Luxury eco friendly holiday at Lapa Rios Eco-Lodge in Costa Rica

Many people are turning to Eco-friendly, sustainable holiday destinations. According to Lonely Planet travel experts and editors, the top spot for outstanding luxury eco friendly holidays in 2014 is the Lapa Rios Eco-Lodge in Costa Rica.

The Area

The lodge is set within a private 1000-acre nature reserve bordering Corcovado National Park. Situated on Southern Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula’s tip, the private Lapas Rios Nature Reserve provides a highly important buffer for this National Park and is home to an incredible array of the region’s endemic species, including:

• Mantled Howler, Spider, Squirrel and White-faced Capuchin Monkeys
• More than 300 Bird Species, including Toucans and Scarlet Macaws
• Several Poison-Dart Frog Species
• Silky Anteaters
• Three-toed Sloth and More

The region is also the last Central American stronghold of the beautiful elusive Jaguar, as well as being home to 80% of the world’s total Sangrillo Colorado Tree population. Sangrillo Colorado trees are among 37 tree species currently in a critical state of extinction.

The Lodge

Built entirely from locally harvested, sustainable materials and in perfect harmony with their natural surroundings, the 16 private bungalows available to visitors are luxurious and offer stunning views and amenities including:

• King or two Queen-sized Beds
• Indoor Showers/ Bathrooms
• Private Decks with Hammocks, Lounge Chairs and Rain-Showers
• Complimentary local Morning Coffee
• Twice-Daily Cleaning and Evening Turn-down Services
• Waffle-Cotton Bathrobes and more

There is also a delightful central pool, and the main lodge features an exquisite restaurant, the Brisa Azul. To minimise the lodge’s impact on the environment and allow guests to be consistently close to nature, screens consist of nursery shade cloth and no herbicides or insecticides are used at any time.

Guests are also provided with locally crafted organic and biodegradable lotions, shampoos and soaps. In order to protect the fragile Eco-system, guests not wishing to use these locally made products are asked to ensure the products they bring are biodegradable.

Activities

Striving to bring nature and its conservation close to visitors, Lapa Rios Eco-Lodge offers an array of guided tours/ hikes through virgin rainforests; Carbonera River trips; the opportunity to plant sapling trees and more.

Three stunning beaches invite relaxation; there are enchanting waterfalls to be discovered, and the ocean is full of exotic marine life. Kayaking, surfing, bird and whale watching are also on the menu.