The Best 7 Ecolodges in Costa Rica

Lapa Rio Ecolodge is surrounded by primary rainforest

Imagine waking up surrounded by nature. 

On our Costa Rica wildlife holidays, you could be staying in some of the best ecolodges in Central America. 

Wake up to morning birdsong. Hear the flow of the river outside your room. Or gaze across the endless ocean from your private deck.

Costa Rica has long been one of the world’s leading destinations for sustainable travel. And ecolodges are, in our opinion, the only way to truly embrace the magic of Costa Rica.
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This article will explore 7 of our favourite ecolodges across Costa Rica.

Why Choose Ecolodges in Costa Rica?

In a country where over 1/3 of the land is protected and biodiversity thrives in every corner, ecolodges are more than just places to sleep - they are part of Costa Rica’s conservation story.

As zoologists, the team at Cecropia Travel make it our mission to scout out those accommodations that truly make a difference: protection of the environment, supporting conservation, employing locally. The list goes on. 

This is conservation travel in Costa Rica. With an added hint of luxury. 

From rainforest retreats on the Osa Peninsula to remote jungle lodges accessible only by boat, ecolodges offer travellers the chance to experience nature in a way that feels immersive, authentic, and deeply connected to local communities. Certainly on brand for Cecropia Travel. 

Unlike conventional resorts that often isolate guests from their surroundings, ecolodges are designed to integrate visitors with the environment. 

Many are built using sustainable materials, powered by renewable energy, and staffed by people from nearby communities. 

More importantly, they help preserve the very ecosystems travellers come to see. In Costa Rica, staying at an ecolodge often means money directly supports rainforest conservation, wildlife protection, environmental education, and local employment.
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If you want to experience the real Costa Rica - waking to the sound of howler monkeys, spotting scarlet macaws from your balcony, or sharing stories with local guides who grew up in the rainforest - these are the ecolodges that deserve a place on your radar. They certainly stole our hearts. 

1. El Remanso

Minimilistic yet elegent. Developed yet natural. These are the qualities that make El Remanso a standout destination

Tucked away on the southern edge of the Osa Peninsula, reachable only via 4x4, El Remanso feels like a secret hidden deep in the rainforest. 

This sustainable property combines the natural ruggedness of the surrounding wilderness with an elegant design worthy of the very best 5* hotel.

Unlike other fancy hotels, however, El Remanso offers travellers a more intimate and adventure-focused experience.

The lodge sits among waterfalls, primary rainforest, hanging bridges, and secluded beaches where wildlife encounters happen daily. Guests can hike through jungle trails in the morning, and cool off in natural swimming pools by afternoon. All whilst Costa Rica's 4 monkey species look on.

You’ll hear it a lot in this article, but sustainability truly is woven into the experience at El Remanso. It’s not an afterthought. It’s not a green-washing marketing tool. It emphasises low-impact tourism, conservation, and local sourcing. If something isn’t available, it’s not on the menu. 
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For travellers seeking a balance between adventure and comfort, El Remanso is hard to beat.

2. Lapa Rios

In the heart of the Osa Peninsula, Lapa Rios is a luxury ecolodge surrounded by nature

Few lodges in Costa Rica are as iconic as Lapa Rios. 

Set within a 1,000-acre private rainforest reserve on the Osa Peninsula, this pioneering ecolodge helped define sustainable luxury travel in Central America.

Today, Lapa Rios has won a plethora of awards - from National Geographic’s Unique Lodge of the World to prestigious awards in Travel+Leisure. In fact, it is readily seen as the best ecolodge in Costa Rica. 

What makes Lapa Rios extraordinary is the balance it strikes between comfort and conservation. Open-air bungalows will immerse you in the sounds of the jungle while minimising environmental impact. 

Scarlet macaws fly overhead, monkeys swing through the canopy, and sloths can be spotted from private decks. What more could you want?

