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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

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

    DS, Coventry Jan 2017
  • We had a really exceptional trip.  The mix of beautiful scenery and amazing wildlife made it a real adventure and yet the logistics made it achievable and stress free. Costa…

    GP, Warwick Jul 2015
  • Highlight? We did a night hike in Monteverde and saw snakes, sloths, owls.

    SW, London Feb 2020
  • 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
  • Everything was organised like clockwork but without feeling intrusive.  The whole itinerary fully met our needs with fabulous hotels and some really exiting journeys.  The flight from Punta Islita being…

    LD, Harpenden Jun 2013
  • 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
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Our Expert's Opinion

Finn Clennett
Finn Clennett - Travel Expert

Papagaio

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Bartolome, Galápagos

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    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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    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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    Hannah had an early introduction to Latin America when her family moved to Ecuador and she returned to study in Buenos Aires for a year before backpacking across the continent.

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    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.

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    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.

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