Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Copa De Arbol Beach and Rainforest Resort is an all inclusive, remote eco-conscious beachfront Drake Bay resort set among 70 acres of pristine rainforest reserve. Only accessible by boat. Located in Southern Pacific Costa Rica on the Osa Peninsula, perfectly situated between Drake Bay and the Corcovado National Park.
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Copa De Arbol Beach & Rainforest Resort is celebrated for its meticulous attention to detail, from the beautifully appointed rooms to the tranquil atmosphere that guests find both relaxing and engaging. The resort's cleanliness is a point of pride, with travelers repeatedly noting spotless accommodations and pristine grounds. Reviewers praise the wealth of amenities, including the comfortable, air-conditioned rooms, the inviting multi-tiered pool, and the variety of inclusive meals and activities.
The service at Copa De Arbol is frequently lauded, with staff members providing warm, attentive, and personalized care. Nestled in a secluded yet accessible location, the resort offers guests a harmonious blend of privacy and proximity to natural attractions, all contributing to what many acknowledge as exceptional value for the experience provided.
Location
Secluded
Atmosphere
Inviting
Rooms
Comfortable
Value
Expensive
Cleanliness
Immaculate
Service
Attentive
Amenities
Outstanding
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Copa de Arbol was the last stop on our 2 week holiday to Costa Rica. Having already stayed at 3 exceptional hotels the bar was set pretty high but we weren’t disappointed. Copa de Arbol lived-up to all our expectations and more.
Located by a secluded beach, on the edge of primary rainforest , the hotel can only be accessed by boat and from the moment you step aboard you are well looked after, stopping along the way to see monkeys in the mangroves or dolphins out to sea before being welcomed on dry land with dry towels, cold drinks and a warm smile.
The hotel consists of around 10 air conditioned cabins nestled in the forest. Ours (#5) had 2 floors with a veranda over-looking the gardens and out to sea. Each morning we woke-up to the sounds of wildlife and the call of the ocean and from our veranda we saw monkeys, macaws, woodpeckers, iguanas, parakeets… the list goes on (all before breakfast and all from the comfort of our cabin)
There is a tiered infinity pool and a communal reception, bar and open dining room area serving fantastic cocktails and delicious home cooked food. 4 o’clock marks the start of happy hour, the perfect precursor to watching the sun sink into the ocean from sunset beach.
With so few rooms, service is intimate, attentive and oh so friendly. Everyone is on first-name terms. At night, if you’re lucky as you reminisce about the day you have had, the wildlife you have seen, the tours and/or activities you’ve been on (snorkelling, kayaking, horse riding, hiking, night walks) you may be treated to a spectacular light show from the distant storms across the ocean.
You may come to Copa de Arbol for the romantic seclusion and prospect of wildlife but you leave with fond memories of the people who have looked after you and made your stay extra special. I’m reluctant to name them individually as I will invariably forget someone but from the front desk to the bar staff, dining room to pilots, kitchen to housekeeping, maintenance to tour guides, everyone goes out of their way to ensure your stay is a memorable one.
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Date of stay: April 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 Emily White, Marketing at Copa De Arbol Beach & Rainforest Resort
Responded Jul 11, 2023
Thank you for your wonderful review and sharing your experience. We are so happy you were able to end your Costa Rican vacation with us and provide you with a memorable visit. 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.
The facilities are lovely. We stayed for 4 nights in the "duplex" of room #10. (It is the only attached space). However, we had no neighbors, so we had the whole porch to ourselves: chairs, table, hammock and view of the sea. The sea here is very calm, more of a bay. You have to choose where to swim because there are lava rocks along the shore. The hotel pool is lovely (including a hot tub portion) but for soaking, now swimming.
The food was generally very good, sometimes excellent, sometimes not as good. Very much oriented to U.S./European taste. The staff in the restaurant were very accommodating, especially Greivin who spoke excellent English and went out of his way to answer our questions and provide us with food we liked. We felt quite comfortable telling him what we preferred and he would help us to have it.
All the tours we took were arranged through the hotel. They have their own guides. I was pleased to have Elia both for the national park and Cano Island snorkeling. The trip we took the third day, to "a waterfall" was not as satisfying. We liked that the tour involved local people in a way that encouraged them to maintain the land in a healthy way, but we could only look at the waterfall from above because the descent was too difficult. As it was, the hike to the waterfall and back up to the vehicle was quite challenging. We didn't go out in the kayaks because you had to kayak through the bay to get to the river and we were told that the river had strong winds so that half the time you were fighting the wind.
