Playa Cativo Lodge
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5.0
#8 of 51 hotels in Osa PeninsulaLocation
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Discover an extraordinary destination where rich, tropical rainforest surrenders to the serene shoreline. Emerging out of the lush jungle and overlooking the tranquil turquoise and emerald waters of the Golfo Dulce is Playa Cativo Lodge – an intimate haven harmonious with its spectacular surroundings. Elegant accommodations, world-class amenities and a variety of activities offer a blissful balance between relaxation and adventure. Enjoy a one-of-a-kind opportunity to escape the everyday, encounter incredible wildlife and indulge in an exotic eco-luxury experience like no other. All rooms offer refreshing rain showers, abundant hot water, biodegradable bathroom amenities, cotton bathrobes and slippers, ceiling fans, binoculars, flashlights, complimentary Wi-Fi, twice-daily maid service and safe deposit boxes. While rooms fall into four main categories, each room is slightly unique. The following services are included in all Room Rates. • Meet and greet at the local airport (Golfito or Puerto Jiménez) and transfers to/from the dock. • One round-trip scenic boat transfers from town of arrival (Golfito or Puerto Jiménez). • First-class lodging, featuring spectacular vistas of the ocean and surrounding tropical rainforest. • Three à la carte, multi-course meals per day (in-room dining also available). • Freshly brewed specialty coffees and teas (all other beverages are offered at an additional cost). • Use of kayaks, standup paddle boards and snorkeling gear inside Cativo Bay. • The Introduction to the Tropical Rainforest Guided Tour (2 hrs.). • Daily Morning Mindful Movement Sessions. • Access to self-guided hiking trails around our private tropical rainforest reserve. • A “Surprise & Delight” in-room amenity and wi-fi in all rooms and social areas. • Twice daily maid service and concierge services.
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Property amenities
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Yoga classes
Pool
Free breakfast
Beach
Boating
Free airport transportation
Spa
Wifi
Yoga room
Pool / beach towels
Pool with view
Outdoor pool
Plunge pool
Bar / lounge
Restaurant
Breakfast available
Complimentary tea
Complimentary welcome drink
Happy hour
Outdoor dining area
Snack bar
Special diet menus
Wine / champagne
Canoeing
Hiking
Snorkelling
Fishing
Patio
Walking tours
Board games / puzzles
Airport transportation
Body wrap
Couples massage
Facial treatments
Foot massage
Full body massage
Hand massage
Head massage
Massage
Neck massage
Open-air bath
Baggage storage
Concierge
Gift shop
Non-smoking hotel
Outdoor furniture
Picnic area
Sun deck
Sun loungers / beach chairs
Sun terrace
Sun umbrellas
First aid kit
Umbrella
24-hour front desk
Private check-in / check-out
Laundry service
Room features
Bathrobes
Desk
Dining area
Housekeeping
Private balcony
Minibar
Sofa bed
Walk-in shower
Room service
Safe
Seating area
Sofa
Telephone
Wardrobe / wardrobe
Bottled water
Clothes rack
Private bathrooms
Tile / marble floor
Wake-up service / alarm clock
Refrigerator
Complimentary toiletries
Room types
Mountain view
Ocean view
Pool view
Non-smoking rooms
Suites
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Romantic
Boutique
Languages Spoken
English, Spanish
Location
Getting there
Reviews
5.0
412 reviews
Reviews summary
This summary was created by AI, based on recent reviews.
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Playa Cativo Lodge comes highly recommended for its fusion of luxury and nature, with guests often reflecting on the serene environment and stunning views that contribute to the lodge's unique atmosphere. The attentive service provided by the staff earns accolades for making guests feel both special and welcomed, complementing the beautifully decorated and immaculately clean rooms that boast balconies and hammocks.
Travelers also rave about the delicious meals prepared by the chef and the diverse activities available, enhancing the value of their stay at this peaceful retreat.
Atmosphere
Serene
Rooms
Comfortable
Value
Exceptional
Cleanliness
Immaculate
Service
Attentive
Amenities
Outstanding
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Detailed Reviews
Hotel's Favourite
What a wonderful stay - my wife cried when we left as 6 scarlet macaws did a fly past as we were walking across the beach to the boat as if saying goodbye! We had such a magical experience here with the abundance of wildlife! The staff were friendly and especially kind when my wife was unwell for a day, they truly went above and beyond with their service and attention to detail. Thank you to Moses for the cocktails, especially the banana colada :-), Caitlyn, Gravin and Kendell for your exemplary service and smiles. The food was absolutely delicious so a big thank you to the chefs. We took the kayaks out, walked the trails and did the complementary tour to the farm and also did the mangrove tour which was really fantastic, our guide Louis was so knowledgeable and we even saw dolphins in the bay on our way back.
