El Remanso, The Osa Peninsula

rooms

The owner-operated lodge offers 8 bungalows and 6 rooms in Casa Poniente as well as the charming Casa Osa for larger groups.

There are 4 Standard Rooms on the ground floor of the 2-storey Casa Poniente and have either king-size bed or 2 single beds and garden or ocean views. Each room has a separate entrance with an independent terrace, screened conveniently for privacy with plants. On the top floor of Casa Poniente are the 2 Superior Rooms - with a king-size bed, ocean views and a mosaic bathtub with forest views! The terrace with hammocks and comfortable chairs is partly covered and provides the perfect space for relaxation, sunbathing and wildlife watching.

The 3 Classic Bungalows are spacious and comfortable one-bedroom cabins that can accommodate 2 to 4 people (one king-size bed and up to two single beds). With cool clay-tile floors they are made out beautiful tropical hardwoods, all of which come from fallen timber taken out of the private nature reserve. The front side of the cabins has a full height sliding door offering excellent air ventilation and the opportunity to see wild monkeys climbing in the nearby trees and hear the orchestra of jungle sounds. Hammocks and comfortable terrace chairs offer perfect opportunities for relaxation after an active day in the rainforest.

La Guinda is a one-bedroom deluxe plunge pool bungalow with impressive views of the Pacific Ocean. A favorite with couples who are looking for a romantic getaway La Guinda is offers seclusion and a stunning setting. Lose yourself in the views from its large wooden deck and search for wildlife crossing by in front of you at canopy level! Comfortable lounge chairs provide the best resting place to observe wildlife passing by. Inside you will find a spacious room adorned with furniture made from tropical woods and a smooth hardwood floor. The bathroom features great views of the rainforest from the shower!

Villa "La Vainilla" is a two story plunge pool villa with spectacular views of the forest and the Pacific. Completely rebuilt in 2018, it follows a similar design to the one-level plunge pool villas. Both levels of the villa offer a bedroom with a king-size bed, a day-bed, a private bathroom and a walk-in wardrobe. There are comfortable lounge chairs to enjoy the magnificence of the crashing waves of the Pacific Ocean below. The upper floor includes an outside terrace with seating to make the most of the views. Downstairs, a 750 square foot hardwood deck features a plunge pool and lounge chairs to enjoy the views of the wildlife passing by your private villa! NB In high season, the minimum occupancy is 4 adults

Sleeping up to 8 people, Casa Osa is ideal for a small party of friends or family. Ssurrounded by tall trees and overlooking a lush rainforest canyon, Casa Osa offers spacious but cosy accomodation. A large upstairs bedroom with a queen-size bed and two single beds features a separate bathroom with a shower overlooking the tropical garden. Downstairs, you will find two separate bedrooms, each with a queen-size bed and another bathroom with shower. Your party will love the surrounding forest view and the deep jungle canyon just below the spacious hardwood deck upstairs. Enjoy relaxing conversation with the immense biodiversity of the Osa Peninsula’s as your background track. The upper floor features a covered hardwood deck in front of the room with comfortable chairs and hammocks, a perfect place for wildlife watching and relaxation. The ground level has a comfortable patio lounge with hammocks ideal for sharing unforgettable moments with your family!

El Remanso features three Deluxe Villas which offer spectacular views of the forest and ocean. The most exquisite option at the lodge with your own plunge pool! The spacious villas are built on top of a canyon slope and offer an unparalleled sensation of immersing yourself in the forest canopy! Each villa features a high-ceiling bedroom, a walk-in wardrobe, a spacious bathroom with natural stone floor and walls as well as a large outside shower with amazing views of the rainforest. One of the highlights is the natural stone plunge pool on the outside deck which offers the best option to refresh yourself after an active day in the rainforest. A large hardwood deck, teak furniture, and comfortable lounge chairs let you enjoy precious moments in the heart of the forest!

At El Remanso all rooms and cabins feature wooden shutters or screens and curtains instead of glass windows to protect the flying birdlife.

facilities & activities

El Remanso features a beautiful, chemical-free swimming pool with a large surrounding wooden deck. It is the ideal place to relax after an active day of hiking; sunbathe, catch up on your reading, enjoy the soothing sounds of the rainforest and enjoy views of the surrounding rainforest whilst you soak in its fresh spring waters.

There is a vast array of options to suit everyone; from adrenaline-pumping experiences like waterfall rappelling to romantic moments like the classic canopy breakfast, from restorative rainforest massages to guided bird-watching tours, exciting night hikes into the jungle or gentle strolls along the deserted beach, dotted with natural tidepools and blessed with stunning sunsets.