But the true heart of Lapa Rios is its conservation mission - something we too at Cecropia Travel believe heavily in. Not only does Lapa Rios support both jaguar and coral conservation projects, they have also created a biodiverse wildlife corridor connecting themselves with Corcovado National Park. 

Whilst biodiversity thrives in the region, you'll be treated to some seriously intimate wildlife moments.  

​3. Playa Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge

Rustic and back-to-nature is the best way to describe Nicuesa Lodge. But absolutely first class. Not to be missed

If your dream is to completely unplug in the rainforest, Playa Nicuesa may be the perfect lodge. 

Accessible only by boat in the Golfo Dulce region, the property sits where dense jungle meets calm tropical waters. 

On one side, embrace the Piedras Blancas National Park. The other, relax on the shores of the Golfo Dulce - one if the only tropical fjords in the world. 

On our Conservation Itinerary, we suggest staying at Nicuesa for a truly immersive experience. Here, you can partake in coral conservation or assist with marine biologists in whale and dolphin research. 

Unlike other ecolodges on this list, Nicuesa doesn’t fully commit to true luxury. However it embraces a low-impact philosophy that encourages you to slow down and reconnect with nature. 

Accommodations are intentionally open to the outdoors, allowing you to fall asleep to rainforest sounds and wake naturally with the sunrise. But don't worry, mosquito nets are provided!

The surrounding environment is stunningly biodiverse. You can regularly encounter monkeys, toucans, dolphins, and bioluminescent waters depending on the season. I was fortunate enough to see a spectacled owl in broad daylight whilst walking around the property on my last visit. 

Nicuesa truly embodies the essence of what it is to stay in an ecolodge: simplicity, presence, and immersion.

​Traditional luxury doesn’t always mean excess. Sometimes, the best form of luxury is the reconnection with nature. The peaceful silence, the abundance of stars, and swathes of untouched rainforest.

4. Maquenque Ecolodge

The treehouses at Maquenque Ecolodge steal the show. A great place to watch birds and monkeys

Near the Nicaraguan border in northern Costa Rica, Maquenque Eco Lodge offers a completely different side of the country.

Here, wetlands, forests, and rivers create an extraordinary habitat for birds and other wildlife.

The lodge is particularly famous among birdwatchers, with sightings of toucans, great green macaws, king vultures, and countless other tropical species. 
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Maquenque Ecolodge has a series of bungalows overlooking lagoons and rainforest, creating a peaceful atmosphere where nature takes center stage.

But for us, the highlights are the tree houses. These are crafted using locally sourced materials, and create a suspected oasis in the trees - the perfect place to spot a whole host of arboreal wildlife.

Like the other ecolodges on the list, Maquenque also stands out for its strong focus on conservation and reforestation. The property protects large areas of rainforest and actively supports wildlife corridors that are crucial for endangered species. 

In the region, Maquenque supports the Macaw Recovery Program, where researchers help study the great green macaw, and the important almond trees they depend on. 

If you're a keen birder, our Birding Itinerary could be for you. 
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But birds aren’t the only animals you’ll see at Maquenque. Spider monkeys, dart frogs, and caimans are all frequent visitors. For me, the most rewarding sight was when I visited in 2025 and saw an ocelot casually ambling across the same path I was on. I was speechless .

5. Pacuare Lodge

Possibly the most luxurious ecolodge we've ever been too, Pacuare Lodge is a whole experience

Deep within the Caribbean rainforest, and accessible primarily by whitewater rafting along the Pacuare River, Pacuare Lodge delivers one of the most unforgettable ecolodge experiences in Costa Rica. 

The journey in itself is an experience. Raft down one of the most pristine rivers in Central America. Surround yourself with lush jungles, cascading waterfalls, and nature all around.

What makes Pacuare Lodge remarkable is not only the luxury finish to all their rooms, but also its long-standing commitment to sustainability - without sacrificing comfort. The lodge was carefully built with minimal environmental impact. No trees were cut during construction, and many materials were sourced locally through reforestation projects and Indigenous craftsmanship.

