An adventurous stay at the Pacuare Lodge
For my next stop in Costa Rica, we’re taken to the banks of the Pacuare River. We’re welcomed by two enthusiastic guides who take us to the lodge by raft. We’re given a life jacket, helmet and paddles. It promises to be an adventurous stay.
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Birds and butterflies glisten in the sunlight
As we sail along the Pacuare River, we see the landscape around us slowly changing. We leave civilisation behind and drift ever deeper into the rainforest. We spot various birds and blue butterflies, shimmering beautifully in the sunlight filtering through the leaves of the trees. We pass a small waterfall and are treated to a refreshing shower. After about 1½ hours, we arrive at the Pacuare Lodge. We are warmly welcomed by the staff and offered a refreshing drink.
A gem in the heart of the rainforest
One of the staff members shows me to my lodge for the next few days. It turns out to be a suite with a view of the river. At the front is a hammock where I can already picture myself relaxing. Inside is a large bed, and the décor is cosy, featuring plenty of natural elements that blend in well with the surroundings. The bathroom is spacious and has a shower and washbasin. From my bedroom, I look out onto the second terrace with a seating area; there’s also an outdoor shower here. After a hot shower, I treat myself to a delicious lunch, freshly prepared with ingredients from the lodge’s farm.
Nature conservation research programme
After lunch, we are shown a film demonstrating that the Pacuare Lodge places great emphasis on sustainability. The flora and fauna of this area are truly unique, and the lodge therefore supports a research programme dedicated to the conservation of this nature reserve and to studying the jaguars that inhabit the area. Furthermore, all the lodge’s energy is generated by solar panels, water turbines and a bio-digester. The lodge provides employment opportunities for the local community. For instance, I saw the staff practising English together so that they can not only work behind the scenes, but also welcome guests and continue to develop their skills.
Discover, relax and enjoy
For the rest of the afternoon, we have time to explore the surroundings further. The birds are singing and we can hear the river flowing in the background. Just before nightfall, a guide takes us on a walk in search of birds and insects. We spot a toucan and an owl in the distance. When we return, we enjoy a cocktail and, not long after, sit down for dinner. We select a fine wine from the wine cellar and savour our meal.
After a good night’s sleep in these fairytale surroundings, I am gently awakened by the first rays of sunshine. I have a cup of coffee and, as I settle into my hammock, I watch the jungle come to life. After breakfast, I visit the indigenous Cabecar community. To reach this community, we walk along a slippery path, straight through the rainforest. Along the way, we’re told about all the animals and plants we come across. After a 1.5-hour walk, we arrive at the community. It’s quiet, as most people are working on the farm. We walk through the village and are told about how the people here live. After this visit, we head back to the lodge for a well-deserved lunch. In the afternoon, I decide to go ziplining through the treetops and relax a bit more in my hammock.
The perfect end to a wonderful stay
The next day it’s time to leave, but before we go, the staff have another surprise in store for us. We’re off for breakfast at a very special spot. A zipline takes us up to a platform high up in the trees – this is ‘the nest’. A delicious breakfast is waiting for us here. Surrounded by birds, we enjoy our breakfast. A perfect end to a wonderful stay.
More about Costa Rica
Would you like to organise your own trip of Costa Rica and are you curious about the options? Then do have a look at our page on Costa Rica.
Do you have a question? Please feel free to get in touch with us. Call +31 73 610 62 04 or send an email to info@sapapanatravel.nl. We’ll be happy to help.