Ojo del Mar ("eye of the sea"), is an elemental style Boutique Hotel and Retreat nestled between the pristine beaches and the tropical rainforest in the wilds of Costa Rica's Osa Peninsula. Ojo del Mar has capacious spaces in its main Casa Grande (restaurant) with hardwood floors and a thatched roof bamboo construction, solar powered, all built by hand without power tools. We have 5 cabins and 2 deluxe tent cabins. Ojo del Mar's building concept follows a calling that is environmentally and socially responsible.
Ojo Del Mar is one of those special, unpretentious lodges that exists in perfect harmony with its environment.
The natural setting couldn’t be more spectacular—rainforest jungle right on the beach, in a secluded and undeveloped tropical bay. The open-air cabanas are artfully constructed using bamboo and other native materials.
Scarlet macaws, spider monkeys, and all the (friendly!) denizens of the forest are at your window. Jungle hikes, horseback riding, surfing, nature tours are all at your fingertips.
Nico, the spirited proprietress, serves up delicious, healthy meals with the freshest ingredients. She’s a delightful and witty hostess. What’s more, she’s a true pioneer; her enthusiasm for the Osa peninsula and its unique habitat shines through.
Be prepared—life here is off-the-grid in the best sense of the term. For the adventurous soul who craves solitude and communion with nature, Ojo Del Mar is worth the trip! 🏔 🏝 🌊 🐒 🏄♀️ 🐎 🦜 🐳
Josef and Katie
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Date of stay: December 2020Trip type: Traveled as a couple
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.
Nico and her staff are amazing cooks! We loved every meal and she was great at accommodating the 2 vegetarians in our group. The location was great, right next to a great lunch spot, Martinez, and also close to good swimming and surfing (beginner) beaches. The casitas are open to the jungle yet very private. I loved showering outside in the jungle. So cool! The sounds of the jungle, the occasional thunder and rain...it was magical. I recommend a casita closer to the ocean. We stayed in one near the road and one near the ocean. The one near the road could see car lights coming down the road at night and Martinez restaurant down the road is loud on Fridays. The ocean one was great. Ocean and jungle sounds to lull you to sleep.
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Date of stay: December 2019Trip type: Traveled with family
Room Tip:Get one closer to the ocean verses the road.
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.
The place is just amazing! Highly recommended to those who like to be close to the nature. You wake up to the sounds of ocean, birds singing and sunrise. Beach nests that we choose are a perfect choice for couple, they are quite big, very clean and make you feel you are sleeping on the beach. Definitely one of the places in Costa Rica that we would like to visit again!
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Date of stay: January 2021Trip 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.
It has been a little over a week since we left and the visual memories of Ojo del Mar are filling my every inch. This ocean side lodge checked all of the boxes for our family of four. (kids ages 11 and 14) If you like camping, the space will feel luxurious as you are nested among a gorgeous tropical landscape in open aired bungalows that feel very private, rustic, yet well designed. Being nestled in the jungle, the access to wildlife is incredible. Bring your binoculars and be patient and the fauna will be at your doorstep. There is also a fresh water river near the property that summons a huge diversity of birdlife that is super accessible.
It can't go without saying that Niko and her staff are AMAZING!. This is a eco-lodge that walks the walk and they do it with experience and ease. The central shared space and yoga pavillion are gorgeous to be inside. Niko is clearly invested in what she has built and works along side of a handful of locals in a family like atmosphere that fills the spaces with joy..... Keep in mind the restaurant options locally are minimal. When we were there, Martinas was closed still for the rainy season. We had a couple lunches at Canta la vida (20 min walk) but mainly relied on Ojo del Mar for meals. You will not be disappointed. I am a chef by trade and was super excited by the offerings ranging from tropically inspired pad thai and tuna to indian style cauliflower koftes on homemade bun..always with plentiful veggie sides and creative sauces. The beach is rocky out front, there are 3 breaks within walking distance and the surf breaks range from a 10-40 minute walk depending on skill level. Surf boards can be rented at Canta la Vida . We didn't have a car so relied on hiring a few guides for daytime adventures that got us deeper into the landscape and afforded us some adventures we wouldn't be able to have on our own. I highly recommend the horseback/ treeclimb/ waterfall repel as well as the golfo dulce water boat tour where we saw a baby calf and humpback and were surrounded by a pod of 400 dolphins. We couldn't ask for a better experience. If you love nature, are not afraid of creepy crawlies and want an authentic experience on the Osa then this is the place for you. Enjoy!
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Date of stay: November 2021
Value
Cleanliness
Service
Room Tip:The ocean front 4 person A-frame gives you privacy and audible ocean waves
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.
Response from Nicola Fischer, Owner at Ojo del Mar
Responded Dec 8, 2021
Thank you so much for taking the time to write such a beautiful review! It was a pleasure to host you and your lovely family. We are looking forward to welcome you again in the near future!
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My wife and I stayed here 4 nights as part of a lovely tour with RR Escapes. The setting is very natural, with the sounds of the rain forest all around. Rooms are open (no walls or windows) so no A/C but we were comfortable. Expect to enjoy the sounds of howler monkeys in the early morning.
