Author Archive: lpardo@playacativo.com

Finding a Luxury Eco Lodge in Costa Rica

One Couple’s Internet Journey to Find the Perfect Costa Rica Getaway


?????????????????????????????????????????It was time to plan our next Costa Rica vacation, and my husband and I had a dilemma. While I was dreaming of a romantic getaway and luxury accommodations, my husband wanted a taste of the tropical rainforest and close encounters with wildlife! We decided to search online for Costa Rica luxury eco lodges with first-class service and authentic wildlife observation. We knew it wouldn’t be an easy task!

Late at night there’s no chance of finding a reliable travel agent for our trip to Costa Rica, so our search started with Google. We were amazed at the different rainforest lodges, options and qualities. Soon we started to focus on eco lodges with sustainable operations.

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Stand Up and Paddle at Our Costa Rica Lodge!

Paddle Board in Playa CativoIf you are looking for a luxury hotel in Costa Rica offering excellent outdoor activities and natural beauty in a quiet and private setting, Playa Cativo Lodge in Costa Rica is the perfect destination for you!

One of our guests’ favorite activities at Playa Cativo is stand up paddle boarding and kayaking. You’ll think you are in paradise as you explore the glorious coastline and Cativo Bay. Check out the varieties of fish, manta rays and turtles in the morning’s crystal clear water.

The Playa Cativo staff is ready to help you outfit and launch your paddle board or kayak. And, they will be ready to greet you upon your return. We hope you will visit us soon!

Coming Soon: Nonstop Flights from London to Costa Rica!

Playa+Cativo_rainforestBritish charter airline Thomson Airways plans to make it very convenient to fly to Costa Rica for a stay at Playa Cativo’s rainforest eco lodge! The airline will have nonstop flights between London and Liberia, Costa Rica, starting in November of 2015 — just in time for a 2015 holiday season getaway.

According to the Costa Rican Tourism Board (ICT), the UK is fourth in the largest source of tourists from Europe to Costa Rica . . . and Thomson Airways plans to fly to Liberia once a week from Gatwick Airport in London.

Isn’t it time to plan your next trip to Playa Cativo in Costa Rica?

 

Playa Cativo Lodge in Costa Rica Announces “Discover the Rainforest” Package

Beach Casita 2 (Copy)GOLFO DULCE, COSTA RICA — Playa Cativo Lodge in Costa Rica announces a “Discover the Costa Rica Rainforest” Package. Since November 7, 2014, Delta Air Lines has been offering nonstop seasonal service connecting Costa Rica with Los Angeles and the airline’s hubs in Minneapolis/St. Paul and New York-JFK. This is a perfect opportunity to become immersed in nature while staying at the luxurious Playa Cativo Lodge in Southern Costa Rica.

With seven stunning beachfront guestrooms and a private casita nestled on the beach, Playa Cativo Lodge offers gourmet farm-to-table dining, fresh-water pool, adventure center, working farm and concierge services. Playa Cativo activities include rainforest tours and hikes, swimming, fishing, snorkeling, paddle boarding, sea kayaking, birdwatching, whale and dolphin watching plus self-guided and private tours of the property.

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Enjoy tours of the Costa Rica rainforest on your visit to Playa Cativo!

Costa Rica Rainforest tourHave you ever taken a rainforest tour in Costa Rica? With the beauty and convenience of the surrounding National Park, Playa Cativo guests don’t have to go far to see wildlife at its best. Networks of trails in nearly every direction from our rainforest eco lodge await your discovery. Parts of Playa Cativo are rugged and steep due to its characteristic topography, so trails here are rated differently. Some hikes are relaxed and perfect for touring while others are invigorating and challenging.

The flora of Piedras Blancas National Park is among the richest on the planet, with several thousand different species of plants and hundreds of trees — some very rare and in danger of extinction. It is very similar to the Corcovado National Park but less travelled. Piedras Blancas has even more tree species than Corcovado.

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Relax in Luxury Accommodations at Our Boutique Costa Rica Hotel!

playa_cativo_eco_lodgeWith its beautiful Costa Rican rainforest setting, Playa Cativo Lodge offers luxurious and comfortable accommodations in a harmonious and natural environment. The eco lodge features Deluxe, Luxury and Premium guest rooms, constructed from precious reclaimed hardwood and colorful tile works crafted by local artisans. With breathtaking ocean views, all of our elegant guest rooms are only a few short steps to the beach!

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Our New Costa Rica Eco Lodge Offers the Finest in Farm-to-table Cuisine

Dining at Playa CativoPlaya Cativo’s gourmet restaurant, El Gavilán, offers guests a truly spectacular dining experience. From the finest and freshest of ingredients to the innovative and artistic presentation, you will be amazed at the impressive menu as you relax in a breathtaking setting.

