It is a bit of an adventure to get there -- a 4x4 jeep picks you up on the edge of tiny town (the name escapes me at the moment); and it's a bumpy 45 minute ride into the remote reserve -- involves crossing rivers. Apparently the river can get so flooded at times, the jeep cannot cross, so travelers zip-line across to the lodge (wasn't our case, but sounds awesome). This remoteness really makes it special. Keep in mind, lodge does not have electricity; they supply lanterns, candles and flashlights (but I'd also back your own headlamp). Loved the lack of electricity -- not only does this fall right in line with the eco-travel ideals, but there is no noise/light to interfere with the incredible Costa Rica jungle that surrounds you at all times. Falling asleep in the jungle is truly amazing.
We spent three days there and was able to do bird-watch, tree climb/rappel, waterfall hike/rappel, and a very nice horseback riding trip. I would say 3 to 4 days is enough time to do most activities offered at the lodge.

Thoughtful staff, really nice activities (loved the waterfall hike/rappel and highly recommend it!) and the accommodations are well above average. BEAUTIFUL open cabanas that let in your surroundings, instead of closing them off. And every private porch has it's own hammock. Hot water was a little touch and go, but never caused any problems. They also supply biodegradable soaps. Saw a very nice variety of birds right from our cabana. Food is simple (no menus, but they cater to special diets, like yours-truly) but good. I have a classic picky eater, and she didn't starve :)

All and all -- highly recommend.

The Selva Bonanito Lodge is really a beauty in the middle of the jungle. We have been there 3 nights, but I could stay there for a month! It is not easy to come there and very important to go by daylight, but it is the trouble more than worth!! We came in the darkness and that was not easy, but suddenly we saw the lights from a car and it was Liza (the manager) with Gusto (the Tico guide) who came to fetch us, they have been worry about us. Fantastic nice persons. They brought us to one of the beautiful and romantic bungalows and after that we had a fantastic meal by candle light in the very nice restaurant of the lodge.
The lodge has no electricity and that is exactly what you expect in the middle of the jungle (but we had a hot shower from solar panels).
We made a wonderful jungle tour and a fantastic horse ride with our guide Gusto. All the people from the lodge made that we felt like family and it was difficult to see goodbye after 2 days!

We had been interested in going to Selva Bananito for a number of years. We finally decided to go over our holiday break – I wish we had not waited so long. We are a family ranging in age from 10 to 48 years and found the entire experience manageable.

This wonderful eco lodge changed the way we will forever think about living with nature. Every move at Selva Bananito is taken with the big picture in mind. The five of us each planted a tree to offset our 4 ton carbon footprint of travel. The food is very good and authentic to the region; the tours are focused on education as well as adventure; and the accommodations are very comfortable, secluded and in harmony with the surrounding rain forest. Lights and water heating are solar-powered, while most of the lighting are candles and flashlights. It is an amazing romantic sight to walk to dinner and see the lodge lit with only candles. When we first arrived Jurgen, the owner, showed us to our room and mentioned that the hammocks are their best tours.

Our first tour took us on a four hour hike through the dense forest to see and learn about the amazing wildlife that is found there. This ended with a zipline to a 100 foot tree platform, a rappel to the ground through the forest canopy and a scramble through a pristine stream back to the lodge. The horseback riding is not to be missed and my personal highlight of the trip. Galloping over the rolling hills, through groves of palm, fern and cocoa trees. Negotiating the forest and countless rivers and streams on horseback challenged my sense of place and time. Jurgen and his friendly and knowledgeable staff made our trip memorable. Selva Bananito is a celebration of the natural world found in this Costa Rican paradise. My family and I see the world quite a bit differently now.

Our extended family of 17, ranging in age from 6 to 73, spent 3 days at Selva Bananito and loved every minute of it - even with the constant rain in July. Jurgen and his staff are wonderfully attuned to their little piece of paradise and how guests interact with it. We did zip-lining, horse-back riding, tree-climbing, hammock surfing, hiking, eating and sleeping with gusto. Several of the younger set are talking about returning as volunteers when they are old enough.