good for you

This is a truly amazing location for nature lovers. The ecolodge is set in a private and beautifully conserved reserve, with the rainforest canopy just metres from your cabin and howler monkeys gamboling about the property. The cabins all have magnificent views of the Pacific Ocean, home to the humpback whales protected by the Marina Bellena national park. Trails are dotted around the 250-hectare property, leading you to the beach, and into the virgin rainforest to natural swimming holes and pristine creeks.

A stay here puts you right on Costa Rica's pristine coast and within reach of four spectacular national parks: Marino Bellena, Corcovado, Caño Island and Chirripó National Parks. Each takes in a distinct and rich ecosystem, allowing you to explore the incredible variety that Costa Rica offers.

The family-owned lodge offers guests accommodation in private cabins that are furnished simply but comfortably. Staff are very attentive to guests' needs and desires and are very proud of the work they are doing here. The restaurant serves delicious homegrown and locally sourced food, and there is an excellent range of tours to help you relax and explore the amazing ecosystems at your doorstep.

good for costa rica

La Cusinga is a model ecolodge, with cabins spread over 250 hectares of virgin rainforest, power provided exclusively by renewable solar and hydro power, cabins built from local renewable materials and an extensive recycling program that includes grey water and septic treatment to protect the forest.

All waste is recycled, organic produce is used for compost and all other products are recycled or taken to the municipal waste disposal site. All trails are designed to minimize the impact on the reserve, carefully avoiding erosion. The restaurant serves homegrown and locally produced organic products. The family-owned lodge employs locals, many of whom have worked at the lodge for years and are very proud of what they've achieved there. Owners and staff alike are very active in the conservation of the area and its wildlife and offer educational activities for local school kids to help them appreciate the importance of protecting their environment. Lastly, La Cusinga has been a voice for the community in the government concerning the preservation of humpback whales.

Rooms

Food

The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, and uses only the freshest local and homegrown ingredients. Hearty and healthy Costa Rican dishes featuring fresh fish, salads, rice and beans, are a feature of the menu. Expect to dine on freshly caught tuna, tropical fruits, and tasty desserts, all in the covered dining room that's open to the breeze and the sounds of the forest. Breakfasts are generous and include deliciously exotic fruit juices.

Breakfast is included in the rates, while lunch goes for a modest $12.50 and dinner is $16. Kids four years old and under dine for free. These prices do not include 13% tax.

Features & Facilities

• 250 hectares of private reserve, with walking trails and natural swimming pools. There is no hotel pool, but the beach is a walk away.
• A range of tours, including equipment like kayaks and snorkels, available to guests, with several walking tours included in the rates.

See also 'Local Info' section.

Local Info & Activities

tours:

La Cusinga offers a terrific range of tours for its guests. The tours are not included in the rates, but many of them are inexpensive and all are great value. You can take a kayak tour of the Marina Ballena National Park, or take a canopy tour in the rainforest; spend some time learning to surf with the local surf school or ride on horseback to some nearby waterfalls; go scuba diving at the amazing Cano Island national park or hike through Corcovado national park. Whatever your interests, there is an enormous range of activities, both relaxing and active, available within easy reach of the lodge.

corcovado national park:

Corcovado is part of the very humid tropical forest ecosystem in Costa Rica's south pacific. This wild area is considered an excellent life laboratory, in which you can study the tropical ecosystem up close.

There are like 500 species of trees in the whole park, which ads up to a quarter of all the tree species in Costa Rica. The tropical rain forests protected in the area not only constitute one of the most pristine and richest ecosystem in the pacific, but one of the last of them in Central America.

The flora of the park is constituted in the most by the very humid tropical forest with the following habitats: mountain forest, cloud forest, prairie forest, swamp forest, the Yolillal, the herbaceous swamp, the mangle, the sheer flora and the coast flora.

The park protects several endangered species like cats, big reptiles, species of birds of restricted distribution. We know the existence of 104 mammal species, 367 birds, 117 amphibian and reptiles and 40 species of fresh water fish.

Animals that make the park their home include the danta, the jaguar, the puma, the white face monkey, squirrel, congos, and others. This park is one of the most important conservation areas for the protection of lizards and crocodiles

marina ballena national park:

This park protects important habitats such as the sandy beaches, rocky beaches, estuaries, mangroves, scarps, islands, coral reefs that represent a very important environment for marine wildlife.

