On a secluded five acres of pristine rainforest beachfront in one of the most biologically diverse areas on earth, this unique resort lets you escape civilization while safely and comfortably enjoying countless natural wonders. The property fronts on Playa Pan Dulce, famous for its long right point surf break, an SUP surfers dream break. Located in the same vast rainforest as Corcovado Park, Casa Bambu Resort is on the tip of the Osa Peninsula, where the rainforest meets the sea. Winner of 11 Trip Advisor Traveler's Choice awards in the last ten years places Casa Bambu in the top 1%. COVID-19 UPDATE: The Osa Peninsula is a COVID-free zone. There has not been one incidence of the virus in our area throughout the pandemic. The Osa is so sparsely populated that “social distancing” is the norm. And there is plenty of pure air and warm sunshine, which viruses hate. We offer a NO RISK BOOKING POLICY: if you reserve and are unable to come due to Covid-19 restrictions, there will be no cancellation fees and you will be issued a full travel credit for a future trip.
Though we had already stayed here and it was already our favorite place to stay in the area, this year we had to book during the pandemic. Still, Kirk and Elena manage to make this place feel worlds away from all that.
Once you see the view from the view you definitely will fall in love - it is amazing! You can see the waves wrap around the inside of the Pan Dulce break and the stoked surfers sliding on by.
Our room was comfortable, there isn't air conditioning (no places in the area have A/C) but the strategically placed fans do the trick on warmer afternoons. Other than mid day, we prefer turning them off to fully enjoy the perfect quiet. No white noise from appliances, etc, just the occasional thrush of branches as one of four species of monkeys come through the beautiful garden, which is full of bananas, mamones and other fruit trees that attract local fauna. You will see and hear all the nature that is around you which definitely will relax you, we saw some different kinds of birds we loved the toucans and parrots, and macaws.
The property is huge, consisting of four houses (Casa Linda is our favorite, then Casa Pina) there are many attraction around you, we visited the waterfall and the water is a kind of blue and green, beautiful! Of course the water is so clean, if the day is hot you will refresh your body.
The kitchen is superbly stocked and everything was in a perfect state of repair. The one time our BBQ gas bottle went empty, Walter came and replaced in 5 minutes. They also have a ton of great books in each house to allow you to dive in to, from authors like Patrick O'Brian and Deng Ming Dao. You will definitely pick up and use the 'Birds of Costa Rica' one, for assistance identifying the many species of birds you will encounter.
The grounds around the property offers many birds, monkeys, agoutis, etc. so you really don't even need to leave to explore the areas trails. As far as biting bugs, I don't know why but this part of Costa Rica doesn't seem to get them. I'd say leave your repellent at home, but maybe it's good to have just in case.
Walter, the property manager/mechanic/nature guide is really gentle and always there if you need help, he knows all around the area very well and can even offer you a guided hike.
I probably forgot a lot. Oh yes! They have three kayaks you can take out whenever you want. Just be careful of the waves as you launch. High tide is best time to kayak. The bottom line is this, we've stayed at probably 10 or 15 places in this area over the years and Kirk and Elena's bamboo masterpieces are by far our favorite.
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Date of stay: March 2020
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Room Tip:All the rooms are immaculate, but the master in each house has the best views.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
My experience of Casa Bambu was nothing but great! It's off the beaten path, and you should print out the directions that you recieve to get there, and then follow them to the letter and you will be fine. The water is warm, the beach is secluded, and the nature is unspoiled. Monkeys and macaw parrots in the trees! The casa itself is comfortable and utterly charming. The host is very helpful; he explained where to find things, gave good advice and booked tours for us free of charge.
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Date of stay: March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We spent a week at Casa Sonrisa at the beginning of December....it was all I had hoped for and more. Our main goal was enjoying the wildlife and beauty of the Osa Peninsula, and that could easily be done without leaving the comfortable outdoor living room deck. Waking to the call of the howler monkeys every morning was a treat, and trogons, scarlet macaws, toucans and innumerable other birds surround the house. We hired William to take us on a tour of Corcovado one day, and also took morning birding/waterfall hikes, and a night hike with him. He is is super knowledgeable guide and a delightful person. Leda and her sister came and cooked for us several nights (a luxury we highly recommend!), leaving with the table set with multiple dishes and a clean kitchen. And Kirk answered all our questions and was extremely helpful both pre-trip and during the trip. The beach (a very short walk from the house) was lovely and a great way to cool off after a hike. The house is just delightful....you feel as if you're outdoors. Comfy beds, complete with mosquito netting and fans and a well-equipped kitchen, made this lovely house even better. We'd go back in a heartbeat and highly recommend Casa Bambu!