We cannot recommend Playa Cativo enough and we would return to this paradise without hesitation and hope that it remains secluded, calm and tranquil for us all to experience this jewel in Costa Rica.
Much love to you all Sara & Simon
We cannot recommend Playa Cativo enough and we would return to this paradise without hesitation and hope that it remains secluded, calm and tranquil for us all to experience this jewel in Costa Rica.
Much love to you all Sara & Simon
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Date of stay: December 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Value
Location
Service
Room Tip: No air conditioning, just ceiling fans and no hairdryers as they generate their own electricity...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Kenneth Hidalgo, Director General at Playa Cativo Lodge
Responded 27 Dec 2023
Dear Sara and Simon, Thank you for your heartfelt review! We're delighted to hear that your stay at Playa Cativo was a magical experience filled with wildlife encounters and exceptional service. It warms our hearts to know that our staff, including Moses, Caitlyn, Gravin, Kendell, and our chefs, contributed to making your stay memorable. We're glad you enjoyed the activities, from kayaking to the farm tour and mangrove exploration. Your kind words motivate us to maintain the tranquility and beauty of Playa Cativo. We hope to welcome you back to our paradise in Costa Rica soon. We cannot wait to welcome you back in the near future. Pura vida! Kenneth Hidalgo General Manager Playa Cativo Lodge
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Playa Cativo is an idyllic eco Lodge on the coast at the edge of the rainforest on the Osa Peninsula.
The 30 minute journey by boat from Golfito port is a delightful experience .We were given a warm welcome on arrival at the lodge followed by a very good lunch before being shown our very well appointed free standing room between the sea and the main building which was close by .
The Staff were all very friendly and the food and wine were delicious with a choice of two dining areas and a separate seating area on the verandah .The verandah was particularly good for bird watching with an abundance of humming birds and some colourful butterflies .We were lucky to catch a glimpse of a Scarlet Macaw and a Toucan .
During our stay we went on three very good private tours which had been pre-booked for us by Costarican Trails who were the Ground Agents for our Excellent On line Travel agents in the Uk Black Tomato . It was a good idea to pre-book as the tours were in great demand and there was a limited number of available guides . We were lucky to have Gerardo ( Gera ) as our guide on all our tours .
The First tour we went on was a Dolphin watching expedition in a fast boat .We saw two species of dolphin including one large school with the occasional dolphin jumping clear of the water ( almost impossible to photograph ! )
The next day we went on an early morning bird walk which was a great success and afterwards Gera gave us a list of 50 species we had seen .
Our bird watching tour was followed by Ocean Kyaking to the Rio Esquinas Mangrove .We went by fast boat skilfully driven by Moses who avoided the shallow spots on account of the tide going out . At the Mangrove we transferred to our two many Kyak accompanied by Gera in a separate Kyak .
As well as interesting birds we saw a Crocodile from a safe distance across the river !
All in all we thoroughly enjoyed our stay .
There is a good choice of activities including walking trails and a very nice swimming pool next to the Lodge . There is also a very good reference library in the Lodge which guests are free to visit .
We stayed in a Free Standing Double Premium room with easy access to the main Lodge and the Sea
The 30 minute journey by boat from Golfito port is a delightful experience .We were given a warm welcome on arrival at the lodge followed by a very good lunch before being shown our very well appointed free standing room between the sea and the main building which was close by .
The Staff were all very friendly and the food and wine were delicious with a choice of two dining areas and a separate seating area on the verandah .The verandah was particularly good for bird watching with an abundance of humming birds and some colourful butterflies .We were lucky to catch a glimpse of a Scarlet Macaw and a Toucan .
During our stay we went on three very good private tours which had been pre-booked for us by Costarican Trails who were the Ground Agents for our Excellent On line Travel agents in the Uk Black Tomato . It was a good idea to pre-book as the tours were in great demand and there was a limited number of available guides . We were lucky to have Gerardo ( Gera ) as our guide on all our tours .
The First tour we went on was a Dolphin watching expedition in a fast boat .We saw two species of dolphin including one large school with the occasional dolphin jumping clear of the water ( almost impossible to photograph ! )
The next day we went on an early morning bird walk which was a great success and afterwards Gera gave us a list of 50 species we had seen .
Our bird watching tour was followed by Ocean Kyaking to the Rio Esquinas Mangrove .We went by fast boat skilfully driven by Moses who avoided the shallow spots on account of the tide going out . At the Mangrove we transferred to our two many Kyak accompanied by Gera in a separate Kyak .
