The journey to Cielo Lodge begins at sea level in Golfito, the small town overlooking Golfito Bay. The hotel provides a 4x4 shuttle, and you quickly and bumpily make your ascent over 350 metres on a road less travelled. An entourage of staff smiles and beckons you toward the first of many healthy and fresh fruit smoothies to welcome you to Cielo Lodge. As you walk along a long, perfectly straight, and wide wooden corridor, a painting-like view slowly comes into view. Taking a moment to collect your jaw from the floor, you take it in, and depending on the guest, you might find yourself trying to call every relative and close friend to tell them about the place, or simply sit silent in a moment of reverie

Each of the 6 suites boasts a sumptuous four-poster bed, generous balcony and, perhaps most impressively, a totally private outdoor shower. The beauty of Cielo Lodge is its ability to get the most wired-in of guests to tune out of their daily grind and into nature. The open design is unapologetic about this, and you’ll notice sooner or later that there are no blinds to shut away light or even solid glass to divide the balcony from the room. And you’ll be thankful that there isn’t after your first night’s sleep! This approach taps you directly into the sounds, scents, and rhythms of the rainforest and will have you feeling like a real human being in no time

Like the local excursions, all meals, snacks, and non-alcoholic drinks are included, so you can really just focus on enjoying your time and very little else. Breakfast includes incredibly fresh and vibrant fruit, fresh breads, plátanos maduros, and a host of interesting purees and sauces like the cinnamon toast accompaniment miracle that will have you reaching for another scoop. The seafood dishes, such as ceviche and locally caught fish, are prepared with real care to let the quality of the ingredients shine. Everything in Cielo is open, including the kitchen, so if you have a particular request feel free to speak to the staff as they’re eager and proud to help. After a day out hiking to a waterfall, spotting majestic whales or interacting with dolphins, cocktail hour is the perfect way to soak it all in and enjoy an ever-changing sunset view.

Boutique and Luxury Hotels Golfito