In this marine park the most widespread type of vegetation is the mangrove, in which the red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle), the black mangrove (Avicennia germinans), the tea mangrove (Pelliciera rhizophorae), the buttonwood mangrove (Conocarpus erectus) and the white mangrove (Laguncularia racemosa) occur. The alcornoque (Mora megistoperma, a very large tree with large thin buttresses, makes an irregular appearance).

Between Piñuela Point and Uvita Point a marine abrasion platform has formed. It is connected to the mainland via a sandy bridge or tombolo, which took shape naturally through the diffraction of the waves on the rocky point. It can be visited easily at low tide. On Ballena island and the Las Tres Hermanas islets there are two species of reptiles: the green iguana (Iguana iguana), and the basilisk (Basiliscus basiliscus). Magnificent frigate birds (Fregata magnificens), white ibis (Eudocimus albus) and brown pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis) use these islands as a roosting site.

The coral reefs are made up of five of the 18 species recorded in the Eastern Pacific. In addition to the wealth of fish and the abundance of marine invertebrates in the park waters, it is possible to see common dolphins (Delphinus delphis), bottle nosed dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) and, occasionally, humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae), sometimes with their young and in groups of 2 to 3. Marine turtles lay their eggs on Ballena Beach

caño island biological reserve:

This reserve lies about 20 kilometers off the Osa peninsula, northeast of Corcovado National Park. The island was once used as a pre-Colombian cemetery by cultures with a clear South American influence and it's still possible to see some of the perfectly round stone spheres made by the former natives of this land.

Wildlife is scarce, consisting mainly of insects like bees, moths, beetles and mosquitoes, as well as some frogs and small lizards. Small vertebrates such as; pacas, opossums, pigs and cattle egrets (the predominant bird species), are also found here.

The island is surrounded by five platforms of low coral reefs. Camping areas have been established near the ranger station, where you can also find potable water. It rises 110 meters above sea level, and it's composed mainly of small white sandy beaches that sometimes disappear with the high tide.

The greatest attractions of Caño Island lie beneath its waters. Skin Diver magazine has rated the site among the best in the world and one of the newest hot spots for adventure diving. This virgin area offers a variety of unique diving attractions, from 15 - 16' reefs to 80' walls. The rock formations are volcanic origins; sea fans, cup coral, head corals are common.

Because of its status as a Biological Reserve the diving in Caño Island is restricted. Only 10 divers are allowed per dive, and there are only 5 dive sites open to the public. By law, it is totally prohibited to remove any marine objects dead or alive (shells, corals, etc.). Although the currents and visibility are difficult to predict, the latter is usually outstanding and rarely gets below 50'. The name of the game here is sharks. Divers will see lots of them (white-tips) ranging in size from 6-10', as well as sea turtles, dolphins, stingrays, morays, and huge snapper and grouper. This could very well be mainland Costa Rica's finest diving spot.

chirripó nacional park:

Each of Costa Rica's many national parks has its own unique allure. However, the jewel in the crown may well be the Place of Eternal Waters, or Chirripó to use its indigenous name.

Chirripó National Park is an enchanting and awe-inspiring expanse of rugged peaks and rock formations, vast valley and glacier lakes - a place that will touch the soul of anyone who braves the challenge of ascending its towering heights.

Chirripó Peak is the highest in the Talamanca Mountain Range, and reaches a height of 3 820 meters(12,530 ft.). It is the tallest mountain in the southern part of Central America. The national park covers a range of 43 700 hectares. A park superintendent and a team of park ranges protect the park, care for the visitors and study the biology, geology and meteorological phenomena of the area. Chirripó has mountain cabins for hikers and several different trails which are carefully maintained.

The natural resources of this national park are extremely varied and interesting. Chirripó has much to offer to all its visitors: paramos for the biologist, lakes of glacial origin for the genologist, an important system of waterways for the hydrologist, dramatic changes in temperature from day to night for the meteorologist, beautiful landscapes for every visitor and plenty of rocks to climb for the mountaineer.

You may be able to visit several places throughout the park in the same day if you are in good shape and weather is on your side, but it's best to take it slow, enjoying the mystical and breathtaking scenery that will linger in your memories long after the pain in your legs has faded.