As well as interesting birds we saw a Crocodile from a safe distance across the river !
All in all we thoroughly enjoyed our stay .
There is a good choice of activities including walking trails and a very nice swimming pool next to the Lodge . There is also a very good reference library in the Lodge which guests are free to visit .
We stayed in a Free Standing Double Premium room with easy access to the main Lodge and the Sea
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Date of stay: February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
A lot to digest? Read an AI-generated summary of recent traveller reviews.
+1
We had been very sad to leave Arenas del Mar but Playa Cativo did not let us down. We were made to feel so welcome from the moment we stepped on the boat to travel to the lodge. All the staff were so wonderful and welcoming and were extremely attentive with our son. Our room was amazing on the top floor feeling like a look out with views over the gardens and the amazing bird life. Sitting at the top of the steps in front of the porch with a coffee and banana bread was my favourite part... The food was excellent and the restaurant setting was wonderful and of course the service fabulous. We did the, introduction to the the rainforest, bird watching, sunset and bioluminescence tours with the friendly and contagiously enthusiastic Gustavo, kayaking in the mangrove with the equally enthusiastic friendly and knowledgeable Gerardo, and indulged in fabulous massages with Laura and Bernie (meaning I could actually walk after too much kayaking, surfing and horse riding). The wellness centre setting is magical. We also did the waterfall trail on our own and saw monkeys.
The room was magical. we had a top floor room on the main lodge which meant we got a great breeze coming through even it was so hot. amazingly we never got any bugs or anything in our room and I had been worried about that before going. it was like a secret look out watching the Toucans and Macaws high in the trees from the comfort of your own room.
The one tiny thing I would say to the owner is please steer away from groups. We had a group of several families staying at the same time as us. It was well managed as they ate in a separate bar area rather than overwhelming the small dining area but when they all arrived en masse at that end of an excursion and just took over the pool area it felt a bit suffocating for such a calm and manageable place.
I don't want to be negative as I really loved this place and I just want management to think carefully about that.
I really can't find anything negative. This is one of those places you feel quite emotional to leave. We even had a turtle swim up to the boat as we were leaving as a good bye. Thank you to all of you! p.s. we are trying to learn how to make banana bread as good as yours...
The room was magical. we had a top floor room on the main lodge which meant we got a great breeze coming through even it was so hot. amazingly we never got any bugs or anything in our room and I had been worried about that before going. it was like a secret look out watching the Toucans and Macaws high in the trees from the comfort of your own room.
The one tiny thing I would say to the owner is please steer away from groups. We had a group of several families staying at the same time as us. It was well managed as they ate in a separate bar area rather than overwhelming the small dining area but when they all arrived en masse at that end of an excursion and just took over the pool area it felt a bit suffocating for such a calm and manageable place.
I don't want to be negative as I really loved this place and I just want management to think carefully about that.
I really can't find anything negative. This is one of those places you feel quite emotional to leave. We even had a turtle swim up to the boat as we were leaving as a good bye. Thank you to all of you! p.s. we are trying to learn how to make banana bread as good as yours...
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Date of stay: December 2019
Location
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
When you arrive at Playa Cativo, you have the impression of going back to the origin of the species, to a world of purity. You are truly in a jungle and you live in a five star lodge with caring personnel and a real chef.
Each excursion proposed is done by scientists and expresses the love and dedication of the team to nature. The attention of the personnel to your needs, to every detail is exceptional.
If you was to trade your alarm clock for a symphony of bird songs, here is your address.
Each excursion proposed is done by scientists and expresses the love and dedication of the team to nature. The attention of the personnel to your needs, to every detail is exceptional.
If you was to trade your alarm clock for a symphony of bird songs, here is your address.