Accommodations are designed to immerse guests in nature rather than separate them from it. Open-air suites, riverfront views, and endless forests create an atmosphere that feels both luxurious and deeply connected to the rainforest.

Pacuare Lodge has also become a leader in Costa Rica’s sustainable tourism movement, earning elite recognition from the country’s Certification for Sustainable Tourism programme.

But beyond the sustainability credentials, what truly makes Pacuare Lodge special is the feeling of adventure and reconnection. Spend your days rafting jungle rivers, hiking through pristine rainforest, spotting toucans and monkeys, or learning about Cabécar Indigenous culture from local guides.

​At night, the sounds of the river and rainforest replace the distractions of modern life.

6. Rio Celeste Mountain Lodge

Celeste Mountain Lodge is a prime example that ecolodges don't have to cost a fortune to still deliver excellence

For travellers who want an authentic ecolodge experience without the high-end price tag, Celeste Mountain Lodge, within the Tenorio Volcano National Park, is an excellent example of accessible sustainable travel. 

Nestled between two volcanoes, Miravalles and Tenorio, and close to the famous Rio Celeste waterfall - one of Costa Rica’s most famous natural wonders - the lodge offers incredible rainforest views and direct access to nature at a far more affordable price point than many luxury ecolodges.

The lodge was designed around sustainability and low-impact tourism. Of course, the Rio Celeste hike is one of the highlights of the region, however, there are a plethora of nature-based activities nearby. 

One of our favourites is joining in with a night tour at Tapir Valley - a private reserve dedicated to reintroducing Costa Rica’s largest land mammal back into its natural habitat through a process of reforestation. 

More often than not, ecolodges have gained a bit of a reputation for becoming overly expensive. Sometimes, this price is justified for conservation purposes. However, Rio Celeste Mountain Lodge is a prime example that ecolodges don’t have to cost an arm and a leg.  

7. Copa de Arbol

Although tucked away in the jungle, some of the villas still have stunning ocean views

Like Pacuare Lodge, the journey to Copa de Arbol is an experience in itself. 

The main way you can arrive at Copa de Arbol is via boat. But this isn’t any boat ride. Firstly, you travel through Costa Rica’s largest mangrove system - Térraba-Sierpe National Wetlands. Look out for a range of species, including squirrel monkeys and scarlet macaws.

After, you hit the open ocean. This can get a bit bumpy - but all part of the experience. During the months of August - April, you may get the opportunity to witness migrating humpback whales! The boat will drop you off at the shores of Copa de Arbol. 

Located near Drake Bay and close to Corcovado National Park, the lodge blends beachfront tranquility with one of the most biodiverse rainforests on Earth.

Copa de Arbol was carefully designed to minimise environmental impact while maximising connection to nature. Cabins sit discreetly within the jungle, allowing wildlife to move naturally through the property. Solar energy, sustainable construction practices, and rainforest conservation all play key roles in the lodge’s philosophy.

What sets Copa de Arbol apart is the sense of exclusivity without pretension. Guests come here to disconnect from busy modern life and reconnect with nature. Days are filled with snorkeling, wildlife excursions, waterfall hikes, and boat trips through mangroves teeming with life. 

For many travellers, this is Costa Rica at its most magical.

Final Thoughts ​

If you're considering a trip to Costa Rica, we at Cecropia Travel believe that a stay at any one of these ecolodges will enhance your experience tenfold. 

Places like Rio Celeste Mountain Lodge show that ecolodges exist across a wide range of budgets.

While Costa Rica certainly has ultra-luxury jungle retreats like Pacuare Lodge or Lapa Rios, many ecolodges focus more on conservation, local connection, and immersive nature experiences than extravagant amenities.

Travellers can often find eco-conscious lodges in Costa Rica at prices comparable to standard mid-range hotels -  while still directly supporting rainforest protection, local employment, and sustainable tourism initiatives.

Of course, this isn't an exhaustive list, and our team of Costa Rica Travel Experts will be more than happy to talk to you about any recommendations. 

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