Playa Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge

I spent 5 nights at Playa Nicuesa in July 2026 as part of a small yoga retreat led by Marsha White (mwyoga.com). Marsha has been bringing groups to Nicuesa for years, and I can see why she keeps coming back. Getting there is part of the experience — a small plane followed by a boat ride across the Golfo Dulce. Olman, the lodge manager, greeted us at the pier when we arrived and J.C. was right there with fresh fruit drinks in hand. It was clear we had arrived somewhere truly special. Being accessible only by boat gives Nicuesa a feeling of real remoteness that I loved. It was nice to be away from civilization for a while. Steven at the front desk made sure our luggage was brought to our rooms, connected us with guides to schedule our excursions, and was genuinely attentive to whatever we needed throughout the stay. He's the kind of person who makes the logistics invisible so you can focus on actually enjoying yourself. J.C. was our server at most meals and was wonderful — warm, attentive, and always with a smile. The food itself was excellent and felt authentically Costa Rican, with a different menu each day that was fresh and well prepared. The guides were a real highlight. Kimberly led us on four excursions — an intro hike, a waterfall hike, a dusk hike, and kayaking through the mangroves. She was incredibly knowledgeable and has an almost supernatural ability to sense wildlife in the jungle. The waterfall hike in particular was unforgettable: the latter part of the trail follows the creek, climbing up with ladders and ropes, and at the top you're rewarded with a magical little pool with water cascading in where we went for a swim. Oscar led our bird watching tour and a chocolate making activity and was equally knowledgeable and engaging. The wildlife alone was worth the trip. On the intro hike we spotted an anteater up in a tree — I had no idea they climbed trees. During kayaking we paddled right under a boa constrictor hanging above the mangroves. And I never got tired of watching pairs of scarlet macaws flying across the sky and landing in the almond trees to eat, or catching sight of yellow-throated toucans. We did yoga twice a day on the beautiful open-air yoga deck, and I also spent time paddleboarding in the ocean. But honestly, my favorite part of each day might have been the simplest — sitting in a hammock by the ocean in the afternoons, reading a book and listening to the waves. Overall, this trip was the perfect balance of adventure and restoration. The staff, the guides, the food, and the setting all came together to make it something I'll remember for a long time. Highly recommended.

My mother, 88, and I wrote this review together. We've been thinking about what we wanted to share and here is what we came up with! From the moment we arrived by boat across the Golfo Dulce, it was clear this place was built by people who deeply love this land. Every detail of the lodge reflects that care, from the handcrafted touches in the cabins to the way the property blends into the rainforest around it rather than fighting against it. The team took care of us like family. Every staff member seemed genuinely happy to be there, and it showed in the small things: the warm greetings each morning, the thoughtful recommendations for hikes and excursions, the way they anticipated what we needed before we asked. One of our favorite parts was the community table for all meals. Sharing stories with the other guests each night, we met some of the most interesting people. It made the whole experience feel less like a hotel stay and more like being welcomed into a little community. The food deserves its own paragraph. Every meal was fresh, healthy, and clearly made with real intention, using ingredients that felt connected to the land right around us. What stood out most was the respect for the environment woven into everything. This isn't a lodge that talks about sustainability, it's one that actually lives it, from how the property is powered to how carefully the surrounding rainforest and wildlife are protected. Whoever created this place clearly poured themselves into it. You can feel their values in every corner of the property. We left already planning our return.

This is such a special place! If you want to be off the beaten path and in a natural setting, this is the place. They bring you by boat from a local port. This is a small, intimate resort. Wonderful! Very nice cabins and good food. They have snorkeling and kayaking equipment available for free use. They also offer boat tours. Quiet and so very peaceful listening to the waves on the beach. Great birdwatching.

Great, secluded jungle experience, completely off grid. Rooms/cottages were classy and clean. Service was great. The food and staff were geat. The noise level was all jungle produced!

I had a blast celebrating my birthday at Nicuesa with my adult children. Kim, our guide, was so helpful as I got comfortable swimming in the ocean again. I also had fun doing yoga with my adult children. I can't forget the incredible meals we enjoyed as we looked over the rainforest out to the ocean. I loved hearing the waves as I drifted off to sleep. Lastly, the lodge cares deeply about the environment, with all the sustainability efforts they have put in place to minimize the impact on the ecosystem.