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Date of stay: January 2020
Room Tip: All the rooms are large and airy, the suite in the main building is wonderful.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Allen Mairena, Director General at Playa Cativo Lodge
Responded 7 Jun 2020
Hello pauline702020, Playa Cativo wishes you the very best and hope you are very healthy. You are right one of the best sensations you experience once you start your journey with us is the peace, wellness and adventure you encounter. Clean air, natural noise exploration and you feel like you are a new member of this wild nature world. Our bird watching activity is fascinating as we get to learn many species because of our exuberate amount of birds we have in the area, from toucan, scarlet macaw, hummingbirds, woodpeckers and many more. This is the place to mark from your list of birds seen and take that picture to always remember the amazing moment and admire the beautiful animal. See you soon and Golfo Dulce awaits you. Love from your second family Playa Cativo Lodge,
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
+1
From the moment you are met by boat, you know this is going to be a special place. Our delightful guide helped us into life jackets and we started across the gulf. Our guide pointed out places of interest and birds as we went. The trip takes about 30minutes. We were greeted with cold drinks and cold flannels. Our room was huge, with a wonderful balcony and plunge pool, overlooking the gulf. Fruit juice and fresh fruit were refilled daily in the fridge. The food in the restaurant was really wonderful, a lot of the vegetables and fruit are home grown. Nothing is too much trouble for the staff. They made wonderful gluten-free desserts for me. When they saw that we were taking mugs of tea back to our room, they provided thermos flasks of hot water. We did a night hike and a tour of their farm. We walked down to the neighbouring waterfall. The highlight (or a really exceptional few days) was a trip out to snorkel on the regenerating reefs and then to watch for dolphins. The ecologist explained the damage which had been done to the reefs by debris from banana farming. Now that the entire area has been reforested, the reefs are being tenderly coaxed back to life. To us, it appeared very successful as they are already home to many species. Then we went to look for dolphins. I’m not really sure if we found them or they found us, but we were soon surrounded by over 100 spotted dolphins. We followed them, slowly and gently, for about thirty minutes. It was one of the most extraordinary experiences of my life. This hotel is a unique place, with fabulous luxury in the middle of incredible wildlife and natural beauty
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Date of stay: January 2020
Rooms
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Allen Mairena, Director General at Playa Cativo Lodge
Responded 6 May 2020
Hola WorthingFranni, The journey to get to the lodge and the unwanted departure is breathtaking. Your eyes are delighted by the amazing mountains, warm water and fauna living life in Golfo Dulce. The boat ride it is just fascinating as the only means of transportation to get to the lodge is by boat, which is like no other experience. We are beyond happy to learn you enjoyed the cuisine of Cativo. Our cuisine team loves to create delicious meals and treats for all of our guests to have the most memorable experience. Always being aware of everyone’s dietary restrictions. Taking the vegetables from our own organic farm which are 100% natural and are taken care for with loads of love. So glad to hear you love the adventures available at the lodge, there is so much you learn and take back home a new perspective of nature and you arrive home feeling rejuvenated. For instance the Introduction to the tropical rainforest our guide takes you into this amazing adventure learning why every plant is there and how by the years it develops new ways of survival, and last but not least you find yourself with the farm. Where you learn how we take care of your vegetables and a few animals from Cativo. We are trying very hard to restore and protect the beautiful reefs as there are many species of flora and fauna. We love to see all the dolphins’ accompany the Golfo Dulce and the lodge every day. To be able to share this with you is one of the most gratifying feelings because you learn so much of their habitat and there is something very soothing to just being with them and enjoying their presence. We are honored to have had you at the lodge for a few days and we would love to have you once again. If you would like you can sign up to our lotus loyalty program. To take advantage of our program and the benefits you can enjoy for a potential future trip to Cativo as a returned guest. Tropical regards, Playa Cativo Lodge Family.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Positives: Beautiful setting; lovely rooms, most with a view of the water; attentive, helpful staff; superb naturalists leading a variety of nature-based outings; availability of kayaks for personal use; fresh fish straight from the gulf and fresh produce from the organic farm on the menu every day.
Negatives: While the ingredients were very fresh, the execution of the dishes was very uneven. It felt like the chef was trying too hard to create elaborate signature dishes, instead of just relyinig on the great fresh ingredients to produce consistently delicious food.
Negatives: While the ingredients were very fresh, the execution of the dishes was very uneven. It felt like the chef was trying too hard to create elaborate signature dishes, instead of just relyinig on the great fresh ingredients to produce consistently delicious food.
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Date of stay: February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Allen Mairena, Director General at Playa Cativo Lodge
Responded 27 May 2020
Hello 18SanPedro, So happy to learn you had a great time staying with us and taking advantage of all the wonderful activities we have to offer. Like being able to kayak on our beautiful and tranquil waters and taking a look to the fish swimming around. Getting a sun tan while you ride with your kayak or walking on our amazing trails with nature right beside you and wild life. Also one of our most treasured locations is our organic farm where we fascinate to share with all of our guests to enjoy your meals even more and have a delicious taste of the Costa Rican organic cuisine. We appreciate very much your comments and preferences to detail, this will help us to be better, grow, and deliver better and delicious meals to all of our guests. Next time you visit us I am sure you will have an amazing time as well. We would love to see you soon. Best wishes from Playa Cativo Family,
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We stayed at Playa Cativo Lodge to relax at the end of our 2 week trip around Costa Rica and it didn’t disappoint. We have 3 children aged 10, 14 and 16 who loved every second as well. From the amazing 25 minute boat ride to the Lodge, freshly cooked food either from the menu or something else you may fancy (although there are some limitations as you are in the middle of a jungle so you have to be relaxed) great trips from the lodge - nothing was too much trouble or an alternative offered.
