Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula: An Expert Guide to the Best Lodges

Costa Rica may be small in size, but it’s bursting with life. This is one of the most biodiverse countries on the planet, and you feel that energy as soon as you step off the plane. The locals (known as Ticos) have a deep-rooted connection to their environment. Nature here isn’t just scenery, it’s part of daily life and key to the country’s famously cheerful, laid-back spirit.

As they say locally, Pura Vida! It means “pure life”, and you’ll hear it everywhere, from friendly greetings to a way of signing off. But it’s more than just a phrase. It reflects a mindset that values simplicity, balance, and appreciation for the natural world.

Costa Rica takes its role as a guardian of nature seriously. Sustainability isn’t a buzzword here; it’s a national commitment. Around 26% of the country is protected land, and the tourism industry has long embraced conservation and low-impact travel. Costa Rica’s pioneering National Park System was created in the 1970s to protect its extraordinary ecosystems, and today the country is home to an estimated 500,000 species of plants and animals.

I’ve travelled widely across Costa Rica on previous visits, but on this trip, I ventured to the remote southwestern Pacific Coast, and it was a real highlight. Tucked away here is the Osa Peninsula, home to Corcovado National Park and Reserva Forestal Golfo Dulce, a region that National Geographic once described as “the most biologically intense place on Earth”. It’s not an exaggeration; this area alone holds around 2.5% of the world’s biodiversity.

It’s the kind of place where you might spot a tapir crossing your path, hear howler monkeys calling from the canopy, or catch a glimpse of a scarlet macaw in flight. But beyond the wildlife, what makes it unforgettable is the atmosphere. There’s a raw, untouched beauty here that invites you to slow down, breathe deeply, and really connect with your surroundings.

Whether you’re a wildlife enthusiast, a conservation-minded traveller, or simply someone who finds joy in being outdoors, Costa Rica has something remarkable to offer, and the Osa Peninsula is one of its finest secrets.

Let’s delve a little deeper with an overview of the fantastic lodges in this region.

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Playa Cativo - Golfo Dulce

Amanda’s Insider tip: Playa Cativo is surrounded by nature. Head out at night by boat for a bioluminescence tour, a captivating natural phenomenon. Watch the water sparkle with a magical glow to match a magical destination

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A magical escape in every sense, Playa Cativo Lodge is a true ‘slice of paradise’. After a short domestic flight to Golfito, you're whisked across the Golfo Dulce by boat, cruising past thick jungle coastline, with the occasional dolphin keeping you company. You arrive directly on the beach to a warm welcome, a cool drink, and a refreshing cold towel. It’s the kind of arrival that instantly sets the tone: relaxed, natural, and quietly luxurious.

Set within a 1,000-acre private nature reserve, Playa Cativo offers a main lodge and several standalone casitas, all designed to immerse you in the natural surroundings. I stayed in a Deluxe Ocean View room in the main lodge, which had the most spectacular views over the gulf. With just a fine bug screen between you and the outside world, you fall asleep to the gentle sounds of the rainforest and wake with the sunrise and birdsong.

Service here is attentive without being overbearing, managed via WhatsApp, with the team always on hand to help you plan your day or simply bring another coffee.

When the midday heat sets in, the freshwater swimming pool and shaded loungers offer a peaceful place to cool off and unwind. On my first day, the rain arrived (the only time during my stay), which gave me the perfect excuse to try the spa. A deep tissue massage with the natural soundtrack of the jungle drifting in through the open windows, no music needed.

Despite the lodge’s remote location, the food was genuinely impressive. Everything is fresh, locally sourced, and beautifully presented. Yes, you can order a traditional Gallo Pinto, but without the rice, or just have the mango with your granola if you prefer. The team are wonderfully accommodating.

I always make room for dessert when I travel, and the homemade basil ice cream here was a real highlight. Mornings began with fresh coffee (or tea) delivered to my room, timed perfectly to enjoy with sunrise views and the rustle of wildlife waking up all around.

Playa Cativo is remote, but that’s part of its magic. It’s not just about where you are, it’s about how it makes you feel: calm, connected, and quietly in awe of the natural world around you.

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El Remanso Lodge

Amanda’s Insider tip: A perfect lodge for families, with a host of activities for all ages and guaranteed to keep younger guests enthralled. Step outside your comfort zone and try the ziplining experience or waterfall rappelling

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After a scenic 30-minute boat ride across the Golfo Dulce, I arrived in the small town of Puerto Jiménez, the gateway to one of Costa Rica’s most biodiverse corners. For guests heading to El Remanso Lodge, this is where the adventure begins. Most will fly in directly, then continue with a 30 to 45-minute, sometimes bumpy, road transfer through lush, tropical forest.

Perched on the southern tip of the Osa Peninsula, El Remanso is everything I love about this part of Costa Rica: wild, untouched nature, incredible wildlife, and a deep-rooted commitment to sustainability, all wrapped up in a relaxed, comfortable stay.

