Playa Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge
Punta Nicuesa 60701 Costa Rica
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About
#1 of 1 hotels in Punta Nicuesa
Location
4.9
Cleanliness
4.8
Service
4.8
Value
4.5
Travelers' Choice
GreenLeaders Platinum level
Playa Nicuesa is an environmentally-friendly eco-lodge set on a 165-acre private rainforest preserve on the undeveloped Pacific Coast of Golfo Dulce in southern Costa Rica. Our jungle & sea location provides a unique adventure and nature vacation: the front yard is a gulf right off the Pacific Ocean, and the backyard consists of thousands of acres of pristine tropical rainforest. Overall, the experience embraces conservation and harmony with the natural environment.
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Property amenities
Parking garage
Pool / beach towels
Yoga classes
Free breakfast
Beach
Boating
Children Activities (Kid / Family Friendly)
Airport transportation
Yoga room
Personal trainer
Bar / lounge
Restaurant
Breakfast available
Complimentary Instant Coffee
Complimentary tea
Complimentary welcome drink
Happy hour
Kid-friendly buffet
Outdoor dining area
Special diet menus
Wine / champagne
Canoeing
Diving
Hiking
Snorkeling
Canoeing offsite
Fishing
Couples massage
Full body massage
Massage
Open-air bath
24-hour security
Baggage storage
Gift shop
Mosquito net
Non-smoking hotel
Outdoor furniture
Sun deck
Sun loungers / beach chairs
Sun terrace
Sun umbrellas
First aid kit
Umbrella
Private check-in / check-out
Laundry service
Ironing service
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Room features
Private beach
Dining area
Housekeeping
Interconnected rooms available
Private balcony
Safe
Walk-in shower
Bath / shower
Seating area
Separate dining area
Separate living room
Sofa
VIP room facilities
Wardrobe / closet
Bottled water
Clothes rack
Laptop safe
Private bathrooms
Wake-up service / alarm clock
Complimentary toiletries
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Room types
Landmark view
Bridal suite
Non-smoking rooms
Family rooms
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
Languages Spoken
English, Spanish
Location
Punta Nicuesa 60701 Costa Rica
Playa Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge
Getting there
435Reviews12Q+A100Room tips
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+1
I stayed at Playa Nicuesa with a group for a yoga retreat. We were able to book the entire lodge. I must say, this was an experience of a lifetime! The staff led us on several sightseeing tours, prepared great meals, and made our stay truly memorable. I look forward to visiting again and hosting my own retreats!
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Date of stay: May 2023Trip type: Traveled with friends
Value
Location
Service
Room Tip: The best way to get to the lodge is by boat.
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
Response from Guest Services, Agencia/asesor at Playa Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge
Responded Sep 24, 2023
Thankyou for your wonderful review of your stay at Nicuesa. We are so happy that you enjoyed the yoga retreat. It is truly a wonderful place to connect with nature, especially with the yoga deck immersed in the forest and overlooking the beach. We look forward to hosting your yoga retreat in the near future and create further memories.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Hotel's Favorite
Fantastic property! Excellent rooms & supper staff. Loved the food and open bar. Family did the full beach, boat, experance - found dolfins everytime we went out :-) Had a guide to ourselves every day & she was Great!
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Date of stay: August 2021
Value
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Response from Nicuesa Guest Services, Guest Services / Front Office at Playa Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge
Responded Apr 20, 2022
Thank you so much for your review of Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge. We are so pleased you enjoyed the stay and that you were able to fill your days with such amazing adventures. Those dolphins are always delightful to spot and watch. Our guide not only is knowledgeable but is also very talented at spotting animals. We hope to see you again soon!
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
+1
An absolutely unique and wonderful place. Forget doing a hike around a National Park in Costa Rica, stay in one instead! This place is part of Piedras Blancas National Park and has the lovely dual offer of a private beach as well as being completely in the jungle. You will not feel more remote very often and it’s a perfect place to truly switch off and get away from everything. We initially had to get used to the accommodation, as you really are staying in the middle of the jungle in an open lodge with just netting around your bed, but once we realised that the animals are more scared of us than we are of them, and that we were perfectly safe, we really enjoyed it and had a good night sleep! The activities offered by the lodge are really good, we had an excellent time kayaking and snorkelling, as well as birdwatching. My personal favourite was the kayaking tour along the mangroves - with some dolphins, snakes and crocs thrown in!- absolutely stunning! But what was probably the best about this place were the people who work there. They are all genuinely happy to work there and will go above and beyond to give you the best possible experience. The best example of this is that the kitchen staff invited our two daughters to come and bake biscuits with them, giving us time to pack our bags in peace. A simple gesture that went a long way, and the biscuits were delicious!!…
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Date of stay: August 2023Trip type: Traveled with family
Room Tip: Bring quick dry clothes! As it’s the jungle, things don’t dry very well, and you will get wet -...