It is an eco lodge so beware it is a warm and sweaty nights sleep with no Airconditioning, but somehow it didn’t really matter as it seemed to add to the overall experience as did the insects on the outside wall of our room which is netted. Bedtime was about 9pm - no reading of the kindle in bed or you will be joined by some mosquito friends! Wake up is around 6am where your senses are flooded with the sound of toucans, howler monkeys and the many other indigenous species who inhabit the surroundings. Bring eye pads and earplugs if you think this will bother you.
We only did 2 trips as we wanted to relax a bit but it’s hard to do that when you are somewhere you will probably never visit again. The free trip around the lodge including a walk to the farm through the jungle was fantastic and so interesting. The guides are both passionate and knowledgable about their country and the lodge itself. The other trip was the mangrove trip which was a fun boat ride, kayaking and we saw animals we had not seen previously seen.
The sea was beautiful and every time you look at the view around you it feels like paradise.
Overall the rooms were great, clean and rustic and the staff could not try harder. A 10/10 for us.
It is an eco lodge so beware it is a warm and sweaty nights sleep with no Airconditioning, but somehow it didn’t really matter as it seemed to add to the overall experience as did the insects on the outside wall of our room which is netted. Bedtime was about 9pm - no reading of the kindle in bed or you will be joined by some mosquito friends! Wake up is around 6am where your senses are flooded with the sound of toucans, howler monkeys and the many other indigenous species who inhabit the surroundings. Bring eye pads and earplugs if you think this will bother you.
We only did 2 trips as we wanted to relax a bit but it’s hard to do that when you are somewhere you will probably never visit again. The free trip around the lodge including a walk to the farm through the jungle was fantastic and so interesting. The guides are both passionate and knowledgable about their country and the lodge itself. The other trip was the mangrove trip which was a fun boat ride, kayaking and we saw animals we had not seen previously seen.
The sea was beautiful and every time you look at the view around you it feels like paradise.
Overall the rooms were great, clean and rustic and the staff could not try harder. A 10/10 for us.
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Date of stay: December 2019Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We had a lovely time at Playa Cativo. The food was excellent, the decor was appropriate and beautiful, Luis was a great guide, the wait staff were very friendly and Walter and the guys at the farm/garden were so informative and kind. The grounds are stunning. We came for the wildlife and we were delighted to see toucans, macaws, an anteater, dolphins and coatis.
While the lack of air conditioning could be uncomfortable at times in the humidity (plus we got a lot of insect bites) we understood that this is a properly eco resort and so air con is not really an option! Also no plug in hair styling appliances are allowed - which alarmed me at first but it’s so humid that there’s actually no point trying to do your hair.
I had a wet ponytail for the duration of our stay.
We also really appreciated the quiet and solitude and had a magical sunset swim on the beach.
The only things I’d mention as feedback for the future are:
1. On our snorkelling trip the guide wasn’t very attentive or informative. She jumped in the water first and headed away from the boat (snorkelling) so my partner didn’t have any help when he was struggling with his equipment.
2. I asked the staff if their little shop sold any chocolate. They said no, and I told them not to worry, but then they came back and said they had some from the kitchen for me. They asked if I preferred white or dark and I said I only liked milk chocolate and so don’t worry etc. They then reappeared with a large piece of white chocolate presented on a banana leaf - which I assumed was a kind gift and felt bad refusing. It didn’t even taste good as it was clearly cooking chocolate so we actually threw it away. Then when we checked out I found I was charged 9 dollars for it including the service fees! I understand that some of this situation was the result of a language barrier but they ought to have let me know the price of the chocolate upfront. Then I would have happily told them that I didnt want it. They were so generous in many other ways (free metal water bottle, free coffee and banana cake station) that I wasn’t on my guard for hidden charges. (And I shouldn’t have to be.)
Anyway, both minor issues. I would have mentioned at check out but again the language barrier prevented this so I’m noting it here - in the spirit of helping Playa Cativo be the five star experience it is so very very close to already!
Ps. I have no idea why trip advisor says this is a three star hotel, it’s clearly five (and is priced accordingly).
While the lack of air conditioning could be uncomfortable at times in the humidity (plus we got a lot of insect bites) we understood that this is a properly eco resort and so air con is not really an option! Also no plug in hair styling appliances are allowed - which alarmed me at first but it’s so humid that there’s actually no point trying to do your hair.
I had a wet ponytail for the duration of our stay.
We also really appreciated the quiet and solitude and had a magical sunset swim on the beach.
