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”.
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.
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.
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.
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!
