Rainforest Eco Adventures
Hiking & Wildlife Viewing on Private Trails
Playa Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge Private Trails. On our 165-acre preserve there are numerous trails that wind through the rainforest canopy, fruit trees, and coastal lagoon areas. These trails are perfect for all levels of guided and self-guided hikes. Our trails offer a casual walk/hike as well as challenging climbs. We have selectively sited view terraces to observe wildlife or just relax and enjoy the solitude of nature.
National Park Trails. Our property abuts the Piedras Blancas National Park. Several private trails on the preserve connect with trails in the national park. Since access to the park is through private properties accessible by boat only, you can be guaranteed little to no encounters with other people… making your experience truly one-with-nature.
Listed below are just a few of the hikes out our back door into the park:
Waterfall Hike. This is a 2 hour hike (one way) that leads from the lodge to a beautiful waterfall where you can swim in a natural swimming hole tucked away in the jungle. This is a mostly flat trail that offers interesting and serious hiking but avoids steep elevation changes.
Piscina Grande Trail. This is a 3 hour hike (one way) that leads from the lodge, climbs high into the rainforest canopy of primary forest before dropping into a beautiful valley. The trail ends at a large waterfall and swimming hole. This is a trip for the adventurous and fit, as we will walk up steep terrain to reach our destination.
Among the wildlife frequently seen are White Faced monkeys, Howler monkeys, over 250 types of birds including toucans, trogons and parrots, numerous butterflies including the majestic blue morpho, and tropical mammals such as pizotes and tyras; reptiles such as Iguanas, lizards and amphibians such as the wondrous red- eyed tree frog.
» See our Rainforest Discovery vacation package
Santuario Silvestre Wildlife Sanctuary
Santuario Silvestre Wildlife Sanctuary, only reachable by boat, is located a beautiful 15 minute boat ride along the coast of the Golfo Dulce from Playa Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge. The Sanctuary mission is to be a rescue center for the wildlife in the southern zone of Costa Rica.
Santuario Silvestre is a unique animal refuge that offers an incredible opportunity for guests to learn from area and visiting experts about the rescue, release and rehabilitation of local wildlife, as well as poaching and other issues related to maintaining a healthy animal population. View up close and photograph in a natural but controlled setting a variety of wildlife including all four species of monkeys found in Costa Rica, anteaters, sloths, scarlet macaws, parrots, toucans and other beautiful birds that live in and rely on the jungle as their home. Overall, a fun and interesting educational opportunity! The tour when combined with a beautiful boat ride is a unique 3 hour excursion from Playa Nicuesa.
» See our Bird Watching vacation package
Horseback Riding (moderate, full day)
Enjoy a day in the rainforest by horseback. Half-day and full-day guided trips can be arranged to a variety of locations including many hidden waterfalls in the area.
Cycling (moderate/difficult, half or full day)
Self Guided. Pick up bikes in Puerto Jimenez and cycle along dirt roads towards various destinations, experiencing Costa Rican life along the way. Option to have lunch in Puerto Jimenz or beachfront restaurant
Tracks ‘n’ Tracking (easy, 1.5 hours)
Follow the footprints of various wildlife with a reformed hunter.
Night Hike (easy, 1.5-2 hours)
Enter the jungle at night and note the different sounds and feeling while
searching for kinkajous, snakes, spiders, and big cats.
Botanical Gardens (easy, 2-3 hours)
Short boat or kayak ride will land you at Casa Orquidias, a botanical garden where you will learn about the many indigenous tropical fruits and plants while touring the grounds of a beautiful private reserve. May be self guided or guided.
Edible Landscape Tour (easy, 1.5 hours)
Probably the most fun you will have cooking in the jungle! Take a walk through our gardens with a guide, learn how to open a coconut, juice a sugar cane and then gather some fresh ingredients. Return to the lodge kitchen and assist the chef to cook tonight’s dinner!
Organic Chocolate Farm Tour (easy, half day)
Learn about organic farming methods in the tropics and taste scrumptious chocolates.
Early Morning Birding (easy, 1.5 hours)
Follow one of our guides into the early morning jungle to encounter the diversity of Neo-Tropical bird life.
