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Rustic Luxury in Costa Rica

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Costa Rica is one of Central America’s Gems – not only is it a haven for wildlife lovers, it covers a relatively small area, its people are friendly and engaging and it has a selection of truly wonderful properties in stunning locations, as I rediscovered on my recent visit there. This is truly the perfect destination for a Costa Rica luxury holiday to experience magnificent encounters with tropical birds, monkeys, turtles nesting on protected beaches and marine life such as humpback whales and dolphins.

I explored all over the country looking at some of its most beautiful lodges in remote locations where you can luxuriate in beautiful surroundings, enjoying fine local cuisine prepared with love and attention and explore the rich forests and valleys of Costa Rica with some of its most passionate and knowledgeable guides. I walked beside protected turtle nesting sites at night in Tortuguero in the company of the park ranger to see green turtles laying their eggs and along the wild deserted beaches and mangroves of the Caribbean Coast where the music, dance, food and even, in some locations, the language is different, influenced by the Creole-speaking population. I spent the most exhilarating day white-water rafting on the Pacuare River from a delightful lodge whose private cottages epitomise rustic luxury from the outdoor showers and private freshwater plunge pools overlooking the jungle canopy to the candlelit interior and first class service. You can even hike to one of the few remaining traditional Cabecar communities from here. I watched the expert surfers gliding the waves on the Nicoya Peninsula from delightful sea-breeze cooled bungalows that merge with the surrounding rainforest and explored the laidback little local towns that are a far cry from the huge purpose-built beach resorts that dot the coast further north.

But by far the most magical experience of my visit was my stay in the Osa Peninsula on Costa Rica’s southern Pacific Coast, arriving by air from the capital with stunning views over the mountains and coast as you fly south by small plane. The Osa Peninsula juts out from the coast just before you cross the border into Panama and encompasses Corcovado National Park overlooking the Pacific and the Golfo Dulce or ‘Sweet Gulf’ between the peninsula and neighbouring Golfito National Reserve. Expect to see white-faced capuchin, howler and titi monkeys, chestnut-mandible toucans and scarlet macaws, spotted and bottle-nosed dolphins and also, spectacularly, for up to eight months of the year thanks to two separate and unique migrations to this area, humpback whales calving their young in the warm waters of the Gulf. The lodges here are very special where you can explore this incredible pristine environment in the company of fascinating local guides who care deeply about this region and its protection. In one of my favourite lodges, I spent the evening chatting with the other guests and guides over dinner in the main lodge overlooking the sea and pored over wildlife books on the terrace of my private bungalow. I strolled along a deserted beach one afternoon and went for a refreshing swim in a freshwater tidal pool and woke early to see scarlet macaws in flight over my head from a treetop platform. The food is fresh, simple, delicious and beautifully prepared; the guides are delighted to share their love of the region and its flora and fauna to their guests; accommodation is elegant and in keeping with its surroundings; the panoramic views over the pristine coast are breath-taking.

We would be delighted to design your perfect bespoke Costa Rica luxury holiday to this fantastic region, perhaps combined with other parts of this beautiful small country, depending on what you wish to see. Contact us to speak to Louise about which rustic luxury lodges in Costa Rica would be most suited to you and experience ‘Pura Vida’!

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