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Playa Nicuesa

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A beautiful and secluded eco-lodge in Costa Rica’s lesser-known Piedras Blancas National Park.

Playa Nicuesa is an isolated lodge set within a 165-acre private reserve bordering the Piedras Blancas National Park and the calm waters of the Golfo Dulce. It’s only accessible by boat, either from Golfito or Puerto Jimenez.

The main lodge is essentially a large treehouse, crafted in a variety of salvaged hardwoods. On the upper floor is an open-air restaurant where tasty meals are served communally with the opportunity to meet like-minded travellers.  Accommodation is in a handful of beautifully constructed wooden cabins, which are simply but attractively furnished. Each cabin features large louvred windows and a wraparound veranda, as well as open-air showers, creating a very natural environment. There’s no air conditioning, but a ceiling fan and screened windows ensure the cabins are well ventilated and you can hear the sounds of the jungle. There’s no need for an alarm clock here – the howler monkeys will let you know when it’s time to wake up!

The lodge has an extensive network of self-guided trails for you to explore and guests have complimentary use of kayaks and standup paddleboards. Naturalist guides cost extra and can be booked locally. Sustainability has always been part of Playa Nicuesa’s ethos and electricity is provided by a hydroelectric turbine and solar panels.

Bartolome, Galápagos

What our clients say

  • It was all pretty memorable but the view of the Arenal volcano from our boat transfer across the lake sticks in my mind. It was a completely clear day and…

    EW, Newport May 2017

  • The wildlife in Costa Rica is incredible and it is everywhere you go and very immediate. Add to that beautiful scenery and very friendly people and it is a great…

    MJ, Canary Wharf Jun 2013

  • Highlights “Our overall impression was how lovely all the people were that we met, amazing wildlife and very good food. Our most memorable experience was probably kayaking at Tortuguero although…

    JP, Newtown Feb 2012

  • Highlight?: Turtles laying, sloths scratching, toucans screeching, frogs jumping, iguanas climbing, Mayan steps galore, sharks a swimming, stalactite dodging in the blue hole...All in all brilliant

    MS, Twickenham Oct 2016

  • Highlights: Bird watching at Tortuguero and snorkelling on the reef in Belize which was simply amazing.

    GW, Winchester Dec 2015

  • Highlights?: The drive Ranch Margot round Lake Arenal, staying there, seeing humming birds feeding from flowers a metre from our bungalow veranda, kayaking in the shadow of the amazing volcano.

    JH, London Dec 2016
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Our Expert's Opinion

Maggie
Maggie Wilson - Travel Expert

Maggie visited Latin America on her first backpacking trip when she was 19. Since then, she has taken every opportunity to travel, and has managed to explore a lot of the region in subsequent trips.

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