Yes. To reach our mountain sanctuary, a 4x4 is non-negotiable. The ascent involves steep, unpaved terrain that requires high clearance and low-range gears, especially during the green season. If you don’t already have your own 4x4 transport arranged, we recommend that you get in touch with our contact info@vamosrentacar.com . They have a good fleet of 4x4 cars, are Costa Rica owned, they price match and as long as you mention us when booking will offer a FURTHER 5% DISCOUNT.

If you're ready to book straight away, you can use this discount code:

https://vamosrentacar.com/?p=R00001

PLEASE NOTE that if the rains are extended and especially heavy come late afternoon/evening (during Green Season May-November), you may be wise to stay up at the lodge as the river in Tres Rios village occasionally rises so much so that the concrete bridge is temporarily un-passable. 

While in previous years this was quite a rare occurrence, in the last couple of seasons, due to the accelerating effects of the existencial climate crisis, it’s best to be warned and especially prudent especially as we're now seeing more extreme and unpredictable weather conditions/

With this in mind, we frustratingly envisage this route being flooded (at the bridge) more often than in previous years. We are of course waiting & praying for the local Municipality to build a better bridge here in Tres Rios but this is Costa Rica and these improvements happen very slowly. Please also bear in mind that while we of course regularly maintain our private entrance, access to Pura Vida Ecolodge is via the public road which is the responsibility of (and maintained by) the Osa Municipality. In recent years, they have made significant improvements to the road between Coronado and Tres Rios bridge, but after the bridge, the road can be bumpy and is very steep in parts. Naturally they do their best to maintain and make as safe and passable as possible but this is Costa Rica and the ‘to do’ list is never-ending. We thank you for your understanding in advance. After all a bumpy ride up is part of the off-the-beaten track adventure!

PLEASE NOTE: All car hire companies in Costa Rica require the driver to have (and present) a valid Credit Card when they pick up their 4x4 vehicle.

While most guests opt for having their own wheels and full independence to discover some of the areas off-the-beaten-track gems, we do understand that not all guests want the responsibility of having to hire a car and drive themselves. With this in mind, we can highly recommend Japi Travels.

And can help arrange airport transfers and local 4×4 taxi service for day excursions and adventures etc.

At Pura Vida Ecolodge, "Green Living" is an architectural philosophy. Our sanctuary is designed to breathe with the Osa Peninsula, utilizing high ceilings and open-air cross-ventilation to capture mountain breezes. By consciously removing energy-intensive air conditioning, we eliminate a significant carbon footprint while inviting the sounds of the jungle to become your natural soundtrack. This "passive cooling" design along with both ceiling & floor fans when necessary, ensures a comfortable, low-impact stay that prioritizes the health of the planet without sacrificing the elegance of a high-end retreat. It is luxury redefined through the lens of environmental intelligence.m description

It’s part of our "Slow Travel" philosophy. It takes time to shed the city hum and sync with the jungle’s rhythm. Practically, this reduces the carbon footprint of high turnovers, ensuring a more sustainable, deep-immersion experience for every guest. That said, we know that some guests are on a tight itinerary, so for the forthcoming season, we are also currently accepting 2-night stays.

We see our cleaning fee as a 'Preparation & Curation' service. It ensures the lodge is professionally deep-cleaned to the highest standards and that your Pura Vida Pantry is fully restocked with fresh, locally sourced organic staples & goodies for your arrival. We want your rewilding journey to begin the moment you walk through the door, without the need for a trip to the market

Included in the Pura Vida Pantry, along with all the basics such as rice, beans, herbs & spices, sugar & salt, coconut oil, overnight oats etc, you’ll find a variety of organic coffee beans ready to grind, ceremonial grade cacao, homemade oat milk with a dash of vanilla and a generous breakfast combo of jungle honey, homegrown canela, coconut butter, superfood seed mix, granola and an organic fruit basket - the perfect combo for your overnight oats :)

Reservations can be made easily online via our bookings page (just click on the BOOK NOW button the the right hand side. With password security settings, Patient Data Protection (HIPAA) and with SSL protection to all guest interactions we can guarantee guest security when booking online. Payment for direct bookings is via PayPal payment system which is naturally 100% secure, reliable, and convenient. We collect guest payments up front and in full when you make your reservation. We also uphold your cancellation policy from the moment the booking is accepted until the end of the reservation. Alternatively, you can book online via our booking partner Airbnb but you should expect to pay between 15-20% more on this platform, due to the Airbnb Booking fees etc.

Checkin window is between 3pm-6pm and checkout is at 9am latest.

