12 Best Things to Do in San Gerardo de Dota, Costa Rica

If you are looking for the best things to do in San Gerardo de Dota, Costa Rica, look no further! This misty cloud forest village has quetzal tours, waterfall hikes, bird gardens, and fresh trout on every menu.

We’re Sarah and Thomas, and we’ve lived in Costa Rica since 2016. We’ve been running Costa Rica Vibes ever since, and we keep coming back to San Gerardo whenever we need a break from the heat.

Below are our favorite things to do here, including the quetzal tour we recommend, the best hikes and bird gardens, where to eat, and how to spend a rainy afternoon.

1. Take a Quetzal Birdwatching Tour

This is the number one thing to do in San Gerardo de Dota, and it’s the reason most people make the drive. The resplendent quetzal is one of the most stunning birds in the world, and it lives right here in the cloud forest. We highly recommend hiring a local guide because they know where the birds tend to feed and have telescopic lenses for spotting them.

Several companies offer quetzal tours, and honestly, you can’t go wrong with most of them. We’ve done ours through Trogon Lodge and had a really good experience. The price is fair and the guides are really good. We’ve looked at tours from a few other places, and they were way more expensive for basically the same experience, which didn’t seem necessary to us.

Tips for booking your quetzal tour:

• Book early if traveling in April. It’s peak quetzal season and a popular time to travel. We’ve done our tours in May, when it was easier. We were able to book the day before and still get a spot.
• Shop around once you’re there. A bunch of hotels offer tours, so you can stop in, compare prices, and decide.
• Ask your hotel. If you’re staying at a hotel, they can most likely point you to the tour they think is best in the area.
• Pack for an early, chilly morning. Bring warm layers, a rain jacket, sturdy shoes, a great camera lens, and binoculars if you have them.

2. Visit Los Quetzales National Park

Los Quetzales National Park sits at the top of the hill above San Gerardo de Dota. It’s a great add-on if you want cloud forest trails without a big crowd. Just keep in mind that if you are staying down in the valley where most hotels are you will have to drive the rough road all the way to the top in order to visit.

We wrote a full guide covering trails, logistics, and what to expect, so read our Los Quetzales National Park guide before you go. Fair warning: the logistics are a little annoying, so it’s worth reading first.

3. Hike to Catarata Río Savegre

This is one of our favorite hikes in the valley. There’s a parking lot at the very end of the road in San Gerardo de Dota, and the trail starts from there. You’ll walk along the river, cross a hanging bridge, and pass a few waterfalls along the way.

A few spots on the trail are a little tricky to navigate, so wear shoes with good grip. It’s often wet and slippery here, and some of the stairs and bridge railings are in rough shape. Go slowly and you’ll be fine. Plan on about two hours round trip. See the trail on AllTrails.

4. Spend a Morning at Batsu Gardens

Batsu Gardens is a chill spot for bird lovers and bird photographers. The feeders are stocked with fruit and seeds, and there are natural perches and covered viewing platforms. You can watch hummingbirds and other highland birds up close, even when it’s raining.

You can do it self-guided or with a guide. I suggest you start at the top and walk down the curving path, or just sit up top and enjoy the view. There’s coffee, cold drinks, and a clean restroom, so it’s easy to settle in for a few hours. Early morning is the best time, especially for photos.

Good to know before you go:

• Lunch. Alma de Árbol is a farm-to-table restaurant near the gardens. It serves lunch, coffee, and dinner using local ingredients and dishes inspired by the region. It’s a great way to end the morning.
• Tickets. You don’t have to buy in advance, but it’s a good idea. You can do that here
• Getting up there. The road to the top is steep. Batsu offers transportation if you arrange it in advance, which is worth doing if you’d rather not drive it.
• Quetzals. They live nearby, but you usually need a guide to find them in the forest. They occasionally fly over the garden, so treat that as a bonus.

5. Visit Feathers Garden

Feathers Garden is another great place to see tons of birds without any effort. It’s self-service, $10 per person for the whole day, and open to anyone. It’s not affiliated with Savegre Hotel, even though it’s right next door, so you don’t have to be a guest.

