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sandrafernandezm15

MAGIC IN THE JUNGLE

Review of Lapa Rios Lodge
5.0 of 5 bubblesReviewed 30 Aug 2024
As soon as you cross the main gate, you will feel like you are stepping into another world. The lushness of the jungle will envelop you, and trust me, you won't want to leave. I know I didn't.

The open window concept in the rooms is perfect, the ocean will lull you to sleep and the howler monkeys will be sure to wake you up. The staff will bring you coffee, hot water for tea or hot chocolate between 5-6 a.m., which I highly recommend asking for at least one morning. With cup in hand, you can sit in your private deck and enjoy the sounds of the jungle and reflection of the sun in the horizon as it rises in the Caribbean.

There is no AC or TV in the rooms, but you won't really need it, the ocean breeze and the ceiling fan are more than enough. The beds are covered by a beautiful mosquito net, which gives it a very romantic air.

The hotel offers several tours that are included in the price of the room. Take advantage of them! We went birdwatching at 5:45 a.m. and saw tons of birds. Jeffrey is super knowledgeable and has a great telescope you can take pictures with.

We also wanted to collaborate with the hotel's conservation program, so we took the Plant a Tree Tour. Daniel was our guide and he is an open encyclopedia. He has been working at Lapa Rios for 28 years and knows the area like the palm of his hand. We chose the tree from a nursery and walked into the forest to plant it. The experience is very moving. I highly recommend the experience.

The food... OMG, that was an experience on its own. There was nothing I didn't love. Fish tacos with fresh mahi-mahi, lemon risotto with fresh fish, mushroom pasta with free range chicken, I mean all of it was incredible.

The cherry on top was the staff. Everyone was amazing, very friendly and always willing to answer your questions, and above all, you can tell they are happy to be working there. You can tell they really enjoy what they do.

Although the lodge is not beachfront, you can still enjoy the nearby beach, Playa Pan Dulce. The staff will be happy to drive you there and pick you up when you are ready to go back.

You can easily spend 3-4 nights here and NEVER be bored. The only problem is, you will not want to leave. I know I didn't.

Tips: bring good hiking shoes, a hat, light hiking clothes including long pants, sunblock and a good book. The hotel has non-chemical insect repellent and it works great! Don't bother hauling binoculars, the hotel will provide a pair.
Date of stay: August 2024
Trip type: Travelled with friends
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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.
Andres Madrigal, Guest Services / Front Office at Lapa Rios Lodge, responded to this review
Responded 31 Aug 2024
Thank you Sandra so much for your thoughtful and detailed review of your stay at Lapa Rios! From the enchanting surroundings and ocean breeze to the early morning birdwatching and the moving experience of planting a tree, it sounds like you truly immersed yourself in the beauty and conservation efforts of the Osa Peninsula.

We’re especially thrilled that our team made your stay special, and that you enjoyed our culinary offerings. Your appreciation for the authentic, eco-conscious experience we strive to provide means the world to us. We hope to welcome you back to our little paradise in the jungle soon!
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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            Reviewed 22 August 2024 via mobile

            Vacation | Family
            This is honestly the best place we’ve ever been to! It’s luxurious and stunning! The lodge is enveloped by the jungle with breathtaking vistas and superb accommodations. It is respectful of its surroundings and thus never crowded. It’s truly the best refuge our family has ever enjoyed.

            We first came here in 2003 for our honeymoon and have dreamed of returning since. Our daughters now agree that this stands as the premier holiday for our family.

            My youngest has celiac disease, but the staff was incredibly accommodating and thoughtful. Staff went out of their way to make the same stunning food for her. The assurances from staff about cross contamination definitely put us as at ease.

            Every meal we ate at the lodge was stunning, all baked in house. All juices smoothies and more are made with local produce, never store bought. The chef’s creations are works of art, both beautiful and delicious. This was an elevated dining experience, and when we had excursions, they packed amazing picnics for our group.

            We cannot recommend this experience enough to others. It is a splurge worth every penny! We told the boat tour and saw 8-10 humpback whales today; countless macaws, toucans and many other special birds; the night tour with Frank and other tours with Jeffrey were AMAZING!!! And let’s not forget to mention the incredible food!!!

            I almost hate to write this many good things because the Osa Peninsula is remote and not so touristy. But Lapa Rios deserves the highest praise for being the best stay of our lives.

