Pacuare Lodge – Costa Rica
The adventure starts before you even arrive, with something far removed from your normal resort transfer. A whitewater raft journey down the Pacuare River to the remote lodge in the heart of dense, primary rainforest. The rapids, in the Talamanca Mountain Range, are some of the best in Latin America, and Pacuare Lodge is one of the most established destinations in the country.
Here, you’ll find comfortable luxury combined with high octane adventure, wildlife experiences and a chance to experience true local culture. Each trip is personalised to you, immersing you in the wonders of the rainforest and experiencing it in an extraordinary and unique way. The local team are highly experienced and knowledgeable, and the luxury is rather seductive.
At A Glance
Remote Hotels
Why We Love It:
For its isolated location and the chance of high octane adventure.Style:
Rainforest glamping chic.Location:
Deep in the rainforest on the banks of the Pacuare River, close to Siquirres.Rooms:
20 spacious suites and villas, with large terraces, spread along the riverbank, amongst the canopy, or in the treetops.Swimming:
A riverside pool and private plunge pools.Children:
Ideal for families with older children who love adventure, the minimum age is 7 years old.Accessibility:
The nature of the lodge means there are no facilities for guests with limited mobility.Open From:
All year round.rooms
Each suite and villa is a little slice of refinement in the rainforest. With luxury in mind, they come with elegant interiors with teak floors and furniture, Italian bed linen and the most comfortable mattresses imaginable. Outside, they make the most of their surroundings, with spacious terraces, hammocks and outdoor showers. Garden Suites are wonderfully spacious, tucked away amongst the trees with a private terrace and bathrooms that have a 360 degree jungle view.
A similar size, the River View Suites look through the canopy to the rapids. The Linda Vista Villas are exquisite and vast, with exceptional river and rainforest views, featuring an outdoor bathroom and spring fed infinity plunge pool. For height and seclusion, the Canopy Villa is hard to beat. Reached by its own rope suspension bridge, it has a spectacular viewing platform from which to watch the colourful array of bird species, together with a plunge pool. Larger still is the Jaguar Villa on the banks of the river – ideal for families. It comes with a large master bedroom and a living area with day beds, two bathrooms, a plunge pool and viewing platform over the river, reached by its own bridge.
food
The team at Pacuare Lodge all have one thing in common – a love of good food. Using locally sourced and grown produce, including from the lodge’s own organic farm, the food here is both delicious and plentiful, with traditional Costa Rican and international influences. Eat in the split-level Nairi Awari restaurant, or for an unusual but romantic dinner, a private table can be set up on the river’s edge with candles and just the sound of the rainforest.
Or how about ziplining to El Nido – literally a nest 20 metres high in the trees for a truly unforgettable breakfast or lunch? Guests can also learn the secrets of Cabécar cookery – using ingredients from the forest. And for somewhere deep in the rainforest, the wine list is pretty impressive.
activities
Not only will you find adventure at Pacuare, but nature (in spade loads) and culture. The grade 2/3 waters of the river make for excellent white water rafting, and indeed this is one of the biggest reasons to visit. Expert guides take you down river to Siquirres, through gorges and canyons, under water cascades, passing exotic wildlife on the way, on a five hour trip. The lodge has its own canopy adventure – just a 15 minute hike into the rainforest.
Experience the canopy from above as you zipline from platform to platform. The canyoning is for the brave – with rock climbing and rappelling down a 30 metre rock face into a narrow gorge. You may just want to come here for nature alone. The flora and fauna is spectacular, with some amazing birdwatching opportunities – the early morning tours are not to be missed. Likewise, the nocturnal tours show you some of the creatures that only come out at night – certain tree frogs, porcupines and much more. Indigenous culture plays a big part at the lodge, and there are several tours for guests, from visiting a Cabécar Indian village to a pre-Colombian archeolgocial site at Guayabo on the slopes of the Turrialba Volcano. And because this is a luxury lodge, book yourself a treatment at the Spa after a day of activity and adventure.
family
Pacuare Lodge is best suited to older children. Due to the remote location and nature of the activities there is a minimum age of 7 to stay at the Lodge. The age limit for white water rafting and canyoning is 12 and over, whilst the ziplining has an age limit of 8 years (accompanied by a guide).
sustainability
The lodge is committed to sustainable tourism – the relationship between local communities and the environment is seen as essential – with guests charged a small one-off fee that goes directly towards sustainability programmes and local schools. No trees were felled when the lodge was built and over the years it has acquired 840 acres of primary rainforest with the sole purpose of protecting it.
Power is created through hydroelectric and solar energy and waste water is managed effectively so as to create no pollution. The majority of produce is local and organic and the lodge supports a number of wildlife initiatives, including the Jaguar Program. Each and every member of staff is local and guests are encouraged learn about the Cabecar Indigenous community – a short hike from the lodge.
Location
Costa Rica, Central America
Deep in the rainforest on the banks of the Pacuare River, close to Siquirres and two hours from San José. Arrive by 4x4 along an ungraded road and a gondola, or better still, through the whitewater rapids by raft. There’s a helicopter option too.
