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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 536 reviews

(5.00/5)

  • I would like to say a massive thank you for organising our Vietnam trip. The itinerary and execution were superb, as was the attention to detail. I would also like to thank the agent who was on the end of my whats app chat (I have no idea who they were!) – always available, always quick to respond, and kept me updated regarding times etc. Also, the guides Dan (north) and Tien (mid) were just excellent, and we really enjoyed their company. The lady (whose name I have forgotten) who was our additional guide for the DMZ day was exceedingly good and made that day very special.

    Missingfiona g reviewing Complete Vietnam For Families on 15 April 2024

  • Trip was great and all the arrangements were excellent so thank you for all the help!

    Drivers and transfers were all good - on time and very good service on each trip.

    Accommodation was lovely - Douar Samra was amazing (weather could have been better but lovely regardless). Riad in Marrakesh was also great!

    All in all a great trip and we loved the variety of the mountains, Marrakesh and the coast.

    Thanks you once again!

    MissingHardeep S reviewing Boutique Marrakech & Atlas Mountains on 15 April 2024

  • I was also just about to email you to thank you and the team for arranging yet again, another wonderful experience.

    Mount Kenya was spectacular and wild - I think I prefer it to Kili in many ways. The entire support team was professional, friendly and all round fantastic in making sure that we were safe, well fed and well looked after. In particular, we would commend Peter the guide as well as Paul one of the porters who doubled-up as his deputy on summit day. Our route was often shrouded in mist and rain that rapidly gathered in the valleys and moorlands, and we were very impressed at how Peter managed to navigate us safely through all of that notwithstanding. In addition, we loved learning about the history of Mount Kenya from him in the evenings. And ofcourse, I was blown away by the lovely birthday surprise at the end complete with balloons and a delicious cake that had journeyed with us from day 1. One thing we might recommend because of the sudden change in weather (it would sometimes get extremely cold and wet) is for the equipment list to be a little bit more detailed in terms of its recommendations e.g. layers to be moisture-wicking, walking boots be waterproof, doubling up on socks to avoid blisters etc.

    El Karama is a beautiful conservancy and the lodge a true labour of love. Great hospitality in a relaxed environment. Delicious, fresh food. We enjoyed the drives, even if we didn't see much wildlife as the heavens opened on us for the last two outings. However, since it was very much geared towards families, I am not sure if I would stay again without kids. That said, I think it was perfect for a 3d/2n stay post mountain, and a much better choice than flying to the masai mara given the limited time we had.

    Our transits were smooth. Samuel the driver was always on time, drove safely and kept the vehicle clean.

    So it was a brilliant experience and one which I certainly will cherish for some time to come. It was great to work with you for a third time, and I certainly hope it won't be the last

    MissingJuhae C reviewing Mount Kenya Sirimon Naro Moru Trek on 01 March 2024

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