Meet Mario

For the first time during our entire trip we were waiting for a bus. Earlier in the day we crossed the border into Costa Rica from Nicaragua and boarded a bus headed for San Jose. We got off at a cross roads where the driver told us a bus would soon pass to take us to Monte Verde. So we waited and waited.

At this crossroads there was a small bar where we passed most of our time. We began talking to a fellow patron who was also waiting for the bus. He was very friendly and helpful and answered many of our questions. We also asked him if he knew of a good place to stay in Monteverde. He quietly answered that he "had" a place that was in our price range and sounded great. In this response, we were unsure whether he was the owner, or merely had a place in mind. No matter, he was very helpful and unassuming. He also thought that rooms were available, but to confirm that they were, he said that he would call. We introduced ourselves and he did the same. His name was Mario.

As it turns out, his place is the "Pension Manikin," and it is beautiful. As a quaint, family run Bed and Breakfast, Mario Villegas and his wonderful family made us feel at home from the moment we arrived. His son, Johnny, showed us the rooms and private cabins that were available.

Once we were settled in, Johnny also helped us arrange our plans while in MonteVerde. Both Johnny and Mario helped us immensely in making the most of our time in MonteVerde. When Mario's lovely wife, Yolanda, came home with arm loads of groceries, they kindly asked us if we would like to join them for dinner. We were exhausted from a long day of travel, so we politely declined. That was just the first example of how the Villegas family would make us feel at home during our four day stay with them. Before heading to our cabin, however, they asked us at what time we would like to eat breakfast.

The next morning, we arrived at the main house at 8:00 a.m., and we were served an amazing meal which included homemade granola (absolutely delicious), scrambled eggs, gallo pinto (a Costa Rican staple; essentially rice and beans with seasonings), homemade bread, tortillas, fresh bananas, pineapple and papaya and great coffee con leche. It was a great breakfast prepared by Yolanda, together with the able assistance of her hard working children.

If you are ever in Monte Verde, we highly recommend that you stay at Pension Manakin and take the opportunity to get to know Mario and his family the way we did.

Mario and his wife, Yolanda.

The Pension Manakin welcomes you.

The dining room in the main house where we enjoyed many wonderful meals.

The view from the porch of one of the rooms at the Manakin.

One of the many comfortable rooms at the Manakin.

The Yolanda, Dana, Mario and Dinnia Villegas. Notice our buddy Johnny was too bashful to pose for the photo.

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