11 Best Places To Stay In Osa Peninsula

Osa Peninsula is located on Costa Rica’s southern Pacific coast. It beckons adventurers and nature enthusiasts seeking an escape into pristine wilderness. Known for its rugged terrain and abundant biodiversity, this remote region offers a unique blend of seclusion and natural beauty, making it a haven for those who prefer to tread off the beaten path.

During our explorations of the Osa Peninsula, I discovered a place where eco-lodges and secluded villas harmoniously coexist with the surrounding rainforests and untamed landscapes. Each accommodation option, from eco-lodges like El Remanso to private villas such as Casa Bella Donna, offers a distinct experience tailored to immerse guests in the region’s rich natural heritage.

In this article, I’ll guide you through the best places to stay on the Osa Peninsula, highlighting each accommodation choice’s unique charm and amenities. Whether you seek the rustic allure of an eco-lodge or the comfort of a private villa, the Osa Peninsula promises an unforgettable retreat amidst its wild splendor.

Most people assume there are not enough places to stay in the Osa Peninsula. However, despite being a remote region, accommodation options are varied. You can get a nice place to stay depending on your budget and the kind of place you want to stay that fits you. Here are my key takeaways on the places to stay on the Osa Peninsula. 

• Eco-lodges are the most common accommodation types in various towns across the Osa Peninsula. Many are deep in the jungle, near rainforests or private reserves. 
• The charges for your accommodation will include the three meals as it’s hard to get a restaurant nearby. 
• The eco-lodges and villas are on large pieces of land with wild animals roaming around. In the morning, you can hear birds humming as you have breakfast on the terrace or near the pool. 
• Most lodges don’t have A/C but prefer ceiling fans. They generate their power and might not provide appliances that need electricity. 

Best Eco-Lodges To Stay In Osa Peninsula

Eco-lodges lack some amenities that you might find in some luxurious accommodation options. Since eco-lodges produce electricity, most don’t have electrical appliances such as T.V.s, water kettles, air conditioners, and coffee makers. Instead of A/C, most eco-lodges have a way to conserve natural breezes. 

El Remanso Lodge-Matapalo

Set on the southern tip of the Osa Peninsula, El Remanso Lodge has 100% solar-powered accommodations. It is near Puerto Jimenez and arranges shuttle pick-up for guests landing at the airstrip. The lodge is on 185 acres of private rainforest reserve. It generates its power and runs a compositing system. 

All 17 rooms and suites have nets for windows instead of glass. The room you get will either have a rainforest or ocean view. Some rooms have plunge pools. 

You will enjoy your meals at the on-site restaurant, which sits high on the canopy. The chef serves Costa Rican traditional foods with an international twist. The lodge locally sources all the meal ingredients. 

Walk along the beach, but don’t swim as the currents are strong. However, ask where the tidal pools are if you want to swim. But I recommend the lodge swimming pool. The lodge arranges for hiking and guided adventure tours where you’ll spot various bird species, monkeys, or crabs. You might even see one or two jaguars or tapirs.  

Aguila De Osa-Drake Bay

Aguila De Osa is an eco-lodge and hotel with basic amenities. After you land at Drake Bay Airstrip, the eco-lodge arranges a shuttle to take you to the boat. The lodge is boat access only. Alternatively, you can take a boat from Palma Sur. 

The hotel suites offer views of the stunning bay and sit on 28 acres of protected rainforest. There are 11 rooms and two suites overlooking Cano Island and the Pacific Ocean. There is no A/C or TV, but Wi-Fi is available. Amenities include warm showers, ceiling fans, and a minibar. 

Due to the hotel’s remoteness, the accommodation charges include breakfast, lunch, and supper. However, you’ll have to pay extra for alcoholic drinks. 

The hotel offers kayaks and hiking trails to explore the Drake Bay area. The 400-meter-long beach is where you can surf, swim, and snorkel. You can also access the other beaches from the bay. Visit the Cano Islands for a diving excursion. 

Lapa Rios-Puntarenas

The lodge has 17 thatched-roof bungalows with open sides overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Guests can enjoy outdoor showers, hammocks, and patio gardens within the lodge. There are no A/Cs or TVs. Beds have mosquito nets. The rate for accommodation includes three gourmet meals at their on-site restaurant, Brisa Azul. 

Other amenities include. 

• Internet through a fibre optic cable. 
• Non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages. 

Carry binoculars and sit at the bar to watch wildlife as you sip cocktails. Monkeys, toucans, and sloths are some animals you’ll see. Lapa Rios is on 1,000 acres of private rainforest reserve near Corcovado National Park. 

When staying at the lodge, you can access nine tours, including sunset and early bird-watching tours. You can also help transplant trees for reforestation. The lodge also provides hiking boots, walking sticks, and complimentary activities. 

Cielo Lodge-Golfito

It features one main lodge with a restaurant and a bar. The restaurant serves three meals per day and snacks when needed. The menu items are seasonal, depending on the local ingredients. The kitchen team offers cooking classes on preparing Costa Rican dishes. 

Six one-bedroom canopy suites that accommodate up to four travelers are around the property. A secluded and private lodge can accommodate up to 24 guests. The suite amenities include. 

• One full-size sofa bed and a king-size bed.
• Private ensuite bathrooms and outdoor showers.
• Covered decks with seating and hammocks.
• Ceiling fans with no A/C in the suites.  

Cielo Lodge offers private boat tours to various beaches on Golfo Dulce. The tours can also include dolphin and whale-watching excursions. Alternatively, you can take forest bathing excursions around the lodge. An infinity pool at the main lodge helps you cool down after all the activities. 

