Our Philosophy of Sustainability
& Adventure

• • Worked with Costa Rican architect to design all lodge structures.
  
• • The entire construction was performed by local labor from the immediate coast as well as the towns of Puerto Jiménez and Golfito.
  
• • Lodge buildings are located on less than 2% of property.
  
• • The use of recycled construction materials such as: roof tiles on the lodge and cabins are made of recycled plastics including banana bags.
  
• • Wood used throughout Playa Nicuesa is either naturally fallen and permitted by the government to be pulled out of the forest by oxen, or farmed.
  
• • Environmentally friendly design features: design of the cabins and lodge is unique and in context with the natural environment and, the orientation of the cabins and lodge maximizes natural ventilation of air from the mountains and the beach through the structures.
  
• • Separation of gray water and black water, and use of organic micro-organisms to clean septic system of toxins and diseases.
  
• • Little to no disturbance to the natural landscaping to protect the natural habitat.
  

• • Electricity is provided by solar energy.  Panels are centrally located on main lodge structure.
  
• • Passive solar drying room used to dry all of the wash.
  
• • Hot water is provided by on-demand propane which means that the propane is used only when the hot water faucet is turned on.
  
• • Fuel efficient four stroke engines are used on all of our boats.
  
• • Trash separation for the purpose of recycling glass, plastics and paper.
  
• • Composting organics.
  
• • Rainwater management: use of trenches to channel heavy amounts of rainfall thereby reducing soil erosion.
  
• • Gardens and landscaping maintained without the use of fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides.
  
• • Use of homemade natural solution to combat certain insects (garlic, onion, chili pepper solution).
  
• • Use of organic-biodegradable cleaning products.
  
• • Use of organic shampoos and soaps in guest rooms.
  
• • Energy efficient light bulbs, refrigerators and freezers.
  
• • Use of solar lanterns for pathway lighting.
  
• • Tours and activities are conducted in the most environmentally friendly manner possible in order to preserve the natural habitat and the wildlife that thrive here, while always educating guests about the importance of environmental conservation.
  
• • Offer daily Sustainability Tour of lodge environmental operations (recycling area, composting area, Reforestation Center, passive solar drying room, solar system, construction efforts, etc.).
  
• • . Lodge meals focused on national and regional cuisine, utilizing food from the property or grown as locally as possible.
  

• • Employ local/Costa Rican staff (98% of employees); primarily from the immediate coastline and two area villages.
  
• • Sponsor a local Costa Rican student annually to attend a local bilingual school - Nuevo Hoja. Assist in creation of a local recycling collection center in Puerto Jiménez in collaboration with Women of the Osa (an organization of which we are a member).
  
• • Support local campaign to clean up and beautify Golfito by creating welcoming public spaces, improving infrastructure, and giving locals pride in their city.
  
• • Employ reformed hunters as guides.
  
• • Sponsored building of local library in Puerto Jiménez
  
• • Provide opportunity to employees to learn English. (e.g. fully sponsored one employee to live in San Jose and attend a one month intensive English language program).
  
• • Display decorations and sell to guests locally produced artwork and handicrafts in effort to support the development of regional/local cultural and artistic activities.
  
• • Support local economy by purchasing food, hardware, and other supplies from nearby towns.
  
• • Support local tour operations by regularly promoting to guests.
  
• • Provide opportunity for career advancement for employees via training course sponsorship.
  

• • Active member of Women of the Osa (WOO) which is a local effort as part of an international campaign supported by The Nature Conservancy, Conservation International and Costa Rica-USA (CRUSA) to protect and preserve the OSA Peninsula/Golfo Dulce Region.
  
• • Member of the International Ecotourism Society (TIES)
  
• • Member of the Organization of Tropical Studies (OTS)
  
• • Member of EcoClub International
  
• • Currently applying for Certification for Sustainable Tourism (CST)
  
• • Member of Centro de Derecha y de los Recursos Naturales (CEDARENA)
  
• • Member of Responsibletravel.com
  
• • Member of Sustainable Travel International
  

Playa Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge accommodates up to 25 guests, offering four private cabins and a guest house. All accommodations feature private open-air baths, canopied beds, ceiling fans, and full length louver doors that wrap around rooms - with private verandas providing spectacular views of rainforest.

Lush, green vegetation as far as the eye can see, with leaves as big as elephant ears. Jade colored water. toucans, monkeys, iguanas, dolphins, majestic blue butterflies - all are here at Playa Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge.

If physical challenge is what you want. it's here. If rest and relaxation is what you need. it's here as well. And everything in between! We are a destination lodge that offers kayaking, fishing, snorkeling, hiking, wildlife viewing, yoga, horseback riding, and hammock swinging right out our doorstep.

Playa Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge embraces conservation and harmony with the natural environment, and offers a perfect blend of comfort with environmental preservation. This wilderness lodge is sensitively designed with the environment and constructed from naturally fallen trees, recycled materials and harnesses the natural energy from the sun to provide electricity.

What also makes Playa Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge so unique, pristine and private is that access from nearby villages is by water only. Dramatic views of the mountains surrounding the Pacific Coast gulf welcome you to the lodge as you approach by boat. Once you arrive at the lodge, lose yourself in the tropical paradise that surrounds you, and let the adventure begin!

We refer to Playa Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge as our "Selva y Mar" (jungle and sea) location because our front yard is literally a gulf right off the Pacific Ocean, and our back yard is literally thousands of acres of pristine tropical rainforest. Adventure and nature activities are unlimited!

The Front Door leads to the Golfo Dulce's 80 degree blue green waters. Kayak the Golfo Dulce (sweet gulf) right off our beach front. Jump in! The water is calm and perfect for swimming. Spend a relaxing hour or a challenging day kayaking and exploring along the coastline and through nearby mangroves. Stop and snorkel along the way! In-shore and off-shore fishing guarantee a fresh fish dinner.

And, from the Golfo Dulce we can also access several rivers and the Pacific Ocean leading to a variety of marine environments that make this area so unique.

The Back Door of our 165-acre preserve is surrounded by thousands of acres of pristine tropical rainforest, full of fruit trees and tropical flowering plants. Explore the jungle by hiking our labyrinth of trails that wind through the rainforest canopy, up the mountainside, and connect through the National Park. Listen to the howler monkeys, watch and hear the calls of any one of the 250 species of birds, and end up at a waterfall. OR, just relax in a hammock under the almond tree by the sea and take in the ocean and mountain views while listening to the rhythmic waves.