Other recommendations include using a sunscreen with at least 45 SPF, carrying a canteen with drinking water at all the time (you can replenish your water supply at the Talari River), and bring warm clothes and rain jacket, along with food that is light, nutritious and easy to prepare. Gas stoves and cooking utensils can be rented at the base camp. Pack as little as possible because in the end, you will have to carry it all back down the mountain.

Advance reservations are required to enter Chirripó National Park ($12 per day includes park fees and rustic lodging at the base camp).

Sustainability

The commitment that La Cusinga lodge has to sustainable development and the community is evident throughout the lodge. The buildings are made from their own reforested woods, local materials, and are nestled in naturally harmonious settings. All black and grey waters have a septic treatment that assures that no pollution ends up in the forest, river or the ocean. All of their electricity is from solar and hydropower, and the sun heats all their water. All trails are created in a way that has the least impact on the surroundings, carefully avoiding soil erosion. The food they serve is made from products from the lodge's own gardens, and local suppliers of organic products. All waste is recycled, organic produce is used for compost and all other products are recycled or taken to the municipal waste disposal site.

La Cusinga has been making a positive impact on the community since its beginning. The lodge hires local Costa Ricans who often stay for ten or more years. Lodge owners and staff are very active in the conservation of the park, humpback whales, the rain forest, beaches, and turtles. La Cusinga uses educational programs, such as speakers, seminars, and financial investment to conserve and preserve the surrounding resources and beauty. They host fun-days for the local schools, and make it an educational event for the students, professors and parents. Lastly, La Cusinga has been a voice for the community in the government concerning the preservation of humpback whales

Getting There

by bus:

The bus from San Jose to San Isidro leaves from the MUSOC terminal located on Calle Central/Ave 22-24. Buses start to leave at 5:30am, from that time, one bus will leave every 30 minutes to an hour. This trip takes about 3-4 hours. To get to Uvita the same day you must leave no later than 11:30am.

Once in San Isidro you must reach the Dominical terminal. Buses to Uvita/Palmar Sur leave at 9am and 4pm daily. The 9am bus makes it final stop in the town of Uvita, from there you«ll have to take a taxi to reach the lodge (about 4 km). If you«re traveling in the 4pm bus, simply ask the driver to stop at La Cusinga. This trip takes about 2 hours.

by car:

Take the Inter-American highway from San Jose towards San Isidro (3 hours max). Once in San Isidro, take the road to Dominical. This road will get you on the Southern coastal highway passing by Dominical and heading south towards Uvita. The lodge is 5km south of the Uvita bridge, between the kilometers 166 and 167. This trip takes about an hour to and hour and a half.

Please keep in mind that you are in Costa Rica. Things like weather, road conditions, public, political or religious activities can delay your trip.

Off the Southern Coast Highway (Costanera Sur), the lodge is located:

• 22 km South from Dominical (15 - 20 min)
• 35 km North from Palmar (50 min)
• 57 km Southwest from San Isidro de El General (80 min)
• 65 km South from Quepos (120 min)

by plane:

Most guests will arrive in Costa Rica's capital, San Juan, by air. Many airlines fly to San Juan. For those wishing to take a connecting flight rather than travel overland, Sansa and Nature Air both fly to Palmar Sur.

Visit our Transport section for flights, hybrid car rentals and train bookings.

Rates & Bookings

RATES - valid until December 14th 2007

Double cabin: US$134 per night, for double occupancy

Single cabin: US$107 per night, for single occupancy

Honeymoon suite: US$160 per night, for double occupancy

Group cabins: US$73 per person per night (based on 6 berth dorm accommodation)

• Continental breakfast
• Walking tours of the rainforest reserve and nearby beach

• Children under 4 years stay and eat for free!
• Children aged 5-11 years of have are charged at 50%
• An additional person in a room is charged at US$40
• There is a surcharge of US$25+tax during the Christmas / New Year period.

booking & cancellation policies

• Full payment is required in order to secure a booking.
• Cancellations made 31 days prior to check in will incur a refund of 90% of total cost of stay.
• Cancellations made between 15 and 30 days prior to check in will incur a 40% refund in High Season and a 90% refund during low season.
• cancellations made between 14 and 8 days prior to check in will incur a refund of 40% during low season.
• Cancellations made between 7 and 0 days before check in, in low season will be charged at full rate.
• Cancellations made between 14 and 0 days prior to check in will be charged at full rate in high season.
• Cancellations are also subject to bank charges and handling charges.

Want to avoid cancellation fees? Visit our Insurance section for information on travel insurance.