I recently had the pleasure of staying at an Eco- lodge in the middle of the Costa Rican rain forest. The stay was everything I expected, but so much “extra”too! Before our trip, when talking to friends and clients about our upcoming stay at an eco-lodge, I got some amusing reactions. When most people think of staying in a resort with no electricity, they think of “roughing it”, or glorified camping. Our stay at Pacuare Lodge was anything but roughing it!
We arrived in style…by white water raft! Which was exciting and oh so unique! We were promptly seated to lunch upon arrival, and greeted by the most friendly and helpful staff. We would come to know the staff by name, over the next few days. Many of them live very near by, and some live on property. When you are there, you feel like family in for a visit, as it is such a small and close knit little group. After lunch, we were showed to our room by electric golf cart (yes electric). We were shown into our room and our jaw dropped! We were greeted to a wall of beautiful rain forest with a plunge pool overlooking the river. We had a gorgeous canopy bed, large bathroom with indoor and outdoor shower, and wrap around porch with hammock, to watch the toucans from. In short, paradise!
All meals are included at the resort, and you will choose your lunch at the end of breakfast, and dinner at the end of lunch! There is a large variety of dining options, and lovely presentation too! Each night before dinner, we would head down to the main building for happy hour at the bar over looking the river, and discuss our adventures of the day, with fellow guests of the resort and the staff. Again, that “homey” and “part of the family” feel.
Many activities are available, from rafting, zip lining, hiking to a near by indigenous village, nature tours, and even a lovely spa! We took part in the zip lining, and a really cool night tour where we saw many species of wildlife, including Costa Rica’s famous green tree frog! The grounds are so pretty with a small waterfall a short hike away, and wildlife is abundant all around!
On our last day, we took the sustainable tour, and learned all about the methods employed by the lodge to stay green and help sustain the precious eco-system they are a part of! It was so interesting to see all that they do, they have solar panels all over the roof of the main lodge, for starters. There are pigs who get all the left over food. The lodge then collects the methane from the waste of the animals, to use for heat! They have a hydro-electric turbine that generates the power, and a room full of batteries to collect it all! The power is used in the kitchen mostly, as well as some in their office, and to charge the batteries for the golf carts for moving guests up and down the hills! It is simply amazing! How great to be “off the grid” ,but still able to create this luxurious and totally pampered experience for guests, where every need is met.
The one aspect of the lodge that may be some what surprising, is how romantic it can be! Coming back to your room after dinner to find it bathed in candle light is just something so unique and special. There are several other romantic opportunities as well, from a special meal by the fire pit, to a romantic meal in the “nest” tree house, high above the lodge! This experience exudes romance and tranquility!
If you are ready to give something a little different a try, I would love to help you plan! This is just one of many eco-lodges around the world, that are ready and waiting to pamper you! Who says you can’t have it all? You can have adventure, romance, luxury, and help to sustain the environment, all with one vacation!
Visit me here: Passport for Adventure Let’s plan an Adventure!
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