Senior Travelers: Adventure at Corcovado Wilderness Lodge - Paradise Found!
If you are a senior who is physically active, you should not miss this spot. People of all ages come to Corcovado Wilderness Lodge to enjoy nature, hikes and perhaps a water adventure.
Our journey began to our first destination, Corcovado Wilderness Lodge.
Completely off the grid, this property is accessible only by boat. While my husband and I did some research on this lodge we were not prepared for what an exceptional experience awaited us.
As I mentioned in my previous post, we were traveling with friends. They were going to take this same trip the year before but didn’t. My friend had been working with Costa Rica Expeditions, a travel agency located in San Jose, Costa Rica. I will write more about this later but for now I want to indicate that this company did a fantastic job of pulling it all together for us.
Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica
Nestled in the heart of Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula, Corcovado Wilderness Lodge is an all-inclusive luxury property set within what National Geographic has called “the most biologically intense place on Earth.” Perched above the beach, the 189-acre property is bordered on three sides by 450,000 acres of protected National Park and reserves. The fourth side opens to stunning ocean views. The lodge features just 30 accommodations.
Getting There: An adventure in itself!
Reaching Corcovado Wilderness Lodge is no ordinary journey. To get to the Lodge we had to take several modes of transportation.
We navigated a mix of transport methods. It wasn’t a hassle, it was exciting.
A van ride
A 50-minute flight on a small plane to Drake Bay
Another van ride
A motorboat wet landing (yes, we waded through water to board!)
We were picked up at our San Jose hotel at 6:40 am for an 8:10 flight. Our Sansa plane to Drake Bay held 14 passengers. The 50-minute flight started with a few bumps (which we were told to expect) but quickly smoothed out, offering breathtaking views of lush green mountains and the beautiful Pacific.
Because of the plane’s size, our luggage was restricted to 40 pounds with a 10-pound carry-on allowance. Anything above weight incurred a small fee, but we packed light and were able to store any extras with our tour company until our next destination. Forty pounds or less is about what we take anyway but our carry-on usually weighs a bit more than 10 pounds. If your bag exceeded those weights, we would have had to pay $1.5 more for each additional pound. (We also had to be personally weighed to make sure the plane was not overloaded with people and luggage.)
After landing at the airport in Drake Bay, we were promptly picked up for another van ride, about thirty minutes, to the boat landing that would take the four of us to the Lodge.
We waded in the water to board - “wet landing” - the boat in warm shallow calm water.
No Roads to the Lodge, Journey Starts to a Boat Ride to Lodge’s Secluded Beach Where Happy Faces Greet You
On the boat, we were warmly greeted by Diana, the hospitality manager. As we cruised through the wetlands, she introduced us to the exciting activities ahead, answered our questions and pointed out interesting elements of the habitat.
As we arrived at the Lodge’s shore - another wet landing - more Lodge employees were on hand to steady the boat as we disembarked, gave us towels and had a jeep waiting to drive us to the reception area.
Note: We were told that while the shore to the entrance to the Lodge and Corcovado National Park looked beautiful, it was dangerous to swim at this location since the current could be strong and unpredictable.
Where Everyone Knows Your Name!
Where everyone knows your name!
One of the first things that struck us immediately was how every single staff member knew our names. When I asked how that was possible, they explained they receive guest names before arrival and possibly a photo — with only 30 accommodations, it’s easy for them to connect names with faces.
This personalization made us feel very comfortable and welcome throughout our stay.
After checking in we enjoyed a delicious taco lunch on the terrace, spent some time relaxing at the pool and then took a guided walk around the property.
Our accommodations
Wow!
Great for relaxing!
After lunch, we made our way to our accommodations. We were fortunate enough to be booked into one of the bungalows. These are free standing and very private. The large ocean view treehouse is a unique experience. The room is large and comfy. There is air conditioning. What really took my breath away was the expansive porch equipped with a outdoor deep bathtub, a hammock to laze away the hours, and some chairs. There were views of the Pacific Ocean and Corcovado National Park. Even from the glass shower we could see glimpses of the ocean and jungle.