Rappelling (aka abseiling or canyoning) takes you into the heart of the jungle through a wild river canyon. After rappelling the first waterfall, you follow the river to the second, then third waterfall. The best is saved for last as the fourth waterfall is a 70 ft high beauty. The light filters through the canopy towering above you and reflects off the many pools.Bring your cameras for this one as the photo opportunities are marvellous. 

The Golfo Dulce is one of 4 tropical fjords around the world and is home to a large variety of wildlife, including dolphins, whales (from August to November), rays, whale sharks and sea turtles. Hence, it's well worth joining one of the private tours from Puerto Jiménez harbour where you will take a boat to go out and look for dolphins. The most commonly seen are the spinner, bottlenose and spotted dolphins. The trip also includes snorkeling and swimming on the other side of the gulf. 

Nearby Cabo Matapalo is a relatively uncrowded surfing area and offers waves for beginners as well as world-class breaks for more advanced surfers. The season runs from April until October, but flat spells do happen during the rest of the year occasionally. The view from the water is amazing; scarlet macaws flying over your head, monkeys in the nearby trees and the occasional sea-turtle showing up whilst you are in the water! If you are a beginner, the lodge can organise surfing classes for your first experiences in the waves! 

Kayaking is also very popular and the lodge offers several kayaking tours which will allow you to see the beauty and variety of wildlife in the Golfo Dulce. The sunset kayaking trip is one of our favourites, appropriate for all ages and skill levels. The trip leaves in the early afternoon from El Remanso to go to town, from where you will head to a beach on the outskirts of Puerto Jiménez. Depending on the tide, your guide may take you into the mangroves for a look at the plants and animals. Then you will head out to the mangroves and the Golfo Dulce for some kayaking. There is a good chance you will see various fish, birds, dolphins and rays. There is a beautiful beach where you can swim and at the end of the trip, enjoy the fabulous sunset views.

Perhaps the best way to see the forest though is to get up into the tree tops as that is where 80% of the forest species live. At El Remanso you can enter their world. Our favorite platform has ocean and forest views, a worthwhile reward after your climb. Experience the grandeur of 180ft giants whilst sitting in a safe and comfortable platform or hammock in their branches. The forest vegetation takes on a totally different perspective as you look down through the canopy, seeing the flowers, fruits and vines. Conscientious instruction and guiding will provide you with a safe and comfortable experience.

Other popular activities include horse-riding through the rainforest on the beach. For time-out, practice yoga on the yoga platform with surrounding primary forest views. Finally, don't miss the opportunity to get out and about with the tremendously knowledgeable resident naturalist guide, who will take you on one of several different trails. Gaze at magnificent giant trees and observe the local wildlife, assured of an introductory tropical biology lesson like no other.

dining

The restaurant deck is built on the top of a forest canyon, enabling great views of the underlying forest. Local chefs will surprise guests with two different menu options every day, a perfect mix of international cuisine, with a 'tico' and tropical touch. The Mirador area of the restaurant offers comfortable lounge sofas to lay back and relax.

The pool-side bar 'Los Encantitos' offers fresh smoothies, soft drinks, local beers and your favourite cocktails. It is especially popular for pre-dinner drinks. Try out the piña coladas, caipirinhas or margaritas - all freshly prepared!

family

We love El Remanso for its family-friendly appeal and approach. Children are welcomed with open arms and the warm and friendly guides will soon replace Steve Backshall and Bear Grylls in super-hero status!

For families, we love Casa Poniente, a two-story house with 2 independent Deluxe Suites on the upper level and 4 Standard Rooms on the ground floor. As its name implies, it faces towards the West, thus enabling breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean. Casa Poniente is surrounded by an exotic garden filled with endemic plants and orchids to attract birds and wildlife. Each room has a separate entrance, a terrace complete with hammock and a king-size bed. The bathroom walls are covered with natural stone and feature a hot water shower a well a mosaic bath (Deluxe Suites only) with views to the surrounding forest. Wooden shutters and curtains offer privacy and the terrace with hammocks and comfortable chairs is partly covered and provides the perfect space for relaxation, sunbathing and wildlife watching.

location

El Remanso Lodge is located in the heart of the rainforest on the Osa Peninsula in a private reserve of 185 acres. It is part of the Osa Peninsula National Refuge, in the south-west corner of Costa Rica, halfway between Puerto Jimenez (22 km) and Carate on the road to Corcovado National Park, on the Pacific side of the peninsula, just around the corner from Golfo Dulce.