Playa Cativo

Playa Cativo is paradise reinvented—a luxury beachfront eco hideaway defined by its lovingly attentive staff and first class accommodations within the untouched rainforest. Accessible only by boat, the seven-suite lodge is an unhindered immersion into nature and relaxation, occupying a secluded 1,000-acre sliver of land along the tranquil waters of Golfo Dulce and enveloped by the beauty of Piedras Blancas National Park.

Property Details

The exquisite experience of Playa Cativo begins with the 30-minute boat transfer to its shores, when dolphins and tropical coastlines trumpet each guest’s arrival and a host of enthusiastic staff offer welcome gifts of cool towels and refreshing beverages. Upon setting foot in the sand, the staff will immediately get to work on creating a seamlessly perfect stay, impressing guests with the unmatched hospitality of their beautiful home. The first taste of this hospitality exists within Playa Cativo’s seven stunning beachfront guestrooms and private casitas, each with panoramic ocean views. Contemporary eco-luxe in style, all of the rooms are 100% hydroelectric and solar powered and feature reclaimed hardwood floors, soaring vaulted ceilings, colorful hand painted tiles crafted by local artisans, and all of the modern conveniences and amenities a seasoned traveler might expect, including wireless Internet access, king-sized beds, ceiling fans, and abundant hot water rain showers.

Throughout the property, Playa Cativo has found a way to infuse a sense of rainforest-meets-beach serenity into every space, whether at the freshwater swimming pool, the air-conditioned library, or the beautiful gardens alive with exotic birds, tropical mammals, and fluttering butterflies. Of course, strolling the pristine beach, practicing meditative yoga, or simply indulging in an in-room deep-tissue massage are also a part of the utopian experience. Just a five-minute walk up the beach is Playa Cativo’s own organic farm, where guests are welcome to pick and choose their own ingredients for their daily meals. El Gavilán Restaurant is a dramatically romantic dining spot with breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean and à la carte farm-to-table gourmet specialties incorporating organic poultry, local seafood, and grass-fed Costa Rican beef, all paired with fine wines.

Staying at Playa Cativo brings with it an unrivaled opportunity to enjoy America’s only tropical fjord and some of the most unspoiled rainforest ecosystems in the world. Whether they want to try out their kayaking skills in the picturesque Rio Esquinas Mangrove-Ocean, hike through 35,000 acres of biologically diverse nature within Piedras Blancas National Park, partake in guided nocturnal expeditions into the rainforest, paddle board along the manta ray and sea turtle infused waters of Cativo Bay, or set out in search of dolphins and whales in Golfo Dulce, the possibilities and opportunities are indeed endless and come with an on-site ecologist to lead them into the many natural wonders of this hidden paradise.