family· Cloud Forest· Highland· volcanic
Laguna Don Manuel
A tranquil mountain retreat where a pristine volcanic lagoon is surrounded by misty cloud forests, scenic trails, and fresh highland air.
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Dota
A tranquil mountain retreat where a pristine volcanic lagoon is surrounded by misty cloud forests, scenic trails, and fresh highland air.
Laguna Don Manuel is a private ecological reserve built around a pristine volcanic lagoon nestled in the cool, misty cloud forests of Costa Rica's Zona de los Santos region. Perched at 1,934 meters elevation, the reserve offers crisp mountain air, dramatic canopy views, and the serene presence of a natural volcanic lake that reflects the surrounding forest. This family-friendly destination combines outdoor adventure with accessibility, making it ideal for hiking through cloud forest trails, camping under towering trees, and enjoying leisurely barbecues by the water's edge. The combination of highland climate, ecological richness, and intimate lagoon setting creates a peaceful retreat away from coastal crowds.
Natural volcanic lagoon at 1,934 meters elevation surrounded by crisp mountain air and dramatic canopy views Over 150 hectares of protected cloud forest with 5–7 kilometers of well-marked moderate trails Picnic tables with individual power outlets, running water, and property-wide Wi-Fi for outdoor teleworking Rustically designed BBQ ranchos available to rent, plus overnight rustic cabins
Best Time to Visit
Visit during the dry season (December–April) for clearer skies and more stable weather, though the high altitude means cool and misty conditions year-round.
What Changes Through The Year
Dry Season (Dec–Apr)
Clearer visibility and more stable weather conditions; still cool and misty at high elevation.
Green Season (May–Nov)
Increased cloud cover and afternoon mist typical of cloud forest environment; lush vegetation and active wildlife.
Getting There
From San José, drive south toward Dota. Head 7 kilometers south of El Empalme (on the Inter-American Highway) toward Santa María, then turn south 500 meters past the Cocina de Dorita restaurant in Santa María de Dota. The road is fully paved until the final 1-kilometer gravel entrance path.
What to Bring
Safety Considerations
Who This Is For
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Waterfalls
Two-tier 45-metre falls, three hours deep in the jungle south of Dominical
Waterfalls
A dramatic 70-metre waterfall, tropical rainforest, wildlife, and swimming
Swimming
One of Costa Rica’s most beautiful Caribbean national parks
Waterfalls
Three-tier waterfall at the end of a jungle trail twenty minutes from the village
Viewpoints
One of the most dramatic and iconic highland regions
Living traditions near this place
🪶 Indigenous Cultures
The last speakers of Maleku weave language into palm fiber
🌾 Seasonal Rituals
One of the most important Indigenous cultural traditions in Costa Rica
🪶 Indigenous Cultures
Wild cacao in the valley that fed the oldest chocolate trade in the Americas
🪶 Indigenous Cultures
The original chocolate, in the hands it started with