Grab a seat, bring your camera, and let the birds do their thing.

6. Eat Trout at Cafe Kahawa

There’s a river running through the valley that’s full of trout, and pretty much every restaurant here serves it. Skipping a good fresh trout meal here would be a mistake. And truthfully, most of the restaurants here are excellent.

Our favorite spot for lunch is Cafe Kahawa. On my last visit I ordered the black bean soup, and I still think about it. It came with trout you could add in, plus a bunch of toppings, and it was exactly what you want after a cold, damp morning in the forest. I highly recommend it.

7. Hike the Trails at Savegre Hotel

Savegre Hotel has its own network of trails, and they’re nice ones. I like this spot because the trails are above the valley so you actually can enjoy a bit of a view. Plus, they are all very well maintained.

Keep in mind that you have to pay to enter, so factor that in if you’re planning your day. You can just pull in at Savegre Lodge and pay at the reception.

8. Unwind at the Del Río Spa at Savegre Hotel

After a chilly morning of birdwatching, a spa afternoon is hard to beat. The Del Río Spa is at Savegre Lodge and offers massages, facials, and body treatments. There’s also a sauna and a steam room, so you can warm up properly.

It’s the perfect way to soak up the moodiness of the cloud forest without leaving the valley. Check their website for the full menu of treatments, or see prices and availability at Savegre Hotel.

9. Relax on Your Balcony / Outside

Not everything has to be an activity. Grab a hot drink, a good book, and a spot on your hotel balcony or in their gardens, then enjoy the foggy vibes.

Pick a place with a view and a balcony you’ll actually want to sit on. Our San Gerardo de Dota hotel guide has our favorites.

10. Tour and Taste Wines at Copey Estate Winery

Yes, Costa Rica has a winery, and it’s up in the mountains. Copey Estate Winery is the first and only commercial winery in Costa Rica, and it sits at about 2,300 meters (7,500 feet).

You’ll walk through the vineyard and a golden berry plantation, then taste four wines plus Golden Rush, a liqueur made from golden berries. I will say, these tours are not cheap. In fact, I think they are a bit overpriced, but if you want a winery experience, this is your option in Costa Rica.

Also, keep in mind that it is about an hour drive from San Gerardo de Dota.

Book a winery tour here.

11. Hike to the Summit of Cerro de la Muerte

If a quetzal tour feels too mellow, this is your challenge. Cerro de la Muerte, also called Cerro Buenavista, tops out at around 3,450 meters (about 11,300 feet). AllTrails lists the hike as hard (and we would definitely agree). The hike is about 19 miles out and back with about 5,000 feet of climbing.

Start at dawn, and pack warm layers, rain gear, plenty of water, and sunscreen. The air is thin and the fog can roll in fast. This isn’t a casual add-on, so only go if you’re a confident hiker. See the trail details on AllTrails.

12. Visit the Dantica Gallery

On a really rainy day, you can’t go wrong with a visit to the Dantica Gallery at Dantica Cloud Forest Lodge. It has three large rooms of Latin American indigenous art and handicrafts, including jewelry, ceramics, hammocks, and bags. The pieces come from artisans across Latin America, and the gallery works on a fair-trade basis.

The big windows look out over the cloud forest, so even a rainy afternoon feels like a treat. You can learn more about the gallery here.

Practical Tips for San Gerardo de Dota

• Pack for cold and rain. It’s almost always cool and often wet. Bring warm layers, a rain jacket, and something warm to sleep in.
• Rent a car. There’s no easy public transport, and the road into the valley is steep and winding. A 4×4 or a car with good clearance is the safer choice. We use Adobe, and you get 10% off through our link.
• Plan two or three nights. That’s enough time for a quetzal tour, a hike, a trout dinner, and a spa afternoon without rushing.

Ready to Plan Your Trip?

• Where to stay in San Gerardo de Dota
• Our complete San Gerardo de Dota travel guide
• Los Quetzales National Park guide