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General Info

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Accommodation Rules

About

Lodge

Playa Cativo Lodge

Golfito, Puntarenas

The Fun Awaits

Guests Like the LocationThe location was rated 4.545 by the guests who stayed here.

Reviews

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4.5/5

FantasticFrom 11 reviews

5.0/527 Apr 2026

BEATRICE • Couple Trip

Très beau eco lodge placé dans un environnement magnifique face à la baie.

5.0/528 Jan 2026

Pedro • Family Trip

Staff muito gentil, quarto bem espaçoso e bonito (sem ar condicionado)

5.0/52 May 2025

Peter

Increible

5.0/56 Mar 2020

Verified traveler

This place is paradise. Our room was fantastic, we had views of the sea and views of the jungle.

5.0/516 Feb 2020

Jonathan • Solo Trip

The setting is stunning combining the beautiful rainforest with the Pacific Ocean in all their glories. The Lodge purposely blends in with the natural surrounding trying to minimize the intrusion. The team here has a true passion for the ecosystem and ecology . They provided an exceptional level of attention and service.Of note a near perfectly prepared piece of red snapper, an evening massage on my balcony to the music of the rainforest 10 ft away,the first tug of a fish on a hand line, a carafe of fresh watermelon juice placed in my room,sunsets sitting on my balcony.....

5.0/521 Jan 2020

Es • Couple Trip

The lodge is in a stunning location - on the beach but within the rainforest. Incredible scenery, great food, a small but well equipped lodge with rooms with plunge pools. An amazing get away. The lodge offers good value as the meals are included - delicious, healthy and organic. There are various activities and guides available for trips. Our highlight was kayaking in the mangroves. But what really makes this place special are the staff - they are very attentive and nothing is too much trouble. With an attention to detail they made our stay a special one. We would highly recommend a visit and we will be visiting again.

5.0/529 May 2019

kaitlyn • Couple Trip

Amazing place and amazing service !

5.0/512 Jul 2018

Ruth

Playa Cativo's welcoming, warm and very ( rain-forest) knowledgeable staff ensure you are well taken care of 24/7. Pampered really! The food is exceptional. This eco-lodge, its gardens and organic farm, in one of the most amazing and beautiful biodiverse rain forests in the world, is beautiful, tastefully appointed, peaceful, healing and nurturing. Just sent 12 days there! Non-toxic insect spray is a must in the rain forest.

4.0/519 Feb 2023

Nancy • Couple Trip

Playa Cativo Lodge is a wonderful place and the accommodations, food and staff were absolutely perfect. It was nice to be so close to the gulf which was calm, warm, sandy and perfect for swimming. My only complaint was that the entire front area of the lodge has been landscaped with grass and ornamental plants, many of which are not native. Because of this large open area few birds or animals come near the lodge. Bird watching was disappointing compared to lodges that have left the rainforest intact or revegetated. Also with the large, unshaded open area the lodge is blasted with intense afternoon sun making the rooms very hot. Despite this our stay was great and unless you are a hard-core birder and monkey watcher you will love Playa Cativo!!

3.0/523 Mar 2026

Akshay

Properties located in a rainforest. There is a really beautiful property. Restaurant is great the food is amazing. Stop is really really accommodating and nice. However it is expensive at about $1200-$1300 a night, when you include the food and stay.. The only problem is that it does not have air conditioning. With the hot and humid weather not having air conditioning creates a big problem. When guests are not getting good sleep, they are not able to enjoy their day and that was a problem for us too. Her daughter was under slept the whole week, and she was cranky in the evenings. I would think that a property of this price range should offer air conditioning to the guests. I would not be returning to this property because of that issue.

3.0/54 Jan 2023

Jeffrey • Family Trip

The property is generally good given its environment deep within a rain forest and the staff & management are excellent. The food choice if staying for more than two nights is very limited and the menu does not rotate. The activities around the resort are limited to bird watching and some water based trips such as dolphin spotting. The web site implies you may see a complete range of wildlife including rare sightings of Costa Rica's cats - the reality is you will not and are restricted to birds and an occaisional monkey. Some of the listed activities do not deliver eg AM bird watching is simply a walk around the hotel garden and the Sainos tour includes you stopping after 15 minutes for a drink and some nachos - its not good value as there isnt much to see. The beach at Cativo is not used and so you are restricted to the pool area which is heavily insect infested and so sun bathing or relaxing is difficult. The resort promises alot but doesn't deliver in a number of areas although it is premium priced.

Popular Facilities

WiFi

tiket Green

24-hour Front Desk

Luggage Storage

Swimming Pool

Workspace

Pool

Sports & Recreation

Garden

Snorkeling

Pool Umbrellas

Kayak

Fishing

Yoga Room

Public Facilities

Library

Parking (Free)

Hotel Services

Laundry Service/Dry Cleaning

Hotel Safe

Luggage Storage

Multilingual Staff

Wedding Services

Concierge Services

24-hour Front Desk

Health & Beauty

Spa

Info

No Elevators

Hotel Policy

Smoke-free Property

In-room Facilities

Patio or terrace

Transportation

Free Shuttle

Tours/Ticket Assistance

tiket Green

Connectivity

Free WiFi

Location

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Playa Cativo, Golfo Dulce, Piedras Blancas National Park, Golfito, Puntarenas, CR

Nearby Destinations

All distances are measured in straight lines. The actual travel distance may be different.

Accommodation Rules

Check-in Procedure

Check-in2:00 PM-anytime

Check-out11:00 AM

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards; cash is not accepted
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, and a first aid kit

Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property. Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools.

Want to check in early? Fill out the Special Requests form on the booking page.

More Policies

Children 5 years old and younger are not permitted at this property.
Contactless check-in and contactless check-out are available.

About Playa Cativo Lodge

Playa Cativo Lodge Location
When you stay at Playa Cativo Lodge in Golfito, you'll be on the waterfront and steps from Piedras Blancas National Park. This luxury lodge is within close proximity of Playa San Josecito and Casa Orquideas Botanical Garden.

Playa Cativo Lodge Facility and Service
Relax and unwind with massages, body treatments, and facials. Additional amenities at this lodge include complimentary wireless internet access, concierge services, and wedding services. Getting to nearby attractions is a breeze with the complimentary area shuttle.

Playa Cativo Lodge Rooms
Make yourself at home in one of the 18 individually decorated guestrooms. Complimentary wireless internet access is available to keep you connected. Bathrooms feature showers, complimentary toiletries, and bathrobes. Conveniences include laptop-compatible safes and desks, and housekeeping is provided daily.

Restaurant and Cafe
Grab a bite to eat at El Gavilan, a beachfront restaurant which features a bar/lounge and a garden view. You can also stay in and take advantage of the room service (during limited hours). A complimentary cooked-to-order breakfast is served daily from 6:00 AM to 9:00 AM.

Room Type and Price

Sun, 30 Aug 2026 - Mon, 31 Aug 2026 (1 night)

1 Room, 1 Adult, 0 Children