Puerto Jimenez, Costa Rica

Costa Rica is known for its pristine natural beauty, wildlife and for the amazing adventures. When I started my trip to Costa Rica knew I wanted to make this trip for me, where I could grab and invest that time for myself; analyze every single detail of my life, be thankful and grateful for what I have, finding my inner self and escape my daily routine to be more in touch with the mother nature. Actually I think the last point I took it very serious when I decide to do a nude shot in the private outdoor shower of my bungalow LOL .

Actually during the entire Costa Rica trip and all the places I got able to visit I was able to make all this things but the place that I was able to really disconnect was in this next adventure that I’m going to talk today Lapa Rios in Puerto Jimenez.

Lapa Rios Eco Lodge is located in the beautiful Osa Peninsula, located in the southern part of Costa Rica near Panama. The eco lodge is situated in a private 1000-acre rainforest reserve. The property overlooks the point at which the Pacific Ocean meets the Dulce Gulf and has many nature trails where you’re sure to see many of the special creatures from the Osa Peninsula. Providing direct access to all these wonders and more, Lapa Rios Eco Lodge is one of the most beautiful and wild parts of this country and home to 2.5% of the world’s biodiversity. Osa is the only place in Costa Rica where you’ll find four species of monkeys, squirrel, spider, white-face capuccin and howler monkeys. Osa is one of Central America’s best locations for birders.

It is also home to many of the country’s endangered animals such as pumas, jaguars, scarlet macaws and the great harpy eagle. And for Water lovers like my self will also be taken aback with this part of the world since it has access to three main beaches like Pan Dulce, retrolavado Bay y Matapalo. They have one of the more clearest waters from all Costa Rica beaches (judge by my photos)

Lapa Rios Eco Lodge became the first hotel in Costa Rica to receive five-leaf status from the Costa Rica Tourism Board’s Certification for Sustainable Tourism, an organization that evaluates a property’s sustainability level and awards one to five leaves. Lapa Rios is paradise for wildlife, nature and beach lovers. The 17 private bungalows line three ridges overlooking the pristine point where the Dulce Gulf meets the Pacific Ocean. Built over 350 feet above sea level, the property was designed in harmony with surrounding forest and beaches and was built with locally harvested materials. Much more than a luxurious eco lodge, Lapa Rios is a model ecoturism project and National Geographic Unique Lodge that has won worldwide awards for social and environmental excellence, and is a featured sustainable tourism pioneer. It is also home to monkeys, macaws, pumas, toucans, tree frogs and thousands of other creatures, that a trip to Lapa Rios Eco Lodge will be the trip of a lifetime.

When we arrived to the hotel something I was worried about was the rooms because any of them carried air conditioner; but the truth is that the bungalow are quite fresh. Waking up with the sound of the waves, the sunrise and the call of howler monkeys is really priceless. Especially with the delicious fresh Costa Rican coffee waiting at the door of your room. The 17 luxurious bungalows are nestled along the private Rainforest Reserve. The bungalows are open-air with screens that allow you to experience the sounds, sights and smells of the rainforest and the ocean. All bungalows have stunning views of the Pacific Ocean or Dulce Gulf from your bed or spacious private decks.

The hotel itself only has Wi-Fi in one area of the hotel that is the room to gather all the tours which was a torture for me since I’m addicted to Wi-Fi hahaha but it was also good because I was able to disconnect. The hotel also has a spa with a spectacular view of the pristine beaches and with the sound of nature which really helped me to reach my maximum relaxation.

As you make your way to the lodge for breakfast or return to your bungalow you’re sure to be greeted by wild monkeys, toucans, macaws, sloths and many creatures of the rainforest on the path leading to either of this places. Just make sure to take your time on the way because is quite long and hard to go up. Believe me you can eat everything you want in this trip because by the time you get back to the room you already have burned all those calories and more hahaha

Many of you don’t know but Puerto Jimenez is close to the small town where I was born: Cuidad Neilly near the border with Panama. Maybe this is why I always had a huge love for my beautiful Panama! Been there brought back many memories especially when you find people that recognize you instantly. When I went back to San Jose in Puerto Jimenez airport I meet a friend of my mother; the truth was that I had no idea who he was since I was to little when he meet me but small details like these reconnect me with my roots and it really brought me good memories of my childhood.

I hope you have enjoyed this heavenly destination like me. I wish you have a happy weekend to all of you!