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

Set 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, via 4x4, for the last 40 minutes of your journey. Driving the whole way is not recommended.

Accommodation & Facilities

Each of the 16 bungalows are 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. Each bungalow has a large, spacious private deck complete with seating, sun beds and a hammock, ideal for watching the breath-taking sunsets with a good book.

The distance between your accommodation and the beach depends on which bungalow you have, but it is 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 sunbeds or beach umbrellas here and 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, or even a walk along the water’s edge – a wonderfully satisfying and relaxing activity. 

There are no phones and no internet, allowing for complete natural world immersion. There is also no air conditioning, however each bungalow has been designed to capture the ocean breezes and each are a perfectly comfortable temperature. 

The main lodge and restaurant are 50 metres above sea level. 

Dining

Meals are served in the main restaurant, Brisa Azul, and each are exquisite to say the least. With 8 talented chefs, each meal is made using 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 discover 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 day 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.