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Playa Cativo Lodge

Our rating

9/10

Price guide

Highlights

- Luxurious Ecolodge
- Rainforest & Ocean Wildlife Activities
- Gorgeous Swimming Pool
- Complimentary SUP & Kayaks

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Overview

Playa Cativo Lodge is a deluxe, oceanfront property located within the wildlife rich Osa Peninsula on Costa Rica’s southern Golfo Dulce coast. This small, exclusive eco-lodge sits within a 1,000-acre private nature reserve flanked by vast, unspoilt rainforest, on the shores of a pristine beach. Boasting stunning panoramic views across the Golfo Dulce, the property can only be accessed by boat, and yet is just a 50-minute flight from San Jose airport. The lodge offers superb hosting and service, a gourmet restaurant and just 18 upmarket guest rooms spaced out within tropical gardens. It will appeal to anyone seeking an upmarket, elegant and secluded wilderness retreat.

Communal spaces include a fine dining restaurant with wonderful ocean views; serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, an extensive a la carte menu is on offer which incorporates ingredients from the property’s own organic vegetable garden. Special dietary requirements and private dining can be accommodated. There’s a well-stocked library and computer station, with complimentary Wi-Fi available throughout the resort. The verdant tropical gardens contain a lovely freshwater swimming pool and an adjacent pool bar which is a popular spot for enjoying Cativo’s spectacular sunsets. There’s also an onsite yoga studio, and a tranquil spa with two treatment rooms and a plunge pool. The lodge’s Adventure Centre provides complimentary equipment hire for various water-based activities and the surrounding Piedras Blancas National Park is an immense 35,000 acres of tropical rainforest, home to 367 species of bird, and 140 mammals including sloths and monkeys and the elusive jaguar, puma and ocelot. Playa Cativo follows an environmentally friendly ethos, using solar power and recycling, and employing workers from local communities.

The wide range of activities on offer includes self-guided or guided hikes, bird watching and rainforest excursions along the reserve’s extensive network of trails. Swimming, snorkelling, paddle boarding, kayaking, and fishing are also available. The area boasts superb year-round dolphin watching, with seasonal whale watching also possible. Yoga sessions are offered, along with massages and beauty treatments at the onsite spa.

The accommodation comprises 18 spacious, tastefully designed guest rooms constructed using hardwood and colourful locally-produced tiles. Each well-appointed room has spectacular panoramic views of the ocean and surrounding rainforest, whilst the open-air room design heightens the sense of being surrounded by nature. All units have a king size or two double beds, plus a lounge area with an additional sofa bed, and spacious bathrooms with rainfall showers. Ceiling fans, and complimentary Wi-Fi are included. Premium rooms include a complimentary minibar and a generous bathroom with a twin vanity unit and a double rainfall shower, whilst ‘Premium Plus’ rooms also include a private outdoor terrace and a private plunge pool. Each room can accommodate up to three guests.

Children are extremely welcome at the lodge, with reductions available for guests under 12 years of age when sharing with adults. Parents are reminded, as always, to keep their children under constant adult supervision.

Suggested Itineraries for Playa Cativo Lodge

What customers are saying after travelling with Tourdust

Average Rating

based on 529 reviews

(5.00/5)

  • We had a great time - even with the flight between Governors and the coast being two flights and a car! We also experienced a power cut At Nairobi airport on the way home so 2+ hours late taking off. Governors. Wonderful people and dealt with the flight delay very well - taking us back and letting us know that we could stay there if the flight was delayed overnight. The game drives were excellent and our guide (Erick) obviously very experienced and managed to find all the key animals - no rhino in that part of the Masai Mara but everything else in abundance - never seen so many herbivores (many many elephants as well as all the others) as well as two prides of lions. Could not have asked for more. The ‘tent’ was excellent and comfortable and well serviced. The only ‘complaint’ would be that the food - especially dinner - could be improved (I think we got a bit bored of soup as a starter for every meal bar one) and the main courses were not at the same level as Kinondo Kwetu and while all were explained there was no choice offered. The breakfasts were just what was needed after an early game drive. Kinondo Kwetu. What a great location and the welcome when we arrived at just gone 11.00pm was better than you could have ever thought possible - they we’re disappointed that we did not at that time want the full dinner experience! The rooms we’re comfortable. The food was excellent but again no choice was offered - other than for allergy reasons (which we do not have). May be some choice would be nice. Having said that the food we did have was excellent as were the wines (albeit a short list!) and other drinks. There were (as you know) lots of facilities/sports options - but we spent our time relaxing which was exactly what we needed and there were lots of places to do that. Overall. We would go back to both places - perhaps a few more nights at Kinondo Kwetu next time but 3 nights at Governors was perfect for us. Thank you for organising and recommending both places. That you and your colleague for trying to find out about the plane (flat tyre) but communication by the flight company left a lot to be desired (Governors were furious that they were not told and had taken us to the airstrip). Phil

    MissingPhilip R reviewing Masai Mara Safari & Kenya Beach on 01 September 2023

  • It was certainly a holiday of a lifetime for us and we loved every minute!! The standard and location of each accommodation was excellent, as was the variety of each different accommodation type. Our schedule was perfect and we managed to achieve everything on our to-do task list. Your documents were also really helpful, as were the driving directions. We all thank you for making this such a wonderful holiday. Happy to leave a review publicly if you point me the right way. Best Steve

    MissingStephen H reviewing Classic Garden Route & Eastern Cape Safari on 01 September 2023

  • Hi Lisa, Holiday has been a huge success and we have thoroughly enjoyed it all, such a wonderful experience. Many thanks for all your help. Best wishes, Leona

    MissingLeona L reviewing Family Holiday: Inca Trail and Amazon on 18 August 2023

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