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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

  • Highlights?: There were so many. Seeing a toucan land in the tree just by our room at El Remanso. Walking down the trail at Monteverde Lodge and a beautiful Morpho…

    KS, Uxbridge Mar 2017

  • Highlight?: Tortuguera boat trip, rafting Arenal, hot springs Arenal, zip wires Monteverde, running on the beach in Uvita - so many lovely memories

    SL, London Jan 2017

  • Most memorable experience: “Very difficult to be specific but an eclectic selection would include:- Boat trip excursion with excellent guide from Tortuga Lodge; Singer/Musician at Dinner at Arenal Nayara Hotel;…

    VB, Sloane Sqaure Feb 2013

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

    GW, Winchester Dec 2015

  • It is difficult to single out any one part as being most memorable. For me (as a geologist) the trip to Poas Volcano was great. The ziplining at Punta Islita…

    RH, Peterborough Mar 2016

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

    ASP, Bexhill-on-sea Jan 2017
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Our Expert's Opinion

Sallly
Sally Watkins - Travel Expert

A former Journey Latin America tour leader, Sally spent 7 years working, travelling and living throughout Latin America before returning to the UK to help people arrange their own adventures to this wonderful destination.

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Papagaio

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Bartolome, Galápagos

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    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!

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