Sarapiquí, Costa Rica
El Lugar
Hacienda-style lodges in the heart of the Costa Rica rainforest
Set in the heart of the Costa Rican rainforest, El Lugar is a collection of bespoke lodges within a 1,200-acre private tropical reserve. Before the foundation of El Lugar, the same family had been nurturing the estate as an agricultural farm for over 80 years. The primary mission was to regenerate and preserve El Lugar for future generations.
You can choose between bungalows, villas and casitas. All have handmade entrance doors opening into bright, airy spaces with hardwood beams and locally made floor tiles. Inside, antiques add character. And you’ll have a private balcony or veranda, perfect for a morning coffee or an evening drink overlooking the forest.
The setting feels wonderfully rich in wildlife with more than 130 bird species recorded here alone. In the adjacent Braulio Carrillo National Park, hiking and nature trails wind through rainforest home to more than 500 bird species and 150 animal species, making it one of the most diverse places on earth.
Specialist local guides lead nature walks to explore the surrounding habitat. You can also set out on horseback in the adjoining 500-hectare El Encanto. At the end of the day, take a private transfer from El Lugar through dense foliage to the Río Guácimo for a wild swim.
Highlights
Wander through 1,200-acre private tropical reserve in Costa Rica's northern lowlands
Relax on your private veranda with a cool drink surrounded by the sounds of the forest at sunset
Head out on nature walks straight from your door with specialist local guides to learn about the rainforest’s rich microclimate
Spot howler monkeys, sloths, armadillos and tapirs in the wild around you
Enjoy a farm-to-table dining experience with ingredients from El Lugar’s own organic garden
Trip inspiration
Plan your trip to Costa Rica
Whatever you want from your adventure in Costa Rica, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.
Places to combine El Lugar with
Manuel Antonio
Make yourself at home and relax on one of the hotel’s lush jungle terraces, enjoy the views out over the beautiful gardens towards the sea and Manuel Antonio National Park.
Design meets comfort in the 58 rooms which have been purposefully set against the contours of the jungle hillside, giving the impression that they are seamlessly connected to the surrounding tropical forests. Truly Costa Rican in style, fun and family-friendly, Si Como No’s extensive facilities and reliable service makes it one of the best equipped and relaxed barefoot luxury hotels in Manuel Antonio. The rooms are spacious and comfortable, and it’s worth getting a room in the newer part of the hotel or perhaps even a deluxe one which have great views of the Pacific Ocean.
Colourful, tropical interiors, stained glass windows and lots of natural wood illustrate the very Tico character of the hotel. There is also a well-appointed spa offering massages and beauty treatments, two restaurants, a butterfly garden, wildlife centre and even a 45-seater cinema.
The hotel’s location near the smallest yet second most popular national park in the country with 4000 hectares of rainforest and 136,000 acres of marine reserve means a plentiful choice of local activities and adventure expeditions.
