We have outstanding views of Drake Bay and the Pacific Ocean from our Lodge. Our standard rooms are large and include a private bath and an ocean view balcony. Our ranchos are one and two-story private cabins that also offer balconies with stunning ocean views. They hold up to 6 people and are very spacious. Some are equipped with a bathroom on both the upper and lower level, and are suitable for families or two couples traveling together.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Family
Great View
Languages Spoken
Spanish
Location
Drake Bay Costa Rica
La Paloma Lodge
669 reviews
Getting there
Car recommended
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travelers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
We stayed 5 nights in a room (we asked for the corner room which has 3 walls of windows and balconies on 2 sides and we able to get it!) Great clean and comfortable room with nice AC and good water pressure. Nice balconies with comfortable chairs and a hammock.
Food was excellent all the time and we met interesting people to chat with on the excursions and at dinner time. The club house is very nice, great views and good coffee!
Service is top notch.
We did the included tours to San Pedrillo and Isla Cano, and we also did tours to Sirena Station, the mangrove tour and the night tour with Tracy the bug lady: all very much worth it! The tour guides, especially Randall, were great.
We also spent time relaxing in and around the refreshing pool, on our balcony and at the beach a few minutes walk from the lodge, where you can swim, waves vary depending on tides and days.
We also walked along the coastal trail to a wonderful beach where we had the best swim of our vacation!
Less wildlife around the lodge than at other lodges we stayed in the Osa, but still say some toucans, macaws, capucin monkeys, a boa constrictor too!
It was a long time I wanted to come here and so glad it finally happened!
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Date of stay: January 2024Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Room Tip:Â If staying in a room and not a rancho, ask for the corner room
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.
This place is remote, but that's part of the charm! The accommodations are very comfy (and air conditioned), but you're really in the wilderness so the birds, monkeys and other creatures are right there. The tours that are included with your stay are both really worthwhile (excellent guides), and the food is very very good. We really enjoyed the "family style" seating and the ability to meet other travelers during our stay, but that may not be for everyone (I'm thinking a honeymoon couple may not enjoy so much interaction with others, but we loved that part).
Highly recommend per-registering for Tracie the Bug Lady's tour because that will fill up before you arrive.
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Date of stay: March 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
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.
If you are looking for a major change of scenery, one that you can’t even imagine, La Paloma Lodge in Costa Rica is the place to go. Located on remote Drake Bay on Costa Rica’s southernmost Osa peninsula on the Pacific coast, the Lodge sits high above the sea backed by dense jungle. Just getting there is a real adventure as you travel by small plane, then by vehicle on a dirt road which requires that you drive through a creek, then by boat along the coast after which you are finally deposited at the Lodge’s dock to be welcomed by the manager and driven in a golf cart up to the main building. Cabins are hidden in the jungle connected by stone steps and pathways all of which lead to the main lodge. Ours had a veranda from which we enjoyed beautiful views of the ocean. The only WiFi is in the main lodge and there is no television. Our shower was amazing. I’ve never had better. It was open above a lower wall where you could see the jungle in all of its magnificence. The flora is absolutely amazing. It should be noted that the Lodge is not suitable for handicapped persons given the many steps one must traverse. Dinner was a highlight of the day. Guests gathered in the great room for cocktails after which dinner was served at community tables. The meals were delicious. We met several very interesting people and thoroughly enjoyed getting to know each other and sharing our travel experiences. Many small almost private beaches can be accessed from a staircase down to the sea where there is a trail that runs adjacent to the beaches for a considerable distance. We scheduled a fishing trip that did not disappoint. We caught two huge snappers, a barracuda and a tuna all of which were cooked at the lodge and shared with the guests. We also enjoyed hiking in Corcovado National Park which the lodge arranged with a great guide named Randall. Finally we went by boat to Cano island which you can see in the distance, snorkeled, and saw a pod of Humpback whales, one of which actually jumped right out of the water. La Paloma is an exciting place while at the same time very personal and comfortable. The manager Nicole could not have been more accommodating and the staff was wonderful, nice and gracious. I highly recommend La Paloma Lodge without reservation.
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Date of stay: January 2023Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Room Tip:Â Not suitable for handicapped persons
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.
From the moment we arrived at the dock we knew this place was special! We were greeted with warm smiles, a lovely breakfast at a table on the porch overlooking the ocean. We could feel the weariness of 12 hours of overnight travel slip away as we sipped on fresh watermelon juice and listened to the birdsong. We were the only couple staying here for the first couple of nights and we were treated like royalty by the incredible staff. We had an amazing bungalow with a wide covered porch overlooking the ocean. It was heavenly to sit out there and read on the comfy chairs or watch the colorful birds fly in and out to the surrounding trees and flowers. We kept very busy while here and enjoyed the arranged activities to the national park and the island. The lodge arranged for us to do the bug lady tour which was great! We also did a morning birding trip with Tico that was incredible! He was so knowledgeable on bird hotspots in the area and we absolutely loved our time with him! Another highlight was cooling off in the afternoons in the beautiful pool. We arrived at the start of the green season but had wonderful weather while we were here. There was a crazy rain storm one afternoon and in the evenings but the days were perfect (albeit a little hot). This is a paradise on earth and I only hope I am able to go back some day!
