Back

Playa Nicuesa

  • COS_OsaPeninsula_NicuesaRainforestLodge (10)_11zon
  • COS_OsaPeninsula_NicuesaRainforestLodge (3)_11zon
  • COS_OsaPeninsula_NicuesaRainforestLodge (8)_11zon
  • COS_OsaPeninsula_NicuesaRainforestLodge (9)_11zon
  • COS_OsaPeninsula_NicuesaRainforestLodge (5)_11zon
  • COS_OsaPeninsula_NicuesaRainforestLodge (7)_11zon
  • COS_OsaPeninsula_NicuesaRainforestLodge (12)_11zon
0 1 2 3 4 5 6

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

  • Highlights? Bosque Del Cabo, Rafiki and Maquenque, absolutely wonderful.

    ASP, Bexhill-on-sea Jan 2017
  • Highlights?: Seeing the Quetzal with Carlos; finding the MotMot on our own at La Quinta; seeing the Eyelash Pit Viper on the Hanging Bridges trip; all of the 5 days…

    MCB, Stockport Mar 2017
  • Highlight: All of Osa - the guided walks in the forest, the early bird-watching trip, the food, watching spider monkeys from the beach and toucans from the balconies, the friendly…

    DH, London Feb 2016
  • Most memorable experience: "The amount and variety of wildlife in Tortuguero and Cahuita (which we visited separately). I lived in San Jose from 1978-1981 and never saw so much variety,…

    JW, Crowborough Feb 2015
  • 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
  • Most memorable experiences:Seeing the turtles nesting in Tortugero, the magical Tortugero national park and Monteverde.  We also loved Tamarindo to chill and surf!

    EdVC, London Aug 2015
0 1 2 3 4 5

Our Expert's Opinion

Ben
Ben Line - Travel Expert

Ben fell in love with Latin America on a six month backpacking trip from Colombia to Mexico in 1995. Since then he has explored most of South America, including living in Peru for a year. He is now Head of Sales.

Papagaio

Your edit for Latin American inspiration

Our exciting range of articles on Latin America explore everything from iconic destinations and lesser-known cultural gems to delicious traditional recipes. You’ll also find exclusive travel tips, first-hand client reviews and the chance to get your personal questions answered by our travel experts.

View Extraordinary Inspiration
Bartolome, Galápagos

Meet our team

Real Latin american experts

  • Heloise
    Heloise Buxton - Travel Expert

    Heloise started her Latin American journey as an exchange student in Santiago, Chile. With extended summer holidays this was the perfect opportunity to backpack through Bolivia, Peru, Argentina and Brazil.

  • Sophie
    Sophie Barber - Travel Expert

    Sophie lived in Chile before joining us and has travelled extensively across Latin America, from Mexico to the furthest tip of Patagonia and beyond to Antarctica.

  • Hannah
    Hannah Donaldson - Travel Expert

    Having spent part of her childhood in Colombia and worked in Brazil and Costa Rica, Hannah's ties to Latin America run deep. Hannah is a much valued Travel Expert in our Tailor-made Holidays and Group Tours sales team.

  • Juliet
    Juliet Ellwood - Travel Expert

    After graduating with a degree in Anthropology and History and having been fascinated by Latin America since childhood by the book featuring photos of Nazca, Juliet first visited the region in 2003. Since then, Juliet has visited the majority of countries in Latin America but has particularly extensive experience with Peru, a country she loves for many reasons but not least, its incredible archaeological richness and delicious food!

  • Kathryn
    Kathryn Rhodes - Travel Expert

    Kathryn backpacked across Argentina, Chile, Bolivia and Peru before joining us. She has a degree in Philosophy and French and is a keen netball player.

  • Chris
    Chris Rendell-Dunn - Travel Expert

    Anglo-Peruvian Chris grew up in Lima and spent much of his adult life in between London and Cusco as a tour leader, before settling permanently in our London-based Tailor-made and Group Tours sales team.

0 1 2 3 4 5