Topos Tree House

We spent 11 unforgettable days here, watching for sloths from the balcony each morning. At night, we relaxed in the hammock while bats kept the mosquitoes away. We shared the beach shower with bright red tree frogs, and with a little quiet and patience, agoutis showed up as we wandered the grounds. I'd bookmarked Topo’s Treehouse in Costa Rica ten years ago, and finally staying there was everything I imagined and more. It's a magical treehouse in lush rainforest, surrounded by wildlife and tranquility. Topo has made a peaceful sanctuary, and you can feel the care in all the details. He greeted us with fresh fruit, delicious Costa Rican coffee, and a couple of Imperials, a warm, thoughtful touch. The treehouse was comfortable, with a mini-split A/C unit in the bedroom for restful nights. Respect the nature around you and you'll have an incredible experience. Highly recommend it for nature lovers, wildlife enthusiasts, or anyone looking to disconnect and recharge in an eco-friendly hideaway.

The property is really unique, with a lot of craftsmanship, creativity, and hard work in it. We had fun staying there. During a tropical storm, though, bugs took over, and the bedrooms were very hot and humid. I'd suggest bringing bug repellent incense sticks from the local market to make the common areas more comfortable at night. We were really looking forward to having AC at our next place.

Every morning we had coffee on the top balcony, surrounded by wildlife. Four sloths lived in the same tree as the treehouse, sometimes only 10-15 feet away, and they didn't seem bothered by us. We also saw poison dart frogs in the yard, a toucan, fruit, white striped bats, and other animals and birds we couldn't identify. Topo's treehouse is unlike any hotel, bungalow, or cabin you might rent in CR. It's rustic but very cool, and our late October visit was amazing. It's a block from playa Negra and a couple of bars and restaurants right on the beach. The reggae bar was cool and had good local food and drinks. Cahuita and the national cahuita park were a 10-15 minute walk away, so it was really quiet at night. Topos was very nice and accommodating, and I really enjoyed talking with him.

We traveled from the other side of Costa Rica for just three nights, and it was totally worth it. On arrival, about a dozen Howler monkeys were in the tree. They're so noisy, but I never got tired of listening to them or watching them play overhead. We also met the lovely sloth and happily shared the house with Tiger Frogs. Amazingly, there were no creepy crawlies, or at least none that made themselves known. The sheer organic beauty of this place overwhelmed our family. It's like someone dreamed up a fantastical idea and somehow made it real. A stay here feels like a huge bucket list tick. You'll probably never stay anywhere else quite as enchanting.