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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

  • The whole Tortuguero experience was brilliant.

    TK, Leighton buzzard Dec 2016
  • Highlights: Monkeys and macaws on the trees by our bedroom ,and the White water rafting to and from Pacuare Lodge and swimming down the river!

    JB, Ashford Dec 2015
  • Costa Rica is a stunning country: in terms of its people, who are so warm and welcoming; its ethical basis and its phenomenal wildlife. Snorkelling at Cano Island was truly…

    JS, Brighton Mar 2019
  • 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
  • Costa Rica is too beautiful to miss!

    PC, Moreton-in-Marsh Jan 2012
  • Highlights:- 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…

    MJ, E14 Apr 2011
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Our Expert's Opinion

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!

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Bartolome, Galápagos

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