            Date of stay: August 2024
            Trip type: Travelled with family
            Thank 136mayam
            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.
            Andres Madrigal, Guest Services / Front Office at Lapa Rios Lodge, responded to this reviewResponded 22 August 2024

            Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful experience with us! We're thrilled to hear that your return to Lapa Rios after so many years was just as magical as your first visit. It's incredibly special to be a part of your family's cherished memories, and we're delighted that your daughters enjoyed it as much as you did. We're especially pleased to know that we could accommodate your youngest daughter's dietary needs with care and consideration. Your words inspire us to continue providing unforgettable experiences. We look forward to welcoming you back to our little paradise in the future!

            Report response as inappropriate
            This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC
            Reviewed 6 August 2024 via mobile

            We spent 2 full days at Lapa Rios. First day we waterfall hike with the hotel guide Edwin. Great experience walking through the primary rainforest, ending with a swim in the falls. Second day we went to the Corcovado reserve by boat, again with Jeffrey one of the hotel guides. we saw 7 humpback whales, tapir, pigs, sloth, coaties, ant eater and loads of birds. The hotel guides have a passion for this location and wildlife that is really authentic. The hotel accomodation is really impressive as you are in the canopy. We sat the pool and saw loads of monkeys, coaties, macaws, the list goes on. This isn't a hotel to laze around in. The lack of air conditioning at night isn't a problem at all but it is humid and a real jungle experience. The food is good. Some great, most is good. But the coffee is excellent, as are the cocktails! And all the staff are authentic, passionate, offering great service, some stories and help.

            Date of stay: August 2024
            Trip type: Travelled with family
            Thank Toni W
            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.
            Andres Madrigal, Guest Services / Front Office at Lapa Rios Lodge, responded to this reviewResponded 7 August 2024

            Thank you Toni, for sharing your incredible experience at Lapa Rios! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the waterfall hike with Edwin and the adventure to Corcovado National Park with Jeffrey. Witnessing such amazing wildlife sounds truly unforgettable. We're glad our passionate guides made your stay special, and it's wonderful to know you appreciated the unique jungle experience, from the canopy views to the authentic service. We hope to welcome you back for more adventures and relaxation soon in the Osa Peninsula!

            Report response as inappropriate
            This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC
            Reviewed 19 June 2024 via mobile

            My wife planned this adventure to Costa Rica and my only requirement was that we would have Beach access.

            The beach was great. But it was great because it was natural. There wasn't a bunch of chairs with palm trees and servers bringing you watered down pina coladas. But I felt like I was in the movie castaway or an extra on Gilligan's Island. There was something extra magical about that. Don't get me wrong. You would see the occasional other person but ridiculously private and secluded.  We visited the beach three times during our week stay. One visit was to go surfing. The surf instructor that lives in the area was phenomenal. They provided easy to use surfboards and the waves where were surfer friendly to me. Props to my wife for even trying it as it was her first time. If you have sensitive feet, I would recommend bringing water shoes. I brought mine, but actually never wore them.

             

            Temperatures were hot and it only took our bodies a day or so to acclimatize coming from Canada. We stayed in a basic room (no AC) and slept excellent with the ceiling fan.In fact, that when we got home we went to buy new pillows because we realized the ones we had at home weren't as good as the ones on resort.

            I can't say enough great things about the food. I think I actually lost weight eating here. If that's even possible. Everything was just delicious, healthy real ingredient food creations. I took pictures of the menus in the hopes that I could recreate some of the dishes served during our week's stay... And I tried items on both the plant-based and non-plant-based menus. We mostly drank water. And occasionally had evening drinks during the week but we also had one get drunk day. Cocktails were delicious and fresh. Beers were always cold. 

            I also will add that because this place is so remote, the other guests there became family during your stay. Like if someone saw a certain rare animal, they would come and tell everyone in the dining room what they saw. And everyone went out to go look at that animal... For us it was the sloth.

            Lastly, I can't help but want to thank the staff as well. Thank you for introducing us to your country. Your food. Your trails. Your unique animals. 

            I wish I had taken your sustainability tour but heard about it from other guests. My only recommendation to the resort would be to consider offering a cooking class & tour of the kitchen. Man that food was good. So good I'm mentioning it twice in one review. Yum yum yum. 

