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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

  • Costa Rica with Journey Latin America is one of the best holidays we have ever had, if not the best.

    MD, Southam Jun 2026
  • Highlights?: Very hard to select 1 or 2 things. However would probably say Travelling to and staying at Tortuga Lodge and the excursions into the Jungle (in 3 days we…

    TW, Glasgow Apr 2018
  • So hard to pick out an individually memorable part. If pushed then we would have to select the two river wildlife trips (Tortuguero and Cano Negro) and overall the friendly…

    SY, Solihull Jan 2019
  • Highlight: Seeing the wildlife in Costa Rica. There are so many beautiful birds and amazing animals that it's hard not to see them. The guides were exceptional, especially William and…

    JW, Weymouth Jan 2016
  • 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 great…

    MJ, Canary Wharf Jun 2013
  • Highlights: Bird watching at Tortuguero and snorkelling on the reef in Belize which was simply amazing.

    GW, Winchester Dec 2015
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Our Expert's Opinion

Alex
Alex Walker - Travel Expert

A globetrotter since her childhood, Alex spent a year studying abroad in Guadalajara and has returned to Latin America countless times since then.

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Bartolome, Galápagos

Meet our team

Real Latin american experts

  • 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.

  • Finn Clennett
    Finn Clennett - Travel Expert

  • Sallly
    Sally Dodge - 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.

  • 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.

  • Charlotte
    Charlotte Daubeney - Travel Expert

    Charlotte's fascination with Latin America began with a family holiday to Belize. She went on to study Spanish in school and at university before spending a year living in Santiago, Chile.

  • 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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