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
Response from Guest Services, Agencia/asesor at Playa Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge
Responded Sep 7, 2023
Thankyou for your stellar review of your stay at Nicuesa. We are thrilled that you enjoyed your time there and that you were able to enjoy the Nicuesa Experience and the Nicuesa Hospitality. You certainly took advantage of the activities the hotel offers too which makes the stay even better! We look forward to your next stay!
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
If your preference is to go somewhere off the beaten track both accommodation and location wise then consider Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge. If your preference is for homely accommodation where the staff are exceptionally warm and welcoming, the wildlife is almost within touching distance and the food (in my opinion) is utterly incredible then you should definitely come here, this is an absolute gem of a place. Even getting here is an adventure in itself, the Golfo Dulce is truly beautiful. I visited as a solo traveller last month (June 2023) and was looked after unbelievably well. Would I come back? Most definitely!!!
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Date of stay: June 2023Trip type: Traveled solo
Value
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Response from Guest Services, Agencia/asesor at Playa Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge
Responded Jul 25, 2023
And we look forward to your next visit! Thankyou for your stunning review of Nicuesa and your stay. We are thrilled that you had such a lovely time. As you say, you will have an up-close wildlife experience in the beauty, warm hospitality and comforts of this off the beaten track paradise. See you soon!
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
My son and I had an absolutely fantastic 5 days at the Lodge. The boat ride from Puerto Jimenez across the vast and stunning bay to reach the lodge - wow. No development on the shores - just rainforest as far as you can see. One of the best parts of the trip was the welcoming and kind staff. The guides were informative and we enjoyed the boat trip down to the river -- and we did see dolphins!! My son loved the waterfall hike and the snorkeling trip as well. The beds - comfy. The food - delicious. I plan to go back someday during the humpback whale season in the bay. Highly recommend if you seek a remote slice of paradise.
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Date of stay: April 2023Trip type: Traveled with family
Value
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Response from Guest Services, Agencia/asesor at Playa Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge
Responded Jun 26, 2023
Thank you for your wonderful review of Nicuesa and your stay. We are so happy you enjoyed your time in our "remote slice of paradise", the wonderful, guided tours and the beautiful rooms. We hope to see you again during the humpback whale season. You will love Nicuesa even more! See you soon.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
+1
We loved our stay at Playa Nicuesa. The location feels very remote and offers a blend of relaxing, peaceful paradise, activity and adventure, and pure wild nature (cue Howler Monkey's morning wakeup call). Our guide, Steven, was fun, friendly, and informative and gave us a great experience. He guided us on a morning birding tour and an adventurous waterfall tour, and he gave us tips on a self-guided hike to take. My travel companion was not interested, but I added a chocolate tour, which I loved. I was the only one on it and had an opportunity to get really hands-on. Check out the photo of chocolates that Steven and I created. If we had stayed longer, I would definitely add one or more tours on the water. Probably mangrove, dolphin, and/or snorkel tours. We stayed in the Mango Guest House, which was clean and comfortable, and our room had a nice balcony overlooking the rainforest. I hoped to see monkeys out of the screened, open wall space in the shower, but no luck on that. By the way, great toiletries are provided, and the natural bug repellent lotion was awesome! It was a nice-feeling body lotion that smelled yummy (if you like lemongrass) and seemed effective at chasing away insects. I still felt bugs landing on me or bumping me, but they seemed to be repelled immediately without biting. Here are a couple of room tips for you: Our doors and windows were wide open when we arrived, which surprised me, but we were advised to close them before coming to dinner, which we did the first night and had no insect problems. We forgot the second night, and, whoa, big difference. Heed the advice. Second tip: The bedside lights are bulbs inside the mosquito nets, which is great, but they give off significant heat. If you like reading before bedtime like I do, I suggest using a headlamp. I found this much more comfortable. The kitchen served delicious food in generous amounts. I definitely ate too much. They also did an excellent job accommodating my dairy allergy. Servers and bar staff were wonderful too. In fact, all of the staff we encountered were warm and welcoming. Special shout-outs to tour guide Steven, Monica, who gave a great massage, and tour guide Isaac for some special tips. We stayed 4 nights at Playa Nicuesa, but could have easily been happy staying a week or longer, taking more advantage of tours and relaxation time, and borrowing the included SUPs and kayaks. I loved the place so much that I teared up when it was time to leave. I definitely plan on returning to this special place in the future.…
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Date of stay: April 2023Trip type: Traveled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Response from Guest Services, Agencia/asesor at Playa Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge
Responded Jun 14, 2023
Thankyou so much for your stellar review of Nicuesa and your stay. We are so happy you were able to do some tours with our great guides and enjoyed the dining experience too. And you are right, the toiletries are fantastic! Thanks for the tips too. We hope to see you again!!