The only things I’d mention as feedback for the future are:
1. On our snorkelling trip the guide wasn’t very attentive or informative. She jumped in the water first and headed away from the boat (snorkelling) so my partner didn’t have any help when he was struggling with his equipment.
2. I asked the staff if their little shop sold any chocolate. They said no, and I told them not to worry, but then they came back and said they had some from the kitchen for me. They asked if I preferred white or dark and I said I only liked milk chocolate and so don’t worry etc. They then reappeared with a large piece of white chocolate presented on a banana leaf - which I assumed was a kind gift and felt bad refusing. It didn’t even taste good as it was clearly cooking chocolate so we actually threw it away. Then when we checked out I found I was charged 9 dollars for it including the service fees! I understand that some of this situation was the result of a language barrier but they ought to have let me know the price of the chocolate upfront. Then I would have happily told them that I didnt want it. They were so generous in many other ways (free metal water bottle, free coffee and banana cake station) that I wasn’t on my guard for hidden charges. (And I shouldn’t have to be.)
Anyway, both minor issues. I would have mentioned at check out but again the language barrier prevented this so I’m noting it here - in the spirit of helping Playa Cativo be the five star experience it is so very very close to already!
Ps. I have no idea why trip advisor says this is a three star hotel, it’s clearly five (and is priced accordingly).
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Date of stay: December 2021Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Playa Cativo Lodge, Marketing at Playa Cativo Lodge
Responded 10 Dec 2021
Dear m0rganmccarthy, Thank you for your comments, really appreciate them and we value every suggestion. Our whole team enjoyed very much having you two as our guests, and we are very happy that you had a lovely experience, certainly, our goal is always to make it flawless and seamless, and not almost perfect! As far as your experience with our nature guide on the snorkeling tour around Golfo Dulce, we’d like to kindly explain that this is a normal procedure, our nature guides always are the ones to first enter the water to check around and to evaluate the clarity of the water, find possible best spots to snorkel so our guests can enjoy the activity even more, and he/she will also make sure that there are no threats such as stuck branches, unexpected currents and anything else (always, first the safety and wellbeing of our guests), then he/she will come back to the boat and inform guests it is safe to enter the water. There was some kind of miscommunication, we apologize for that, and we hope you come to see us again in the near future, so that we can make it up to you, and take you on a beautiful Golfo Dulce & Marine Life Quest around Golfo Dulce for a superb experience, perhaps around the whale season (July-Nov) … we promise to have the best chocolate ever waiting for you. As for Trip Advisor rating, we cannot agree more with you, it is something that we have been trying to get an answer to for a long time, but we will keep working on that as by international standards we are certified with 5 stars. Once again thank you for your visiting us and we look forward to your return. Kind regards, Playa Cativo Eco Lodge. CV
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Playa Cativo was our third stop in Costa Rica... and the most spectacular! Bernie met us in Golfito, told us to relax and got us drinks until the boat arrived. He transfered our luggage to the boat, then we and the kids enjoyed a leisurely boat ride around the gulf with spectacular scenery! Upon arrival at this unbelievably picturesque beach, we were met with cold tropical drinks and cool towels. They transferred all our luggage while we had a casual orientation in the open-air lodge. We then enjoyed our gourmet lunch on the shaded deck overlooking the tropical grounds and water. Each meal was fresh, customized, and delicious! The rooms were immaculate and so spacious and comfortable! Each day the refrigerator was stocked with fresh fruit and a couple beers. Lack of air conditioning was not a problem with the soft tropical breeze and the ceiling fans. We enjoyed the waterfall hike, hiking tour of the sustainable garden/farm, night creatures hike, whale watching, fishing, kayaking, paddle-boarding, and at the end of each afternoon a dip in the private plunge pool, drinks in hand. We all loved the camp, the wildlife, the food, and especially the staff! Kendall, Victor, Javier, and Tracy were all great! And, again, thanks to Bernie for all his help from arrival to departure!
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Date of stay: July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Allen Mairena, Director General at Playa Cativo Lodge
Responded 22 May 2020
Hello JohnCraig2, We are honor to hear that you felt so well taken care for. For us this is always the goal. There is something really special about the first part of the trip to arrive at the lodge by arriving on a magnificent boat ride crossing the Golfo Dulce, home of marine life. We love to learn that your expectations of the rooms were exceeded and you were very comfortable enjoying each of the areas at the lodge. Having an adventure at our location is exactly what you can look for while stay with as us. As well as a wellness vacation taking advantage of Bernies knowledge in yoga or with any of the treatments to make you feel brand new. Once you arrive back home you will be as relaxed and full of joy. We like to say that we almost have it all in our remote loving lodge from amazing trials to discover, to having the chance to possibly meet some very amazing and wild life and if you love the wellness center spa we will provide to you a memorable life time experience as well. We are very grateful you had an amazing time in Costa Rica. See you soon! Best wishes, Family of Playa Cativo Lodge.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
From the pick up to our departure we have never experienced anything like Playa Cativo, it will always hold a memorable place in our hearts.