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Date of stay: February 2020
Value
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.
Response from Mike Michaelsen, Owner at Copa De Arbol Beach & Rainforest Resort
Responded Jan 18, 2022
Thank you for sharing your experience. We are happy to hear that our staff was able to assist you in improving your dining experience and that you found activities that you enjoyed. Being in a very secluded rain forest peninsula there are certain environmental challenges and are glad that you still had a great vacation!
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Our family, Two adults and 17 & 19 year old boys visited in December and again in March. It may seem remote or a trek to get there but the journey is fun and worth it. The region is a beautiful mix of beach and jungle forest. We are a family of mixed interests. The walking path that runs for miles from town to well past the hotel was a welcome place to hike and explore. Fishing with Reel Escape for tuna was excellent. Snorkeling and spear fishing off the beach wasn’t the best but still fun. Better in March because the water was more clear. Nearby adventures to Corcovado and diving at Cano Island were interesting and beautiful. Beach time is tranquil and NEVER crowded. Indeed you’ll likely be alone. The lodge itself is very comfortable. Cabinas are air conditioned and the beds are comfortable. But it still feels remote and authentic to the area. Let’s just say you can enjoy a remote jungle beach experience with style and comfort. The lodge is smaller so doesn’t feel over run with people. If you want space to just sit and absorb the area you can find it. Take a kayak or paddle board out to explore and you may not see anyone but as you head in one of the staff always appear to help you pull the boat in and put it away. The food is amazing and very personalized. If you catch it they’ll make it for you and chef Juan will make it however you like! The man has skills! Be prepared to eat a lot! Breakfast lunch and dinner are elaborate. Nothing is pre-made. Everything is fresh. Prepare for still warm plantain or tortilla chips. Fruit drinks come straight from the freshly cut fruit to the blender to you. Henry is a fruit drink wizard. All of the staff including the general manager Randal are kind and friendly and genuinely want to care for you during your stay. When they visit with you they actually listen and want to get to know you. Go visit. I have traveled many places and stayed in a variety of lodging. Copa is excellent in location, comfort, cleanliness, food, amenities and service. Thank you Copa for caring for us so well.
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Date of stay: December 2020Trip type: Traveled with 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.
Response from Mike Michaelsen, Owner at Copa De Arbol Beach & Rainforest Resort
Responded Jan 25, 2022
Thank you for your visits and for your wonderful review. Our staff really does care and we're so happy to hear that you felt that. We love seeing families take advantage of lots of the adventure opportunities, there really is something for everyone!
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I loved everything about this beachfront boutique; This gem is a true gift to yourself in life. Starting off with the staff; they will leave an impression on our hearts forever. They set the bar very high making us feel more like we are at home with personalized service and attention to our likes/dislikes with surprises along the way. The food was amazing; on nights we couldn't eat our desserts but wanted them for later, they wrapped and stored them for us for when we wanted to have them the next day. I loved all of the natural juice drinks and smoothies; Pineapple and Basil is something I would have never put together, but are the first ingredients I purchased when I returned home to duplicate it. Randal, Henry, and Grieven were so much fun; great guys and very personable offering lots of advise and shared some jokes with us. When we left via the public boat, my friend didn't realize she left her phone behind until Randal came speeding up next to us 1/2 way back alongside our boat to return it to her. Simply top notch!
The location of this resort is one of the most tropical places I've ever experienced. The lush surrounding jungle, refreshing pool, and gorgeous sandy beach with calm waters made for perfect R&R and a relaxing jump off point to explore the national park and snorkel Cano Island.
I can't wait to return! Thank you for providing such an amazing experience!
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Date of stay: July 2021
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.
Response from Mike Michaelsen, Owner at Copa De Arbol Beach & Rainforest Resort
Responded Feb 17, 2022
Thank you for sharing your experience. We love hearing about our wonderful team going above and beyond for our guests. We look forward to having you back!
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This spot is a total gem. I have traveled to many beautiful places and Copa for sure tops all of them.
While I was there I was fully able to disconnect from the outside world and found absolute peace. The hotel staff is genuinely friendly, food is fresh, healthy and delicious. The cabinas and villas scattered across the property are private from one another. I stayed in #10, which was accessed by a bridge over a serene flowing river. Every day I swam in the ocean, the water was like a bath. I snorkeled right in front of the hotel (they provided gear), the water was clear as day and filled with tropical fish!
I cannot say enough about this place - this is my third time here and I will surely be coming back. Next time I am bringing my mother, I know she is going to LOVE this place as much as I do.
