Exotic Resort Near Osa Peninsula - Envision Your Getaway

"The UN's newly crowned environmental Champion of the Earth offers sumptuous, sustainable wilderness stays in a string of extraordinary eco-lodges. We reveal the best of the best...
Set on a lush tropical fjord between rainforest ridges and ribbons of black sand beach - and reachable only by boat - Playa Nicuesa is Eden-like. Rooms are gathered in a tranquil tropical garden fragrant with mangoes and brilliant with scarlet heliconia, and it's easy to do nothing but swim in the deep blue Pacific or watch the horizon meditatively from the shoreside yoga deck."

"Across the bay from the Osa Peninsula lies one of Costa Rica's most spectacular eco lodges: Set on a private 165-acre preserve, Playa Nicuesa is sandwiched between the lush rainforests of Piedras Blancas National Park and the calm, turquoise waters of the Golfo Dulce. Accessible only by boat, this remote paradise is the perfect place to escape the crowds while surrounded by Costa Rica's natural tropical beauty. Located off the grid in a pristine wilderness, Playa Nicuesa takes sustainability seriously."

"The Best Ecolodges & Wilderness Resorts - Accessible only by boat, this lodge is among the best options on the Golfo Dulce. Set in deep forest, it has individual bungalows with a perfect blend of rusticity and luxury. The guides, service, and surrounding wildlife are all superb."

"The South Pacific Zone is Costa Rica's last frontier, with a wealth of protected biodiversity. It's also the cradle of the country's ecotourism, including some of the world's best eco-lodges: [Nicuesa Lodge] from its initial construction to its daily operations, this Golfo Dulce lodge, accessible only by boat, has been committed to sustainability. Solar power, an organic septic system, composting, and a chemical-free garden attest to the owners' eco-credentials."

"As one of the country's top green lodgings, Playa Nicuesa's commitment to sustainability shines through, from use of fallen wood and recycled materials in construction to the bounty of the land and sea served up family-style at dinner".

"Playa Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge takes eco-tourism to the next level... As we learned how to forage our way through the rainforest, pausing to sample native fruits like pejibaye, wild cashew, mimbro, water apples and even termites straight from a decomposing log. As we hiked to waterfalls and surfed and kayaked, swam and snorkeled and zip-lined. All the activities we enjoyed were ones that leave almost no footprint—carbon or otherwise—and combine fun, exercise and the opportunity to appreciate a special place intimately and firsthand."

"Could all of this be real? Also, why hadn't we come to Costa Rica's Golfo Dulce sooner? One reason is that the place is remote, and doesn't get much press... We fished right up to the long dock of our base, the Playa Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge, a property that's adjacent to Piedras Blancas National Park and reachable only by boat. The lodge couldn't have been more gracious or intimate."

"The newest biosensitive resort on the peninsula is the Playa Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge in 100,000-acre Corcovado National Park, across the Golfo Dulce from Golfito. Everything here is recycled: the four cabins and a four-bedroom house are made from farmed trees; covering the roofs are tiles made from bags that once used to protect banana stalks; and solar energy provides the electricity. Accessible only by boat, the hotel keeps guests busy with kayaking, fishing, snorkeling, windsurfing, and, of course, naturalist-guided hikes."

"Don't sacrifice a bit of luxury—at the Playa Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge you can have your nature and your upscale accommodations too. Activities abound (think kayaking, snorkeling, hiking, and sailing) and the Edible Garden offers a tour that takes you from raw cacao beans to finished chocolate cake. Wind down from wedding excitement on the yoga deck or take a night walk to see elusive nocturnal local life. The solar-powered lodge offers private wooden cabins with open-air showers or mango-shaded rooms in the guesthouse."

"The Playa Nicuesa Lodge lay tucked away under trees behind a coal-dark sandy bay, hidden in a tropical garden brilliant with red heliconia, creamy orchids and the flickering flight of sapphire-blue and emerald-green hummingbirds. World-class wilderness - and not a mosquito in earshot." 

"Nothing quite compares to being sung to sleep by the ocean's lapping waves while then being awoken by the deep roar of howler monkeys. Although I have now seen it for myself, I still maintain that Costa Rica is much like Narnia."

Playa Nicuesa offers both private cabins and guest houses, all of which feature "jungle chic" decor. Each accommodation has hardwood floors, private open-air showers, and wrap-around terraces with rainforest views. Guests enjoy locally grown food in the treehouse-style restaurant. The lodge is constructed from salvaged Costa Rican hardwoods. Electricity is generated by solar panels, and a backup generator runs on vegetable oil. There's even a daily Sustainability Tour that explains all aspects of the lodge (recycling, composting, passive solar drying, etc.).

"Set on a private part of Nicuesa Beach, Playa Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge has a tropical setting in the Golfo Dulce region. It offers rooms with balconies and rainforest views, as well as a range of outdoor activities. Guests can enjoy a range of South American cuisine in the Playa Nicuesa's restaurant. There is also a bar and lounge area with hammocks. The Rainforest Lodge organises activities including yoga classes, kayaking and snorkelling. The surrounding rainforest is ideal for hiking and horse riding. The Lodge has a peaceful, picturesque location and is accessible by boat only."

Rooms have canopied beds and garden showers at this upscale waterfront eco-lodge backed by rainforest. Access is by boat.

"This lodge combines luxury with sustainability in the rainforest of Piedras Blancas. Beautifully crafted wooden rooms and cabins with balcony and porch, open-air solar-heated bathroom, fan and mosquito net. Children aged six and over welcomed. The excellent chef caters specially for vegetarians and dietary requirements. Communal dining room and bar area. Guests are collected from Golfito or Puerto Jiménez by boat. Guided activities and tours."

"The front garden is a powder blue ocean, the back yard is a tropical green rainforest. Access is by boat only. But who wants to go anywhere? This combination of adventure camp and chill-out retreat rubbing along happily with nature is totally seductive. Local woods, recycled plastic roof tiles, thatch roofs and solar energy are just the environmental starters. Wraparound louvre doors provide air conditioning and there are no TVs, radios or generator buzz."

"A unique ecotourism opportunity on the Golfo Dulce… The water on this part of the gulf is protected and lake-like, good for the kids. Their dock is the perfect place to see bioluminescence at night. The fish glow as they swim by. Trails into the rainforest behind the lodge are flat and comfortable for walking. Snorkeling is good at nearby shallow reefs, and the use of kayaks is free for guests… Readers that have stayed a week say there is plenty to do."