Playa Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge-Puerto Jimenez

Nicuesa has a main guesthouse (Mango) with four rooms and five private cabins. Amenities in the guesthouse and the cabins include. 

• Ceiling fans
• Private terraces with hammocks
• Open-air garden showers
• Private baths with hot water
• Canopied beds

The lodge’s chef prepares delicious local cuisine with fresh ingredients and fish. Enjoy your dinner in the candlelit bar. Nicuesa is on a 165-acre reserve, and if tropical fruits are in season, you can expect to enjoy them during your stay. 

Copa De Arbol-Drake Bay

The lodge and boutique hotel offer 11 Indonesian-style cabins with grass-thatched roofs. You can only reach this hotel by boat. Cool down at the lodge’s four-level infinity pool, which stretches to the beach. Alternatively, spend the evening in the jacuzzi sipping your favorite margarita. 

The lodge has an open-air restaurant and bar where you’ll have all your meals. Families and honeymooners prefer this lodge due to its exclusivity. While at the lodge, you can enjoy the following activities. 

Activities at Copa De Arbol
A visit to Corcovado National Park	Paddleboarding
Horse riding	Dolphin watching
Canoeing	Surfing

Playa Cativo Lodge-Golfo Dulce

The luxurious lodge offers boat-only access and is on a 1,000-acre private nature reserve. Playa Cativo has a main lodge with guest rooms, all of which have outdoor terraces and some private plunge pools. 

You’ll have your a la carte meals at the onsite restaurant, El Gavilan Restaurant. The chef prepares international and local Costa Rican cuisines with ingredients from the lodge’s onsite farm. The restaurant also offers premium cocktails, craft beers, and wines. 

There is a freshwater swimming pool where you can laze around on a hot afternoon. Next to it is the El Gazebo Sunset Bar, which has views of the jungle and ocean. The lodge has three yoga decks and can facilitate the following activities. 

• Kayaking in the Rio Esquinous Mangrove
• Bird watching tours
• A half-day tour of the Golfo Dulce for snorkeling, whale & dolphin watching, and paddleboarding. 

The Natural History Library and Business Center at the lodge has hundreds of books detailing the surrounding area’s flora and fauna. You can also make arrangements to visit the nearby Piedras Blancas National Park. Spend your afternoon at Lotus Wellness, the spa.

Best Villas To Stay In Osa Peninsula

If you want to avoid staying in a lodge setting, rental villas are the next best thing. Fortunately, the Osa Peninsula has some beautiful villas where you can stay with your family or a small group of friends. 

Casa Bella Donna-Uvita

It’s a three-bedroom, comfortable, clean rental home for a family or friends who want to spend some time in the Osa Peninsula. The villa is in the Ojochal community near Uvita on the southern Pacific side of Costa Rica. The surrounding area is a rainforest with easy access to beaches like the Costa Ballena whale coast.  

Security is top-notch, as the villa is in a gated community. Amenities on the villa property include. 

• There are two ground-level bedrooms, each with queen-sized beds and ocean views. They share a bathroom, but one bedroom has access to a half-bathroom with an outdoor bamboo shower. 
• The main bedroom with a king-size bed is upstairs. It has sliding doors leading to the balcony with forest and ocean views. The room has an en suite bathroom with dual showers overlooking the outdoors.
• Small pool area for eating and entertaining.
• Lush gardens with an indoor and outdoor living area. 

Activities near the villa include hiking trails, one of which leads to a 100-foot jungle waterfall and swimming hole. Nearby is the Marino Ballena National Park, famous for its humpback whales. You can also visit the various beaches in Uvita and Dominical. 

Corcovado Private Villas-Puerto Jimenez

The property has two villas, each with two bedrooms on the upper floor and two bathrooms, one on the upper floor and the other downstairs. Each villa has a large living room, kitchen, dining area, and parking. There is a shared outdoor pool with a hot tub and a garden. 

The Rancho Mirador offers complimentary breakfasts for the length of your stay. Dinner is by reservation and follows the daily menu. There is free Wi-Fi in public areas. 

Activities around the villa include playing billiards on site and hiking the 25-acre property. You might see scarlet macaws, parrots, squirrel monkeys, and other animal species. The villas are 45 minutes’ drive from Corcovado National Park. 

Casa Bambú-Puerto Jimenez

It is one of four bamboo beach houses on a six-acre resort a few steps from Pan Dulce Beach. Puerto Jimenez airport is less than an hour away. 

The villa has one bedroom, a king-size bed, and a TV with YouTube/Netflix options. The living room has a comfy twin-size sofa bed and enough space for another sofa bed upon request. There is a larger TV in the sitting room. Other amenities include a spacious bathroom with a corner bathtub with hot water, a fully equipped kitchen, and an outside terrace. 

There is no getting bored at Casa Bambú as there are so many tourist attractions nearby. Here are a few of my favorites. 

Attractions near Casa Bambú
Puerto Jimenez Pier	Golfito Marina
Corcovado National Par	Corcovado National Park Office
Casa Orquideas Botanical Garden	A game at Fortunato Atencio Stadium
King Louis Waterfall	Pan Dulce Beach and Matapalo

 

If you’re planning a trip to the Osa Peninsul, you should check out our detailed guide on How to Get to the Osa Peninsula for insider tips. 

Note, this list focuses on eco lodges.  I’ve also made a page about hotels in the Osa Peninsula.

Conclusion

Comfort is one of the significant points I consider when looking for a place to stay when vacationing. Fortunately, Osa Peninsula still has beautiful and affordable places to stay. When visiting as a couple or solo, you can choose any of the eco-lodges I have recommended. 

Which was your favorite place to stay in the Osa Peninsula? Please share your experience with us.