From the moment I arrived, I felt it. A genuine, warm welcome at reception, followed by that wonderful sense of being completely cocooned by the rainforest. Birds calling in every direction, the distant sound of the Pacific, towering trees all around, it's immersive from the start. Wooden walkways wind through the forest to your room and to the open-air restaurant, which (brilliantly) has no Wi-Fi, so you can properly switch off and enjoy being present.

There are 14 eco-luxury rooms, all beautifully designed to blend with the forest and powered by solar energy. Stepping into mine from the warm jungle air, it felt instantly cool and calming. Neutral tones, simple furniture, and spectacular floor-to-ceiling windows led out to my private terrace, where I sat listening to the chorus of howler monkeys, scarlet macaws, and cicadas. If you’re looking for something extra special, some rooms also come with plunge pools and outdoor jungle showers.

The atmosphere at El Remanso is effortlessly relaxed. There’s no pressure, just gentle encouragement to explore as much or as little as you like. Over dinner of fresh, locally sourced and always delicious food, I found myself swapping stories with other guests about the day’s adventures. There’s so much to do here: guided rainforest hikes, birdwatching, ziplining, nocturnal walks, waterfall rappelling, exploring ocean tidal pools, and even wellness treatments. The team can also arrange day trips into Corcovado National Park or transfers to nearby beaches if you're after some time by the sea. Or, of course, you can just unwind by the freshwater pool under the trees.

What really stood out to me was the lodge’s genuine commitment to sustainability. Solar power, composting, no single-use plastics, all part of daily life here. Most of the staff are from nearby communities, and they’re proud to share how the lodge is working to protect the area for future generations. El Remanso is a brilliant choice if you're after quiet luxury, true immersion in nature, and the kind of place where you can really switch off, slow down, and feel connected.

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Lapa Rios Lodge

Amanda’s Insider tip: Step into the ‘chill’ of Lapa Rios’ wine room. Here you can chat to the sommelier and choose from a vast range of wines from all over the world. However, why not try the Costa Rica Pinot Noir?

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In the same area as El Remanso, the wild Osa Peninsula, Lapa Rios Lodge is completely immersed in the rainforest. Perched high about the Pacific Ocean, the views are spectacular with the magical remote, immersed in nature feeling yet with all the luxury you could wish for.

From the moment I arrived, you instantly feel relaxed. I had only stepped into the restaurants main area when I spotted scarlet macaws overhead! The accommodation is spread throughout the forest, with 17 thatched-roof eco-lodges, including beautiful suites, bungalows, and villas. Sadly I was only on a quick visit to this lodge however I could fully imagine staying in the bungalow with the wide-screened walls that opened to the canopy and a terrace where I could sit with a morning coffee, watching toucans and listening to the ocean in the distance. It felt like living in a adults styled, luxurious treehouse.

If you can drag yourself away from the bungalow, Lapa Rios offers a variety of complimentary guided experiences which really bring the surroundings to life. For early risers there is a sunrise birdwatching walk, rainforest hikes to the beach and night walks to enjoy the jungle’s after-dark drama such as glowing insects, calling owls, and shy nocturnal mammals.

The wildlife here is just phenomenal. you have the four local monkey species, macaws and iguanas. A wonderful highlight in nearby Corcovado National Park would be a jaguar spotting. They still roam the forest and are elusive in this area, but you never know!

Whether you come for adventure, romance, or simply to disconnect, this is a lodge that offers a truly unique stay. You may wish to relax on a lounger by the jungle pool, kayak through mangroves, go dolphin-watching, or enjoy a massage in the open-air wellness hut. For the ultimate zen, enjoy the lodges yoga sessions on the ocean-view deck, and take the ‘pura vida’ vibe to another level.

Another great example of sustainability, Lapa Rios has led conservation in the region for over 30 years. A wonderful achievement is how they operate completely off-grid with a mix of solar panels and nano hydro turbines!

Lapa Rios, part of the Böëna Wilderness Lodges collection, that offers unique experiences throughout Costa Rica. Their other hotels are remote offerings include Pacuare Lodge which offers transfers by white water rafting, Monteverde Lodge and Cloudforest Lodge for wonderful, misty experiences in the Monteverde and Tortuga Lodge in the Caribbean Rainforest of Tortuguero National Park.

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Discover an untouched corner of Costa Rica that remains refreshingly undiscovered compared to popular destinations like Tortuguero, Arenal, and Monteverde. This remote paradise, accessible primarily by air, maintains an intimate atmosphere with boutique lodges offering fewer than 20 rooms each.

The region's spectacular wildlife diversity creates unforgettable encounters for nature enthusiasts. Time your visit right, and you'll witness the breath taking spectacle of migrating whales, a truly magical experience. This exclusive destination offers the perfect escape for those seeking authentic immersion in pristine natural surroundings. The combination of limited accessibility, small-scale accommodations, and extraordinary biodiversity creates an atmosphere of genuine exclusivity without pretension.

For nature lovers seeking an off-the-beaten-path adventure, this hidden slice of Costa Rican paradise delivers an experience that will exceed your highest expectations.

Interested in visiting the Osa Peninsula? Enquire Now!