Playa Nicuesa Rainforest Eco Sanctuary

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.

This place is pure magic—paradise almost feels like an understatement for the incredible natural beauty here. Every detail is thoughtfully curated, and the staff were exceptionally kind and attentive, making me feel truly welcomed. The food was outstanding—healthy, delicious, and perfectly portioned. What stole my heart was the harmony of nature: the soothing sound of the ocean in front and the lush forest whispering behind. And the hot shower with a view of the green canopy? Absolutely unforgettable. A truly soul-refreshing experience.

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 resort prides itself in sustainability. They even offered an excellent tour of their sustainability program. The staff were exceptional and the resort has a family feel. When we were there the maximum number of guests was about 13. The showers in the rooms are open to the rain forest with half walls, which allowed a few critters to visit. Lodge rooms are open to the forest during the day and close with folding screen doors at night. The resort is located on a private beach with chairs. The water is calm, warm, 82 degrees, and clear to allow swimming. Some fish seen, but no coral. There are hiking trails through the rainforest around the lodge. They were muddy since it rained in the evening for all 3 nights we were there, but sunny in the day. This was dry season. The lodge has black rubber boots that can be borrowed to hike which were comfortable. Also large umbrellas are in every room. We wore long sleeves and insect repellent, but overall biting insects were not a big issue. We took their river kayaking trip which was excellent. They took us to and then up a river in a motor boat and then we kayaked down the river with the current. Lots of water bird and a tree boa were seen. Lots of birds and squirrel monkeys are on or near the property.

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!

My partner and I stayed for 10 nights, and we loved it. It's a peaceful and relaxing place. The cabin we stayed in was very private and very comfortable. The main lodge had pretty good Wi-Fi and was a nice place to hang out, with a nice bar and dining room upstairs (all open, no doors or windows, you could see birds and monkeys from everywhere in the lodge.) Every morning there was some type of tour to go on with a guide, from dolphin watching to snorkeling to kayaking to guided walks in the rainforest with very knowledgeable guides. We saw so much wildlife. All the staff were so helpful and friendly, all the meals were fresh and tasty. And when we weren't on a tour, we loved just relaxing on the beach (under trees or canopies), or snorkeling around the pier. My partner enjoyed the two yoga classes she took and also a Thai massage.