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UK: 01473 890499Rating: Deluxe
Playa Cativo is in a lovely setting by the calm waters of Golfo Dulce at the southern end of Costa Rica's Pacific coast, bordering Piedras Blancas National Park. Surrounded by tall palm trees, flanked by lush rainforest and facing a sandy beach, you'll feel immersed in nature, awed by its sheer beauty./p>
This area is ripe for exploration and you can follow walking trails of different lengths through the forest and along the beach, take to the water by kayak or paddle board and delve beneath the sea's surface while snorkelling. The lodge offers a range of guided and activities, too, including bird watching trips, cruises in the bay looking for dolphins and, in season, whales, as well as excursions to waterfalls and botanical gardens./p>
All guest rooms have views of the ocean and are built from reclaimed wood embellished by skilful and colourful hand-crafted tile work and are large enough to include a sitting area. Amenities include ceiling fans, WiFi and a safe. Each has an en-suite bathroom with an indulgent rain shower. Bedrooms are open to the air from ceiling to window sill, and staff fit mesh screens each afternoon which still allow you to enjoy the sights and sounds of the outdoor world. Listen out for the black and white owls at bedtime, and howler monkeys in the morning!/p>
You'll enjoy delicious food in the restaurant, prepared using fresh ingredients from the lodge's organic farm and other local suppliers. The gardens are perfect for strolling, admiring the scented blooms and watching the many birds and butterflies, and down by the shore you may spot dolphins. The pool offers healthy exercise while sun-lovers can lie back and perfect their tans.
Open: Playa Cativo is open all year.
Location: Playa Cativo is on the east coast of the Golfo Dulce, the inland side of the Osa Peninsula, on the southern Pacific coast. It's set in 1,000 acres of private rainforest bordering Piedras Blancas National Park. The nearest airports are Golfito and Puerto Jimenez, each under an hour's flight from San Jose, from where it's about a 25 minute boat ride to Playa Cativo.
Rooms: There are 8 guest rooms in deluxe, luxury, premium and premium plus categories. All feature locally crafted wood and decorative work, have king-size beds, sofas, ceiling fans, safe and WiFi. En-suite bathrooms are modern with rain showers, a range of toiletries and your own cotton bathrobe. Luxury and premium rooms are larger and the latter have minibars and twin hand basins in the bathrooms. Premium plus rooms have 180 degree views and a private plunge pool. All rooms have ocean views and are open to admit the fresh air and the sounds of the rainforest and ocean, with solid mesh screens fitted each evening and curtains that can be pulled across.
Activities: There are several walking trails in the grounds leading through rainforest, along the beach, inland past the lodge's organic farm and into the valley where you may see monkeys, deer, peccaries, agoutis and many birds. The lodge provides snorkelling gear, kayaks and paddle boards free to guests. Other options available for an extra charge (pay locally) include a guided tour of the lodge's farm, hand-line fishing from the pier, guided nature hikes in Piedras Blancas National Park, nocturnal nature walks, bird watching, guided walks to waterfalls for swimming, dolphin and whale watching (in season, May-October) boat trips, and guided tours of Golfito and Puerto Jimenez. Lodge staff can arrange visits to Osa Wildlife Sanctuary, Casa Orquideas Botanical Gardens and deep sea fishing trips.
Facilities: El Gavilan Restaurant offers both modern and traditional Costa Rican dishes. The majority of the ingredients are organic and locally grown or sourced. There is a comprehensive selection of wines, beers and spirits. There's an outdoor swimming pool and sunbathing area, and beautiful flower-filled gardens which attract birds and butterflies. Indoors you can enjoy quiet time in the air conditioned library, browsing through books at your leisure. Staff can arrange spa treatments and yoga sessions, which need to be requested in advance. There are binoculars and telescopes for guests to use to spot birds and animals in the gardens, and dolphins and whales in the bay. The lodge offers a laundry service.
Dining: Meals are eaten at separate tables. In-room dining can be arranged on request.
Children: Children aged 6 years and over are welcome.
Health: Costa Rica is a low to no risk malaria area.
Communication: There is WiFi in guest rooms and common areas.
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National Park
Historic site
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UNESCO heritage site 
Relax at two of the very best hotels. Enjoy the great outdoors and Costa Rica's amazing nature at Arenal and Golfo Dulce.
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0"Arriving at Playa Cativo, staff bring out a metal ramp painted red so it’s a kind of wet red carpet welcome, and typical of the courteous treatment you’ll receive here! The gardens are beautifully planted and attract a lot of birds. I was even able to photograph toucans from my room. Rooms have open sides during the day, bringing light and sounds inside, and staff come in the late afternoon to close it all up with screens, so you’re cosy and secure after dark. Everything in the lodge is handmade; from the furniture to the painted pottery bowl basins in the bathroom. With world class accommodation and food, and plenty to do if you want to, or just relax, this place is a little piece of paradise. There are a few places in the world I fall in love with - and this is one of them!"
Tribes Travel,The Old Dairy, Wood Farm, Ipswich Road, Otley, Suffolk, IP6 9JW. Office hours: Mon - Fri: 9am to 5.30pm Telephone: 01473 890499
