Despite having lived in Costa Rica for the better part of the past 13 years, I still get the socks knocked off of me from time to time.
This past weekend’s visit to the incredible eco-resort, Lapa Rios, was one of those times.
Here are the highlights…
The Service
We were greeted upon arrival by a contingent of the staff who gave us a cool towel and an exotic tropical drink. Both were welcome after driving quite a bit to get there. We started from my home in Perez Zeledon, so it wasn’t nearly the drive one would have from San Jose. That’s why we always tell our customers to fly to Lapa Rios via domestic flight out of San Jose. There is an airport in Puerto Jimenez, which is about 30 minutes from the resort.
Throughout the two night visit, we were treated like virtual royalty. Perhaps the most courteous and conscientious hotel staff that I have ever encountered in Costa Rica…perhaps anywhere.
The Guides
The first night we did a night hike with Guillermo. This young tico is a virtual walking encyclopedia of naturalist knowledge. He also led us on a tour the next day. We took the tour with other guests, including a biologist professor and a family with kids who asked Guillermo every question imaginable…he never was stumped. This guy would see a rare bird 100 yards away and identify it spot on. Amazing. And with absolute perfect command of his second language…English.
Impressive to say the least, as were all the guides at the resort.
The Setting
Lapa Rios is a super-sustainable eco-resort located almost at the very tip of the Osa Peninsula. It is about an hour’s drive from Carate Station in Corcovado National Park. The area around the resort is nature reserve covered with primary and secondary tropical rainforest. There you will find some 3% of the entire world’s biodiversity. The area is known for its abundance of Scarlett Macaws, or Lapas Rojas, as they are called in Costa Rica.
The coastline is rugged and beautiful, but there is a nice tranquil beach for swimming a short walk from the resort called Playa Pan Dulce.
This area is a natural wonderland and the hotel does everything possible to place you right in the throes of all that amazing biodiversity. A visit to Lapa Rios, while luxurious, is not about that. It’s about the nature…don’t go there for any other reason.
The Luxury
Lapa Rios is an eco-resort…100%. They are sustainable in every way…even in the founding of the area’s only primary school…Escuela Carbonera. Before John and Karen Lewis arrived to the area, there was no school for young children to attend. John and Karen, in addition to founding one of the pioneering and world-renowned eco-resorts, also made sure to fix the school problem as well.
That’s one reason why the resort received the 2005 Award for Corporate Excellence. An award presented to them by U.S. Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice.
Despite all the focus on sustainability, the resort offers a 5-star luxury experience in every way. Well, granted there is no wi-fi connection, but that’s intentional. You come to Lapa Rios to disconnect with the man-made world and connect with the natural.
Oh, and I must mention the food. Absolutely delicious…trust me!
Lapa Rios is a great experience for families with children, or for romantic getaways. Just make sure to go there with a respect and admiration for the natural world…you won’t be disappointed.
Below is a little video I made of our Lapa Rios jungle experience.
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