Set in a private nature reserve spread over 1,000 acres of Central America's last remaining lowland tropical rainforest, Lapa Rios overlooks the pristine point where the Golfo Dulce meets the wild Pacific Ocean. It is an area of true seclusion and lies beyond the challenging Corcovado Park, at the very edge of Costa Rica.
Lapa Rios is built in harmony with the surrounding forest and beach environment. The main lodge and bungalows line three ridges connected by walking paths and steps. Built more than 350 feet above the sea, Lapa Rios catches the cooling tropical breezes. The main lodge, housing the restaurant and bar is built of local, natural materials. It soars fifty feet overlooking the sweeping view of the sea. Comfortable, locally made bamboo furniture adds to the tropical ambience. A climb up the three-story hardwood circular staircase to the palm-thatched roofs reveals views of the forest canopy and breathtaking ocean vistas. Unspoiled beaches are only a short hike away.

The fourteen thatched forest bungalows manage to be both private and open, and the surrounding rainforest opens up to spectacular views of the sea. The spacious bungalows spill onto your private deck and each have a patio garden. The bedrooms have two queen-size beds dramatically draped with mosquito netting. Each room's indoor, solar-heated shower is complemented by an outdoor private garden shower. Two sinks and large closets add considerably to the comfort level. Tropical breezes, gentle and refreshing even at thirty-five stories above sea level, waft through the screened window walls regularly. One feels part of the forest in this private and romantic romantic setting, and there are no phones to compete with the monkey calls.
You do have to climb to get there, however--all bungalows are accessed via walking paths and stairs.

The rainforest is the draw here, and Lapa Rios will arrange for numerous half-day tours deep into the jungle with staff naturalists. Spy a few of the more than 320 identified bird species in Central America's largest remaining tropical lowland forest--toucans and macaws are big in this area--as well as rare trees, coatimundi and ocelot, accompanied by armies of monkeys. Night walks, hikes to waterfalls, starfish tidal pool exploration, and even walks in search of medicinal plants, can all be added to the agenda during your stay here.
Additionally, we suggest a flight into Corcovado National Park where you can hike loop trails with a Lapa Rios guide and return in time for dinner. Corcovado has the most scarlet macaws in the country, as well as tapirs, poison dart frogs, cloud forest and swamp areas. It's one of the richest virgin rainforests in Costa Rica.
A variety of other tours are available through local guides: a tour of a private garden (accessible by sea) featuring thousands of tropical plants and orchids; mangrove river /gulf boat rides; horseback riding in the jungle and along the beaches and sea kayaking. The sport fishing here is world-class (either from shore or deep-sea), as is the surfing. This is where the Pacific meets the Gulf, and thus the sea delivers great bounty and great swells. When all of this tires you out, come back for a massage with a professional staff member.
All of the guided tours benefit the local conservation efforts--as the guides learn their land and share their knowledge with visitors from around the world, we all learn the value of the rainforest, and it lives a little longer. At Manaca, we feel Lapa Rios is travel at its best--off the beaten path, comfortable, and a little bit challenging--all while helping a good cause to the environment.

Although remote and isolated, Lapa Rios does not make you "rough it" where meals are concerned. This is not wilderness fare; these excellent chefs combine fresh fruits and vegetables with local fish, chicken, and meats in interesting combinations with a tropical flavor. A full service bar serves your favorite beverages, including fresh juices, wines, and spirits.

John and Karen Lewis decided to leave the colds of Minnesota back in 1990 to found their own rainforest retreat. When they discovered they could purchase a large tract of remote rainforest (after they had liquidated all their assets), they set out to follow their vision of creating a reserve and the tourism project to support it. The original idea was a birdwatching outpost, rustic and rough around the edges. But they moved on to create a place to attract guests interested in a bit of comfort amidst the wild surroundings. Electricity, good food, and heated showers were the elements they knew would keep this isolated lodge afloat. He's a lawyer, she's a teacher and professional musician--both are former Peace Corps volunteers. They've put more than $1 million of their own text into this five-acre compound, taking care to build with native materials, avoid cutting local trees, and working with the local community to fit in. They continue to plow profits back into conserving the forest around them, and reforesting formerly cut swatches. Environmental groups such as The Ecotourism Society and Conservation International have taken notice of their efforts and accomplishments.

- Lapa Rios is a private nature preserve protecting 1000 acres of lowland tropical rain forest and also acts as a buffer area for nearby 100,000-acre Corcovado National Park.

- Lapa Rios is building a school for the local community, which previously offered no education to its children.

- Lapa Rios is helping initiate the area's first glass and plastic recycling system.

Proximity to nearest major city: Lapa Rios is about a 45-minute drive from Puerto Jimenez.

How do I get there? Driving is not recommended because of the cost, the time, and the bad roads. The trip is 7 - 10 hours depending on stops and weather and there is very little to do with a car once you are at Lapa Rios. Guests who have more than three weeks in Costa Rica might consider the option as the experience is challenging and the scenery is interesting and varied.
However, 95% of visitors to Lapa Rios fly on domestic daily scheduled air. We reccomend this option because is cheap and the flight is only about 50 minutes long. The airstrip is at Puerto Jim?nez and, thereafter, involves a 45 minute ride to Lapa Rios. Transfer from the airport can be arranged with Lapa Rios in their own 4x4 vehicles for $20 per person round trip and $10 for children.
Lapa Rios can arrange round-trip flights on Travelair from San Jose - Pto Jimenez - San Jose.

There are no fixed departure dates for your journey to Lapa Rios.