A Hidden Treasure in the South of Costa Rica

A Private Biological Reserve

The Golfo Dulce Lodge consists of more than 300 hectares (750 acres) and was bought to conserve the existing virgin rainforest, and to set up a small place for nature and animal lovers to experience the magnificent world of an almost untouched environment on an individual basis, far away from tourist crowds.

The lodge offers boat tours to the mangroves of the Esquinas River and different hikes leading through various ecosystems such as primary and secondary rainforest, an extensive heliconia field, fruit trees and pasture. An easy accessible, safe observation platform invites for birding and nature studies. The platform can also be reached within 20 minutes on a self-guided tour with an educational description of the most interesting plants growing along the path.

So far, bird specialists have identified 340 different species of birds on the lodge property or in the adjacent Piedras Blancas National Park. A local naturalist and/or German/English speaking biology students guide the jungle hikes.

From 1997 up to 2000 the Golfo Dulce Lodge supported the official Wildcat Rehabilitation Center Profelis, founded by the two German biologists Sigi Weisel and Sabine Weber, for reintroducing confiscated margays (Leopardus wiedii) and ocelots (Leopardus pardalis) into their natural habitat, the tropical lowland rainforest of the Piedras Blancas National Park. On a remote part of the lodge rainforest, the first worldwide documented margay release took place in February 1998, conducted by Profelis, and was filmed by the German TV-crew VOX. Additionally, part of the documentaries on cats by the well-known broadcasting teams of BBC and Wild Things California were filmed on the lodge property.

On Playa San Josecito, there is also a release center of the privately owned Zoo Ave outside San José for hurt, rescued or formerly domesticated birds. Since 1999 groups of highly endangered scarlet macaws (ara macao), born and raised at the zoo, were released into the Piedras Blancas National Park where macaws were once present but no longer existed due to poaching and pesticide use. Those first releases are part of a long-term project to establish a third self-sustaining scarlet macaw population, to add to the two existing groups in the Corcovado National Park and the Carara Biological Reserve. However, the release center is not open to the public.

Comfortable Accommodations with an Intimate Atmosphere

The little complex of buildings is informally grouped together as a tiny village in a large landscaped garden right on the edge of the tropical rainforest and is less than 300 yards (250m) away from the rocky beach.

Accommodation Deluxe Category

5 detached, spacious wooden Bungalows, comfortably furnished (including fan) and with its own private shower/toilet (warm water until sunset), as well as a large, private veranda with a hammock and a rocking chair.
 

Accommodation Standard Category

3 comfortably furnished Rooms in concrete (with fan) with large, private verandas with a rocking chair on the jungle edge or close to the small freshwater pool

Tropical Restaurant with bamboo ceiling, where delicious meals with local flavor and ingredients are served, hosts a cosy jungle bar and chairs for leisure. The large, covered rooftop observation deck of the Restaurant, furnished with comfortable bamboo sofas and decorated with lush tropical plants, invites for birding while sipping a cold drink.

Small main complex next to the restaurant with ladies and gents restrooms beautifully painted with tropical sceneries and kitchen and laundry

Freshwater Pool (chlorine-free)

Beach Ranchito with hammocks

Information Center with hangouts about tropical flora and fauna, history and traditions
 

Nature-bound Excursions and Activities

The Golfo Dulce Lodge offers boat excursions within the Golfo Dulce and to the Esquinas River as well as guided hikes in small groups through the pristine rainforest. A local, English speaking Naturalist or German/English speaking Biology Students guide all boat tours and hikes. Boat excursions depend on tide and weather conditions and not all tours are available daily.

how do you get to the golfo dulce lodge?

The Dulce Lodge is surrounded by the undisturbed primary lowland rainforest of the Piedras Blancas National Park, an extension of the Corcovado National Park and the clear waters of the Golfo Dulce.

The remote lodge at Playa San Josecito is only accessible by a boat ride of about 30 minutes either from Golfito or Puerto Jimenez.







There are several options for transportation to reach the remote Golfo Dulce Lodge.

• Domestic airlines SANSA or Nature Air offer various daily flights from San Jose to Golfito or to Puerto Jimenez; flight time 45 to 50 minutes. For those arriving by plane, there will be a taxi waiting for you at the airport.
  
  
• You can arrange air transportation through service@costaricareisen.com
  
  
• Please note that SANSA Airline leaves from their domestic terminal close to the International Airport whereas Nature Air uses the Tobias Bolaños Airport in Pavas which is closer to San Jose.
  
  
• Both airlines have a baggage restriction of 25 lbs / 12 kilos per person.
  
  
• Rental Car (driving time from San Jose to Golfito approx. 7 hours).
  
  
• Safe parking of the car is possible at the Restaurant Samoa del Sur, Golfito (Tel. 775-0233) at a daily rate of approx. US$ 5.— at clients expense.
  
  
• Daily Public Bus Transport San Jose to Golfito; traveling time about 8 hours;
  
  
• After arrival in Golfito please proceed by taxi to our meeting point, the Restaurant Samoa del Sur.
  

Meeting points for the boat transfer to the lodge (boat ride about 30 minutes):

• Golfito: landing stage of the Restaurant Samoa del Sur
  
  
• Puerto Jimenez: landing stage of the public harbor

For the boat transfer to the lodge the luggage is limited to 25 lbs / 12 kilos per person. Those clients arriving with a rented car can leave their excess luggage in the car or in a storage room of the Restaurant Samoa del Sur.

CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT OUR RATES AND MAKE A RESERVATION!