Corcovado Beach Lodge

The huts are roomy, clean, comfortable, and right by the water. Everyone was friendly and accommodating. There’s a cafe where you can sip coffee in the morning and watch tropical birds. An excellent guide on site runs bioluminescent night tours at a great price, and kayaks are available to rent cheaply.

We rented a lodge for five and had loads of room in the big house. It’s right by the beach and hiking trails to Corcovado, and the price was very affordable. The house kitchen was good but didn’t have enough equipment. I’d suggest adding the kitchen option so you can cook in a large kitchen without spending much, since the nearby restaurants aren’t worth it.

The rooms are very old and had lots of lizards, geckos, and crabs, though we kept in mind that it’s a tropical location. Still, we felt as if we were staying at a family home. The staff went above and beyond, and the prices were very reasonable: $95 for a small lodge with two single beds and one double, $125 for a large one with three double beds and a kitchen area, or $165 for a big lodge with a water view. The view at that price was well worth it. They made us a delicious breakfast, and Fernando was especially kind and helpful, calling several tour companies to ask questions for us. It’s close to the city center and restaurants, since they only serve breakfast. We also saw lots of animals on a walk around the property.

The scenery and the peace and quiet made CBL the most memorable of the five hotels we stayed at in Costa Rica. I could get up at 5:30 as the sun came up, sit outside in the main lodge with a coffee, and take in the silence and beauty. They serve freshly brewed coffee there all day for free, and that alone made the stay worthwhile. The rooms are rustic and basic, but they had good air conditioning, fans, hot showers in the en suite bathrooms, comfortable beds, and a fridge. Thomas, the onsite manager, was super helpful. The wifi was great too. There’s a good bar about 50 yards away for evening drinks, and town restaurants are about a 30-minute walk. Breakfast is basic, eggs and toast for $5, though there are good places to eat in town as well. An absolutely wonderful, relaxing stay. Just thinking about it and looking at the photos lowers my blood pressure. A must stay!