Welcome to the Lapa Rios Ecolodge

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Tucked away on the southern most tip of the Osa peninsula in Costa Rica, where the Golfo Dulce meets the Pacific Ocean lie sixteen spacious cabins in the midst of a 1000-acre private reserve. In the heart of the jungle, famous for its variety of birds, wild cats and other magnificent wildlife, Lapa Rios is the resort setting the standard in eco-tourism. If one seeks paradise then look no further. I have ventured all corners of the globe in search of paradise and my search ends here! Overlooking the ocean from my cabin feeling a cool breeze, I am welcomed by two Macaws unfazed by my presence. Never in my life have I come so close to nature.

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Connected by little paths, the cabins are spread out through a valley of green jungle and towering trees. They have thatched high roofs and all of them have a private deck overlooking the deep blue colours of the Pacific. There are no walls between you and the jungle, just a mesh that is hardly visible giving you the impression you are one with the surrounding wildlife. In bed one can hear everything surrounding their cabin just inches away. Leaves rustle as the nocturnal residents make their way through the night. The trees surrounding your cabin sway as the breeze soothes in time for sleep. There is no air-conditioning to turn on. No television to watch. There isn't even a power socket to plug in a laptop or an Ipod! Don't come here if that is your idea of paradise. Lapa Rios is back to basics. It's back to the real world and the real world was here long before we were. Actually this part of the world has pretty much stayed untouched even since Sir Francis Drake arrived in March 1579.

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But Lapa Rios comes with luxuries of it's own. Situated high above the cabins is the restaurant, which serves divine gastronomic cuisine and sublime cocktails. Food is delivered daily and is fresh as can be. The restaurant has two viewing stations that are a must for bird nerds and nature enthusiasts alike! A Mirador is the centrepiece of this huge hut and a spiral staircase takes one high above anything else in the valley. One can get a 360-degree view of their surroundings looking down on wildlife and birds circling the skies in search of prey. For the lazy ones who frown on such steps and the heights of the Mirador there is a viewing deck from the restaurant itself overlooking the valley below with telescopes provided so one can get a closer look at some of the animals spotted!

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Situated between the restaurant and the cabins is a swimming pool to cool down in, when those hot days take their toll. However I must be honest with you and tell you I only entered the pool just once during my stay. With so many activities to choose from and such a variety of surrounding nature I never really found the time to do the things I would normally do on a tropical holiday.

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