When booking Pura Vida Ecolodge, please be sure that your flights into Costa Rica arrive early enough in the day to allow you plenty of time to pick up luggage, clear customs, pick up 4X4 HIRE CAR etc and then get down to the Coronado area well before nightfall. If the rains are extended and especially heavy come late afternoon/evening (during green season May-Nov), you may be wise to wait till the heavy rains pass as the river in Tres Rios village occasionally rises so much so that the concrete bridge is TEMPORARILY UN-PASSABLE. This has only happened a handful of times since we first opened, but best to be warned and prudent especially as we’re now seeing more extreme weather conditions in recent seasons due to the worldwide CLIMATE EMERGENCY and we envisage this route being flooded more often than in past years. If the TRES RIOS BRIDGE remains impassable for any considerable time or beyond the checkin window, there is the alternative PUNTA MALA ROUTE up to the lodge (please check for up-to-date conditions). We are waiting & praying for the local Municipality to build a better bridge here in Tres Rios but this is Costa Rica and these improvements happen very slowly. Please also bear in mind that Pura Vida Ecolodge is located on a public road which is both steep and bumpy in parts and is maintained and the responsibility of the local Municipality. YOU WILL 100% NEED A 4X4 CAR (NOT AN AWD) WHEN VISITING LA ZONA SUR and please don’t forget to pack your sense of adventure :)

*We cannot accept last minute changes to guests bookings based on lack of forward planning and/or extreme weather conditions that are outside of our control and kindly remind guests that we do have a strict cancelation policy in place and again, to fully respect the checkin window & checkout timings before making any necessary changes.

At Pura Vida Ecolodge we operate a strict cancelation policy. For guests who have booked via Airbnb, a 50% refund up to 2 weeks prior to arrival, except fees. This is available for our Jungle Villa listing for any stay throughout the year of 27 nights or less. For a 50% refund, cancellation must be made 14 full days prior to Pura Vida Ecolodge's local check in time on the day of check in, otherwise we cannot offer refunds. For example, if check-in is on Friday, cancel by Friday two weeks before check in time would be necessary. If the guest arrives and decides to leave early, the nights not spent are not refundable.

For bookings made via Trip Advisor/Holiday Lettings, we also have a Strict policy as follows (provided that the guest pays the full balance on time, they can receive (less traveller booking fee): A 50% refund of the total amount paid by the cancellation date if they cancel at least eight weeks before check-in.or a 25% refund of the total amount paid by the cancellation date if they cancel at least four weeks before check-in.

For direct bookings via the website, 90% of paid prepayments refundable when canceled 90 days before arrival or earlier. 50% of paid prepayments refundable when canceled 60 days before arrival or earlier.

Once the reservation begins (whether booked via vacation rental platform such as Airbnb or directly), any changes, issues or breakages must be requested or reported in writing via email to info@puravidaecolodge.com while guests are still up at Pura Vida Ecolodge. If the guest arrives and decides to leave early, the nights not spent are not refundable. No refund requests or changes will be accepted or considered once checked in if guests fail to communicate any potential issues before vacating the property.

PLEASE NOTE:

When booking Pura Vida Ecolodge, please be sure that your flights into Costa Rica arrive early enough in the day to allow you plenty of time to pick up luggage, clear customs, pick up 4x4 hire car etc and then get down to the Coronado area ideally before nightfall. *We cannot accept last minute changes to guests bookings based on lack of forward planning and/or extreme weather conditions that are outside of our control and kindly remind guests that we do have a strict cancelation policy in place and again, to fully respect the checkin window & checkout timings before making any necessary changes.

Absolutely. Our water comes from a pristine mountain source and is further purified on-site. It is delicious, mineral-rich, and completely safe, allowing us to remain a plastic-bottle-free sanctuary.

Regenerative Rituals We believe travel should give back more than it takes. Our commitment to nature is woven into every guest experience—from our zero-plastic, locally-sourced artisanal pantry to our "One Tree Planted" initiative for every booking. Through our People & Planet Project & 1 Percent for the Planet Membership, we help fund and support local coral restoration and sponsored beach cleanups, ensuring your stay supports the very ecosystems you come to explore. By employing a 100% local Tico staff and partnering exclusively with Costa Rican-owned operators, your retreat directly empowers the community, creating a restorative cycle of "Pura Vida" for both people and the planet.

Surprisingly, no. Due to our elevation and the lack of standing water, mosquitoes are rarely an issue. We provide a handmade bamboo canopy net for the "Jungle Sleep-Out" lounge, primarily as a romantic refuge and a "veil" against the evening’s curious jungle critters.

We offer reliable high-speed satellite internet. While we encourage a "digital detox," we understand the need for modern nomads to stay connected. It is stable enough for video calls, though we recommend letting the jungle be your primary "stream."