Our staff will help you pair your farm-to-table meal with a glass of fine wine from our excellent wine list. You may also enjoy an ice-cold Costa Rican craft beer with dinner. Be sure to sample one of our signature tropical cocktails created with premium spirits. (Freshly squeezed fruit is used in all smoothies and juices for cocktails.)

The Playa Cativo Farm grows on-site fresh organic produce for El Gavilán Restaurant, just like the organic program at our award-winning sister property, Goodstone Inn & Restaurant in Middleburg, Virginia. Some of the organic products we grow on the farm include tomatoes, carrots, yucca, relish, peppers, beet, cilantro, celery, mustard, basil, green beans, beans, cucumbers, plantain as well as many herbs. We also grow such fruits as pineapples, coconuts, papayas, bananas, passion fruits, limes, oranges, mangos, star fruit and a large variety of exotic fruit.

Our Playa Cativo Chef has a wonderful food blog. If you read Spanish, please be sure to visit Chef’s site at Welcome to My World Blog.

Playa_Cativo_Eco_Lodge_Dining Chefs at our eco lodge

Gourmet Dining in Costa Rica is Waiting for You at Playa Cativo Lodge!

Dining in Costa RicaIf you’re planning to visit a luxury Costa Rican hotel with first-class gourmet dining (and, of course, a glorious beachfront setting plus exciting outdoor activities), look no further! Playa Cativo awaits you! Just like its beautiful sister property, Goodstone Inn & Restaurant in Middleburg, Virginia, Playa Cativo Lodge in Costa Rica offers the ultimate in upscale fine dining at its farm-to-table restaurant, El Gavilán.

With breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean, El Gavilán guests enjoy truly romantic dining with seasonal organic produce harvested daily at the Playa Cativo Farm. The restaurant features locally caught seafood, organic poultry and grass-fed Costa Rican beef. Our à la carte menu presents a variety of options — from traditional to modern Costa Rican cuisine, including selected fusion and international recipes.

Visit Playa Cativo soon, and indulge in a spectacular dining experience!

 

How to Get to Our Eco Lodge in Costa Rica

 

playa_cativo_ecolodge_boatingImagine sitting in your office with papers stacked high upon your desk today . . . and sipping a tropical specialty drink in your private casita on the beach at Playa Cativo tomorrow! Let our Guest Services team help you plan the details for your trip to our luxury rainforest lodge!

Direct flights enter Costa Rica from many cities in North America, Central America, South America and Europe. A valid passport is required and a visa is necessary for some countries. (United States citizens do not need a visa.) Most international flights arrive at Juan Santamaría Airport (our preferred airport) near San José, and some fly into Daniel Oduber Airport in Liberia, which is farther from Playa Cativo.

Once in Costa Rica, you can choose between air transportation (55 minutes from San José) and ground transportation (5-7 hours) to get to Puerto Jimenez or Golfito, the two local ports of entry to Playa Cativo. The last portion of your voyage is a 25-minute scenic boat ride into the heart of the rainforest, courtesy of Playa Cativo Eco Lodge.

SANSA and Nature Air operate daily domestic commercial flights. Private charter flights are also available. We are happy to plan your domestic travel arrangements, including to and from other destinations in Costa Rica. Please keep in mind that all domestic flights have a 30-pound baggage limit per person. Heavier baggage or extra luggage might not be carried the same day, and will probably require an extra fee.

Call or email us now to make reservations for a Costa Rica experience you will never forget! Visit www.playacativo.com for details.

 

Preserving the Environment at Our Eco Lodge in Costa Rica

costa_rica_hotelsThe Playa Cativo team is truly passionate about preserving the environment. Our rainforest eco lodge offers extraordinary experiences for guests with luxury accommodations and an amazing rainforest and beachfront setting in the beautiful waters of Golfo Dulce. We embrace the vision to preserve and share the beauty of the gulf and rainforest for the enjoyment of all. Playa Cativo is proud of its diverse and 100% sustainable operation and serves as a model for other communities.

Playa Cativo aims to be 100% sustainable. We believe that the protection of the Costa Rica rainforest and ocean is the responsibility of the community as a whole. Our commitment and actions support the local community and we work together with local authorities.

Initially, our produce was grown hundreds of kilometers away and needed to be transported by diesel-powered trucks to Golfito. It then needed to be kept in a cold room until brought by boat to Playa Cativo. This situation inspired our farm program to grow on-site fresh organic produce. We were also inspired by our sister property, Goodstone Inn & Restaurant in Middleburg, Virginia. Goodstone has a vibrant farm-to-table program for their award-winning French restaurant.

We have successfully added many organic products, including tomatoes, carrots, yucca, relish, peppers, beet, cilantro, celery, mustard, basil, green beans, beans, cucumbers, plantain as well as many herbs. We also grow fruits such as pineapples, coconuts, papayas, bananas, passion fruits, limes, oranges, mangos, star fruit and a large variety of exotic fruit.

Guests are invited to learn and share the ideas and practices that we have implemented at Playa Cativo Eco Lodge.