I’m thinking about how clear the Golfo Dulce water is, and how vibrantly it changes color from deep jade green next to the shoreline where it reflects the jungle, to bright blue where it mirrors the immense sky. I’m remembering the thrill at seeing wild dolphins splash and play near us. And most of all I’m thinking, I need to get back to Playa Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge and go swimming and snorkeling in Golfo Dulce!
Costa Rica eco-lodge Playa Nicuesa sits on the Golfo Dulce (“Sweet Gulfâ€) in southern Costa Rica, next to the Piedras Blancas National Park and across from the Osa Peninsula. It is an area of pristine tropical wilderness â€" something you don’t see every day. It takes a journey to get to the Costa Rica rainforest lodge, but most unique locations do. Best way is by domestic flight to either the towns of Puerto Jimenez or Golfito, and then you’ll travel by boat about 30 minutes across the Gulf to arrive at the lodge. Sightseeing along the way is priceless and prepares you for the experience.
When you get there, you have free use of kayaks, snorkeling and fishing equipment, and unlimited self-guided hikes included with your stay. Playa Nicuesa has guided half-day and full-day tours that are customized to each guest. Water clarity is best during summer season (January to May), but is wonderful any time of year. During whale-watching season in August and September in the Gulf, you might see a migrating Humpback Whale mother and her calf, or a male whale looking for a mate. Almost always you will see dolphins. One year, a guest snorkeled right along with a massive (and gentle) whale shark. Snorkeling activities include:
- Snorkeling right off the Playa Nicuesa boat dock or beach to see multitudes of reef fish.
- A kayaking/snorkeling tour (2-3 hours) from Playa Nicuesa along the Golfo Dulce shoreline to a secluded beach with rocky reef housing fish, eels, urchins and starfish.
- A boat tour of Golfo Dulce (2-4 hours) to look for dolphins and other marine life, and snorkel in protected sites with coral reef. Marine life you may see include reef fish, schools of fish, spotted rays, starfish, dolphins and sea turtles.