The food was certainly a highlight. Our meals were included in the package and it was plentiful and delicious. My wife has a very bad milk allergy. The owner, Nico is a fantastic chef and served up a great variety of healthy and delicious meals - all milk free for my wife!
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Date of stay: March 2020
Rooms
Cleanliness
Service
Room Tip:beach huts were small, rest are better for a family
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.
The manager, Eugenia, was very welcoming and gracious upon arrival. Outstanding dinners every night crafted by a chef who clearly takes pride and joy in his creations! Not an extensive list of bar offerings, but everything we had was delicious. Breakfast of fresh fruit and juice, cereals and yogurt as well as eggs to order, pinto gallo and handmade rustic toast with homemade jams (try the guava!!) plus delicious coffee was a great start to the day. The outdoor shower was absolutely lovely and each hut is so well bordered by beautiful vegetation the only eyes we felt on us were from occasional lizard or bird friends! Truly a magical experience! Each morning and evening lovely Eugenia would check in with us and see how the day’s activities went and how happy we were. The sounds of nature in the morning might annoy those who like to sleep in, but we found them to be very enjoyable! By the way, Cinnamon hummingbirds, Scarlet Macaws and monkeys of several types were frequent visitors. It was truly magical!
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Date of stay: June 2023Trip type: Traveled as a couple
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.
Response from Nicola Fischer, Owner at Ojo del Mar
Responded Jun 27, 2023
Thank you so much for that beautiful review! For me was also a pleasure to met you and I hope that Ojo Del Mar will remain as a great experience and moment in your life! ❤️
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After a week of traveling and ceremonies we landed in this paradise. Instantly felt relaxed and welcomed like family. Open cabanas, great location for time on the beach and close to the river trails and waterfalls and deep swimming pools. The host is warm and friendly and staff are attentive and generous, each breakfast and dinner meals prepared by a true chef. The cabanas have great firm mattresses and bug nets, very spacious with stunning views. This is the best vacation we have ever had! Highly recommend this treasure, not on Airbnb.
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Date of stay: March 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.
My husband and I just returned from Costa Rica and our time at Ojo Del Mar was one of the highlights of our trip. Rustic but charming rooms, incredible location, outrageously good food, the NICEST people, and a welcoming lobby to read, to rest, or connect over the beautiful communal table. Just good vibes all around, and who doesn't love an outdoor shower?
Due to my husband's health, we needed to leave the lodge earlier than anticipated. Nico and staff had every right to charge me for the entire stay, but they didn't, and instead, Hilder gave me one of the best hugs of my entire life.
That's what makes Ojo Del Mar different, their love for what they do. This is demonstrated through their friendly and informative welcome, the ongoing care of your room, the delicious meals and their efforts to accommodate special diets, and the personal touches that make everything that more relaxing. Lots of love and memories at Ojo del Mar. You must go.
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Date of stay: March 2022
Location
Cleanliness
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.
Ojo del Mar far exceeded our expectations - such a unique lodging experience incredibly close to nature (the howler monkeys will wake you up early in the morning)! Within hours of arrival, we saw several species of animals around the property. The lodging was so quaint and comfortable. The food was absolutely incredible! Nico and her wonderful staff accommodated our group's varied dietary needs with plenty of creative options for everyone to enjoy. The yoga shala was absolutely stunning and views around the property breathtaking. I can't recommend Ojo del Mar enough!
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Date of stay: February 2022
Cleanliness
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.
Response from Nicola Fischer, Owner at Ojo del Mar
Responded Feb 28, 2022
Thank you very much, Brandy! Your review warms my heart!
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Ojo Del Mar is one of those magical, remote places you dream of stumbling upon. Located on the Osa peninsula it is a refuge far away from the grind of the world. You enter the common area - a wide open space with hammocks, a library, a dining and sitting area - and immediately feel a calm and peace come over you. The beach is right there for walking, swimming, surfing, and the sound of the waves will rock you to sleep at night. The yoga shala is breezy and speckled with light filtering through the jungle. We stayed in the beach house which is wide open while still providing privacy. The beds are super comfy and the place is immaculately clean. Niko is a phenomenal cook and will spoil your palate if you decide to have dinner there. There are many activities available (hiking, waterfalls beaches, surfing horseback riding) or you can just chill and read and chat and relax. A truly perfect gem of a place!
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Date of stay: February 2021
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:The beach house is a dream.
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. We weren't there during a retreat, but there is plenty of privacy if you need that. One of our favorite parts of the stay were the dinners. It was particularly amazing because everyone staying there gathered and shared stories/suggestions. We met some truly amazing people and I'm sure the retreat would be the same.
2. the land ends at the beach. Some of the rooms are a short walk. At the most, 1 minute. It's literally right there.
3, There are a ton of interesting areas near by. There isn't really a town, but that's what makes it so enticing. There is one restaurant in town. It's a few hundred yards from Ojo Del Mar.
4. There are plenty of excursions close by. Hiking, climbing, horseback riding etc. Not sure on the ATVs, but I would bet you could rent some close.
Hope this helps!
There are more places to choose from in the Cabo Matapalo area.
ALSO KNOWN AS
ojo del mar hotel osa peninsula
LOCATION
Costa RicaProvince of PuntarenasOsa PeninsulaCabo Matapalo
NUMBER OF ROOMS
8
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