Playa Nicuesa Rainforest Eco Sanctuary

We had an amazing stay at Playa Nicuesa. The accommodations are beautiful and comfortable while remaining natural and in harmony with the surrounding forest setting. You will hear the howler monkeys and all the beautiful bird calls early in the morning so be prepared to rise and set with the sun. We were there in late June which is the beginning of rainy season. It was very humid but the evenings were cool enough that sleeping was comfortable. Our cabin had a ceiling fan as well as a stand up floor fan that helped a lot. The staff is warm and friendly, making you feel like part of a family. The food is healthy, fresh and delicious. There were always a few choices to accomodate all palates and dietary limitations. Our tour guide, Jean Carlos, was incredibly knowledgeable about the terrain and animals. His eyes and ears are expertly trained to find the different insects, birds and animals. We were able to see many things that we would have walked right by had it not been for his guidance. The lodge has some equipment to make activities more enjoyable, like walking sticks and rubber boots. There is also access to snorkeling equipment and kayaks. I highly recommend water shoes for walking on and swimming in the ocean. It's quite rocky but we were able to see lots of beautiful fish right near the dock. I would highly recommend Playa Nicuesa and cannot wait to return!

This resort is a heaven for nature lovers. It only has a few bungalows nestled in the jungle and it is only reachable by boat. The view from our bungalow (the perezoso) was only greenery, and we were visited by colibris , butterflies, dragonflies and some mammals which we do not even know the names of. You could hear howler monkeys in the morning. We loved it. We had chosen the rainforest activity package which meant we could choose from a large number of guided activities each day. These were amazing. Our favorite was kayaking on a river in the rainforest watching crocodiles and beautiful scenery. Another day we went on a boat tour and saw so many dolphins, we could not count them. The fjord is so full of life, you see fish jumping everywhere. And it is surrounded by mountains covered in jungle and stretches of black beaches, with no umbrellas or people in sight. We also went on hikes alone, in the rain forest surrounding the resort. The forest on the top of the mountain was beautiful and we again saw many interesting animals. After a day of adventures, we rested at the beautiful and quiet beach in the afternoon, or listened to the rain on the bungalow roof, or did yoga. The staff at the resort are lovely people: Warm and friendly and talented, and we felt very welcomed. The chefs prepared excellent food every day and the fruity drinks were also delicious. The bungalow was very comfortable and beautifully designed in wood (although the bathroom could use a makeover). The bungalows are open to the elements, but can close with mosquito doors at night. I warmly recommend this resort for anyone who wants to experience the jungle, and then return for some comfort at a nice resort after the adventures.

We returned to Costa Rica and went to the Osa Peninsula for the first time. The Nicuesa Lodge was the highlight of our trip. Beautiful and remote. Wildlife and adventures. The food was fresh and delicious. But most of all was the warmth of the staff. They made this lodge special. Thank you Hazel and everyone at Nicuesa!

Loved it. 120% rating! -Family of 5 (mom/dad, and kids 15, 12, 6) -Hazel is a great leader; she creates a family feel w/staff, very positive energy -Guides and staff are nice and smart! -Amazing home cooked food 3X a day -Awe-inspiring nature and wildlife

This place is great! The lodge and accommodations are lovely. There are hikes through the jungle and the marine life was amazing. just walking out on the pier we saw a wide variety of sea life. The food was outstanding and meals are served at a long table where you interact with the other guests from all over the world. The staff was super attentive and we give a special shout-out to Oscar. A smart and knowledgeable young man who grew up in the area. He lead birding tours and was our fishing guide along with a captain. while fishing one morning, Oscar and the captain, Harold, spotted a turtle. as we motored close to it they quickly saw it was two turtles that were all wound up together in fishing line. They spent 20 minutes hanging over the boat while holding the turtles and getting them freed.

Our stay at Playa Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge was the highlight of our visit to Costa Rica. The Lodge takes a relatively small number of people and provides genuinely warm hospitality - they make you feel welcome guests in a lovely home. If you are interested in the Costa Rican wildlife, and in eating freshly cooked, delicious, relatively local food - this is the place for you! The lodges/rooms are set into the forest, so you are surrounded by wonderful plants and animals all the time. There are well-maintained trails that give you miles of walking through wonderful ecosystems. Gardens provide havens for huge numbers of butterfly species and humming birds, and the beach the ecosystem is different again. Everywhere chilled water is available to fill your water bottle, a real bonus in the hot, humid climate. The rooms have silent, effective ceiling fans which mean the lack of aircon is no problem - in fact you really get the sense of where you are staying, rather than being observers from cool rooms. We slept really well there. The meals are served at a communal table unless you request otherwise - we weren't sure about this until we experienced it. The variety of interesting people we met and chatted to, from so many different countries, was an added bonus to the whole stay. All of the staff - from the guides to the bar staff, the gardeners and the cleaners - were welcoming and were all knowledgeable about the wildlife - sharing sightings of animals from frogs and hawks to bats, snakes, humming bird nests and puma! If you are looking to sit by a pool and then retreat to an air-conditioned room, then this is not the place for you - but if you want an amazing experience of time in the Costa Rican rainforest with all it has to offer in terms of hospitality and biodiversity, you will love it here. Nicuesa will always be a cherished memory for us, and we will return to visit them again!