This award-winning upscale wilderness resort lies adjacent to a 1,000-acre private rainforest reserve where the Golfo Dulce and the Pacific Ocean meet on the Osa Peninsula. A crown jewel of Costa Rica ecolodges, Lapa Rios offers an incredible wildlife experience ideal for couples and families with children age 6 and over.
Guests of Lapa Rios will fly into the Puerto Jimenez domestic airport before being met and driven approximately 45 minutes to the lodge.
A Model of Sustainable Tourism
Lapa Rios is a model for Ecotourism and conservation around the world, winning awards from Conde Nast Traveler and being featured in many international publications. It is the flagship of National Geographic’s Unique Lodges of the World. The resort also received the Award for Corporate Excellence (ACE) 2005 presented by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. Additionally, Lapa Rios Ecolodge has earned all five leaves from the Costa Rica Tourism Board, a measure of sustainability in the tourism sector.
An Amazing Wildlife Experience
The Osa Peninsula is the place to go for wildlife in Costa Rica. It contains 2.5% of the world’s biodiversity and is home to all four Costa Rican monkey species, a variety of tropical birds like scarlet macaws, and five species of wildcats.
Offshore, the cold water of the Pacific Ocean meets the warm waters of the Golfo Dulce, attracting an incredible variety of marine life. Superpods of spinner dolphins gather in the golf as well as hammerhead sharks. Humpback whales come to the Golfo Dulce to give birth to their young (typically between July and October).
In addition to plentiful wildlife watching opportunities, the lodge has access to four undeveloped beaches and Corcovado National Park, one of the last remaining lowland tropical rainforests in the world. Nearby beaches offer gentle swimming, tide pools, and world-class surfing without the crowds.
Turtle Nesting from Lapa Rios
Four species of sea turtles come to the Osa Peninsula beaches each year to nest from May to January. Visiting the lodge during nesting season allows guests the opportunity to witness little sea turtle hatchlings making their way out into the ocean and to participate in efforts for sea turtle research and protection with the Osa Conservation, a partner of Lapa Rios Ecolodge. This is a fantastic opportunity for kids and adults! The following is the general time frame in which each of the four sea turtle species may be seen nesting near Lapa Rios:
- Leatherback Sea Turtles: March – September
- Hawksbill Sea Turtles: July – October
- Green Sea Turtles: July – October
- Olive Ridley Sea Turtles: June – December
Lapa Rios Activities & Tours
Various activities are available from Lapa Rios Lodge that can be booked at check-in. Lapa Rios has its own local naturalist guides available to lead excursions right on the property! Enjoy hiking along the reserve’s private trails, horseback riding, boating or kayaking on the Golfo Dulce, and sport fishing on the Pacific Ocean. Numerous guided tours include whale and dolphin watching, overnight jungle outings, zip-lining, waterfall canyoning, surfing, waterfall hikes, and Corcovado National Park hikes. Lapa Rios also offers complimentary yoga three times per week on the yoga deck or the new deck near the pool area overlooking the ocean. Private yoga classes are available upon request with 24-hour notice. Discover more activities from the lodge.
Pan Dulce Beach
Pan Dulce Beach is directly accessible from the lodge. A light trek will bring you to Pan Dulce, which has a nice left surf break – perfect for learning to surf! A shuttle is available two times a day to bring guests back up to the lodge. So don’t forget to ask reception for pick-up times if you want to avoid the trek. Also included in your stay is the option to have the lodge set up lounge chairs, umbrellas, coolers, and lunch for your own private beach day!
Lapa Rios Amenities
Lapa Rios is an all-inclusive experience with all meals included from arrival to departure. Alcohol and some off-site tours are an additional cost. There is WiFi throughout the property. The lodge also has an eco-friendly salt pool with amazing Pacific Ocean views, a guide hut with books about biodiversity, and trained naturalist guides to answer questions, multiple types of massage, as well as yoga and Chi Kung.
Lapa Rios Bungalows & Villas
Lapa Rios offers three accommodation options: Deluxe Bungalows, Premier Villas, and Lapa Villas.
All the bungalows and villas feature expansive wrap-around decks with incredible views overlooking the rainforest and Golfo Dulce, from which monkeys and scarlet macaws can be seen. Coffee or tea is delivered to your room daily (beginning at 5:30 am) for memorable mornings waking up to the sunrise and sounds of the jungle.
At Lapa Rios, all the water is filtered and safe to drink right from the tap. Organic, local, rainforest-friendly toiletries are provided by Lapa Rios Ecolodge to minimize the human impact on the surrounding beautiful landscape as much as possible. There are no single-use plastics at the lodge. They encourage you to bring a water bottle, but you can also borrow one from the hotel if needed.
Please Note: Lapa Rios is located in a remote wilderness setting. The lodge does not have air conditioning, phones, TV, or radios on the property in an effort to minimize environmental impact and connect with nature. Both the Premier Villas and Lapa Villas have an Evening Breeze above the king-size bed. It cools the space just above the bed by several degrees.
Deluxe Bungalows
Lapa Rios Ecolodge has 11 Deluxe Bungalows situated along a ridge in the 1000 acre rainforest reserve. All of them are identical except some have king beds and some have two queen beds.
Each bungalow has a king-size bed or two queen-size beds, breezy ceiling fans, two 110V electrical outlets (standard American), complimentary coffee or tea service, twice-daily cleaning service, afternoon cocktail delivery, an outdoor and two indoor rain showers, and open screened windows. The bungalows are situated along a ridge to catch the breeze and keep them cool. the large wrap-around deck complete with a sitting area and hammock are ideal for catching the sunrise over coffee or afternoon siestas.
The deluxe bungalows can accommodate up to four guests.
Premier Villas
There are two new Premier Villas connected by a door. This would be a great option for two couples or friends traveling together. Inside, there’s a seating area, writing desk, indoor rain shower, and king-size bed with the ability to add two additional twin-size day beds. Guests can request a car from the main lodge area (reception/restaurant) to the nearby villas. It does not go directly to the villas but there is a service road that is not too far away.
Premier Villas can accommodate four people or five if there is a younger child.
Lapa Villas
The four newly constructed Premier Villas at Lapa Rios features incredible views of the Golfo Dulce from your private deck as well as a private cold water infinity pool and outdoor shower. Inside the villa, an indoor seating area can be separated from the bedroom by a door. There’s also a spacious bathroom with an indoor rain shower. The bedroom has a king-size bed with Simmon’s Beautyrest mattress. The living room has a twin-size daybed and they can add 2 more additional twin-size day beds. Guests can request a car from the main lodge area (reception/restaurant) to the nearby villas. It does not go directly to the villas but there is a service road that is not too far away.
Premier Villas can accommodate six people.
Lapa Rios Walking Paths
Please Note: Considerable stair climbing is required to get to and from the deluxe bungalows and the main lodge. Bungalow access requires stair and path walking. Please notify our Experts in advance if you have mobility issues and would like to stay in the villas or deluxe bungalow one or two located closer to the lodge. Guests can request a car to the villas from the main lodge. The road does not go directly to the villas, but the service road is not far away.
