We had very interesting conversations with Alfons every morning and Ruth's art studio was unbelievable. We had everything we needed and more; the wonderful breakfast served to us in the mornings on their patio with birds chirping in the background was more than we could have imagined we would get. The first night we had some trouble with the air conditioner, but Alfons went above and beyond to make sure it was fixed and that our stay was comfortable. Seriously, this place is really amazing! If you are looking for that adorable place to stay; like something out of a fairy tale, look no more, you have found it!! We will definitely stay there when we visit Costa Rica again!