            This last comment is for those travelers who like to read all the reviews as I did prior to coming. (1) Phones: I was going to buy an esim before arriving, but ended up buying a 7 -day card sim card at the airport. It worked great on the beach but if it matters to you was sometimes spotty in-between the beach and resort. The resort had WiFi so that was nice too. I was very mindful of others when using my phone. For example, when calling family back home I did it in a public area versus on my balcony early in the morning as I didn't want to wake up my neighbors adjacent to our room.  And while my phone was waterproof, it was sooo humid there that it still got some water damaged. The staff at the resort provided me with a bag of rice to try and absorb all the moisture in it. Next time I go somewhere that humid, I will remember to bring an older phone to be safe.  (2) The stairs. When you're on resort, you won't be in a hurry. In fact, I found myself walking slow on purpose because I didn't want to potentially miss any wildlife on the way. I did think about what previous travelers had said, but when you're moving at the speed of a sloth, it doesn't matter how many stairs there are. You'll get up to the top eventually without over over exerting yourself. (3) Try not to forget that you are the visitor. Hoping to see all the animals. But these animals are wild. They go where the wind takes them. We did not see a sloth until the end of our stay. But we were lucky enough to see one after being told we might not. I feel that's a fair expectation. There is tons of wildlife and hopefully during your visit you will get to see it all. (4) I heard all the tours were great, but we chose to do the hiking tours that the resort offered. We experienced the waterfall tour and the night walk tours. The guides were aoo knowledgeable.

            Thanks again Lapas Rios ✌️

            Room tip: We brought a micro fiber cloth to be able to wipe off the sweat from our faces. I also packed my wife 's small rechargeable pregnancy fan which came in handy on occasion.
            Date of stay: June 2024
            Trip type: Travelled as a couple
            Thank MartyMcFlyThedJ
            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.
            Andres Madrigal, Guest Services / Front Office at Lapa Rios Lodge, responded to this reviewResponded 20 June 2024

            Thank you so much for your detailed and thoughtful review! We're delighted to hear that your stay at Lapa Rios Lodge exceeded your expectations and provided to the both of you with such a memorable experience.
            We're glad you enjoyed the unique, natural beach setting and found it to be a magical and secluded paradise. It's great to hear that the surf lessons were a hit, and we appreciate your kind words about the phenomenal surf instructor and the easy-to-use boards.
            Your feedback about the pillows is noted, and we're thrilled you enjoyed restful sleep during your stay.
            We're especially pleased that you loved our culinary experience! It's wonderful to hear that you appreciated the delicious, healthy, and creative dishes from both the plant-based and non-plant-based menus.
            Thank you for your shout-out to our amazing staff. We're proud of our team and their dedication to providing an exceptional experience in the Osa Peninsula and Costa Rica! Your suggestion for a cooking class and kitchen tour is valuable, and we will certainly consider it.
            Your tips for future travelers are very helpful, especially regarding phone use, the stairs, and managing expectations about wildlife sightings.
            We agree that moving at the speed of a sloth and taking in the natural surroundings is the best way to enjoy Lapa Rios.
            We look forward to welcoming you back to explore more of the Osa Peninsula and indulge in the Pura vida lifestyle!

            Report response as inappropriate
            This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC
            Reviewed 2 June 2024 via mobile

            A truly special place for us to celebrate our honeymoon!! Everything about our 6 days at Lapa Rios exceeded our expectations. From the pickup at the airstrip in Puerto Jimenez that included fresh coconut water, to the insanely knowledgeable staff -everyone from the drivers to the servers to the guides seemed to know everything about the nature reserve - to the gorgeous canopy treetop settings with views of the sea (including from the pool), the food!!! the luxurious but still natural-feeling villa.....just an incredible experience.
            Do not miss the night hike, as you will get to see all kinds of wildlife that you would miss in daytime (red eyed frog, we saw a sloth up close!). The guides are amazing and knowledgeable about the many birds and trees and animals in the rainforest that is basically all encompassing around you constantly. We had three types of monkeys eating and playing on our deck daily, hummingbirds and macaws were a constant presence.
            Don't miss a beach visit, you can easily walk there but the lodge will drive you in a 4x4 and set up chairs and a cooler. It's basically your own private beach as the only other people we saw were surfing at the far end. Not the best for swimming with rocks and sandy waves but beautiful to walk and relax.
            The best thing about staying here is that you can be totally immersed in the hiking and birdwatching and sign up for multiple activities every day, or you can do a bit of it and relax the rest of the time. We enjoyed doing one hike a day and enjoying the views and relaxing at the pool or on the deck the rest of the day.
            A lot of walking is part of a visit to this magical place, so just be aware of that in advance. It's remote and feels that way, which is part of the advantage. Don't expect amenities (or an easy road)outside of the lodge, but they have everything so who cares. The concierge staff will set up anything and everything you need.
            We were there for the start of rainy season and it lived up to the name, very humid and rainy once a day, but it's a rainforest so that's just part of the magic. Plan for quick dry clothing and make use of the natural insect repellent they provide in your room.