Favorite things:
Daily wildlife viewing directly on the property. Monkeys and birds all throughout the forest right next to my accommodations.
Direct access to the beach, which is absolutely private. The salty warm bath water was so buoyant and filled with tropical fish.
Total privacy in my cabina, I was hidden away in my spot on the property, felt like my own personal paradise.
The staff was very accommodating and serves drinks wherever you are on the property. Orders can be taken at the pool!
Hiking trails are all over the place. You don’t need to book a tour to sight see. You can hike around the 75 a we property, or north x south on the coast to find your own little cove.
Overall this spot is a 10/10 and I cannot wait to go back again!!
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Date of stay: May 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.
Response from Mike Michaelsen, Owner at Copa De Arbol Beach & Rainforest Resort
Responded Jan 25, 2022
Thank you for the great review! We love hearing that you found your own personal paradise at Copa and hope to have you back again!
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Copa de Arbol is paradise! The staff is absolutely fabulous! We had so much fun with them! They were extremely attentive, but also gave us privacy when we needed it. The food and drinks were delicious. The bungalow was spotless and situated in such a way that we had a perfect view of the forest and the ocean. The pool and pathways were always clean and free of debris even after a thunderstorm. I have recommended Copa de Arbol to many of my friends. We hope that we will be able to go back one day!
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Date of stay: March 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip 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 Emily White, Marketing at Copa De Arbol Beach & Rainforest Resort
Responded Jun 30, 2023
Thank you for sharing your experience! We are so glad that you enjoyed your visit to our piece of paradise and hope you will visit again!
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I was part of a group of 6 that included two kids aged 9 and 10. I will always remember our beautifully prepared meals overlooking the cove as we relaxed after excursions to Corcovado NP, Cano Island and Playa San Josecito. We were completely catered to -- the kids got to eat spaghetti or some variation thereof while adults enjoyed more regionally oriented food. Not to mention the tantalizing, specially prepared fruit drinks and desserts the kids looked forward to every day. The cabins were lovely, and the infinity pool was a pleasure to swim in.
When I first saw the sign at Drake Bay airport forbidding foot washing, I was perplexed. But as we saw that the only access to the resorts and attractions on this stretch of beach was by boat, scrambling across the sandy shore, the reason for the sign became clear. Because it's boats only, the incredible architecture and elaborate decor of the resort are all the more remarkable, and the feeling of being secluded is enhanced.
The beaches around the resort are nice, but a sort of unplanned side trip to Playa San Josecito turned out to be a highlight. It's one of those fantasy beaches with palm trees, soft sand, blue waters and it just a shortish boatride from the resort. We ended up there because snorkeling off Cano Island was limited because of overcast skies, so we headed there instead of doing the second snorkel. It was also because our guide was so flexible, realizing that the kids were not so much into snorkeling. Just another example of the great hospitality we enjoyed during our visit.
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Date of stay: June 2021
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 Mike Michaelsen, Owner at Copa De Arbol Beach & Rainforest Resort
Responded Feb 3, 2022
Thank you for the wonderful review! We are so happy that you were able to find perfect activities for the entire group.
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We took the boat ride to the resort after a nice drive from the municipal airport. We were greeted on the beach with a warm welcome from Randall and Erik. Then we were escorted to the front desk where they served us a refreshing drink and a cool towel. The room and deck were amazing with a great view of the ocean. Everyday we were given choices of delicious meals ordered ahead of time. Mario and Henry were the main restaurant staff we interacted with. They were educational and funny! All of the restaurant staff were great though! They accomodated serving us beyond normal meal hours based on the tours we took. We were so happy with the Cano Island tour with Alexa who did everything to make sure we saw as much beautiful sea life as possible. The La Dante jungle tour with Gustavo was our highlight. He is so knowledgable. If you want to experience the magic of Drake Bay don't miss this tour. Everything about our experience here more than met our expectations. We highly reccommend it! Pura Vida!
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Date of stay: February 2020
Rooms
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.
Response from Mike Michaelsen, Owner at Copa De Arbol Beach & Rainforest Resort
Responded Jan 18, 2022
Thank you for sharing your experience! Those are definitely two incredible tours that you were able to take and we're so glad that you were able to have those special experiences. Pura Vida!