The 30 minute speedboat ride was a real joy and a great way to reach the very discreet lodges, it almost feels as you are heading over to a rainforest island. On route the driver of the boat spotted some dolphins in the distance and headed over slowly for us to view them and the dolphins obliged by leaping and jumping out of the water , we were given our first piece of what would be much information on the area , there are two species of dolphins in the bay. We also saw some leaping tuna, at this point we knew this was going to be a special place.
Our lodge was amazing it was not overlooked , we had stunning views of the bay in front and rainforest behind , you really knew you were in the thick of nature with the sound of birds, insects and howler monkeys making the rainforest experience so real . The whole resort is very discreetly done and blends into the surroundings so well. The staff are the best we have come across, from the waiters and waitresses , to the guides to the reception team and even the ground staff. They all wanted to get to know you and they were all very welcoming and courteous and could not do any more than they did to make the visit special and would always welcome you with large smiles each time you met. I was particularly impressed that someone had noticed that it was my birthday while there and that evening the whole team came over and sang happy birthday to me and gave me a small birthday cake , this was so sweet and not planned on my part. What can I say about the food, I could eat the tuna dish every day . Oliver the head chef and his team in the kitchen work really hard to create some really fresh and interesting dishes which really dance on your tastebuds. Breakfast was a treat with fresh juices, to fruits ,to eggs laid by the hens kept only a few hundred meters away on the small organic farm which is tenderly and enthusiastically managed by Walter and is definitely worth a visit to see where a lot of the food is produced. Try a cup of Walters tea ! It will relax you even more (if the surroundings have not done so already). We went on a few of the tours to see and hear the vast amount of birds, insects and animals in the area and also to get to know the rainforest. The guides were so knowledgeable and passionate about the wildlife , this definitely came across. We found ourselves getting up with the howler monkeys and enjoying the sounds of a new dawn, this is what makes this place special and was so good for the soul. We truly had a wonderful time and was the highlight of our visit to Costa Rica , thank you Playa Cativo.
The 30 minute speedboat ride was a real joy and a great way to reach the very discreet lodges, it almost feels as you are heading over to a rainforest island. On route the driver of the boat spotted some dolphins in the distance and headed over slowly for us to view them and the dolphins obliged by leaping and jumping out of the water , we were given our first piece of what would be much information on the area , there are two species of dolphins in the bay. We also saw some leaping tuna, at this point we knew this was going to be a special place.
Our lodge was amazing it was not overlooked , we had stunning views of the bay in front and rainforest behind , you really knew you were in the thick of nature with the sound of birds, insects and howler monkeys making the rainforest experience so real . The whole resort is very discreetly done and blends into the surroundings so well. The staff are the best we have come across, from the waiters and waitresses , to the guides to the reception team and even the ground staff. They all wanted to get to know you and they were all very welcoming and courteous and could not do any more than they did to make the visit special and would always welcome you with large smiles each time you met. I was particularly impressed that someone had noticed that it was my birthday while there and that evening the whole team came over and sang happy birthday to me and gave me a small birthday cake , this was so sweet and not planned on my part. What can I say about the food, I could eat the tuna dish every day . Oliver the head chef and his team in the kitchen work really hard to create some really fresh and interesting dishes which really dance on your tastebuds. Breakfast was a treat with fresh juices, to fruits ,to eggs laid by the hens kept only a few hundred meters away on the small organic farm which is tenderly and enthusiastically managed by Walter and is definitely worth a visit to see where a lot of the food is produced. Try a cup of Walters tea ! It will relax you even more (if the surroundings have not done so already). We went on a few of the tours to see and hear the vast amount of birds, insects and animals in the area and also to get to know the rainforest. The guides were so knowledgeable and passionate about the wildlife , this definitely came across. We found ourselves getting up with the howler monkeys and enjoying the sounds of a new dawn, this is what makes this place special and was so good for the soul. We truly had a wonderful time and was the highlight of our visit to Costa Rica , thank you Playa Cativo.
