Playa Cativo

We had a great stay. From the minute we were picked up at the marina, it was magical. The lodge was very nice and beautifully appointed. The staff greeted us with friendly smiles and a welcome drink. Our room was larger and wonderful for us. We were in the main lodge room 14. We had a 180 degree view. People wise it was very quiet. We love birds and nature so that noise was magical. We had plenty of space with a sofa and a small dining table. Each morning coffee is delivered along with a little snack. The servers in the dining room are wonderful. Natasha, Mike and Alphonso were our main servers. Always time for a chat and smile. Natasha gave us great recommendations. Always fresh seafood and vegetarian offers. Most of the fruit and vegetables are local and organically grown. The meals were really good. We loved our view and as bird watchers, there was no shortage of birds. We saw 79 new species for our list. We also saw and anteater, agouti, coati, picari and all sorts of cool insects. They have their own honey and the bees are very tiny and no stingers. They also have their own chickens for fresh eggs. We did not see a lot for sealife on our snorkel adventure from the kayak. Great adventure for the outdoor lovers. It is a paradise for sure.

Our experience was better than we could have imagined. From the boat ride over to the boat ride out, our expectations were far exceeded. The staff is incredible and take such great pride in what they do. We had personal experiences with Alonso, Mike, Natasa, and Katherine (our experience guide) and enjoyed getting to know a little bit about them. The manager Kenneth was incredibly personable as well and happy to assist with anything we needed. Every other staff member, whether they were cleaning the grounds or driving the boats, all deserve praise for what they do as well. The staff in the kitchen is incredibly talented and the food/dining experience is something we will not forget. We highly recommend if you are looking for a 5+ star experience in a pristine and secluded environment.

The boat ride to Playa Cativo was quite marvellous, calm, scenic, and a lovely way to ease into the experience. From the moment you arrive, there is a real sense of peace about the place, the sort that encourages you to slow down and simply take it all in. One of the things that stood out the most was the organic farm, you can geniunely taste the difference in the food, everything is fresh and thougtfully prepared, particularly the tuna, which was excellent. Motnings come early her, often with the sound of howler monkeys making sure you are awake by around 5 am, but it quickly becomes part of the charm and rythm of the place. We also took the one day excursion to Corcovado national Park and were fortunate enough to spot a tapir, something i understand is not always guaranteed. It was a real highlight. Overall, the experience strikes a very nice balance between comfort and being inmersed in nature, the sort of place that stays with you long after you have left.

Wow, we went in with extremely high expectations and they were exceeded. From the moment of our dock arrival in Golfito to our departure (I felt like crying) at Golfito airport, Playa Captivo felt like being home (in a truly beautiful setting) and the staff being our family. The service, food, amenities, spa, excursions, drinks, and rooms were all wonderful. Mike and Ivan (along with Kenneth's entire team) were just so fantastic and made us so feel welcomed with every interaction. I was sad to say goodbye to them and leave playa captivo, and am eager to plan a return visit.

Our stay at Playa Cativo Lodge with our kids was honestly nothing short of magical, a experience that really balanced adventure, comfort, and amazing service. From the moment we arrived, Laura made us feel super welcome, setting the tone for everything else. At the restaurant, Mike, Natasha and Ivan were just great, always attentive and really friendly, making every meal feel special. The food was excellent, fresh and very well prepared, we were impressed every single day. One of the most unforgettable moments was seeing a ocelot on our way to the farm, which was such a rare thing and super exciting specially for the kids. The weather was definitely on the warm and humid side, but honestly we got used to it pretty quick with the standing fans and cooling off in the plunge pool, which helped a lot. Being surrounded by nature but still having this level of hospitality made it the perfect family getaway, and something we will be talking about for years. Thank you Playa Cativo Lodge for being part of our unforgettable memories!