Pacuare Lodge

If you like, you could arrive at Pacuare Lodge in a chauffeured Jeep. But why go overland when you can roll up to the hotel’s entrance in an inflatable raft, your suitcase secured in a waterproof bag, dripping wet and triumphant after a rollicking whitewater journey through the jungle? The adventure of getting to this elegant eco-lodge is half the fun, and the trip, which is apt for novices, is a spectacular introduction to the lush tropical landscape of this remote region of central Costa Rica.

But don’t expect a thrill a minute from the moment you settle in with a welcome cocktail. The exhilaration of the whitewater approach is the opposite of the relaxation you’ll experience while actually staying at Pacuare Lodge. This is an extremely peaceful place, tranquil and treehouse-like, with nineteen rather lavish suites and villas. Standard features include canopied king-sized beds made up with Egyptian cotton linens, beautifully tiled bathrooms with jungle views, and private terraces with hammocks overlooking the river. The Jaguar Villa has its own spring-fed swimming pool and outdoor shower and is accessible, like the nearby Canopy Suite, only by a private suspension bridge high in the trees.

There’s limited electricity at Pacuare Lodge, and the wi-fi only works in the lobby. (Consider it a blessing.) That’s because the hotel was founded on the tenets of sustainable tourism and environmentally conscious practices. It’s staffed almost entirely by locals: members of the native Cabécar tribe constructed the bungalows’ palm-thatched roofs, and the kitchen staff is made up of young people from nearby communities. No namedrop-worthy chefs here, just fresh farm-to-table cuisine and candlelight, served, on request, at “The Nest,” an intimate treetop venue reachable only by zip line.

Who said there’s no adventure after the welcome cocktail? Whether you plan a jungle hike or a canopy tour, or just plan to glide, in a harness, down a 400-foot cable to your dinner table, there’s plenty to keep you entertained at Pacuare Lodge. But no one will blame you for just swinging in a hammock all afternoon: the wildlife spectacle, starring a cast of colorful toucans and playful monkeys overhead, is free.