As a result of litigation filed by the tourism industry and others, the government’s plan to implement the QR code vaccine requirement has been put on hold. On November 12, a court in Costa Rica issued a preliminary injunction. This means that the court still needs to hear the merits of the case, where the government will need to show that it is 100% necessary/effective to implement the QR code scheme.

From April 1st 2022, businesses are not required to ask customers for proof of vaccination to enter and can all operate at full capacity. Previously, nonessential businesses had to operate at 50% capacity if they didn’t require vaccination. The government has abandoned this plan. For more information on the QR code program

For more info Two Weeks in Costa Rica

Both bedrooms have ensuite bathrooms. The Ocean View Suite is upstairs, has an external balcony with ocean view and can be accessed internally via the open-plan lounge and living area. It can be set up (if arranged in advance) as a Super King or a twin. It also has an additional day bed (single pullout). The Jungle View Suite is located downstairs (with external access only via the ground floor bamboo corridor or via the partially exposed/external staircase). It has its own covered balcony hanging over the jungle canopy and is equipped with a Queen Size bed. NOTE: For young families/younger children, parents may choose to take advantage of the additional day bed in Ocean View Suite and/or sofa bed in the lounge instead of using the Jungle View Suite.

While we currently only have sleeping space for up to 7 guests, Pura Vida Ecolodge, over recent seasons especially, has played host to some rather special Boutique Weddings, Yoga Retreats, Wellness & Re-wilding Escapes and Psychedelic Journeying. For all of the above, we can help arrange an array of high-end services such as photography & video, catering & private chef, masseuse and holistic therapies as well as private yoga & dance therapy classes. For more information please drop us an email on info@puravidaecolodge.com

Yes, our little ecolodge retreat is incredibly private as we have designed something special, ‘all for you and just for you’. Whether you’re honeymooners or a group of 7, you will have the entire property, including all indoor and outdoor spaces, yoga decks, plunge pool, nature trails and the jungle reserve all to yourselves.

When booking direct at Pura Vida Ecolodge, a pre-authorization of USD 400.00 is due 1 days before arrival and released 3 days after departure (this is secured at the time of booking with a credit card etc).

Pura Vida Ecolodge has a large 6-ring gas kitchen stove. BEFORE using the gas hobs in the kitchen, please lift up the glass lid and then AFTER USE, please wait for all oven rings/hobs to cool down 100% before lowering lid. Please do not leave oven hob(s) unattended and please do not place anything on top of glass lid.

Please do not climb, stand, sit or place excessive weight and/or force on the verandas/hand rails or table-corners of the hanging decks on the first level of the property (including the breakfast bar). While they are all perfectly safe and supportive, their function is as a veranda/hand rail and not for leaning over excessively or climbing over - however dramatic a photo moment it might provide. We are not responsible for any accidents or damages due to in-proper use.

Prior to checkin day, we are more than happy to help and advise guests to ensure they get the most from their Pura Vida Experience (either via email or Airbnb).

On checkin day, guests are advised to keep in touch with Juan Carlos with their ETA via whatsapp (details in welcome pack as both Kika & I are based in Italy so we’re generally 8 hours ahead). Juan Carlos is the Pura ida Ecolodge caretaker and meets guests at the designated meeting place, escorts guests up to the lodge and will give a brief tour of the retreat and its facilities. For any of the ‘day-to-day’ issues that guests may experience during their stay, they’re best to communicate with Juan Carlos direct (such as power outages or hot water issues etc).

If there are any problems or issues of a more serious or persistent nature (or any challenges with communications for our non-Spanish speaking guests etc), we request that you get in touch via email so that we can best help from afar or via whatsapp if it’s really urgent.

All booking change requests, issues or any breakages must be requested or reported in writing via email to info@puravidaecolodge.com while guests are still up at Pura Vida Ecolodge so that we can best accommodate our guests and find the appropriate solutions if necessary.

We understand that minor breakages may occur from time to time but would kindly ask guests to tell us right away if they do have any accidents and naturally guests are expected to clean up any damages before checking out (including any ceramic or glass breakages etc) and will be charged accordingly due to the severity of the breakages/accidents (based on replacement cost, delivery charges and installation costs.)

