Kubla Khan - Chirripó riverfront mountain retreat

Escape to Kubla Khan, a distinctive home overlooking the Chirripó River, surrounded by tropical gardens, abundant wildlife and breathtaking mountain scenery. Enjoy open-plan living, a spacious mezzanine bedroom and a peaceful connection with nature. Unwind in the shared freshwater plunge pool, with optional Bio-Sauna sessions and spa treatments. Tucked away in nature, yet close to Canaan village and its bakery, cafés and local amenities.

The space
Welcome to Kubla Khan

Nestled in lush tropical gardens above the Chirripó River, Kubla Khan is a distinctive timber home designed to bring the beauty of its surroundings into everyday living.

With soaring wooden ceilings, generous windows and an open-plan design, the house feels wonderfully connected to the forest, gardens and mountain landscape beyond.

Living and sleeping spaces

The spacious main living area provides a comfortable place to relax, read, share meals or simply enjoy the sounds of nature.

An open staircase leads to the beautiful mezzanine master bedroom, with its king-size canopy bed, sitting area, walk-in closets and private balcony with hammock.

On the ground floor, The Den provides a second sleeping area and TV nook. It is separated from the main living space by a curtain, making it semi-private rather than a fully enclosed bedroom.

There is one bathroom, located downstairs, shared by both sleeping areas.

The home's open architecture is part of its charm, making it particularly appealing to couples, close friends or families who appreciate relaxed, connected living.

Tropical gardens and outdoor living

Step outside into a world of lush greenery, flowering plants and extraordinary birdlife. The gardens offer peaceful places to sit, explore and reconnect with nature.

A barbecue/smoker adds to the pleasures of outdoor living.

Pool and wellness

Cool off in the natural freshwater plunge pool, nestled among rocks and tropical vegetation. The pool is shared with guests staying at neighbouring Casa Nanita, is available year-round and is illuminated at night.

For an additional touch of relaxation, enjoy our garden Bio-Sauna and optional spa treatments. The nearby ornamental lily pond and its gentle waterfall add to the tranquillity of the wellness area.

Bio-Sauna sessions and spa treatments are available at an additional cost and must be booked ahead of time. Sauna sessions require at least two hours' advance notice.

A retreat for nature lovers

One of Kubla Khan's greatest pleasures is the remarkable wildlife that surrounds it. Toucans, birds of prey, butterflies and other fascinating creatures are among the visitors and inhabitants of this beautiful environment.

Every day brings a new opportunity to observe nature, although individual wildlife sightings can never be guaranteed.

Guest access
Kubla Khan is a separate house with its own living accommodation and outdoor spaces, set within our beautiful tropical property alongside neighbouring Casa Nanita.

Guests can enjoy the shared freshwater plunge pool and surrounding wellness gardens. The Bio-Sauna and spa treatments are also available by advance arrangement.

The freshwater plunge pool and wellness gardens are shared between Casa Nanita and Kubla Khan. However, when guests reserve a Bio-Sauna session, they enjoy exclusive use of the sauna, plunge pool and surrounding wellness area for a private two-hour period. We coordinate reservations between the two houses so everyone can relax and enjoy their experience in complete privacy.

We respect the privacy of guests staying in both houses, while sharing the natural beauty and peaceful atmosphere of the property.

Other things to note
Mountain climate

At approximately 1,200 metres (4,000 feet) above sea level, the Chirripó mountains offer a refreshing change from Costa Rica's tropical coastal climate.

Mornings are often warm and sunny, while afternoons may bring mist, rain and cooler temperatures. Evenings and early mornings can be surprisingly chilly, so we recommend packing a sweater, comfortable long trousers and warm socks.

The sound of the river

Kubla Khan overlooks the powerful, fast-flowing Chirripó River. Its constant rushing sound is one of the property's most distinctive features, and many guests find it wonderfully soothing.

If you prefer complete silence, however, this is something to bear in mind.

Nature and our resident animals

Life here is closely connected to nature. Birds, butterflies, occasional insects and other wildlife are all part of the tropical mountain environment.

Our friendly resident cats and dogs also share the property and may occasionally come to visit the chalet. We kindly ask guests not to feed them and to send them home before dark.

Guests with animal allergies should take this into consideration. Bringing your own pets is only possible by prior agreement, and will incur an additional set of rules, a security deposit ($100) and a pet cleaning fee ($50).

Sleeping arrangements and accessibility

Kubla Khan is a distinctive, open-plan, two-storey chalet.

The upstairs king-size master bedroom occupies an open mezzanine, while the downstairs Den provides a second, semi-private sleeping space. Both share one downstairs bathroom.

The stairs, open bannisters, unfenced plunge pool and uneven outdoor pathways require care, particularly with young children or during wet weather.

The layout and natural terrain may also present challenges for guests with reduced mobility. Please contact us before booking if you have any specific accessibility concerns.

River safety

The Chirripó River is beautiful but powerful, particularly during the rainy season, when water levels and currents can change rapidly.

Please take great care around the riverbank and keep a safe distance from the water whenever conditions are uncertain. Swimming in the main river is strongly discouraged during the rainy season.

For a refreshing dip, our shared freshwater plunge pool is available year-round.

Getting here

The road to Kubla Khan is paved, and a 4x4 vehicle is not required to reach the property. However, we recommend a midsize SUV if you plan to explore the surrounding mountain region.

Driving from San José: Follow Highway 2 to San Isidro de El General, then Route 242 towards Rivas and Canaán. Please avoid navigation shortcuts that may lead you onto unpaved mountain roads.

Allow approximately three hours from San José in good driving conditions, and considerably longer if travelling from the international airport.

We recommend arriving before dark, as mountain fog and rain can make driving more challenging.

Optional services

For guests wishing to make their stay even more relaxing, we offer a selection of additional services:

Bio-Sauna: $40 per 90-minute session, or $100 for three sessions. Please reserve at least two hours in advance.

Laundry: $20 per load.

Massage and yoga: Available by advance arrangement, subject to availability and additional charges.

Mountain bike: Available by advance reservation.

All treatments and additional services should be arranged ahead of time.

Nudity and sauna etiquette

We appreciate the pleasure of enjoying a sauna and refreshing plunge in the natural way! During a privately reserved Bio-Sauna session, guests are welcome to enjoy the sauna and adjoining plunge pool without swimwear.

We arrange for other guests and staff to avoid the wellness area during these sessions to respect your privacy.

At all other times, we kindly ask guests to remain appropriately dressed in the shared gardens, pool area and along the river, out of respect for local customs and others on the property.

We look forward to welcoming you to Kubla Khan and sharing our little corner of the Chirripó mountains!