Lapa Rios Lodge

Some places are beautiful. Others are unforgettable. Lapa Rios Lodge is both. The experience starts the moment you step off the 12-passenger Cessna in Puerto Jiménez. You're greeted with a refreshing coconut in a cool, air-conditioned welcome lounge—a perfect reset before your adventure begins. From there, civilization slowly fades away. The pavement gives way to winding dirt roads through protected rainforest, building anticipation until you finally arrive at what feels like a hidden slice of paradise. Walking into the lodge is like stepping into a blend of Fantasy Island and The White Lotus (minus the drama). Another fresh tropical welcome drink is waiting, and within minutes an overwhelming sense of peace and Zen takes over. You immediately understand why people travel halfway around the world to experience this place. Lapa Rios isn't just built in the jungle—it feels like it's part of it. Every path, every room, every dining area seems intentionally designed so you'll never miss a wildlife encounter. Breakfast might come with scarlet macaws flying overhead, lunch with capuchin monkeys swinging through the trees, and dinner with the soundtrack of the rainforest all around you. The wildlife is simply incredible. During our stay we saw spider monkeys, squirrel monkeys, howler monkeys, capuchins, colorful birds everywhere, reptiles on the night walk, and countless other creatures. The guided night hike completely transformed the property, revealing an entirely different world after sunset. Dining under the stars while surrounded by the sounds and smells of the rainforest is something we'll never forget. The food deserves its own standing ovation. Whether you're vegan, vegetarian, or an carnivore, the menu is creative enough that you can enjoy something completely different every meal during a four-day stay. The chefs clearly take pride in every plate. My only problem? I couldn't stop ordering the incredible brownie for dessert, along with fresh orange juice and pineapple juice every chance I got. The staff somehow manages to exceed already sky-high expectations. Every single person genuinely wants your stay to be perfect, and their warmth and attention to detail make you feel less like a guest and more like family. One of our favorite experiences was the private beach setup. We arrived to find chairs waiting in a secluded stretch of pristine beach along with towels, cold water, snacks, and what may have been the best fresh guacamole we had in Costa Rica. It was the perfect way to enjoy the warm Pacific Ocean without another soul around. The pool overlooking the beach is equally relaxing—warm, inviting, and impossible to leave once you settle in with the rainforest surrounding you. Don't skip the early morning bird-watching tour. Yes, the wildlife is spectacular, but even if it weren't, the fresh café negro and morning treats waiting for you would almost make the early wake-up worthwhile on their own. The Osa Trail hike was the perfect balance to the incredible three-course meals served throughout the day. It offered even more opportunities to spot wildlife while exploring one of the most biodiverse places on Earth. Cooling off afterward at the property's beautiful waterfall was the perfect reward. One of the most unexpected highlights of our trip was helping release baby sea turtles into the ocean. Watching them begin their journey to the sea is something we'll remember for the rest of our lives. Rain or sunshine, Lapa Rios delivers a completely different—but equally magical—experience. The weather simply changes the adventure, not the quality of it. Lapa Rios isn't just a luxury lodge. It's an immersion into nature, exceptional hospitality, unforgettable food, and authentic Costa Rican pura vida. If you're looking for a place where you'll disconnect from the world while reconnecting with nature, this is it. Without question, one of the most extraordinary places we've ever stayed. We left with incredible memories, amazing photos, and already talking about when we can return.

What a beautiful property. Literally surrounded by wildlife, it’s an incredible experience. The rooms are beautiful and even though ours did not have AC we still found it very comfortable. The on property nature guides are great, especially Frank who is so knowable, personable and has a connection to the area. Service was great all around. They offer some in house activities but found it hard to remember what and when was available - we wished they had published these on a board or something for folks to see so they can plan their days a little better. The food was just okay. For the location and the range of guests they are accommodating I can understand, but we were often a tiny bit disappointed. The day time food had better choices and wished those options were available in the evening.

This place exceeded all of our expectations with its beautiful location, incredibly rich wildlife, amazing food and wonderful staff. Our family of 7 enjoyed several guided tours of the area from their experienced and engaging guides, with special shout out to Edwin, Danilo and Frank! The wait staff were also friendly and kind and Gabriel, Rolando, Elier and Lilly stood out. We would highly recommend this spot and hope to return ourselves

Beautiful echo lodge located approximately 45 minute drive from Peurto Jimenez. Located up in a rainforest, Lapa Rios Lodge is an oasis within the rainforest with wonderful staff, beautiful grounds and great food. They also offer a few tours on the property, as well as through outside tour groups.