Aguila de Osa Rainforest & Marine Adventure Lodge

The private dock was a real plus, and we went diving with Kike, their own dive operator. It was only my second dive, so I was nervous about jumping off the boat, but he held my hand the whole time without treating me like a child. Cano island was beyond what we expected: white tip sharks, giant manta rays, turtles, lobster, eel, and more. We first spent two nights at Jinetes de Osa, then moved nextdoor to Aguila de Osa for the last two of our four nights in Drake Bay. The hotel has a peaceful, zen feel and a bit of luxury without being snobby, with lush greenery all around. The owner and staff were warm and involved throughout our stay. They kept track of our activities and asked in advance when we wanted meals, so the service felt personal. Our room was large and clean. The WiFi had problems during our two nights there, and since it was NYE they couldn't get anyone to fix it in time. We had to go down to the lounge for a connection. It didn't spoil things; we got away from our phones, and I ended up absorbed in one of the many books. There were games there too.

Just be ready for the climb up the hill to your room, there are lots of steps. There’s no pool, though the beach is only a short walk away. The excursions were spot on, with knowledgeable guides and experienced boat drivers. Our rooms were beautiful, the food was delicious, and the staff were accommodating and really friendly. A wonderful lodge for an Osa Peninsula adventure, highly recommend it.

We weren't hotel guests, just booked a birding tour through Aguila de Osa, and it was fantastic. Tony knew an unbelievable amount and took such care to make sure my husband and I had both seen each bird he spotted. He showed us everything he could. We counted 52 species, including trogons, orange collared manakins, which we especially wanted to see, golden hooded tanagers, honeycreepers, and several hummingbirds. Thank you, Tony!

That kayak trip up the little river near the hotel is still probably my favorite thing I've ever done. We paddled quietly through the jungle on a cyan river, with birds and monkeys overhead and beautiful fish, basilisks, and other aquatic animals in the water. We were there years ago, but don't miss it if you go.