Lapa Rios Lodge, Osa Peninsular
Lapa Rios Lodge
With spectacular views over the last remaining lowland tropical rainforest in Costa Rica and on to the glistening ocean, it is hard to imagine paradise as anything but this. Built using locally sourced materials, individual huts are built over 350 foot above sea level to catch the ocean breeze, overlooking where the Pacific Ocean meets Golfo Dulce.
Harmoniously blending with the jungle and beach habitats surrounding it, Lapa Rios has won numerous awards worldwide recognising it for environmental and social excellence. A stay here will completely absorb you in not only your breathtaking surroundings, but the local culture and wildlife, as well as inspiring a sense of adventure and a thirst for knowledge on how we can preserve this pristine wilderness.
- 16 Thatched bungalows
- Swimming pool
- Children welcome – rules apply
- Great for responsible travel
Style: A spectacular eco-lodge, where each bungalow is thatched, completely immersed in jungle and connected to the main building via walkways and steps.
Setting: Within a 1,000 acre private nature reserve in the last lowland tropical rainforest in Costa Rica, on the Osa Peninsula near Corcovado National Park. Guests are recommended to fly to the Puerto Jiménez airstrip (about 40 – 50 minute flight from San José Juan Santamaria International) which is right next to the Lapa Rios office; from there you will be taken the last 40 minutes of your journey via 4x4. Driving all the way is not recommended.
Accommodation & Facilities: Each of the 16 bungalows is intricately thatched and very spacious, nestled into the think jungle of the hillside. Simply decorated with wooden floors and bamboo furnishings, as well as large beds swathed in netting, they have a romantic and fresh appeal, exaggerated by small splashes of green and orange. The bathrooms are spacious and airy and the shower has a bay window with spectacular views over the Pacific Ocean, for an even more enhanced shower experience – head outside for a refreshing garden shower. Bungalows even have a large, spacious private deck complete with seating, sun beds and a hammock, ideal for those breathtaking sunsets with a good book.
The distance between your accommodation and the beach depends on which bungalow you have, usually between 10 – 15 minutes. Lapa Rios provides a pick up service twice a day to save you the uphill trek on the way back. There are no sun beds or beach umbrellas here, the sand is not glistening white as you might find elsewhere, but there is a truly natural feel to this area. Crabs scuttle across the sand as the warm ocean begs you for a swim or a surf, even walks along the waters edge are wonderfully satisfying.
There are no phones and no internet here for complete immersion. There is also no air conditioning; however each bungalow has been designed to capture the ocean breezes and is perfectly comfortable.
The main lodge and restaurant are 50 metres above sea level.
Dining: Cuisine is served in the main restaurant, Brisa Azul, and is exquisite to say the least. Employing 8 chefs, each uses local organic ingredients, free range poultry and wild fish straight from the ocean. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served and there is even the opportunity to head out for a three course Waterfall Luncheon!
Activities: The activities seem endless here, however as you wake up to the calls of howler monkeys outside your bungalow, you may decide that a day relaxing to the sounds of the jungle is ideal! Guided walks and tours are available from the lodge and are a great way to learn about your surroundings, the wildlife and the community. Discover some of the 319 bird species on the Early Bird or Sunset Bird Tour, hike through the rainforest to discover pristine waterfalls, learn about the traditional uses of plants and seeds on the Medicine Tour or join the Starfish Walk to learn about the marine biology of the Golfo Dulce, one of only 4 tropical fjords in the world. Other tours include the Night Walk where you will use a torch to discover the nocturnal species of the area, the Corcovado National Park Tour, the Carbonera School Tour, the Sustainability Tour and even a Self Guided Trail. Join the Osa Trail where you will descend into the reserves most remote forest or hike along the nearby beaches and secondary forest on the Matapolo Tour.
As well as the tours and trails offered by the lodge, there are also activities and things to do through the local community; these may need to be booked well in advance. There is a great opportunity to meet up to 3 species of dolphin on the Golfo Dulce Dolphin Tour, join a Sea and Mangrove Kayak Tour or Kayak at Bijagual Farm where you will find a variety of wildlife. You can also go horseback riding at Bijagual Farm, or just head down there to watch the local farmers at work. You may wish to have a relaxing day at the Botanical Garden or a lively one Waterfall Rappelling or whizzing through the canopy on a zip line.
The local beach offers fantastic swimming and surfing, with breaks of varying difficulty. You can have a lesson or head out to meet the small local surfing community.
Child Policy: Children of all ages are welcome, however as Lapa Rios is built on a steep hill in the jungle and there are no babysitting services available, parents may not want to bring children under the age of 5 years.
