A day trip from La Cantera: top recommendation
Spend a full day at La Cantera Resort by starting with the included breakfast and a morning swim at the pools, then take a mid-day excursion to the Alexander Skutch Bird Sanctuary or nearby waterfalls, and return for poolside drinks and an evening in one of the resort cabins. The property provides two outdoor pools, a children's pool, a hot tub and a waterslide, and serves free breakfast daily from 9:00–10:00 AM.
In this guide
Getting there and arrival tips
La Cantera Resort is located at 200 Metros Norte La Escuela San Ignacio, San Ignacio de Cajón, Pérez Zeledón, San José Province, Costa Rica. The resort is open every day and cabin check-in is listed as 1:00 PM with check-out at 11:00 AM on the official site.
If you’re driving, be aware guest reviews note the final approach road and driveway can be steep and rough; some listings mention a gravel stretch and potholes that can be difficult for some vehicles. The property offers free self-parking.
- Official cabin check-in: 1:00 PM; check-out: 11:00 AM
- Free self-parking on site
- Search for 'Centro Turistico La Cantera' on maps to find the property
| Contact | BookResorts phone |
|---|---|
| Property address | 200 Metros Norte La Escuela San Ignacio, Cajón, Perez Zeledon, CR |
| 24/7 BookResorts agents | +1 (888) 605-1350 |
Morning: pools, breakfast, and a quick cabin check
Start your day with the resort’s free full breakfast served daily from 9:00–10:00 AM, then choose between two outdoor pools, the children's pool, or the hot tub and waterslide for morning fun. Poolside bars and a swim-up bar are available if you want a beverage while you relax.
If you’re staying on property, cabins include kitchenettes and memory foam beds; room types are Panoramic Cabin, 1 Bedroom, Private Bathroom, Mountain View Room and the two Family Cabin variants (both listed as 2 Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms, Garden View Room and 2 Bedrooms, Private Bathroom, Garden View Room). Housekeeping is available on request rather than daily.
- Free breakfast 9:00–10:00 AM
- Two outdoor pools + children's pool + hot tub + waterslide
- Poolside bars and a swim-up bar
| Room type | Notable included in-cabin feature |
|---|---|
| Panoramic Cabin, 1 Bedroom, Private Bathroom, Mountain View Room | Mountain view; kitchenette |
| Family Cabin, 2 Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms, Garden View Room | Kitchenette; family layout |
| Family Cabin, 2 Bedrooms, Private Bathroom, Garden View Room | Kitchenette; garden view |
Late morning: birding and short nature excursions
Alexander Skutch Bird Sanctuary (Refugio de Aves Los Cusingos) is the closest named nature stop mentioned in resort materials and listings — it is about 3.4–3.8 miles (5.5–6.1 km) from the resort — making it a practical half-day visit for birdwatchers and nature lovers.
Other nearby short excursions noted in destination listings include local waterfalls (Cascada y Posa El Salto and Cascada El Salto), both within roughly 3.1–3.3 miles of the resort; plan drives over gravel and rural roads as described by guest reports.
- Alexander Skutch Bird Sanctuary — ~3.4–3.8 miles (5.5–6.1 km)
- Cascada y Posa El Salto & Cascada El Salto — ~3.1–3.3 miles
- Expect rural gravel or steep approach roads on local drives
| Attraction | Approx. distance from resort | Why go |
|---|---|---|
| Alexander Skutch Bird Sanctuary | 3.4–3.8 mi (5.5–6.1 km) | Birdwatching and short nature walks |
| Cascada El Salto (waterfalls) | 3.1–3.3 mi | Short hikes and swimming spots mentioned in listings |
| Local art: Galeria Pura Vida | About 1.4 mi (2.3 km) | Small local gallery referenced by guest listings |
Lunch and afternoon options: on-site or a longer day trip
For a straightforward day, return to the resort’s on-site restaurant or snack bar for lunch; guest reviews describe the menu as reasonable and note casual dishes are available. Two poolside bars and a swim-up bar offer lighter options without leaving the pool area.
If you prefer a longer outing in the afternoon, several regional attractions are commonly listed as doable day trips from La Cantera Resort — Chirripó National Park, Cloudbridge Nature Preserve, and Uvita’s Marino Ballena National Park (Whale's Tail). Distances and drive times vary; plan a full day and check road conditions.
- On-site restaurant and snack bar for casual meals
- Poolside and swim-up bars for drinks and light bites
- Consider longer excursions only if you have a full afternoon (see table for distances)
| Destination | Approx. distance listed | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Chirripó National Park | About 14.4 mi (23.2 km) | Highest national-park area in Costa Rica — needs a full day |
| Uvita / Marino Ballena National Park (Whale's Tail) | About 26.5 mi (42.7 km) | Coastal park and sandbar — longer drive |
| Cloudbridge Nature Preserve | About 30.6 km (19 mi) | Nature reserve noted in regional listings |
Afternoon return: pools, spa, and kids’ activities
After a day out, many guests use the resort’s pools, hot tub, waterslide and children's pool to unwind. The property lists spa services and a spa tub among its amenities if you prefer a treatment or a soak.
For families, game-room options include foosball, billiards and air hockey. The grounds also include a garden and picnic area for a quieter late-afternoon break.
- Spa services available on site (no specific treatments or hours published)
- Game room: foosball, billiards/pool table, air hockey
- Garden and picnic area for a quieter setting
| Facility | On-site availability |
|---|---|
| Two outdoor pools + children's pool | Yes |
| Hot tub and waterslide | Yes |
| Game room (foosball, billiards, air hockey) | Yes |
Practical tips and safety
Bring layers: the property sits in a mountain area and temperatures can be cooler than lowland Costa Rica. The region has a dry season (December–April) and a rainy season (May–November); rainy-season trails can be muddy and visibility in high mountains may be reduced.
Be aware of occasional staffing or access reports in guest reviews — some reviewers have reported locked gates or staffing shortages. If you need late check-in, transfers, or other special arrangements, contact the property in advance; sources differ on whether airport transfers are provided, so confirm before arrival.
- Confirm transport and arrival times ahead of travel (OTA listings and the resort site differ on some services)
- Expect rural and possibly difficult access roads; a higher-clearance vehicle can help
- Carry ID and a credit card or cash for incidental deposits at check-in
| Issue | What to do |
|---|---|
| Uncertain airport transfer availability | Contact resort directly to confirm; sources conflict |
| Rough access road | Drive carefully; consider local advice or a higher-clearance vehicle |
| Housekeeping frequency | Housekeeping is available on request rather than daily |
