Pacuare Lodge
Senderos Soul
With energy and vision the owners have achieved something rare and wonderful: sophistication with soul, sustainability, sense of place and adventure. The attention to detail is second to none - from the exquisite design of the villas to the beautifully presented food at mealtimes, and this hidden retreat is surrounded by the rushing Pacuare River, tropical plants, animals and forest. This feeling of isolated wilderness and adventure feels ever more present when flying through the air on one of their excellent zip lines or hiking to a nearby indigenous village to sample their cuisine. It’s an assault on the senses in the best possible way, and beauty here is not just superficial; it runs deep. Though staying here now feels wonderfully indulgent, it’s still completely off-grid and water is solar heated. The lodge produces many of its own organic ingredients for the restaurant Nairi Awari, on its own farm, on the fertile mountain slopes of the Turrialba Volcano nearby. The incredible swimming pool is chlorine free and heated passively by special radiating tiles and as you swim you feel like you are on a runway into the forest. Wash this unique recipe for high end responsible tourism down with a fine, refreshing beer (Pacuare Lodge has its own micro-brewery, producing two unique craft beers). There is truly nowhere quite like Pacuare Lodge, a reason in its own right to visit wonderful Costa Rica!
- Simon, Senderos
Key Facts
No. of rooms: 20 all with canopied beds and crisp 300-thread Egyptian cotton linens, bathrobes and biodegradable toiletries, eco fans, electric lights and candles and wellies
Room Categories:
Jaguar Villa (1) 350 sq.m villa on the riverbanks reached via a private bridge. Master bedroom (kingsize bed), living area with daybed, indoor bathroom with shower, terrace with outdoor furniture and hammock, alfresco shower, spring-fed pool and tree platform
Canopy Villa (1) 150 sq.m villa in the treetops with 360-views, reached via a private bridge. Master bedroom (kingsize bed and standalone bathtub), living area with 2 daybeds, indoor bathroom with shower, waterfront terrace with outdoor furniture and hammock, alfresco bathtub, alfresco shower, spring-fed pool and tree platform
Linda Vista Suite (7) 230 sq.m open-plan suites with kingsize bed, living area with daybed, indoor/outdoor bathroom with shower and bathtub, terrace with outdoor furniture and hammock, alfresco shower and spring-fed pool
River View Suite (4) 91 sq.m open-plan suite with kingsize bed, indoor/outdoor bathroom with 2 showers, terrace with hammock and river-view deck with seating
Garden Suite (7) 62 sq.m open-plan suite with kingsize or twin beds, indoor/outdoor bathroom with 2 showers and terrace with hammock and seating area
Package basis: Full board (includes 3 meals a day, soft drinks, 8 onsite experiences, return transfers from San Jose by road or river)
Excursion detail: 8 experiences are included in the rates: the Canopy Tour, Tropical Canyoning Tour, Bird-Watching, Cabécar Indigenous Hike, Ancient Trail & Hidden Waterfall Hike, Sustainability Tour, Rural Experience, and The Loop.
Min pax 1, max size 10 (always with 2 guides). Private guides are available on request (should be booked in advance).
From Price: 2024: US$668 per person per night (Green Season, Garden Suite) + $25 Conservation Fee
For full rates see links in the Gallery and Resources box below
Min age: 7 to stay at the lodge; 12 to raft in
Dates of operation: All year
Facilities: Main lodge with lounge and library areas, bar, Nairi Awari restaurant, private dining areas, riverfront Jawa Ju spa, saltwater infinity pool, on-site brewery, wine cellar, laundry service, electric carts, jungle cinema.
Internet: Free WiFi at reception; intermittent access
Affiliations: The Long Run
Minimum stay: 1 nights (2 nights in Holiday Season 22.12.24 – 03.01.25
Senderos recommends: As long as you can, but at least 2 nights; this is a once-in-a-lifetime place, with so many inspirational activities and excursions. Plus you need to factor in downtime to enjoy the spa and stunning pool
Stories:
Senderos stories celebrate the positive impact that sustainable and regenerative tourism can bring to destinations, communities and the environment.
- Click here to discover the insightful interview with Priscilla Murillo, Pacuare Lodge’s sustainability manager (see below).
“We have a responsibility to make sure that the locations we are in not only remain ‘pristine paradises’ but become even better through the work we do. It’s about far more than just doing less harm, it’s about creating a net-positive impact.”
Sustainability
- Nature: the lodge is set in 840 acres of primary forests (preserved into propriety), which protects the wild habitats of thousands of plant and animal species. It was built in totally harmony with nature, without cutting down a single tree and using sustainable materials.
- Practices: 100% renewable clean energy, harnessed on the property using water turbines, solar power and a biodigester, and tours are carbon neutral. Organic produce in the restaurant; biodegradable toiletries, waste water flows into septic systems to protect the river.
- People: All lodge staff are from nearby communities and 95% of the rafting guides are from Turrialba. Pacuare supports local schools, and works with the local indigenous Cabécar Indian people
Need to know:
- Superb sustainability and eco values. Their energy consumption is 100% renewable, enough to light the rooms and operate eco-fans. Please note their voltage can’t support hairdryers.
- The rafting in and out from the lodge are on rapids graded between 2 and 4. If the river is deemed too high by the lodge and their staff, alternative transportation is provided.
- Extraordinarily good, gourmet meals for such a remote location, using fresh organic ingredients grown on their farm in Las Nubes de Tuis or purchased from local producers. Daily-changing set menus and private dining on request in ‘The Nest’.
- An iconic saltwater pool, one of the most beautiful Simon has ever swum in, built with special Italian tiles that radiate heat and keep the temperature at a delicious 26C all year round.
- Exquisite suites and villas that immerse guests in the rainforest yet are very luxurious, with wonderful mattresses, indoor/outdoor showers and terraces with hammocks. Villas all have small spring-fed swimming pools and alfresco bathtubs, too.
- Part of the Boena Group which also includes Lapa Rios, Tortuga Lodge and Monteverde Lodge
Perfect for:
Adventure, rainforest luxury and romance
Getting there
Pacuare Lodge hides in the rainforest in the Limon Province of Costa Rica. It is about 20 miles from the town of Siquirres. Most guests raft here, along one of the world’s top whitewater rivers.
By Road
A 2.5-hour trip by road from San Jose, through jungle-covered mountains and past rolling sugarcane, macademia and coffee plantations.
By Air
San Jose is the closest airport (150km). From here guests can helicopter to the lodge, too.
Gallery & Resources
Follow this link to Senderos Resources for Pacuare Lodge to access:
- Images, our selection
- Fact sheets
- Presentations
- Rack rates
- Excursion lists
- And other useful information.
Boena also has its own Media Kit with more photos and material.
Weather
The weather is tropical, with temperatures typically ranging from 28-30 degrees C, though this falls quite a bit after dark. Peak season is December to April (Dry Season) and June to August. During the rainy season in the central highlands (September to November, good weather at Pacuare), river levels are higher on the river, which makes the rafting in harder/more thrilling, depending on how you look at it!