5 hotels in Costa Rica’s natural surroundings
A stay in a jungle lodge, which you have to reach by raft across a wild, rushing river, or a small-scale hotel situated on a picturesque bay and surrounded by lush tropical vegetation. Costa Rica is renowned for its diverse natural beauty and its unique accommodation options. We have put together a list of 5 places to stay amidst Costa Rica’s natural beauty.
Monteverde Cloud Forest
1. Pacuare Lodge
The Pacuare Lodge is situated in a private reserve in the Talamanca Mountains. The lodge is surrounded by rainforest and lies on the banks of the Río Pacuare. This unique location, with its vibrant natural surroundings, offers excellent opportunities for adventure, romance and wellness. The lodge can be reached by raft down the Pacuare River, as well as by land or by helicopter.
This luxury eco-lodge features 20 suites. Here, you’ll be completely immersed in the magic of the surroundings. Every suite has a view of the river, but each one is unique inside. The suites’ décor is simple yet refined. They are inspired by the Cabécar community that lives in the area. The Pacuare Lodge has its own restaurant and a lounge area. The restaurant mainly uses produce from its own farm. You can also make use of the infinity pool and the spa. JawaJuü Spa harnesses the calming power of the rainforest and uses local natural products for its treatments.
Photos: Pacuare Lodge
Sustainability
Pacuare Lodge offers luxury whilst placing a high priority on sustainability. The lodge has been built with respect for nature and is constructed using sustainable and environmentally friendly materials. It utilises renewable energy. The staff at Pacuare Lodge come from nearby communities, and the lodge participates in programmes to conserve and support both the local communities and the surrounding natural environment. One example of these projects is Project Jaguar, in collaboration with the National University of Costa Rica (UNA). This project focuses on the conservation and observation of the jaguar and other mammals. Since the project began, several jaguars have been observed, including a rare black jaguar, also known as a black panther.
Photo: Pacuare Lodge
What is there to do?
The area around the Pacuare Lodge has plenty to offer. You can explore the surroundings through a variety of excursions and activities. These include rafting, kayaking, rock climbing in the narrow gorge in the heart of the rainforest, abseiling, birdwatching, hiking to hidden waterfalls in the rainforest, visiting indigenous Cabécar families and visiting the Bajo del Tigre community.
Photos: Pacuare Lodge
Just as birds build their nests high up in the trees, Pacuare Lodge has its own specially built ‘nest’, El Nido. On a platform 20 metres high in a treetop, you can enjoy breakfast or lunch. The adventure begins with a 130-metre-long cable car ride leading up to the platform.
Photos: Pacuare Lodge
Petra previously wrote a blog post about her stay at the Pacuare Lodge.
2. Playa Cativo
The Playa Cativo Lodge is situated in southern Costa Rica on the coast of Golfo Dulce, a bay of the Pacific Ocean. You’ll travel to the lodge by boat, and on the way you’ll have the chance to spot whales, dolphins or turtles. You’ll arrive at a little paradise teeming with flora and fauna.
Playa Cativo has 18 guest rooms, divided into four main categories. The rooms are furnished with reclaimed hardwood and tiles handmade by local artisans. Playa Cativo also features its own spa, restaurant, swimming pool and a bar serving top-quality cocktails and wines. In the library, you can learn more about Costa Rica, the Golfo Dulce, the history of the area and the local wildlife. The lodge is situated in the south-west of Piedras Blancas National Park, which is estimated to be home to 750 species of trees, 140 species of mammals, 367 species of birds, 117 species of reptiles and nearly 10,000 species of insects.
Sustainability
Playa Cativo uses 100% renewable energy from solar panels and hydroelectric power. Fruit and vegetables are grown in the resort’s own garden. In addition, the resort supports various projects in Costa Rica, such as restoring coral reefs and setting up projects to restore the mangrove area. Finally, the accommodation has plans to cultivate endangered tree and plant species in order to help restore the natural environment.
What is there to do?
The unique surroundings of Playa Cativo offer plenty of opportunities to explore the area. Thanks to the many species of birds in Piedras Blancas National Park, many people consider this the best spot for birdwatching in Costa Rica. Accompanied by a guide, you can spot the remarkable birds or go for a walk through the park. And the beach near the lodge is an ideal spot to watch the sunset.
There’s plenty to do not only on land, but also in and under the water. Snorkelling, diving, whale and dolphin watching. Learn to surf, try stand-up paddleboarding or hop into a kayak for a trip out on the water. And if you’re here three days before or three days after the new moon each month, you can witness one of the most extraordinary phenomena in the world: bioluminescence. A spectacular phenomenon in which the waters are illuminated by micro-organisms that glow when they hit the waves. The light is usually so bright that you can even see the fish in the water.
3. Lapa Rios Lodge
The Lapa Rio Lodge is situated on the Osa Peninsula and protects over 400 hectares of rainforest. The Pacific Ocean and Golfo Dulce are easily accessible from the lodge. Corcovado National Park is close to the accommodation and is regarded as one of the most unspoilt and biodiverse areas of rainforest in Central America.
The ecolodge comprises 17 luxury bungalows with sea views and a private veranda. The lodge also features a natural swimming pool – chemical-free – a spa, and dining and drinking facilities. The dishes in the restaurant are prepared mainly using local and sustainable produce, whilst the bar serves delicious cocktails, wines and other drinks. What’s more, there are guides, biologists and naturalists on site. They are always on hand to answer any questions you may have about the surrounding area and its flora and fauna.
Photos: Lapa Rios
Sustainability
Sustainability is very important at the Lapa Rios Lodge. The lodge uses solar energy, has its own vegetable garden and uses biodegradable toiletries and cleaning products. Furthermore, the lodge has a ‘no plastic policy’. The lodge also works in partnership with a number of nature conservation organisations to protect Corcovado National Park, and the big cats are monitored via cameras to ensure their better protection.