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Date of stay: March 2022
Rooms
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Cesar Vargas, Marketing at Playa Cativo Lodge
Responded 26 Sept 2022
Thank you so much for this outstanding review, and thank you for sharing it on this platform, it will surely provide great guidance to other travelers interested in having an experience of a lifetime here in Costa Rica! It is heartwarming to hear that Playa Cativo Eco Lodge was the highlight of your Costa Rican adventure, enjoying nature at its best, wildlife, and amazing biodiversity. We are flattered! Walter's tea has become our guest's favorite, and it has many healing properties as he uses several medicinal plants and herbs to prepare it, so definitely we agree with you, everyone must try Walter's tea while visiting the organic farm or at the lodge! We look forward to welcoming you back to Playa Cativo, Golfo Dulce, Costa Rica! Best regards, C.V. Playa Cativo Eco Lodge Golfo Dulce
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Dear Babs41,
Thank you for contacting us, there are no specific nesting places for turtles around Golfo Dulce, most nesting sites are up in Guanacaste porvince or the Caribean, though we do get to see them around Golfo Dulce very often, it is definitely a great place for them to be with lots of food and, warm, clear and clean waters. Usually the most commonly seen are the Olive Ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea)- The Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) and the Gree Turtle of the Pacifi (Chelonia mydas).
Best regards and we hope to see you at Playa Cativo in the near future!
Hello Dear Debbie,
We are located into the most magical rain forest of Costa Rica, and yes your hiking shoes may get wet when exploring the forest on tours or walking thorough the trails, but the lodge provides rubber boots that you can use, so you don´t have to wear your hiking shoes if you desire. Bringing hiking shoes to Costa Rica in general is a must specially if you are an adventure enthusiastic.
Best regards and see you soon,
Playa Cativo Lodge
Dear Kraejohnson,
Thank you for contacting us and for your interest.
Yes, there is a great network of trails around the Lodge's private reserve that people can go self guided, some of them reach a beautiful jungle waterfall, while other trails will take you around Valle de los Sainos, the humming bird gardens or the butterfly gardes, which are the best place to look wildlife. There are other trails that will take you along the beach with beautiful gulf vistas and sunsets. Around the reserve and Piedras Blancas National Park we have the four monkey species (Capuchin, Spider monkeys, howlers and tit monkeys), most-likely you will be woken up by the noise of monkeys and the incredible biodiversity every day.
Have a wonderful,
Cesar Vargas
Playa Cativo Lodge
Dear MiMiMurrieta,
Thank you very much for contacting us, we are honored by your interest on our property.
Sometimes we do get visitors from cruises that arrive near Golfo Dulce and they come to Playa Cativo during the day for activities like yoga, rain-forest hikes, paddle boards or kayaking and to have a tasteful meal at El Gavilán Restaurant. Although, regretfully we do think that this specific cruise you are taking does not get any closer to Golfo Dulce or Playa Cativo, apparently, it arrives in Puntarenas (in the Central Pacific) and Playa Cativo is located in the South Pacific (more than 4 hours driving time from Puntarenas plus 30 minutes on a boat), otherwise it would have been a great pleasure to host you and show you the life-time experience that we provide our guests and visitors.
Once again thank you for contacting us and we look forward to the opportunity of hosting you in the near future!
Best regards,
Cesar Vargas
Director or Marketing & Sales
"This is a hidden jewel. In the low season you may be the only guests there, but if not, it is fun to get to know a few like-minded travelers"Read full review
"Definitely walk around the hotel gardens as much as possible and to the small waterfall. As there is so much wildlife just in the gardens"Read full review
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PRICE RANGE
RM 2,474 - RM 5,990 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
Costa RicaProvince of PuntarenasOsa Peninsula
NUMBER OF ROOMS
18
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Playa Cativo Lodge
What are some of the property amenities at Playa Cativo Lodge?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free wifi, free breakfast, and a pool.
Which room amenities are available at Playa Cativo Lodge?
Top room amenities include a minibar, a refrigerator, and a desk.
What food & drink options are available at Playa Cativo Lodge?
Guests can enjoy free breakfast, an on-site restaurant, and a lounge during their stay.
Are there opportunities to exercise at Playa Cativo Lodge?
Yes, guests have access to a pool and yoga classes during their stay.
Does Playa Cativo Lodge have an airport shuttle?
Yes, Playa Cativo Lodge offers an airport shuttle for guests. We recommend calling ahead to confirm details.
Does Playa Cativo Lodge have airport transportation?
Yes, Playa Cativo Lodge offers airport transportation for guests. We recommend calling ahead to confirm details.
Which languages are spoken by the staff at Playa Cativo Lodge?
The staff speaks multiple languages, including English and Spanish.
Does Playa Cativo Lodge have any great views?
Yes, guests often enjoy the ocean view available here.
Is Playa Cativo Lodge accessible?
Yes, it offers reduced mobility rooms. For specific enquiries, we recommend calling ahead to confirm.