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
+1
One of if not thee most amazing experience I’ve had at a resort! I’ve been to some very large all inclusive with swim up bars resorts and this lodge in the middle of nowhere is so simple and beautiful and the views and nature along with the service drinks and food is a vacation that I’ll never forget.
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Date of stay: May 2023Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Value
Location
Service
Room Tip: Bring a nice headlamp you’ll need it. They do a load of laundry for 10 USD. Don’t pack a lot you...
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Response from Guest Services, Agencia/asesor at Playa Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge
Responded Jun 14, 2023
Thankyou so much for your fantastic review of the hotel and your stay. We are so happy that you enjoyed your time at Nicuesa and that you were able to immerse yourself in the Nicuesa Experience. We are thrilled you loved your time there. We look forward to seeing you again.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
It is a most beautiful and natural location with fantastic outdoor activities available. Birding is excellent! Bar is outstanding with great staff. Chef makes the dining a real treat and serving staff is just the best.. Their assist in planning makes the trip very smooth and convenient to you. All facilities were lovely and staff is incredibly helpful and knowledgeable. The setting in the Osa Peninsula is very special.
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Date of stay: February 2023
Value
Location
Service
Room Tip: all rooms are beautiful, clean with access to outdoors as well as convenient to the lovely bar...
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Response from Guest Services, Atención al cliente/recepción at Playa Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge
Responded Apr 11, 2023
Thank you for your stunning review of your stay at Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge. We are so happy that you enjoyed your time with us and that you were able to immerse yourself in the incredible natural surroundings. The bird watching is absolutely amazing as is the dining experience. We are so pleased that our wonderful staff attended you so well too! Come back soon!
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
The location was lovely although the garden was quite enclosed. The room was clean and comfortable and we were glad of the net over the bed as we had a bat in the room one night. The staff are friendly and the meals good. We went on a couple of early morning bird walks and glimpsed an ocelot. However there were only 2 guides so we were unable to book all the trips we wanted as the guides were already busy and some of their time seemed wasted collecting new guests.
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Date of stay: March 2023Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Value
Location
Service
Room Tip: Prebook guided trips. Welliees available if needed.
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Response from Guest Services, Atención al cliente/recepción at Playa Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge
Responded Apr 11, 2023
Thank you for your great review of your stay at Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge. We are so pleased you enjoyed the beautiful room, our signature hospitality and dining experience. How lucky that you were able to spot a Ocelot! That is a real treat and a sign that this is a healthy corner of the world. We are sorry that you were unable to get some more tours in despite the guides being already reserved up.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
+1
Playa Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge was the second stop on our first trip to Costa Rica. We started our trip in the cloud forest northwest of San Jose, but wanted to experience the tropical rainforest as the other part of our trip. We selected Playa Nicuesa based on the website descriptions and recommendations. Our first stop was at a more formal upscale spa lodge which was excellent but we were looking for a more laid back, immersive experience in the Osa Peninsula area. Playa Nicuesa’s offerings of open-air cottages amid the rainforest, casual and relaxed vibe and the all-inclusive package of meals and activities sold us and we booked a 5 night stay. We arrived on a warm sunny day on January 28, and that was the weather we had throughout. We traveled from San Jose via Sansa Airlines to Puerto Jimenez and were met at the airport by Isaac of the Playa Nicusa staff and quickly were off to the dock for a boat ride across the Golfo Dulce. Check in was an easy, laid back process which was the vibe throughout our stay. We were in a 1 BR open air bungalow that was convenient and made you feel immersed in the rainforest. We spent the first afternoon exploring the grounds and settling in, but after that were busy from daybreak till after dinner with outdoor activities. Each day at ~ 5:20 or so we awoke to sounds of Howler Monkeys in the distance hooting and howling as they do and when they were done, a chorus of birds started calling and