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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

  • Although the transfers were quite long the mix between eg driving and taking a boat were good and made us feel we really saw the country. 

    ME May 2011
  • Everything was good.  An unexpected highlight was the chocolate tour to the local conservation chocolate plantation in Sarapiqui.

    DS, Coventry Jan 2017
  • We always ask each other what the highlight was, but always fail.  It was really the variety.  There is really so much to remember.

    JS, Bath Mar 2017
  • 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
  • So many - sloths close up, wild monkeys eating coconuts from our hand, finding a snake in Falls resort, zipwiring in Arenal, canoeing to old Costa Rican farmhouse, night walks…

    JS, Amersham Sep 2016
  • 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
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Our Expert's Opinion

Paul Winrow Giffin
Paul Winrow-Giffin - Travel Expert

After graduating in Computer Science, Paul spent seven months travelling from Colombia to Argentina and came home hooked on Latin America.

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Bartolome, Galápagos

Meet our team

Real Latin american experts

  • Lina
    Lina Fuller - Travel Expert

    Lina's passion for the continent where she was born really took off when she moved to Córdoba (Argentina) to study, spending the holidays travelling between Argentina and her native Colombia.

  • Finn Clennett
    Finn Clennett - Travel Expert

  • Mary
    Mary Anne Nelson - Travel Expert

    Born in the Atacama Desert in northern Chile, Mary’s insider knowledge and dry sense of humour make her a highly valued member of the Tailor-made Holidays and Group Tour sales team.

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    Rosie Kay - Travel Expert

    During a career break, Rosie embarked on an unforgettable year-long backpacking trip across Latin America. Now back in the UK, she is excited to share her knowledge and experiences with others, helping them discover her favourite place in the world.

  • 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.

  • 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.

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