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Date of stay: May 2024Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Room Tip:Â We spotted spider and white faced monkeys on the property, a few toucans and scarlet macaws
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 family just spend 5 nights at La Paloma Lodge and it was AMAZING! The staff were fantastic, attentive, kind and hard working. Charlotte was awesome, she did all our thinking for us and when we told her we wanted to horseback ride on the beach she just said consider it done. She told us at dinner that night when to be where and what time. The lodge itself is beautiful and has a great history. AC worked awesome. We did the tours they include at Corcovado and Canos Island, great guides! They helped us book a tour with the Bug Lady, which was right on the property and the horseback tour. It was like being in a National Geographic show. We used Andrea from their office in the U.S. to book everything and it was the perfect blend of all inclusive and rustic/remote. I loved the family style dinners because we got to know people from all over AND hear about what they liked/didn’t like for activities. My 12 year old is a picky eater and they always had something to accommodate her and she said she loved the 4 course dinners! I would go back in a heartbeat!
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Date of stay: March 2024Trip 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.
We had a great time at La Paloma. We had one of the "superior rooms," and for the two of us it was perfect. Air-con at night and fans during the day kept us comfortable while in the room. Especially nice bathroom and deck. The two excursions, the walk in Corcovado Park and the snorkel trip, were both fun and informative. Our guide was Arnoldo for both, and he was amazing at spotting birds and animals and fish. The staff was very helpful, and we enjoyed the cocktail hour and the other guests. The food was fine, but seemed a little monotonous by the end of the stay. More expensive than we usually spend, but worth it.
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Date of stay: December 2022
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.
Outstanding. Everyone was friendly and helpful, the trips from it were well done, on time and super interesting
Facilities felt polished and everything felt well taken care of. Would return in a heartbeat. Easily one of our favorite places on earth.
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Date of stay: April 2022Trip type: Traveled with family
Room Tip:Â Snorkeling was awesome
Jungle trip hard for little kids but fun
Beach is excellent
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.
La Paloma is a wonderful resort. It is tucked away in the jungle on the northern side of the Osa peninsula. The lodge overlooks the Pacific Ocean with stunning sunsets. It is remote to say the least but it has all the comforts of a great resort. The remote location is by design so that you are as close to Corcovado National park which encompasses the majority of the peninsula as you can get. Guided tours of many varieties are frequent and excellent.
Perhaps what sets it apart is the fantastic service the staff provides. Nicole, the property manager, and her staff give five star service. And the meals are excellent. I highly recommend a stay there. I went for the bird watching and found the guides there very knowledgeable.
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Date of stay: August 2022Trip 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.
I did not go to La Paloma, although I tried to make a reservation for the last week. You can't do that on Travelocity or any such site, you must go through their reservation system. I did that, requesting a specific date and villa. They responded saying it was available. That was the last time I heard from them, despite writing 3 emails asking them to write back. I also called their Florida number twice, leaving voicemails each time. No response. I would have loved to have gone to La Paloma, but with this response to my inquiries I booked another place. Their customer service is appalling, especially for such an upscale place.
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Date of stay: July 2023
Service
Trip type: Traveled solo
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.
Charlotte, Diana and the rest of the staff do an amazing job. It’s beautiful and their coordination of activities, and other details is superb. food, including if you have special dietary needs is delicious. From the pick up at the airport to coordinating excursions couldn’t have asked for more help you are in the jungle so occasionally Wi-Fi goes out as does the electricity, generators are quick to come on, you will have bugs, monkeys, and loads of vegetation.
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Date of stay: January 2024Trip type: Traveled on business
Room Tip:Â Trust they will take care of the details. Grab cash before you get out here. No atms.
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.
Weston super Mare, United Kingdom346 contributions174 helpful votes
If you have mobility issues I honestly think this place is not a good option. There are stairs from the river where you will arrive leading up to the path that runs through the grounds, stairs again to go up to most of the rooms because they are high up in the trees, ... I think you should at least talk to the lady who runs the place. She is very kind and customer friendly and I am certain she will be able to advise you. Perhaps they have rooms that are more accessible, but I don't remember seeing any. DO enjoy your trip, Costa Rica is unforgettable.
We stayed at the Beach house that is affiliated with the lodge. There is more than enough space to accommodate your party. There is lots of wildlife in and around the lodge. Birds, hummingbirds, monkeys, sloths, evening/nocturnal critters, spiders, marine life in the bay. What you see is based on luck. But, you are in the middle of the jungle.
There is a private and a shared transfer from Sierpe to the lodge. About 45 minutes by motorized boat. I am sure the lodge can provide you with pricing.
We loved our stay.
Dear Audrey,
Thanks for your question. Even though Drake Bay is still considered a remote location, it´s fairly easy nowadays to reach us. You can either take a 1 hr boat ride from a town called Sierpe ( 4 hour drive from San Jose ), or take one of the many flights (around 6 per day) connecting San Jose to Drake Bay in 35 mins. The airstrip is located 25 mins away from our hotel.
Please let us know if you have any further questions,
Pamela
Dear Rariya,
First of all, apologies on our late response.Superior rooms are double bedrooms located next to our restaurant and one next to each other; deluxe rooms are free standing bungalows spread thorughout the property with ocean view, some of them are able to accomodate 4-5 people.
Please let us know if you have any further questions,
Pamela
Host & Shift Manager La Paloma Lodge
There are more places to choose from in the Drake Bay area.
ALSO KNOWN AS
la paloma hotel drake bay, la paloma drake bay
LOCATION
Costa RicaProvince of PuntarenasOsa PeninsulaDrake Bay
NUMBER OF ROOMS
12
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