singing. We opened the screened shutters on our bungalow and listened to the rainforest come alive. We had the Rainforest Multisport Escapade package and on the first full day we went out on the Golfo Dulce Dolphin Boat tour with Isaac which was really awesome. We came upon a huge pod of spotted dolphins Isaac estimated to be as many as 200, who moved around and played around the boat for a long time. We then moved north in the gulf and found a pod of a dozen bottlenose dolphins and after that did some snorkeling – it was a great trip! On day 2 we went on an early morning birding trip with Jasmine and saw a lot off new birds Jasmine helped ID and went on the night walk with Stephen, where we observed and were educated on a number of nighttime fauna including a few frogs and 5 snakes of 4 species – all small, but that included a small 14” all yellow eyelash viper. It was very cool. On the third day, we went on a self-guided hike on the Playa Nicuesa trail system - nice trails - and relaxed at the beach. That day a Howler money troop came through Playa Nicuesa and we got to see them move in the treetops – very cool. On our last full day we took the Jungle River Kayak tour with Stephen – saw lots of birds, learned about and kayaked through the mangrove forest and saw 2 crocodiles. .Stephen was a great guide for the tour! Playa Nicuesa and the tours we went on offered great birding experiences – I saw 61 species of birds while staying there, 28 of which were new to my life list, and most of those were on the Playa Nicuesa grounds itself. Meals at Playa Nicuesa were excellent. Each day you are offered a couple choices to choose from for the next meal – at breakfast you chose your lunch, etc. The meals were heavy on local fresh fruit and vegetables and fish and most were Costa Rican inspired dishes. The bar and wait staff, with a special shout out for Karol, were attentive and efficient and like everyone at Playa Nicuesa were very friendly and easy going. From the moment we got to Playa Nicuesa, we just loved it all. The grounds, the bungalow, the setting on the gulf, and the staff! We hated to leave and plan to return. We also would note how great Marcela was on booking and re-booking our trip. We cannot recommend a place more! . …
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Date of stay: February 2023Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Value
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
2 Helpful votes
Helpful
Response from Guest Services, Atención al cliente/recepción at Playa Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge
Responded Mar 20, 2023
Thank you for your stunning and complete review of your stay at Nicuesa! We are so happy you had a wonderful time and were able to enjoy so much about what is so important for us. The staff, the meals, the wildlife, the lodging and all those fun activities. We appreciate the time you made to write this review and your compliments. and hope to see you again soon!
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Not the right property for you?
There are more places to choose from in the Punta Nicuesa area.
PRICE RANGE
$316 - $496 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
playa nicuesa rainforest hotel golfito, playa nicuesa rainforest golfito
LOCATION
Costa RicaProvince of PuntarenasOsa PeninsulaPunta Nicuesa
NUMBER OF ROOMS
9
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Claim Your ListingPLAYA NICUESA RAINFOREST LODGE - Updated 2023 Prices & Hotel Reviews (Punta Nicuesa, Costa Rica)
Frequently Asked Questions about Playa Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge
What are some of the property amenities at Playa Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free breakfast, an on-site restaurant, and a lounge.
Which room amenities are available at Playa Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge?
Top room amenities include a dining area, a view of a nearby landmark, and a mosquito net.
What food & drink options are available at Playa Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge?
Guests can enjoy free breakfast, an on-site restaurant, and a lounge during their stay.
Is parking available at Playa Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge?
Yes, a parking garage and secured parking are available to guests.
Are there opportunities to exercise at Playa Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge?
Yes, guests have access to yoga classes during their stay.
Does Playa Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge have airport transportation?
Yes, Playa Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge offers airport transportation for guests. We recommend calling ahead to confirm details.
Is Playa Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge located near the city center?
Yes, it is 0.3 miles away from the center of Punta Nicuesa.
Which languages are spoken by the staff at Playa Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge?
The staff speaks multiple languages, including English and Spanish.
Is Playa Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge accessible?
Yes, it offers wheelchair access and facilities for disabled guests. For specific inquiries, we recommend calling ahead to confirm.