Hotels: Osa Peninsula/Corcovado, Dominical, Los Santos

TROGON Lodge rustic | ¢¢¢
www.grupomawamba.com/trogonlodge
Located in rural San Gerardo de Dota, about 86 km from San Jose (approximately 2:30h), at an altitude of 2300m. The lodge offers 22 single rooms and 1 junior suite with heating and private bathroom. Home cooking. Explore the cloud forests of Rio Macho, a natural habitat for many birds (trogons, quetzals – the local ornithologist guides are highly recommended). Canopy tour (11 platforms), mountain bike rental and three nature trails.
Our Opinion: An excellent little lodge in an alpine setting.

SAVEGRE LODGE rustic | ¢¢¢
www.savegre.co.cr
89km from San Jose, on the road to the Cerro de la Muerte, at an altitude of 2200m. The lodge operated by the Chacon family is a good basis for bird watching (including the famous resplendent quetzal – the local ornithologist guides are highly recommended). 25 rooms in rustic cabins with private bathroom and 17 junior suites with fireplace. Bar (frequented by hummingbirds!), restaurant. Rural setting with pastures, fruit trees and primary forest. Horseback tours, beautiful waterfalls, trout fishing. All inclusive or bed and breakfast.
Our Opinion: Don’t miss a stay in this area, which is still preserved from mass tourism. A great place for birdwatchers. We prefer the junior suites for comfort and charm.

DANTICA Lodge & Gallery (B&B) superior, charming (eco-lodge) | ¢¢¢¢
www.dantica.com
Located about 3km from San Gerardo de Dota. This B&B-style lodge has 3 bungalows (two 1-bedroom and a 2-bedroom apartment), all with bathroom (shower), terrace, lounge and kitchen. Lovingly decorated. Very nice view of the valley and the surrounding mountains. A la carte breakfast service (included), lunch and dinner as a supplement or full pension formula. Latin American art gallery. Dutch-Colombian ownership.
Our Opinion: A quality B&B for a peaceful stay in a beautiful setting. Numerous trips are offered.

LAS CRUCES / OTS | ¢¢¢¢
www.esintro.co.cr
Located about 6km from San Vito, Las Cruces Botanical Research Centre enchants the amateur and the professional. Spread on 10ha, the property has one of the rarest collections of tropical and subtropical plants (over 10000 species) as well as 320 bird species, 80 mammal species, 71 species of reptiles and amphibians and 3 000 butterfly species. Guided tours and comfortable, economic housing are offered.
Our Opinion: A wonderful place for lovers of botany: allow yourself at least one full day. This is an ecological paradise!

TISKITA Lodge rustic | ¢¢¢¢¢
www.tiskita-lodge.co.cr
This rustic lodge in Punta Banco beautifully overlooks the Golfo Dulce mouth across the Osa Peninsula. This is the country’s southernmost lodging. The (non-smoking) wooden rooms are equipped with twin beds, a private bathroom and a veranda. Restaurant (local tropical cooking), reading lounge, electricity by generator. Access by 4x4. Full board.
Our Opinion: An original and apt base for nature lovers for a minimum of 2 nights. Many birds and monkeys live in the area…

PARROT BAY VILLAGE superior, charming | ¢¢¢¢
www.parrotbayvillage.com
Pleasant, spacious bungalows (double or quadruple with mezzanine), a few minutes’ walk from the small town of Puerto Jimenez, near the air runway. This small establishment is built into a pleasant tropical garden with direct access to a minute beach. Restaurant, bar, volleyball, kayaking. Several activities to discover the surrounding nature are offered.
Our Opinion: This well-conceived hotel is without a doubt Puerto Jimenez’ best address.

LAPA RIOS charming | ¢¢¢¢¢¢
www.laparios.com
Situated on a hill in the heart of a private forest reserve, overlooking the beach where the Golfo Dulce joins the Pacific. 14 spacious and luxurious bungalows with private gardens and terraces. Swimming pool, horseback riding, bird watching, kayaking, fishing, surfing and several guided tours in the forest. Full-board mandatory.
Our Opinion: A lovely place and by far the most beautiful housing in the region!

JINETES DE OSA superior, rustic | ¢¢¢

www.jinetesdeosa.com

This tiny establishment of a few rooms with sea view is simple and pleasantly situated a few steps from the beach at Drake. Full-board with local cuisine. Numerous activities: scuba diving, fishing, horseback riding, Corcovado National Park discoveries (the tour rates slightly higher, as with all lodges of the peninsula).
Our Opinion: Nice housing with familiar atmosphere. Good value for money in this region.

PUNTA MARENCO rustic lodge | ¢¢¢¢
www.puntamarenco.com
Located on a hill at the edge of the Corcovado National Park with a panoramic view on the Pacific. The Lodge has about twenty small rustic cabins, each with private terrace and bathroom (no hot water). Various walking trails through the private forest reserve for autonomous explorations and beaches within walking distance. An abundance of birds can be watched directly from the lodge! Restaurant, full-board mandatory. We arrange packages from 2 to 4 nights.
Our Opinion: Dip into the tropical rainforest. A good (small) address for moderate budgets.