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Date of stay: December 2019
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Room Tip:Three similar bedrooms, one on the upper main floor, and two on the ground level floor.They are...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
If you are lucky enough to book one of these four hand-hewn homes, you are in for an unforgettable journey. We stayed in Casa Bambu, the eponymous original of the four houses designed by Kirk, but each is spectacular.
Casa Bambu looks out across tropical greenery to the southern end of the Golfe Dulce and to the forested mountains beyond. The lovely Pan Dulce Beach is just below the property, and you can easily walk along a trail to other spectacular beaches. The lone road above is far enough that you cannot hear any car noises. Indeed, the only sounds other than the waves are the calls of birds and monkeys. Just above the road is a huge private reserve so you are essentially backing up against the rain forest. We were able to walk to nearby trails to explore the forest with manager William as our guide. The Osa Peninsula is the largest remaining lowland tropical rainforest in the world, so a paradise for nature lovers.
The property itself is unique, a beautifully designed bamboo home with open views in all directions. You can close the upstairs shutters, but we never did: The weather was delightful and the mosquito netting kept us snug after dark. The kitchen is well stocked for cooking. Elena, who is a fount of information to guide your stay, suggested we stock up at Puerto Jimenez for several days, with ice, and we found the capacious open top fridge perfect for our needs. We hired two local women to cook several meals, which was wonderful, but we also felt comfortable cooking for ourselves. We were also pleased that the Wifi was strong and the shower deliciously hot.
The house is solar-powered, which worked surprisingly well. The beds were comfortable and the overall sense of the place is extreme relaxation. One of my companions told me he’d never felt so relaxed in his life. It is just magical to be taking an afternoon nap, after a long hike through the rain forest or a swim in the Gulf, and to see a family of spider monkeys swinging calmly through the trees just a few feet away.
It's hard to imagine a more spectacular place to stay on the Osa Peninsula; simple yet comfortable, isolated yet accessible. Kirk and Elena, who live next door, are the perfect hosts: Visible only as needed but when so, charming and helpful beyond the call of duty.
We all very much hope to be back.
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Date of stay: January 2022
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Wake up with the howler monkeys and relax in the porch hammock to the call and response of White Faced Monkeys, Macaws, Toucans and countless other local natives. This is a special place. Don't expect a mint on your pillow or rattling A/C but do expect an immersive jungle experience. Kirk and Elena are knowledgeable and accommodating and the location on Pan Dulce Beach is ideal for surfers, kayakers, and beachcombers alike. We did not rent a car and never felt like we needed one as everything (except groceries and ice) are within a short walk . Casa Sonrisa is rustic yet comfortable and well thought out with an industrial grade cook top, a full complement of cookware and utensils, and broad eaves and wide open "windows" that allow guests to experience the surroundings inside the Casa. Hire William for a tour and Leda for a fine meal with leftovers for days. Read the information packet thoroughly and don't forget the ice. Can't wait to return!
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Date of stay: August 2021
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We stayed at Casa Linda for 8 nights, February 3-10th. The location close to the beach gives you a spectacular view of the sunrise over the ocean. We walked the beautiful beaches, watched the tide fluctuations & went to sleep to the sounds of the waves at night. It’s a great place to surf but for beginners the riptides are so dangerous!
The house is made of bamboo & is roomy. The sounds of the jungle are all around you, since there are open slats on the windows. You go to sleep to the sound of the cicadas and wake up to the howler monkeys! Speaking of monkeys, there is no lack! Every day we enjoyed watching the antics of the spider monkeys, white-faced monkeys and howler monkeys.
When we arrived at Puerto Jimenez, we bought groceries. Elena gave us a list of recipes that Leda and Oliva will prepare for you if you wish, for just $10/person per meal. The food was beautifully prepared and so delicious. The homemade tortillas are scrumptious, and the warm cinnamon rice pudding was one of our favorites! They clean up the kitchen for you as well. Every three days Leda & William clean the house and replenish towels and bedding. William is available to point out wildlife or help with anything needed in the house.
