Lapa Rios Ecolodge, a 1,000-acre private reserve on the Osa Peninsula

Staying at Lapa Rios Ecolodge

From the Puerto Jiménez airstrip it is a dirt road through pasture and forest, with three shallow stream crossings, to the lodge. The thatched main lodge sits on the ridge; bungalows and villas are linked to it by forest paths and wooden steps, so expect climbing. Rooms range from 80 m2 bungalows open to the forest through screen walls, to suites with air conditioning and glass doors, to villas with an ocean view. Every room has a ceiling fan and mosquito netting, and wifi reaches the rooms. Guapira cooks farm-to-table with a plant-based menu. Days start with the included early bird walk and end with dinner on the ridge.

Rooms

• Forest View Bungalow: 80 m2; rainforest view.
• Matapalo Suite: 125 m2; 240-degree view of the Osa and the Pacific; air conditioning and floor-to-ceiling glass doors.
• Premier Villa: 170 m2, sleeps up to 5; uninterrupted Golfo Dulce view; individually controlled cooling over the bed (2 villas).

Meals. Guapira Restaurant, farm-to-table with a plant-based menu; vegan and gluten-free available. Three meals daily are included on the lodge's Full Experience package; a bed and breakfast option also exists.

Good to know

• Paths and wooden steps between the rooms and the main lodge.
• Dirt road with three shallow stream crossings from Puerto Jiménez; flight from San José about 50 minutes.
• Minimum age 6. The lodge recommends four nights or more.
• No bottled water: filtered tap water, bring a refillable bottle.

Perfect for: a couple who want to bird a private reserve all morning and have dinner over the gulf.