Costa Rica is located in Central America, bordered by Nicaragua to the north, Panama to the east and south, the Pacific Ocean to the west and south and the Caribbean Sea to the east. Costa Rica, which means "Rich Coast", constitutionally abolished its army permanently in 1949. It is the only Latin American country included in the list of the world as 22 older democracies. Costa Rica has consistently been among the top Latin American countries in terms of the Human Development Index, and ranked 54th in the world in 2007. The country is ranked 3rd in the world, and 1st among the Americas, in terms of the 2010 Environmental Performance Index. Due to the high quality of its human capital, Costa Rica is the world's fourth largest exporter of high technology. In 2007 the Costa Rican government announced plans for Costa Rica to become the first carbon neutral country by 2021. According to the New Economics Foundation, Costa Rica ranks first in the Happy Planet Index, is the "greenest" country in the world and recently won the Earthshot Prize in 2021

Pura Vida literally means "pure life", but the meaning is closer to "full of life", "purified life", "this is living!". It can be used as a greeting, as a word of farewell, to express satisfaction, or to politely express indifference when describing something. The phrase has become widely used by Costa Ricans (and expatriates) since 1956. Some foreigners view the phrase as an expression of a leisurely lifestyle, of disregard for time, and of wanton friendliness. However, Costa Ricans use the phrase to express a philosophy of strong community, perseverance, resilience in overcoming difficulties with good spirits, enjoying life slowly and celebrating good fortune of magnitudes small and large alike. Peace, Plants & Pura Vida

Eco-tourism is responsible travel to fragile, pristine, and usually protected areas that strive to be low impact and (often) small scale. It purports to educate the traveller; provide funds for conservation; directly benefit the economic development and political empowerment of local communities; and foster respect for different cultures and for human rights. Eco tourism is held as important by those who participate in it so that future generations may experience aspects of the environment relatively untouched by human intervention. Ecotourism typically involves travel to destinations where flora, fauna, and cultural heritage are the primary attractions. One of the goals of ecotourism is to offer tourists insight into the impact of human beings on the environment, and to foster a greater appreciation of our natural habitats.

An ecolodge is an environmentally low-impact home designed and built using materials and technology that reduces its carbon footprint and lowers its energy needs. Green Design or Sustainable Building, is the practice of creating structures and using processes that are environmentally responsible and resource-efficient throughout a building's life-cycle: from location choice to design, construction, operation, maintenance, renovation, and deconstruction. This practice expands and complements the classical building design concerns of economy, utility, durability, and comfort. Green buildings are designed to reduce the overall impact of the built environment on human health and the natural environment by: Efficiently using energy, water, and other resources, protecting occupant health and improving employee productivity, and reducing waste, pollution and environmental degradation.

The following have played a large part in the Green Living Concept:

Alternative building materials such as locally sourced Bamboo - Bioclimatic and solar passive houses - Energy saving and production - The implementation of Solar panels & heat collectors - Rainwater catchment and storage - Grey water treatment - Natural air conditioning - Composting toilets and so much more…

One of the core values at Pura Vida Ecolodge is a basic understanding of natural and social systems as this is integral to a sustainable relationship with the environment. Therefore, we aim to concentrate on educating both ourselves and our design team throughout the development and operational stages.

Sustainability is the capacity to endure. In ecology the word describes how biological systems remain diverse and productive over time. For humans it is the potential for long-term maintenance of wellbeing, which in turn depends on the wellbeing of the natural world and the responsible use of natural resources. Sustainability has become a wide-ranging term that can be applied to almost every facet of life on Earth, from local to a global scale and over various time periods. Long-lived and healthy wetlands and forests are examples of sustainable biological systems. Invisible chemical cycles redistribute water, oxygen, nitrogen and carbon through the world's living and non-living systems, and have sustained life for millions of years. As the earth’s human population has increased, natural ecosystems have declined and changes in the balance of natural cycles has had a negative impact on both humans and other living systems

Eco Farmer’s Markets are in Ojochal (Ojochal Racquet Club) Mondays 3pm-7pm, Bahia Ballena/Uvita on Wednesdays (8am - midday) & Saturdays (8am - midday) and in Dominical every Friday (8am - midday) and back in Ojochal (next door to Tagua) on Saturday mornings (8am-12pm).

Beach cleanups are currently every second Wednesday of each month at Playa Ventanas and fourth Wednesday of each month at Playa Tortuga (8-10am). An activity for the whole family - the more volunteers, the bigger the impact!

Pura Vida Ecolodge is incredibly proud to be Costa Rica’s first Certified Ecolodge Member of this wonderful platform that was founded to prevent greenwashing, certify reputable giving and provide accountability. The 1% for the Planet certification was given to our little jungle retreat as we met their high-bar commitment and pledge to donate 1% of annual revenue to environmental causes & local conservation programs

As the world seemingly spins off its axis, with experiential climate change, mass species extinction and ubiquitous contamination, we feel the need for refocussing our attentions on People & Planet, with a healthy balance of fear, anger, hope and action! We recognize it’s the healthy symbiosis and interconnection of us and the natural world that will enable us to both to survive and thrive. As we endeavour to be an advocate for Green Living, at Pura Vida Ecolodge we’re making every decision with the highest regard for both the local community and the world we call home, working with local conservation projects, platforms and partners. Our vision is to inspire action to both explore and protect the natural world that we need to reconnect with.