It is not just the natural environment that benefits from the sustainability of the Lapa Rios Lodge: the lodge is also committed to supporting the local community. All staff at the lodge are Costa Rican. In addition, Lapa Rios has set up a primary school close to the lodge and has developed a programme to train new guides. This is done through the ‘lapathon’, a 10-kilometre running race which raises funds to launch more projects of this kind.
Photos: Lapa Rios
What is there to do?
The Osa Peninsula is a unique place in Costa Rica; it is home to around 2.5 per cent of the world’s biodiversity, even though the Osa Peninsula covers just 0.001 per cent of the Earth’s total surface area! Accompanied by guides, you’ll set off to explore this unique natural environment: more than 300 species of bird have now been spotted around the lodge, including the yellow-winged macaw. This bird is also known as a ‘lapa’ in Costa Rican. This is where the lodge gets its name.
Tip: would you like to know which birds have been spotted around the lodge? Then take a look at the Lapa Rios Lodge bird checklist.
Photos: Lapa Rios
Not only will you find birds in abundance here, but you can also spot plenty of other wildlife, such as sloths, armadillos, monkeys and frogs. In the evening, you can set off with a guide on a night walk to discover the area’s nocturnal wildlife.
Photos: Lapa Rios
4. Senda Monteverde
Senda Monteverde is surrounded by the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, which protects over 10,500 hectares of nature reserve: a unique place with an enormous variety of flora and fauna. An ideal destination for true nature lovers.
The hotel has been in operation since 2018, when Costa Rican couple John and Lisa Aspinall took over the former Sapo Dorado Hotel. Their aim was to breathe new life into what had once been a lovely hotel, and they were particularly keen to involve the local community in the project. The result is impressive: Senda Monteverde is a unique boutique hotel with just 24 rooms. Here, you’ll find yourself in a green oasis of tranquillity, far from the hustle and bustle of the outside world, where you can hear nothing but the sounds of nature.
The accommodation features a yoga studio where you can take yoga classes. Senda Monteverde also features the El Sapo bar & lounge, and the El Sapo restaurant. The produce used in these facilities is all sustainably sourced and locally produced. The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and offers vegetarian and vegan dishes. The restaurant, bar and lounge serve excellent organic South American wines, as well as locally brewed beers and cocktails.
Photos: Senda Monteverde
What is there to do?
If you’re staying at Senda Monteverde, you’ll naturally have the chance to visit the Monteverde Cloud Forest. Accompanied by a guide, you’ll set off to explore the cloud forest. You’ll have the chance to spot some of the unique bird species, such as the quetzal and the toucan. You might also come across monkeys, a coati or, if you’re very lucky, a jaguar or puma. You can also choose to go out at night with a guide, giving you the chance to spot nocturnal animals.
Photos: Senda Monteverde
The Monteverde Reserve is also a perfect base for a more active day. Go ziplining, canopy touring or horse riding. These activities are all unique ways to explore the cloud forest even further: during your horse ride, for example, you won’t just ride along the ‘usual’ paths, but you’ll also ride through a coffee and banana plantation.
It’s not just the Monteverde Cloud Forest that’s unique. Senda Monteverde is situated close to the Aguti Wildlife Reserve and is regarded as a quieter alternative to the Monteverde Cloud Forest. From your accommodation, you’ll enjoy exclusive and unlimited access to this private reserve.
Photos: Senda Monteverde
5. Nantipa Beach Resort
The Nantipa Beach Resort is situated at the very tip of the Nicoya Peninsula: a hidden gem on the beautiful Pacific coast, on Santa Teresa beach. The name Nantipa derives from the language of the Chototega tribe: an ancient community of the Nicoya Peninsula. The peninsula is regarded as one of the five so-called ‘blue zones’. These are areas recognised by UNESCO as places where people generally live longer and healthier lives – something that makes this spot even more unique.
The Nantipa Beach Resort is a small-scale accommodation with 29 guest rooms, comprising suites, bungalows and villas, allowing you to enjoy the peace and quiet of the surroundings during your stay. Although the resort is small-scale, you won’t miss a thing during your stay. Nantipa does not have its own restaurant, but the Manzu Restaurant is just a stone’s throw away. It serves international dishes, but with a unique twist. The restaurant uses fresh, local ingredients in its dishes and cocktails. You’re in for a pleasant surprise.
Photos: Nantipa
What is there to do?
During your stay at the Nantipa Lodge, there are plenty of activities to enjoy. You can go horse-riding at a nearby ranch, learn to surf, go fishing or take part in a canopy trip.
If you’d rather keep both feet firmly on dry land, you can choose to go hiking in Cobo Blanco National Park or the Curu Reserve. Cobo Blanco National Park was established in 1963 and was one of the first major nature conservation projects in Costa Rica, set up to protect the area from deforestation. The Curu Reserve promotes sustainable land use and helps people and animals coexist more harmoniously. During your hike along the reserve’s trails, you’ll encounter a wide variety of flora and fauna.
Photos: Nantipa
A visit to Tortuga Island is a unique experience. On the way, you may spot dolphins, rays, turtles and whales. The island is the perfect place for snorkelling: you’ll come across unique species of tropical fish.
Photo: Nantipa
Fancy visiting Costa Rica yourself?
Would you like to organise your own trip of Costa Rica and visit one of these unique lodges set in Costa Rican nature? We’d be happy to help you put together a bespoke trip. For more inspiration, take a look at the trip itineraries we’ve put together for you.
Do you have a question? Please feel free to get in touch with us. Call us on +31 73 610 62 04, send an email to info@sapapanatravel.nl or request a travel proposal straight away. We’d be happy to help.