While there is a small airport in Drake Bay, accessible from San Jose, we were picked up by boat in Sierpe. A smooth ride down the river, a wave dash at the bar at its mouth, a jaunt across Drake Bay and you're delivered at La Paloma's sheltered bay. You walk up the path to the lodge and it's lush grounds and there you are in paradise. Phenomenal views of the ocean from the Ranchos, wildlife everywhere, and a tasty Dirty Banana rum punch waiting for you at the bar, mixed by the man (!), Tebbs. He and the rest of the staff are all incredibly helpful and friendly, all the way from the owners to the grounds staff. In the rooms you can stare out of the airy windows in the shower at the rainforest around you as you wash off any grime from the day's adventures in preparation for your in-room massage before your amazingly fresh dinner. Not too bad, I'd say. My days there were one of the best travel experiences I've had.

Wow....La Paloma is right smack in the middle of an incredibly exotic setting, where guests become close neighbors to monkeys, sloths, arboreal anteaters, brilliant butterflies, toucans and hundreds of bird species. I mean you're nestled right IN the rain forest but you are provided with lovely flagstone pathways all around the premises.You might see the biggest damn toad you've ever seen in your life just walking down to the dining hall. There's a fantastic view from your "rancho", easy access to the beautiful beach; there is some strong undertow to be wary of. The forest trail into "town" is itself an amazing adventure- for sure an ancient path, still well- travelled by locals, that takes you across a slightly swinging bridge, past HUGE bamboo...gorgeous tropical flowers.........if you don't go on any of the scheduled tours that are offered, at least take that 30-40 minute walk into town.

The staff is totally charming and accomodating, providing beautiful sarongs to wear, so every one can feel like they're in an old Tarzan movie ( or Tondelayo, if you're old enough to remember Hedy Lamarr).
Every meal I had was unique and delicious - One could choose between two entrees, and I was actually pleased to not have a lengthy menu - it felt more like I was a dinner guest at someone's home...someone who was an excellent cook! The Teriyaki Tuna was surprisingly the best I've ever had -PERFECTLY cooked - . I don't eat beef or chicken so I was very pleased with all the seafood dishes - an amazing fish chowder, also a great eggplant parmesan...all dishes artistically garnished - (that shows the love) and very imaginative desserts. ( Can't for the life of me figure why that other review said food was horrible) Great spreads of tropical fruits and good fruit juices. I felt they were good portions ( no American style super -sizing). It was so lovely to eat with the other guests and meet folks from different parts of the world. I always had plenty to eat and I had a good appetite every nite after all the adventurous hiking, snorkeling, nature viewing, kayaking, swimming at a water fall, and horse back riding.

Truly amazing opportunities, these hikes into the primordial jungle, and full -on fun on the boat rides. Great boat captains and wonderful guides. Some folks saw whales and a puma on their tours ...we saw a coati mundi, all of the local monkey species, crocodiles, iguanas, amazing birds, beautiful colorful fish, lizards, one snake, leaf cutting ants parading along the massive tree roots....It's unpredictable WHAT you will see , but you are definitely going to see a LOT of exotic wildlife. It was a thrilling privilege to go on the bug tour with Tracie and John, where we saw a beautiful ant eater in a tree, totally bizarre insects, pulled webbing right out of a spider, and heard some of the most amazing scientific information about high-potential cures for diseases being found in venoms and poisons of the local insects and plant life. Oh, and there was that intelligent fungus. Mind-blowing.

I would say the hardest part of the entire stay was that killer hill from the dock to the lodge that you climbed every day...(my calves were screaming..but I sure got in shape during our brief 4 day stay)

I certainly hope to return and can't thank the staff enough for getting us on all the tours we wanted and giving us a beautiful taste of Pura Vida!

My wife and I went to La Paloma Lodge for the first part of our honeymoon. It was really quite the experience. We had the rancho room, which had complete privacy, and it's own amazing view. I think every room has a great view, along with bathrooms that allow you to look out into the jungle. We had a private table for meals as well as the family style that they offer. We really liked that option because you get to talk with other friendly guests about the day's travels. We went on the mangrove tour, and the guide was great. The walk to Rio Claro was a lot of fun as well. I definitely recommend this hotel!

This place is amazing! It has several individual small houses they call “ranchos.” I love how they are sort of hidden by all the vegetation, but still so close to the main lodge. I stayed in rancho number two and it has an amazing shower. It feels like you are taking a shower in the middle of the jungle, with the luxury of hot water. Everything is clean and the staff is very friendly.