Why Visit Costa Rica?

Travelling inland from the pristine beaches on Costa Rica’s Caribbean and Pacific Ocean coasts, the terrain rises up, with coffee plantations and lush tropical rainforests coating the slopes of volcanoes and mountains.

The Arenal Volcano National Park alone boasts more than 850 species of birds, while you may also encounter jaguar, white-faced capuchin monkey, and the racoon-like coati.

As Costa Rica is such a tiny country, you won’t waste time travelling from A to B and most of the country’s hotspots are within a 90 minute flight of each other. You really can see it all.

Costa Rica lends itself to families seeking adventure. Take a zipline through the rainforest; experience the thrill of white water rafting; swim at the base of a waterfall; hit a hiking trail or encounter the country’s incredible wildlife. The possibilities are endless.

Playa Cativo Lodge is perfectly positioned for beach activities and rainforest exploration. The lodge is all about barefoot luxury and is a place where you can truly immerse yourself in nature. Walk straight onto the beach and dive under clear waters for reef snorkelling or hit the paddle board and see the reef from a different perspective.

The lodge is thoughtfully nestled within the Piedras Blancas National Park and you are privileged to stay amongst the 140 mammal species, 390 species of birds, 117 species of reptiles and almost 10,000 species of insects that inhabit the park.

Playa Cativo Lodge is one of Costa Rica’s most luxurious waterfront lodges, located on the Golfo Dulce with its own 1,000 acre private reserve. The lodge combines the calm of its beachside location with the wild adventure of the rainforest. This is a beach lodge with a difference.

‘In addition to the four seasons in an afternoon and more wildlife you can shake a stick at, you get a hugely varied holiday in Costa Rica. We arrived at our first resort across a river in a hanging gondola and exited by raft three days later down grade four rapids. In the intervening time we climbed through the rainforest, discovered many poisonous creatures and abseiled down canyons together. Moving onto a cloud forest, which we learnt is wetter than a rainforest, followed by volcanoes, and then the dry Pacific coast, swimming with turtles and enjoying fantastic fresh seafood as well as cocktails on the beach as the sun went down. All finished off with a stay on a coffee plantation in a house that looked like Frodo lived there. A fantastic and memorable family holiday.’

Mike Oxford & Family

In a world concerned about climate change, corona virus and conflict, little Costa Rica is a breath of fresh air! Firstly, it’s a happy place, with no army since 1949 and a life expectancy of 78. It’s also a treasure trove of natural beauty and biodiversity: Cloud forests, rain forests, volcanoes...

Nothing beats lying in bed listening to a lion roar, or sitting drinking coffee on your veranda as a herd of giraffe strolls by. We have sought out some of the most spectacular lodges where taking a game drive or bush walk is strictly optional: the wildlife will come to you.

Endearing wildlife encounters contrast with exhilarating jungle adventures in Costa Rica. Mossy sloths hang from the trees, emulating the laid back lifestyle of this Latin American country. Meanwhile, volcano treks in Arenal National Park ramp up the excitement before you retreat to the beach.