Lapa Rios

Mar 5, 2015 by Monirul Hoque

Located on the Osa Peninsula, where Golfo Dulce meets the Pacific Ocean, Lapa Rios is an enchanting eco-resort. This lodge is the perfect combination of comfort and adventure, education and fun, a perfect destination for enjoying family getaway. People who want to spend a memorable vacation in a natural setting and want to be a part of conservation and local culture, they will find Lapa Rios an ideal place. While staying at this lodge you will get opportunity to discover one of the planet’s most bio-diverse regions, rich in untouched rainforest, insects, wildlife and desolate beaches. Honeymooners, small family with kids over six years can choose this lodge for enjoying a comfortable vacation and can view the nature at its purest.

There is story behind the name of the lodge. Lapa is the Costa Rican name stands for the Scarlet Macaw. The owner of the lodge John and Karen Lewis, at the time of their first visit in the property, spotted a number of Scarlet Macaws flying across the jungle that looked much like a river (rio in Spanish) of Scarlet Macaws. Amazed by watching that beautiful scenario, they decided to name their property ‘Lapa Rios’ means ‘River of Scarlet Macaws’.

Location:

Situated in the southern part of Costa Rica near Panama, Lapa Rios is only 12 miles from the nearest airstrip in the town of Puerto Jimenez. To reach the lodge it takes only 50 minute flight from Costa Rica’s capital of San Jose and it takes about 7 hours from the Juan Santamaria International Airport, where international flights land. Set in a private 1000 acre Rainforest, the lodge is close to three beaches-Pan Dulce, Matapalo and Backwash Bay.

Accommodation:

Lapa Rios provides 16 luxurious bungalows that are set along a ridge in a 1000 acre of Rainforest Reserve. The bungalows are open-air with screens that allow the guests to experience the sounds, sights and smells of the Rainforest as well as to watch the amazing ocean view. From your bed or your spacious private deck, you will enjoy watching the stunning view of the Pacific Ocean or Golfo Dulce. In your private deck you will also find rain head showers, lounge and hammock where you can spend some tranquil time. Each of the bungalows are well decorated and featured with king size bed or two queen size beds (depending on bungalow) with 400-thread count, organic cotton linens, ceiling fans (no air-conditioning), spacious indoor bathrooms with two showers, waffle cotton bathrobes, locally made, biodegradable and organic soaps, lotions and shampoos. The lodge offers cleaning service twice a day, two 110V electrical outlets (standard American outlets). You will also have computer-sized safety box, complimentary local coffee in the morning and also evening turn-down service.

Dining:

In this lodge you will have delicious menus prepared with local, indigenous ingredients. Karen believes food is an essential part of an enjoyable, memorable experience and according to her ‘dining here will be one of the highlights of your stay.’ At the time of enjoying your food at the lodge’s restaurant you will also enjoy watching breathtaking views of the rainforest and Golfo Dulce. In this restaurant you will get fresh local fruits and vegetables with responsibly caught seafood, organic chicken and grass-fed beef. You can also visit the full service bar of the lodge and there you can enjoy beverages, organic wines, fresh juices and premium spirits.

Tours and Activities:

While staying at the lodge, you can enjoy a variety of adventure and fun activities in the surrounding area. Bird watchers can go for early bird watching tour and enjoy spotting a variety of colorful birds. You can visit wild waterfalls, can go for local medicine tour, rainforest ridge walk, matapalo tour, the Osa trail, sunset birds tour, off property tours and many more.