Hidden Costa Rica

Overview

Nestled amid the wild rainforest of the relatively untouched Rio Celeste region in Costa Rica’s beautiful north west, Origins is a stunning retreat with a focus on nature, well-being and superb service. Surrounded by national parks and set within verdant grounds full of exotic flora, the mountainside setting affords remarkable views, truly embedding you in the rich nature of this region.

Consisting of seven accommodations, including six one-bedroom lodges and a three-bedroom lodge which is ideal for families, all are spacious, light and airy, offering immense comfort and rewarding doses of luxury. The one-bedroom lodges boast amazing views of volcanoes, lakes and the surrounding grounds, best soaked up from the lodges’ inviting terraces which are equipped with a large heated bath. The three-bedroom lodge is suspended amongst treetops, with all three bedrooms enjoying en-suite facilities. Its large terrace enjoys a fire-heated Jacuzzi, while a fully equipped kitchen and custom-designed living room allow for familiar home comforts.

One of the biggest attractions of a stay at Origins is found in wandering its blissful grounds. Filled with diverse flora, abundant wildlife, fishing lagoons, vegetable gardens, waterfalls, volcanic rocks, beehives and pineapple plants, you’ll absorb a true sense of ecological character across the estate. The grounds are also where you’ll encounter horse stables, a yoga deck and a spa, all providing adventure and rejuvenation in the most breathtaking of settings.

Dining is a particularly rewarding characteristic of Origins. In addition to its well-stocked wine cellar and relaxing lounge and bar, the on-site restaurant, El Salto, presents the best in gastronomy through the guidance of Michelin-starred chef, Jean-Luc L’Hourre. This high-end cuisine is designed to embody the local surroundings, making use of the variety of produce grown throughout the grounds.

Overview

The Rio Celeste Hotel provides 26 comfortable and well-equipped casitas set amongst the tropical scenery of its surrounds as well as being well-positioned for access to the Tenorio National Park and the Rio Celeste itself.

The charming resort connects guests with the unique and untouched rainforest surrounding it, with each of the bungalows carefully designed to complement the lush tropical setting. Wooden furnishings and warm colours create a welcoming atmosphere and each has its own private decks with showers, the premium suites have jetted bathtubs.

Breakfast is included in the rates and in the evenings you can enjoy cocktails in the stylish lounge Cantina Delirio. Dine beside tranquil koi ponds, surrounded by the lush gardens at the open-air Kantala Restaurant. The menu features Costa Rican cuisine created with fresh local ingredients. And the popular swim-up bar, Luna Azul, means you don’t even need to climb out of the pool for a top up.

Spend your days by the pool or exploring the nearby park, walking the resorts paths along the river, visiting the Rio Celeste waterfall or the Arenal Volcano – which is only an hour’s drive away.

Overview

Located in one of the most diverse primary rainforests in the world, the Corcovado National Park, this ethically-responsible hotel does all it can to blend inconspicuously into its delicate surroundings and to create as little disturbance to the environment as possible. Guests enjoy exceptional intimacy with nature in authentic comfort.

Its lodgings are 17 simple, spacious and stylish open-sided thatch bungalows decorated with bamboo furniture, warm wood flooring, and private bathrooms with two showers. There are two spacious new lapa villas with plunge pools, and four new premier villas with balconies. As such Lapa Rios’ assimilation into its rainforest habitat means that you often get toucans visiting your bungalow balcony, and the adventure and wildlife activities have never been so close to hand. It’s the perfect place to escape and unwind. There is WiFi available throughout the lodge.

The hotel and each bungalow have sweeping views of the Pacific and rainforest canopies, and it’s a short downhill walk to a quiet and beautiful beach for a dip in the ocean.

The main lodge has a high roof and open sides, magically lit by candlelight in the evenings. Tuck into hearty meals made using responsibly-caught local seafood, ethically-sourced meat and fresh vegetables at Brisa Azul Restaurant and Bar. And sip on organic South American wines with your fellow guests as the sunsets.

Overview

The luxury Playa Cativo Eco Lodge is unique in the beauty of its secluded surroundings: accessible only by boat, it’s set on 1,000 acres of private rainforest with both the Piedras Blancas National Park – a former extension of the Corcovado National Park – and its own pristine, sandy beach on its doorstep.

The lodge is well aware of the value of its environs and practices high sustainability policies. It was built using precious indigenous wood salvaged from an older lodge and a fallen-tree program and fittingly, each of its comfortable rooms have been decorated using reclaimed hardwood and colourful tile works crafted by local artisans. The bathrooms feature hot-water rain showers and biodegradable bathroom amenities, and each suite is just a few steps away from the beach with majestic ocean views.

Surrounded by some of the most unspoilt rainforest in the world, Playa Cativo Eco offers an unrivalled opportunity to immerse yourself in nature. Speak to your travel designer about adding excursions such as kayaking in the Rio Esquinas Mangrove-Ocean, hiking in the Piedras Blancas Nature, guided expeditions to the Nocturnal Rainforest, beach, rainforest and wetland birdwatching tours, Golfo Dulce half-day snorkelling trips, standup paddle boarding adventures, and dolphin and whale sightseeing to your stay.

Overview

Set in its own 185-acre nature reserve buffering the Corcovado National Park, El Remanso eco-lodge is the perfect place for nature lovers, adventurers or those simply looking for a peaceful getaway.

Its six cabins range in size and speciality, but are impeccably and simply decorated in tropical hardwoods, bamboo furniture, natural stone and wood screens. The private terraces are hung with hammocks and set with elegant chairs. There is a magnificent group cabin that can sleep eight people, making it perfect for families or groups. Similarly designed in rustic fashion and in harmony with its jungle habitat are two deluxe rooms and four standard rooms, although if you’re after an ocean-view it is worth mentioning this.

The spectacular setting of El Remanso is matched by its knowledgeable and helpful staff who make every attempt to make your stay a personal one. The international cuisine fused with a few ‘Tico’ touches served at the hotel’s restaurant is very good.

Being completely immersed in the pristine and richly biodiverse rainforest, surrounded by the sounds of macaws and howler monkeys, El Remanso has the advantage of also offering a range of private and bespoke activities. The hotel can also provide you with two in-house naturalists should you want a true, local expert to show you around.

El Remanso now has eight bungalows and six rooms in Casa Poniente.