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This was the best experience I've ever had traveling, hands down. Granted, I don't typically stay in places of this price range as this was a business trip for me, but even compared to some of the other "high end" hotels we stayed at in other parts of Costa Rica, Copa de Arbol was the best. From the first time my toes touched the water stepping off the boat I never had to lift another finger. The rooms were beautiful and clean - even my mother was satisfied and she usually packs her own sheets. Air conditioning worked well. Three large meals a day with snacks between and I've never had such delicious food in my entire life. They accommodated vegetarians, food allergies, and special dietary needs with grace and the chef even specially adjusted a few recipes to tailor to my mom's preferences (like cooking her couscous with coconut milk instead of dairy). Every single request I had was met with a smile and "of course, con mucho gusto". I loved talking with the staff, many of whom live on sire during their work months, and learning all about their lives in costa rica. Some of them even helped me learn some more Spanish while I was there! And Daniel even offered to "jungle boy" himself up into the tree (as he put it 😅) to grab us some green mangos to try. When we wanted to paddleboard we just had to ask and someone would bring them down to the beach for us. Same for chairs or anything else we needed. Close proximity to amazing snorkeling, Corcovado National Park with the most biodiversity I've ever seen, hiking, and river kayaking. Our tour guides were like walking encyclopedias of information (I mostly worked with Anthony) and you could tell they loved their jobs and were excited to show us things. Anthony even took us on a night hike! The only complaint I have is that they made me leave at the end of my stay 🤣 Dear staff at Copa de Arbol - if you read thus please give Scooby a big hug for me! And thank you so much for sharing your little slice of heaven with the rest of us.
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Date of stay: April 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Traveled on business
Room Tip:Bring some earplugs the howler monkeys are loud in the mornings. And you water shoes for getting...
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 Summer Carney, Guest Services / Front Office at Copa De Arbol Beach & Rainforest Resort
Responded May 4, 2024
Your review reads like a love letter to paradise! It's clear that Copa De Arbol stole your heart. Here's to hoping Scooby gets that hug on your behalf! 🌴🤗 Thanks for sharing your slice of heaven with us through your review! Pura Vida! Summer
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What a pleasure! If you want a little adventure in the place you stay in southern Costa Rica, this is the place for you! Inaccessible by car, you have to take a boat to get to this resort. Bear in mind they make embarkation pretty easy and have guys to carry your bags from the boat to your room. Make sure you have some water shoes on arrival because they have a pebble path to walk up to the office and rooms. This is a small, exclusive resort, with 10 air conditioned and very comfortable rooms. I highly suggest you plan to arrive via Siempre. The resort picks you up in a boat and you travel downriver through some spectacular mangroves. Upon reaching the ocean you cross over to the resort. This trip took about and hour and a quarter and was a lot of fun. It negated going on a mangrove tour because you pretty much do it on arrival. All meals are included and the kitchen is quite amazing. The entire staff is warm, welcoming, friendly and make you feel at home. The grounds are extremely well kept and they have a 3 level pool with a jacuzzi on top of the gorgeous beach. There is much natural wildlife in the area with many "hidden" beaches a short walk away. Sunsets on "sunset beach" are spectacular which is a 5 minute walk. A 1 hour trek north brings you to the town of Drake which has a few markets and dive shops. We took a horse tour for an hour and a quarter south to visit Playa San Josecito- a gorgeous beach and snorkeling spot with lots of gorgeous Macaws flying around. The resort provided a guide, towels and snorkeling equipment. The resort runs various tours but the highlight tour is of Corcorvado National Forest which is a little over an hour away by boat. Boat is the only way to get to this attraction, but it is well worth it. Bottom line- well worth the stop for a few days. We ended our 2 week trip here taking a puddle jumper from Drake to San Jose airport. Muy MUY Bien! Pura Vida!
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Date of stay: December 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip 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 Summer Carney, Guest Services / Front Office at Copa De Arbol Beach & Rainforest Resort
Responded Dec 22, 2023
Dear Michael, Thank you so much for your fantastic review! We're thrilled to hear that you found our resort to be a delightful adventure in southern Costa Rica. Your detailed descriptions of the hotel and property are lovely and helpful for future guests. It's fantastic to know that you explored the hidden beaches, thats one of my favorite things to do as there are so many! We appreciate your recommendation and would love to welcome you back for another dose of Pura Vida!
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I think this resort would be a good fit as it is pretty compact and on the beach. You could ask for a casita next to the restaurant. The restaurant is up a flight of stairs but this is well-designed and with a rail. And it is a short walk to the beach.
There are more places to choose from in the Drake Bay area.
PRICE RANGE
$712 - $904 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
Costa RicaProvince of PuntarenasOsa PeninsulaDrake Bay
NUMBER OF ROOMS
9
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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