            Special shout out to Jafeth and Enrique who made our stay so fun. We cannot wait to return.

            Room tip: Don't try to drive yourself, it's not worth it. The road is not paved. Don't sleep on the plant-based menus.
            Date of stay: May 2024
            Trip type: Travelled as a couple
            Thank Beth L
            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.
            Andres Madrigal, Guest Services / Front Office at Lapa Rios Lodge, responded to this reviewResponded 3 June 2024

            Thank you so much, Beth, for sharing your magical experience at Lapa Rios Lodge!
            We're thrilled to hear that your honeymoon with us exceeded your expectations in every way. From the warm welcome with fresh coconut water to the knowledgeable and friendly staff, it sounds like you fully immersed yourselves in the natural beauty and luxury our lodge offers.
            Your detailed recount of the night hike, wildlife encounters, and the serene beach visit paints a vivid picture of the unique adventures available here. We’re glad you enjoyed the blend of activity and relaxation, making the most of both the vibrant rainforest and the tranquil settings.
            Special thanks for mentioning Jafeth and Enrique – we'll be sure to pass along your kind words to them. We look forward to welcoming both of your back for an anniversary in the heart of the Osa Peninsula.

            Report response as inappropriate
            This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC
            Reviewed 27 May 2024

            We absolutely loved this place. We’d looked at it many times but I’d always dismissed it as thought it didn’t have any air-conditioning and whilst I don’t mind the heat, I do like to be able to sleep in cool temps. We suddenly discovered the Matapalo Suites do have air con. There are just two of these to the right of reception. They have a flat board walk so are ideal for anyone not liking lots of steps or I’m sure they are designed for wheelchair access too.

            We’ve driven all over Costa Rica but didn’t want to spend the time on the long drive down, as we’ve done half that busy highway before, so opted to catch the flight to the small airport at Puerto Jimenez. We booked ourselves and it was an easy transfer from San Jose. They do weigh you and your luggage (inbound and outbound flight). (We left some luggage at the Marriott in San Jose). The airport is literally a runway strip that pulls up next to a cemetery! The drivers meet you at the edge of the runway strip by a gate, so it was easy to find the driver wearing a LR shirt! They have a private building where you can get a drink and bathrooms before your drive to the resort. It’s quite a bumpy road. Not far as the crow flys, just bumpy with pot holes. I was told if you drove there, they’d provide detailed instructions about the bridges you can drive over and the ones where you cross through the river. I imagine after heavy rain this could be quite exciting. The drivers know every pot hole. It takes about an hour. It’s really not a long distance it’s just the road or lack of!

            We arrived at the most wonderful place in the forest with birds flying around and monkeys in the trees. The property is really pretty and nicely designed. There are two main areas for dining, either the main restaurant or by the bar area just up from the pool. Both have amazing scenic views down to the sea. The food throughout our trip was fantastic and whilst the portions are not massive, there’s so much food with three courses we had more than we needed! It’s not only delicious but presented beautifully every time. It was a delight to eat every meal. Our favorite pudding was the passionfruit cheesecake. But we loved breakfast, lunch and dinner. It was such a relaxed experience and a pleasure to just sit and look at the view and the wildlife. The menu changed daily and there were lots of choices and a particularly thoughtful and exciting vegetarian menu. I’m not vegetarian but several times I chose this option as they were so creative and delicious. (We were also in the bar one day and the chef asked us to try a couple of dishes they were planning to add to the menu and asked for comments!). The service was great and the staff friendly and very attentive. They quickly learnt our names and our preferences. I was even brought a drink before I'd asked for it by one of the team who knew what I'd order! We had a great time talking to the team. You could order a bottle of wine and if you only drunk half they’d label it for you and you could then have it the next night. Why don’t all places do this? We enjoyed sitting in the bar. You can even have food by the lovely pool. They also serve coffee and cakes in the main lobby for anyone with early morning departures on trips.