Matapalo Beach/Forest Tour (moderate, full day)
Explore Osa Peninsula forest trails and beaches with local guide; bring a picnic or enjoy lunch at local restuarant.
Canopy Tour (moderate, half day)
Zip-line through the rainforest canopy.
Sustainability Tour (easy, 1 hour)
No Charge. Get an inside glimpse into the construction and operations
of Nicuesa and learn what makes us a true Eco-lodge.
Medicinal Plants Tour (easy)
Meander through our gardens with a self guided tour plant identification sheets that describe the many tropical plants and their medicinal uses.
Massage
Reward yourself after a challenging day of activity with a relaxing or deep tissue massage while listening to lapping of the waves.
Yoga (individually adaptable, 1 hour)
Replenish your spirit, body and mind with a yoga class on our beautiful covered yoga deck by the beach.
Hammock Swinging
Enjoy some world-class hammock swinging under an almond tree or a palm tree.
All overnight stays include unlimited self-guided hikes, use of kayaks, snorkeling and fishing equipment at no additional charge. All of our guided half day and full day tours are customized to meet the interests and skill level of our guests. The charge for these tours range from approximately $25 to $100 per person depending on the trip, number of participants and hours requested.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
The Mango Guest House is a 2 story accommodation that has 4 private rooms. Set in a beautiful jungle garden area with mango trees on all sides and open views of the surrounding rainforest. Each room has private entrance, beautiful hardwood floors, private bathroom, private terrace, louver doors and windows that wrap around the room to afford panoramic views. Rooms have queen beds (or twin beds upon request) with mosquito netting and ceiling fans. The Mango Guest House is separate from the Main Lodge. 
The mango house is great for all types of travelers. Especially a good choice for friends or families that want to be close, but also have the privacy of your own room with private bathroom. Also great for single travelers or those who are a bit nervous about staying in the jungle, as the mango rooms are more in an open area then the private cabins that are tucked into the rainforest. 
Also great for parties of approximately 6-10 that want to rent all 4 rooms at once.
These cabins are very private and set apart from all other accommodations. Tucked into the rainforest affording you a unique feeling of being in an amazing natural setting, yet with design and comfort details that has been described as simple yet jungle chic. Each cabin has a private entrance, beautiful hardwood floors, private open air shower-bathroom, private terrace, louver doors and windows that wrap around the room to afford panoramic views. Cabins have queen beds (or twin beds upon request) with mosquito netting and ceiling fans. The garden open air shower is within the cabin's bathroom, yet allows you to look at nature all around. Look out for the peeping monkeys! 
The new Cabin Suite is also very private and set apart from all other accommodations. Tucked into the rainforest affording you a unique feeling of being in an amazing natural setting, yet with design and comfort details that have been described as simple, yet jungle-chic. 
The cabin has a private entrance, beautiful hardwood floors, private open air shower-bathroom, private terrace,mosquito netting over the beds, ceiling fans, louver doors and windows that wrap around the room to afford panoramic views of the surrounding jungle. The Cabin Suite is similar in size to the two bedroom cabin, but set in a large loft like room with a removable 
partition wall to add flexible space for families and groups. With the partition in place it creates two large bedrooms that can accommodate 4 to 5 guests in a variety of bedding options. The Cabin Suite is also great for couples seeking more space, as well as the luxury of a comfortable sitting area, set up with a couch and chairs. 
This is a private cabin much like the single cabins but larger with two bedrooms and a common den that can also be converted for another bedroom. This is a great choice for families, especially with younger children. The cabin is set at the edge of the jungle but only a few steps from the main lodge building. Each cabin has a private entrance, beautiful hardwood floors, private open air shower-bathroom, private terrace, mosquito netting over the beds, ceiling fans, louver doors and windows that wrap around the room to afford panoramic views of the jungle. 
The cabin has one large bathroom complete with our signature garden open air shower that is designed to allow you to look at nature all around. The cabin can accommodate up to 5 people. 
However, we recommend that families with older children or groups of adults that want to be near each other also consider two rooms in the mango guest house. Two rooms in mango guest house will give you more privacy amongst your group and an additional bathroom.