LA PALOMA Lodge superior, charming | ¢¢¢¢¢¢
www.lapalomalodge.com
This pleasant establishment offers tastefully furnished, sunny rooms situated on a hilltop. Restaurant, swimming pool, excursions. Full-board required. Access by two ways: over a good track in the dry season (4x4 compulsory for crossing fords) and over the sea from Sierpe.
Our Opinion: A lovely place in a romantic setting.

VILLAS GAIA superior | ¢¢
www.villasgaia.com
15km south of Uvita and 300m north of Ojochal, in a region that is touristically expanding thanks to the new road connecting the towns of Cortes and Dominical. This Dutch-owned property offers 14 simple but comfortable enough "casitas". The wooden chalet-type rooms with cheerful decoration all have fans (some with AC) and a safe. Large swimming pool, restaurant, bar, covered parking place. The seaside is a 15 min walk away but nearby beaches Playa Ventanas and Playa Ballena are better for swimming.
Our Opinion: Good (and simple) option to get one’s money worth.

LA CUSINGA LODGE superior, charming (eco-lodge) | ¢¢¢¢
www.lacusingalodge.com
Neighbouring the Marino Ballena National Park, located on high ground and surrounded by forests; this eco-lodge dedicated itself to the conservation of sea and land. The large and well-ventilated rooms are available in 4 categories (including a Honeymoon Suite) and equipped with simple but tasteful furniture. Restaurant (with a nice view of the forest and ocean), and private walking paths (for a fee) within the hotel property.
Our Opinion: A nice stopover, perfect to watch the numerous whales that come to breed in the surrounding waters from July to October and January to March.

CRISTAL BALLENA superior, charming | ¢¢¢¢¢
www.cristal-ballena.com
Located on a hilltop (nice view of the Pacific and the forest) opposite the Marino Ballena National Park, 6 km south of Uvita. This imposing, new and luxurious property offers 14 junior suites, 3 master suites and 2 family suites. The spacious and tasteful rooms provide all modern comforts: air conditioning and fan, TV, WLAN, safe, mini-bar, tea and coffee machine, hairdryer. Restaurant, bar, boutique, massages, large swimming pool. Many tours and activities available. Beaches are a few kilometres away.
Our Opinion: The best hotel in the area with excellent service and good value for the money.

HACIENDA BARÚ rustic | ¢¢
www.haciendabaru.com
This small lodge is located a few kilometres from Dominical. The soberly decorated bungalows house 2-6 people and are equipped with kitchenette and refrigerator. Restaurant, swimming pool, numerous activities and tours in the private reserve Barú. The owner turned this former cattle ranch into a private reserve and has many interesting stories to tell about the wildlife. This place is particularly suited for those with deeper ecological interests (also as a day trip).
Our Opinion: Small, rustic but comfortable. Unfortunately not always well-maintained. Moderate prices.

VILLAS RIO MAR superior, charming | ¢¢¢
www.villasriomar.com
The hotel is pleasantly situated on the banks of the river Barú, 1.5 km from the Pacific. The thatched bungalows are surrounded by tropical gardens and have 2-4 small rooms with a wooden terrace and hammocks. Under a palm "rancho" there is a restaurant and a bar. Large swimming pool.
Our Opinion: A nice stopover. The rooms are small; it will be uncomfortable to house more than 2 adults. Very beautiful waterfall in the vicinity (recommended horseback tour).

CUNA DEL ANGEL superior, charming | ¢¢¢¢
www.cunadelangel.com
This new, very good hotel offers 16 spacious rooms decorated with taste and originality. It is located on the foothills 9km south of Dominical. The rooms of the "cradle of the angel" are equipped with all modern comforts: air conditioning and fan, DVD player, TV, WLAN, safe and mini-bar. Restaurant, bar, shop, spa, hairdresser, swimming pool. Tours and beaches a few miles away.
Our Opinion: One of the best hotels in the region. Excellent service. A very beautiful waterfall (Nauyaca) is in the vicinity (for horseback tour).

KIANA RESORTS (Luxury Villas) superior, charming | ¢¢¢¢¢¢
www.kiana-dominical.com
Member of "Small Distinctive Hotels of Costa Rica" www.distinctivehotels.com
This brand new resort (opening in May 2008) along the southern beach of Dominical is composed of 26 large, luxurious villas with one or two rooms. The elegant decoration and furniture is a mix of Spanish colonial and Southeast Asian styles. Big living room, 1 or 2 bathrooms depending on the number of rooms, fully equipped kitchen, air conditioning, terrace. Facilities: restaurant, spa, pool, gardens, fitness room.
Our Opinion: Benefit of the promotional rate! Spoil yourselves at lower costs between May 1 and November 30, 2008. Not all facilities are open (restaurant, spa) during the completion of the construction work.