Cala Lodge was an amazing stay. The staff were so welcoming and lovely. Our room was tucked away, which provided the opportunity to sit out on a quiet balcony and watch trogons, motmots, flycatchers, wrens, woodcreepers, hummingbirds and toucanets fly by. Breakfast was an absolute bonus; a great start to day being served a delicious meal and watching birds a few feet away come and eat the fruit put out for them (we also had a coati visit). There is a short trail on the property with seating areas and swings that one should not miss out.
The lodge itself is about a 15 minute walk from the transmonteverde bus station in Santa Elena (to/from San Jose), as well as a quick walk to the bus stop in front of the school which will take you directly to the Cloud Forest - so there is no need to rent a car.