(If you read the reviews some people complained that there can be hot water issues. We did not have that issue, but our friends did, and the Lodge quickly made adjustments to fix that.)
Spacious and Quiet Bungalow
Jungle Adventure Without Leaving the Property
We didn’t have to go too far to encounter nature.
A Nice Spot to Refresh After the Day’s Activities
After taking a dip at the pool and relaxing in our bungalow, we met staff member, Jason, who led a small group of new visitors on a property tour. We encountered scarlet macaws, hummingbirds, monkeys, and coatis.
These gorgeous birds glided overhead.
Tip: Along the trails, especially in the evening and morning, there were often coatis on the sides of the walkway. Don’t get too close. They won’t bother you if you don’t bother them.
You will see lots of them here.
Jason also pointed out different types of vegetation and told us that we should not touch or smell certain plants and flowers. Some of them looked nearly the same.
Even our initial walk around the grounds revealed incredible biodiversity.
Lots of hibiscuses on the property but there is a flower that looks nearly the same that can be toxic.
Be Sure to See the Sunset at Inspiration Point
At sunset, a Lodge driver drove us out to Inspiration Point for a lovely panoramic sunset. The sunset lingers so take your time.
Tip: Since the trail can be a bit steep and uneven in certain areas and very dark after sunset, it is a good idea to arrange to have Lodge staff transport you up and back.
Jeeps/carts are available to guests but always driven by staff. If requested, Lodge staff can transport guests between rooms, pool, reception and dining areas.
Living Off the Grid
Because the lodge is off the grid, most of the staff live on a nearby section of the property.
Activities start early
Need to Get an Early Start to Beat the Heat
Even in the cooler dry season, the day heats up quickly. Activities start early—typically between 7 and 8 a.m. (that’s early for me). The Lodge provides everything you need: snorkeling gear, hiking boots, walking sticks—whatever your day’s adventure requires.
Dining at the Lodge
If you have allergies or other dietary needs, let the Lodge know ahead of time. They will do everything they can to meet your needs.
Corcovado Wilderness Lodge is all-inclusive, which makes sense given its remote location. Meals were very good—simple, fresh, organic where possible and satisfying.
Breakfasts included tropical fruit, a nice buffet spread, and eggs cooked to order—everything needed to fuel a day of exploration.
Lunches offered a choice of dishes, and dinners alternated between buffet and à la carte.
Dining Locations
Nice Dining Room with Cordial, Attentive Staff
You have a choice of where to enjoy your meals - either in the lovely dining room or on the large patio where the bar is located. During the day you can also enjoy the Beach Cafe.
Our only disappointment was that the large dining area overlooking the Pacific Ocean with a gorgeous view was being renovated so we could not dine there. Once it is finished it will be a spectacular place to dine.
While wine and cocktails aren’t included in the package, we indulged a bit each evening. The drinks were well-made, and yes—they didn’t skimp on the alcohol!
Why not try the Costa Rican specialty drink - Chiliguaro? It can be spicy! If you want to get a real taste of Costa Rica try this, at least once!
If this cocktail is too “hot” for your taste buds, check out a Guaro Sour, a specialty drink made with Costa Rican sugar cane rum. It is a light refreshing libation. I really liked it and had it more than once, or twice or . . . .
Days End
We collapsed into bed that night. Our day had been filled with adventure, kindness and expectations fulfilled. We could not wait for our first full day in Corcovado National Park.
So far, so wonderful:
Wonderful staff, gorgeous natural property, good food and drinks, wonderful accommodations, no loud music permitted anywhere, mindful guests
Important Note: If constantly being connected to the internet is important to you, staying here might be a challenge. Connections are pretty good in the restaurant and reception area. There might be some accommodations near to those areas that get better connections.