            We really liked our room and were very pleased with the choice. It looked brand new and really stylish. I did use the air con but I did not hear of any other guests during our stay saying they were hot or struggling to cool down. The massive bathroom didn’t have air con, but I was happy we had aircon In the main bedroom. Everything in our suite was thoughtfully chosen. We had plenty of cupboard space for clothes, a bed looking straight out at the wonderful view. Glass windows all round. The bathroom had an indoors and outdoors shower. (They provided shampoo, conditioner, body wash and body lotion, along with bug spay). Our suite had a wooden door up the pathway so you were completely shielded from view. There were seats outside, a swing bed and lounger beds. There was a large overhanging verandah with a long bench so when you came back you could sit under this if it was raining, to take your shoes off and not get wet before entering the room. There was even a tap with hose to wash your shoes down and a drying wrack. (The walks are muddy!) Umbrellas in the doorway. They’d thought of everything.

            In the morning they deliver coffee to your room and leave it outside in a thermos flask. This was great.

            We did lots of trips on site. If you do any of the off site tours you will need to go back down to the main town so that adds an hour to trips like fishing, or whale watching (we’ve done that before and been to the nearby Osa peninsular NP, so decided not to go again as even from this hotel it takes so long to get there. In all honesty, the area around the hotel is teaming with wildlife, you almost don’t need to leave to see it. We went to see the birds and were not disappointed. You can do morning and evening bird watching tours and we did these a few times - each time we saw different birds and wildlife. We went on guided walks through the forest (The Ridge Trail) as well as a walk down to the beach (Matapalo Beach Walk) and the night walk. The hotel does have a private beach but it’s hard to find unless you know where to go as the entrance is not marked. It is walkable from the hotel but it’s a walk down a steep hill and it’s somehow much steeper on the way back! We did walk back once in the pouring rain and decided on the second occasion we’d use the walkie talkies, we’d found in the room and get the jeep service back. They pick you up at the small bus stop!! They provide Wellington Boots for walks - highly recommended as your feet would get soaked in normal boots as you wade through streams, and muddy pot holes. The hut where you meet was like a shoe shop for just waterproof boots so the right size for everyone. The walking sticks were very useful. They have guide books, torches and binoculars. We loved all the guided walks. We were even lucky enough to see a whole group of about 30 Peccaries - we smelt them before we heard them. Plus stumbled across Scarlet Macaws at the beach sitting in a tree. Didn’t need binoculars for that!

            Our room was surrounded by wildlife we had the daily monkey parade and we were sure at times the howler monkeys were actually dancing on our roof. You can watch scarlet macaws fly by, toucans, spider monkeys, squirrel monkeys, capuchin monkeys lizards, frogs, snakes, Coatimundi’s …. Just so much wildlife just around the resort. The guides have also seen a tapir.

            We loved everything about our stay at this hotel. The lovely staff were the icing on the cake and many have been with the hotel for 30 years. If I had to offer a negative to balance my review, it’s not cheap, but it truly was worth it. Happy to highly recommend this one! Loved every minute of it.

            Date of stay: November 2023
            • Trip type: Travelled as a couple
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            1  Thank Travelbugreviewer
            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.
            Andres Madrigal, Guest Services / Front Office at Lapa Rios Lodge, responded to this reviewResponded 28 May 2024

            Thank you so much, for your incredible and detailed review! We believe it will be of great value to future guests to our lodge. We're thrilled to hear that you had an absolutely fabulous time at Lapa Rios Lodge. It’s wonderful to know that our Matapalo Suites with air conditioning met your needs and that you found the transfer from San Jose smooth and convenient. Our other suites do have Evening Breeze® cooling system.
            We're delighted that you enjoyed our dining areas, the scenic views, and the creative, culinary experience. Your appreciation for our friendly and attentive staff warms our hearts, and we're glad you had a chance to sample some of our future menu items.
            It's great to hear that your room provided the perfect blend of comfort and nature, and that our little touches like early morning coffee delivery and well-thought-out amenities added to your experience.
            Your detailed account of the wildlife and guided tours is fantastic, and we're so pleased that you could witness the incredible biodiversity that surrounds us. The enthusiasm you have for the birds, monkeys, and other wildlife truly mirrors our own passion for this magical place.
            Thank you for highly recommending us and for highlighting our commitment to guest satisfaction and sustainability. We hope to welcome you back to our little piece of paradise in the Osa Peninsula!

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