Playa Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge

My husband and I spent a full week in mid-September and truly did not want to leave - it was the most restful and lovely vacation we have ever been on! I wouldn't hesitate to travel here again during the rainy season because the rainstorms were amazing and we felt like we had the whole place to ourselves. There was still plenty of time to do a morning excursion every day before watching an afternoon rainstorm from our balcony. The lodge is completely surrounded by rainforest and to be totally immersed in nature is an experience everyone should have - waking up to the sound of howler monkeys is magical. We saw humpback whales, dolphins (including a particularly cute baby), 4 monkey species, and countless birds, including scarlet macaws every morning at breakfast. The entire staff was welcoming and helpful. The food was excellent and Kimberly was a fantastic bartender/waitress/impromptu guide - basically every time we saw her she would show us a monkey, bird, frog, etc that we wouldn't had been able to spot otherwise. I also mentioned one day how much I liked the coconut cookies and she made sure there was another batch later in the week so I could snag a few for the flight home. Oscar was our guide for our daily excursions and he answered all of our (numerous) questions and was kind, informative and fun to chat with. We both had a few massages with David during the week - all of which were excellent, but I highly recommend the Thai massage. He was warm, open-hearted and we enjoyed all of our interactions with him. Also a special shout-out to Hazel, Tomas, and Manuel!

This was one of the most restful, refreshing vacations we’ve ever experienced. If you love nature, you will be in heaven here, surrounded by lush rainforest, many species of birds and insects (which the knowledgeable lodge staff will point out & tell you about!), coatis, monkeys, and the dolphins and whales in Golfo Dulce. The darkness at night is deep enough to see so many stars & bioluminescence at the pier, and we loved waking up to the sound of howler monkeys and beach waves. The meals are fresh & delicious, the bungalows are lovely, and we enjoyed both relaxing in the common areas in the lodge and going on tours with amazing guide Jean Carlos (waterfall hike, river kayaking tour, whale & dolphin watching). The staff was SO WARM and friendly, I can’t imagine feeling more at home. Special thanks to Kimberly, Cesar, Hazel, and the amazing yoga instructor Monica—we feel so lucky to have met you all & your bright spirits. We started every day with yoga overlooking the beach and it was truly bliss. When we mentioned it was our 20th anniversary the staff even surprised us with a candlelight dinner under the stars. If you want to feel immersed in nature and surrounded by kindness, this is the place.

Spent a fantastic week at Playa Nicuesa. The staff and service were outstanding. The Osa Peninsula is an amazing natural area. The best part of Playa Nicusa for us was the excursions that were offered. The guides, (Oscar, Jean Carlos, and Johana) were amazingly knowledgeable and made everybody feel so comfortable and welcome.

An absolute incredible experience. We flew into Golfito, got picked up by Boat and drove to the beautiful Playa Nessa Lodge. They were so kind to greet us with welcome drinks and the room was fresh, clean, and filled with natural light, tucked in the rainforest. We saw whales every day, kayaked, fished, and had the absolute best meals. It was relaxing, rejuvenating, full of adventure. You must get a massage while you’re there as well. Shout out to the amazing staff, Hazel, Oscar, Esteban, Kimberly, and Chef Brianna!

My daughter and I just arrived back home after four rejuvenating nights at the Playa Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge. She is heading off to college in four weeks, and I was hoping to spend some time with her to reconnect before she starts the next chapter of her life. Nicuesa provided the perfect environment for us. The trip began with joyful Oscar meeting us at the Puerto Jimenez airport and whisking us to the dock and joining us for the boat trip across the lovely Golfo Dulce to our new home away from home. The trip took around thirty minutes, and along the way we spotted dolphins and kept our eyes open for humpback whales and turtles (which we were lucky enough to see later in the trip). Caesar met us on the dock with a warm smile and tropical drinks and provided a tour of the grounds, which were mindfully designed to pay homage to the natural beauty of the jungle. Along the way, Caesar reviewed the many activities which we would later enjoy, including beachfront yoga, a chocolate tour, and a night hike (all on the grounds) and kayaking and snorkeling (both from the dock). We had inadvertently booked our trip during the “wet” season, which turned out to be a huge blessing. Although there were brief downpours at dusk each day, the cloud coverage during the days kept the heat in check and the rain kept the scenery vibrantly green. The “wet” season also kept the lodge below max occupancy, which resulted in my daughter and I having the trails behind the property all to ourselves. I was amazed that the staff at Nicuesa kept the many miles of trails so well maintained and easy to follow. We did not run into any other people during our hours on the trails, but we did share our hikes with toucans, squirrel monkeys, anteaters, leaf-cutter ants, a green dart frog, and the sounds of howler monkeys in the distance. For three of the four nights, we practiced yoga in an idyllic setting with the sounds of the jungle behind us and the lapping of the waves in front of us. Although these were group sessions, my daughter and I were the only participants in two of the three sessions and had the full attention of the wonderful yoga instructor, Delinina. The activities at the Nicuesa gave my daughter and I something to look forward to each day and reflect on each night. However, it was the people of Nicuesa that made our stay so special. Oscar, Stephen, and Hazel deserve the recognition they received elsewhere in Tripadvisor, but I will say that every member of the team (their cooks, cleaners, boat drivers, maintenance people) all shared a warmth that made us feel like members of their family throughout our trip. I am very grateful for Nicuesa sharing the piece of paradise with us.