Family farm stay

We stayed 2 months. The rancho is well stocked and Clair can also supply milk, cheese and yogurt from her goats as you desire. There is also produce available in her organic gardens. Clair and Mark were wonderful hosts, very attentive to all our requests and questions and quick to address any issues. They included us in their Christmas meal as well as taking us to the market and stores weekly as we arrived with no vehicle. The bus stop is a 2.5 km trek and there are no close shops at all. A vehicle is a must, if you are not hikers. Alternatively, arrive with all your supplies. We arrived in rainy season, so everything was muddy, damp and a bit musty and moldy. People with allergies may have issues. Opportunities are there to learn about farm life and livestock. Birding is excellent. We enjoyed our time getting to know Clair and Mark and felt a bit sad to leave our two new friends. Thank you for your kind hospitality.

A truly beautiful environment! Immerse yourself in nature. If you want an 'off grid' experience, here is your chance. It is a semi-outside living experience with some modern amenities. I enjoyed the experience and learned a lot for my future off-grid creation. I didn't do much here (I can't reflect on the farm as I didn't do the milking but Clair was gracious to give me a tour) as I wanted to decompress from travel while seeing how I enjoyed living with screen only walls/windows. When I was there, it was very wet - that was the biggest issue I experienced. I realize it is hard to avoid in the tropics but if that is a concern for you, I would check the forecast ahead of time and/or discuss with Clair. She is an expert with off-grid sustainable living, for sure.

Everything here is perfect. Location, food, farm life, etc. Clair is turning her reserve into a permaculture farm where her and the staff are diligently integrating all sorts of different systems that will self sustain in perpetuity. And it’s all off grid! The whole process is so cool to learn about and experience first hand. Location: A short drive (and cheap taxi) from San Isidro, but also just over a mile (easy walk) to 2 local stores with essentials (eg. dry rice and beans, pasta, snacks, some veggies). Endless mountain roads to explore with beautiful vistas. Multiple rivers with waterfalls nearby. All rivers are public in Costa Rica, but 1 does run through Clair’s property. Water/food: The water comes from a natural spring on the property and it is delicious. The pond next to “El Rancho” is fed via hose from the river, which is neat! The majority of the plants around the house are edible herbs or fruit bushes (and some double as fences). There is a garden with 3 raised beds with many leafy greens and some veggies. All can be picked whenever. There are many more edible plants up around Clair’s house, including a food forest and a large garden with veggies that was just planted. At the Airbnb there are also ~50 chickens that are so fun to watch and hang with. You can help feed them and/or can eat some of the many eggs they lay. Also Clair provided us with goats milk, yogurt, cheese, homemade bread, dried fruits, and more. Farm life: We learned so much about chickens, sheep, goats, and horses. The bigger animals all pass by the Airbnb everyday on their way down to drink from the river. Clair said she is getting a cow soon. The farm is so alive on a daily basis that it’s hard to get bored. You can milk the goats, feed the chickens, pet her dog, or just watch and hang out! Seriously can’t speak highly enough about this place. The house is awesome with amazing screen window walls that make you feel like you are really in nature (there are solid walls that can be closed and locked if chosen, but we never did!). Very hot water, great kitchen, great porch chairs (comfy rocking chair, outdoor couch seat, many lawn chairs, and a hammock). A day bed and a double bed. A dining table with many more chairs. Great washer and dryer. Lastly, the temperature was great. A cozy blanket to keep you warm in the night.

Clair's place is truly unique! Located on her permaculture farm, totally off grid, we had a fantastic and relaxing time. Not far from the Chirripo, on a hill, every morning the breakfast, on the terrasse facing the valley and the surrounding mountains was magical. On top of that, for the two mornings we were there, we had a chance to be with Clair when she started her day, taking care of the animals. We even milked – tried to milk the goat :)! It was a great way to understand better the various steps to develop such a farm and Clair was very nice to share when we asked. Last but not least, the goat milk, cheese and yogurt are the cherry on the cake, amazing!

Our family had a fantastic couple of nights at Finca Las Koalas. Just a short stay as we passed through but we easily could have stayed longer. We were greeted with delicious farm fresh produce - eggs, goats milk, cheese, yoghurt and bread! In our short stay we helped to milk a goat, had a ride on a horse, were shown around the farm and got to understand the local food system as well as relaxing in El Rancho, having fun in the river and enjoying the fantastic surroundings! We would definitely recommend to anyone who like us is interested in good food and being in touch with honest and caring producers who are nourishing their community whilst caring for the land and the environment.

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at the farm, and it was even better than expected. We stayed for a week and enjoyed meandering on country roads, waking up with the jungle, the spectacular sunsets, tranquil vistas, the farm animals, bird watching, and the list could go on and on. We were delighted to see firey billed aracari, and even heard a black faced solitaire greet the morning. Our host was very prompt with communication and ensured we had everything we needed. We stocked up on groceries in San Isidro and found the small towns nearby had anything we needed replenished. If you are looking for a true Costa Rican experience, we highly recommend this little patch of paradise!