Experiences
Near the Hacienda
Near the Hacienda, Mastatal and the surrounding area offer many other ways to discover Costa Rica. Waterfalls, cacao, birds, nocturnal wildlife and the rainforest… Authentic, small-scale experiences offered by our neighbours and passionate local guides.
"The twins" – two cascades side by side, and one of the most spectacular waterfalls in Costa Rica.
A more adventurous hike, best with a guide, ending with a swim in the plunge pool.
At the bottom of a canyon carved into the rock, several spectacular waterfalls await you.
The hike starts from a nearby plateau and descends to the bottom of the RÃo Jucó canyon (1 hour of walking and 120 metres of elevation change).
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Along the way, you will discover natural pools where you can swim and enjoy the wild scenery. Some places are perfect for the more adventurous to jump in, depending on conditions. Located in the Refugio de Vida Silvestre Jucó, outside the Hacienda, these waterfalls cannot be reserved for private use.
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The visit lasts around 3 to 4 hours. We leave the Hacienda at around 8:00 am and bring you back around noon, in time for lunch.
Las Gemelas Waterfalls
An adventure through forest, canyon and waterfalls
Extend the experience by meeting
a local family over a traditional
Costa Rican lunch*
*Lunch not included in the tour price
(5km from Hacienda)
3-4 hours · all ages
45$ / Person
2 hours · all ages
45$ / Person
In the village of Mastatal, a few minutes away, a local family grows organic cacao.
Discover how cacao pods become chocolate – and make (and eat) your own.
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A delicious encounter with the people who grow and transform cacao, with plenty of tasting along the way.
From Cacao to Chocolate
Bean to bar – chocolate tour in Mastatal
Extend the experience by meeting a local family over a traditional Costa Rican lunch*
*Lunch not included in the tour price
(5km from Hacienda)
Our Hacienda borders La Cangreja National Park. The surrounding jungle is home to more than 350 different species.
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Toucans, scarlet macaws, motmots and hummingbirds: early morning is the best time to spot them from the trails and terraces, with a local guide and binoculars.
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Our neighbours, Marcos and Jenny GarcÃa, are certified Costa Rican guides. They will help you spot birds, plants and animals that you might otherwise walk straight past!  Don’t forget your camera!
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Departure at around 5:30 am for a tour that last 2 hours and ends with a hearty breakfast.
Birdwatching
The Forest at First Light
When the sun goes down, the rainforest wakes up. Torch in hand, follow our guide in search of frogs, insects, reptiles, tarantulas and other nocturnal animals, Children love it – it's often the highlight of their whole trip.
During evening walks, you may spot many amphibians, perhaps a reptile and even some nocturnal mammals, if you are lucky.
The walk begins at around 6:00 pm and lasts approximately 1½ hours on trails that are easily accessible for the whole family.
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You will be back in time for dinner…
When Another World Awakens
The Forest After Dark
2 hours · all ages
45$ / Person
2 hours · all ages
45$ / Person
La Cangreja National Park
La Cangreja National Park borders the Hacienda for almost 1 mile. Covering approximately 6,350 acres, the park offers several trails through tropical rainforest and along numerous rivers and waterfalls.
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Probably one of Costa Rica’s most secluded national parks, La Cangreja has been protected for around twenty years to preserve its flora and fauna.
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A true jungle, far from mass tourism.
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Guided Visit to the Park
Hike to the Summit of La Cangreja
Discover La Cangreja accompanied by a guide from Mastatal who knows this forest intimately. Trails, streams, tropical trees and birds provide a complete immersion in a park that receives few visitors.
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The park is home to crystal-clear water sources such as RÃo Negro and Quebrada Grande. A local guide will share their passion for the region’s endemic flora and fauna and lead you to hidden rivers and waterfalls.
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The walk lasts around 2 hours on trails that are easily accessible for the whole family.
+Â park entrance fee
A more challenging hike will take you to the summit of La Cangreja National Park.
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This excursion requires good physical fitness and solid hiking ability.
The hike involves an elevation gain of approximately 2,000 feet. You will start at an altitude of around 2,000 feet, reach the summit at approximately 4,000 feet, then descend back to 2,000 feet after around 5 hours of hiking.
Departure from the Hacienda at around 5:30 am, returning for lunch.
2 hours · all ages
45$ / Person
+Â park entrance fee
1/2 a day · teens and adults
75$ / Person  (minimum 2 people)
Wellness & Relaxation Experiences
Born in Mastatal, Karla lives just a few minutes from the Hacienda. Passionate and highly skilled, she trained in various massage techniques, enriching her expertise with the traditional practices and techniques passed down by her mother and grandmother.
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A wonderful combination of professional training and local family traditions.
Karla offers a selection of treatments designed to promote rest, renewal and balance, giving you a special opportunity to reconnect with your body and inner peace.
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Her strengths include personalised attention during each treatment, a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere, the use of natural oils and a holistic approach focused on the body, mind and well-being.
🌿 Revitalising Facial TreatmentÂ
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A treatment combining deep cleansing and complete relaxation.
Includes facial cleansing, exfoliation, personalised massage according to skin type and a relaxing craniofacial massage.
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🌸Ideal for revitalising the skin and releasing accumulated tension.
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Karla, Knowledge Passed Down Through Generations
A treatment designed to improve circulation and relieve physical tension.
Depending on your needs, you can choose between:
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Lymphatic drainage: gentle, anti-inflammatory and relaxing
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Deep-tissue massage: targeted relief for muscle tension
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🌸 Perfect for relieving physical fatigue, tension or fluid retention.
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🌿 Therapeutic Muscle MassageÂ
A complete ritual that awakens the senses and promotes deep relaxation.
Includes a full-body massage, essential-oil aromatherapy, relaxing music and gentle, enveloping massage techniques.
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🌸 Designed to help you switch off, restore your energy and rebalance body and mind.
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🌿 Deep Relaxation Ritual
While the children are off exploring, take time for yourself with a massage
or relaxation session in the heart of the forest.
1 hour · all ages
100$ / Person
45 minutes· all ages
145$ / Person
90 minutes· all ages
180$ / Person
A few days of yoga, nature and relaxation in the heart of the tropical rainforest, in the privacy and tranquillity of the Hacienda.
Time for a Yoga Retreat
Hacienda Las Vainillas occasionally hosts Yoga Soul Trails retreats.
Preserved Nature
Exceptional Landscapes
Authentic Experiences