INCIDENTALS Hotel Address 50 meters northwest of the gas station Monteverde, Costa Rica Reservations Tel. (506) 645-5026 Clean, Comfortable Bedrooms Special Group Rates Centrally Located Meal plan available Games/Magazines ALBERGUE BELLBIRD Albergue Bellbird is located in the small mountian town of Monteverde, Costa Rica. Monteverde is best known for its proximity to the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. Many tourists from around the world come here to see the spectacular forest and its many inhabitants. Monteverde is also famous for its cheese factory, which produces delicious diary products (wonderful ice cream) from locally produced milk. Perched up from the road, Albergue Bellbird offers travelers a quiet, clean place from which to enjoy the town and the park. With all hardwood floors and interiors, the place has a very cozy, mountain-cabin feel, and even a ping pong table. The owner, Alexis Chavarria Alfaro, is friendly and helpful and can usually be found outside working on the grounds of the hotel. Dorm-style bedroom Ping pong table downstairs Group dining room Sandcruiser Comments RATES (as of 30 April, 2001): All prices in US dollars. $25 double with private bath. $15 double with shared bath. $20 shared room with shared bath for one person $3 for each additional person. $10 individual with shared bath. $22 for groups of 12 to 22 people including three daily meals. CLEANLINESS: Very good. Linens are good quality. ROOM: The interior is all polished hardwood. Beautiful and cozy. The rooms are small. BATHROOM: Some rooms have private bath, others share nice communal bathrooms which are located close to the rooms. Showers have piping hot water. PARKING: A grassy area near the front entrance serves as the parking area. Very convenient and we felt it was secure. LOCATION: A little far from the Monteverde Cloud Forest, but close to more affordable eating and the bus station in Santa Elena. ATMOSPHERE: The very friendly owner has created a homey place to stay, especially well suited to groups who are travelling on a budget. SERVICE: Reservations assistance for guided horseback tours, jungle canopy tours, guides to the reserve and special transportation packages are all available. Local and long-distance phone is available. For groups from 12-20 the hotel can provide up to three meals/day. ACTIVITIES: This is a small hotel, and as such, has no activities per se. RELAXATION: Very quiet with a large downstairs area and a nice patio for reading or enjoying a spectacular sunset over the Gulf of Nicoya. OVERALL: Monteverde is a fairly expensive place to find a hotel, but the Bellbird offers an affordable alternative without being cheap. SOMETHING UNIQUE: The highly polished wood floors make for excellent sock-sliding.