Lapa Rios Lodge by Böëna(Lapa Rios Lodge by Boena)

Lapa Rios is fantastic. We stayed in the Matapalo suite for four nights in May, took several onsite hikes/tours, went to the beach on our own, and did the Corcovado by land trip for most of a day. Everything was topnotch and the birds and wildlife are incredible. The lodge is on protected land including primary forest and we saw scarlet macaws close up every day, toucans, four species of monkeys, poison dart frogs...and plenty more. The guides were fantastic. The sustainability tour was an unexpected highlight for me, interesting to anyone who wants to know how a place like lapa rios operates. We were in one of the two suites with air conditioning. We didn't use it at night because we wanted to hear the forest, but we cooled the room during the day. There is a good breeze so I don't consider A/C necessary, but it was nice to have. One thing to be aware as noted in some other reviews is that some rooms are quite a few steps down from the main lodge/dining area. If you have mobility issues that's worth taking into account and getting a closer room. The food was excellent, very well prepared, creative. The staff is very friendly and helpful. If you're looking for the best nature experience in Costa Rica I don't think you can do better that Lapa Rios, particularly if you go into Corcovado.

Unbelievably good set of lodges on the Osa Peninsula. Run by the Boena group this is a truly exceptional lodge. The self contained lodges are clean and well maintained with outdoor and indoor showers, balcony and large balcony. The food at the lodge is wonderful and the staff are very friendly and helpful. Our lodge was a bit of a trek from the main building which could be an issue for less able patrons. The hotel pool is good with waiter service and comfortable loungers. The eco credentials of this lodge are second to none and the tours offered as part of the experience are well worth taking. Did not want to leave.

Lapa Rios - A Magical Communion with Nature The Lapa Rios experience starts right at the Puerto Jimenez Airport… we were 2.5 hours ahead of schedule when we landed and we showed up at their small office right by the airport. The staff was very efficient and 20 minutes later our private ride arrived to pick us up. It was a 40-or-so minutes smooth ride in a comfortable 4x4 during which we already saw scarlet macaws, colorful birds of prey and multiple species of singing birds. Arrival with a welcome drink and a smile, and our room was ready ! The room we took overlooked the Golfo Dulce with screened windows on 3 walls: the tropical forest comes alive at dusk and we were right in it throughout our stay, all the way to the howler monkeys at 3:17AM, as well as feeling the humidity. The room we took had electricity but no A/C. That was by design to fully enjoy nature, but if anyone is sensitive to heat and humidity you may want to take an upgrade. We took many included excursions and all the guides were super knowledgeable… one of them a former park ranger at Corcovado National Park who came across part Indiana Jones, part Crocodile Hunter… he was awesome ! All in all, we saw at least 25 different species of birds, amphibians and mammals and it was a truly memorable experience all around. The food menu has 3 different rotations for lunch and diner and we ate alfresco every day, with spider monkeys spying over us but never approaching our tables and that’s the amazing thing… for all those years the animals, while habituated to humans, but don’t approach the tables at anytime. The Lapa Rios experience ends the same way it started: your private 4x4 ride during which we saw more animals and birds, our driver accompanied us to the Sansa Airline desk and confirmed we were all set. We waited at the Lapa Rios office with A/C until our flight departed. This establishment is noted by name in the travel book “A Thousand Places to see before you Die” and the experience was worth every penny. Thank you !!