| PRINCIPAL :: Version Español
History Mirador Lodge
"El Mirador en Monteverde,
is the name given to the finca owned by Quesada
Mata Family. It takes it's name from
the area which it's famous for...
"El Gran Mirador" or "The Grand View".
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The finca was purchased in 1982 by Quesada
Family. It consists of almost 700 acres,
half of which is cloud forest and should be noted that
the finca lies entirely within the boundaries of the
Arenal/Monteverde
protected area. |
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El Gran Mirador, long known for it's panoramic
vistas of primary forest, rich farmlands, a big green
mountain that had not yet awakened and a much smaller
than it is today, Lago Arenal.
In those days, several families were scattered throughout
the region. Mostly farmers that tended their cows and
produced quality dairy products.
A primitive "trail" to Lago Arenal existed for
most of the century that was used by these farmers to
bring their goods to market in the towns of Castillo,
Rio Chiquito, Arenal and the Lago. That same trail exists
today, thanks in great part to the efforts by the Quesada
family, and is featured as an unforgettable
horseback ride between the town of La Fortuna and Monteverde.
Although the finca continued to operate as a "working
farm", construction of El
Mirador Lodge began in 1990.
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By early 1991, the Quesadas
had completed the lodge, cabins, and adjacent
trails through the forest and to the waterfalls.
Our first guests arrived in July of 1991.
In January of 1999, a new look to the interior
and entryway of the Mirador Lodge
Restaurant was completed in order to be more
comfortable and inviting to our guests.
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The Quesada family
and El Mirador,
have maintained a tradition of keeping it close to
the roots from which it came.
In addition, the responsible way in which the Quesadas
balance tourism, conservation, and ecology, has earned
them a "Practices
Sustainable Ecotourism" rating in the New Guide
to Costa Rica by Beatrice Blade and Ann Becher
(1994). A study that involved over 90 hotels, lodges
and hostels in Costa Rica.
The Quesada family
hopes that you enjoy your visit to the finca. Partake
in the activities offered, take a walk on the trails
in the Cloud Forest, see the beautiful waterfalls,
learn about the natural environment, ride horses to
Lago Arenal, or just come by for a taste of our home
cooking. Pura Vida!
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