The weather was hot and humid. The water is very warm! Night time is a bit challenging with the heat! The screened in beds have a small fan, but could use bigger fans to keep the air circulating.
There are many waterfalls to visit as well in this beautiful country! We hiked to King Louis waterfall, a short hike through the jungle that opened up into an amazing waterfall with a pool to cool off in.
Costa Rica is also a bird lovers paradise! We really enjoyed the macaws this year. They came to feed right next to our house.
We also enjoyed off-shore fishing one day, although we only caught one big Blue Jack. Leda & Oliva prepared it for our supper!
Overall we enjoyed our amazing Costa Rican adventure very much!
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Date of stay: February 2024Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This was a well equipped Bamboo House on Stilts that sat in the jungle canopy giving us viewing pleasure of the surrounding wildlife: monkeys, Toucans, Scarlet Macaws, Birds. Kitchen was well equipped. Living room area is a good chill spot. Bed netting is high quality. The onsite manager William is an excellent guide and provided us exceptional service above and beyond. Kirk and Elena corresponded with us to ensure we had all the info needed and responded immediately to any of our requests. Take note that the OSA is an adventure experience. Suggest that you arrive to Casa Bambu in the daylight so you get your bearings and settle in before nightfall. The jungle comes alive at night. William took us to Playa Carate. It's a bit of a journey but well worth it. It's like being at the end of the universe.
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Date of stay: February 2020
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If you are looking for pure nature, this is your place! We've stayed in 3 out of the 4 houses (Piña, Bambu and Linda). They all have amazing views and are very well maintained/equipped. You can tell they really think about all the details (light and fan inside your mosquito nets in bed, a perfectly equipped kitchen, where everything works, amazing views from the cozy balconies, comfortable beach chairs, etc.). Kirk and Elena are very friendly and flexible and make the whole booking and planing experience really easy! William is also a big plus and Leda and her sister are amazing cooks! We don't have anything negative to say about this place!
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Date of stay: April 2021
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Sleep Quality
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We have stayed in Cabo Matapalo various times but this was our first stay with Casa Bambu. We were absolutely amazed with everything! From the beginning, booking with Kirk & Elena was very smooth. The house was immaculate, fully equiped with breathtaking views. We watched the whales breach from the deck, surfed, swam with sea turtles and fished from the kayaks provided. We will absolutely return to Casa Bambu and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for an amazing, unique, very private beach experience!
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Date of stay: August 2020Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I've stayed at Casa Bambu a number of times and the house is amazing. I first went to Matapalo is 2000 and have been back to the area every year. The kitchen has everything you need for cooking, the beds are extremely comfortable and the location can't be beat. There are animals all the time on the yard out front; anteaters, agoutis, coatis and the macaws come to the trees. William is one of the best guides I've ever been with and he cares that you get to see and experience the jungle and it's critters. I will say this year after not being there since 2019 and COVID, Matapalo has gotten more people and a lot more noise with motorcycles on the road day and night. No one has ever been in the house next door while I was there but this year they totally wrecked my trip. They were so loud I couldn't read a book, take a nap or just sit and have some quiet. They were absolutely rude and inconsiderate singing and yelling at the top of their lungs all the time. Absolutely no respect for others and William told me they were there for a month. I doubt that would happen again and Casa Bambu is a fantastic place to stay.
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Date of stay: September 2023
Value
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Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Yes for older folks I would say, and it is long 45-1hour to get to park entrance and then hike park and same to get back to your car, so very long day. Bring lots of water and snacks, nuts, protein bar, lunch....wear waterproof shoes, wish I had worn waterproof boots. :( makes for a longer day with wrong shoes.
Montclair, New Jersey, United States83 contributions15 helpful votes
If you are planning on going with William, you can book when you get there and adjust plans for the weather etc. If you are planning on excursions with other companies, surfing lessons, something in a boat, etc. you can book ahead of time.
There are more places to choose from in the Cabo Matapalo area.
PRICE RANGE
S$82 - S$82 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
casa bambu resort hotel osa peninsula, casa bambu hotel, hotel casa bambu
LOCATION
Costa RicaProvince of PuntarenasOsa PeninsulaCabo Matapalo
NUMBER OF ROOMS
13
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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