13 Most Sustainable Eco Lodges in Costa Rica
Costa Rica has rugged terrains, high mountains, and a extensive rainforests that spans roughly across a quarter of the country. For eco-tourists, Costa Rica is nothing short of heaven.
But when a country is so diverse and in touch with nature, nothing matters more than keeping its relationship with mother nature intact. This is why Costa Rica is a pioneer in ecotourism and one of the leading countries in renewable energy.
The origin of eco-lodges also stems from Costa Rica. The first-ever eco-lodge was Rara Avis, established in the 1980s.
And you’ll find that in addition to these eco-lodges, most Costa Rican hotels are also going eco-friendly, which only proves how great the country is in its effort to preserve the environment. So, here is a list of some of the best and most unique eco-lodges in Costa Rica not in order. For even more inspiration, browse our directory for Costa Rica.
What are eco-lodges?
Eco-lodges are accommodations in undisturbed, remote natural areas where both construction and operation have the lowest impact possible on the environment. They are not only part of the local community, but they are active participants in protecting nature and culturally sensitive areas.
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Costa Rican Eco-Lodges
Here is a map to see where these eco-lodges are located:
Origins Lodge
Origins Lodge, located in Alajuela, northern Costa Rica, provides a seamless blend of luxury and eco-conscious living. Nestled amidst a dense rainforest, the lodge offers guests the opportunity to enjoy breathtaking views that stretch almost to Nicaragua.
This tranquil eco-lodge serves as a serene nature retreat, where guests wake up to the sounds of wildlife. It boasts a farm-to-table restaurant sourcing ingredients from its own organic garden and farm, spa treatments utilizing natural ingredients, a bamboo yoga studio, hiking trails leading to a nearby waterfall, and guided bird watching and nocturnal walks.
Committed to environmental sustainability, Origins Lodge minimizes energy use through solar water heating, LED lighting, and rejecting air conditioning. The lodge also focuses on reforestation, planting 500 native trees annually, on conservation and community support.
Rios Lodge
Rios Lodge is an award-winning eco-lodge, operated by a team of family and friends, nestled deep within the rainforest in the province of Limón. All cabins are just a stone’s throw from the Pacuare River, where visitors arrive and depart via rafts.
Rios Lodge serves as a sanctuary where the tranquility meets hospitality, offering unique opportunities for adventure and relaxation such as yoga classes, zip-lining, bird watching, and exploring waterfalls and swimming holes.
From the comfort of your cabin, you can watch the dense canopy, which is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including colourful toucans and howler monkeys.
The eco-lodge operates off-the-grid, powered by clean hydroelectric energy. Ten solar panels supply power to the kitchen and dining area. The lodge not only promotes ecotourism but also regenerative tourism, working diligently to safeguard this private reserve.
Playa Cativo
Playa Cativo is a luxury eco-lodge located on the remote shores of Costa Rica’s Golfo Dulce, accessible only by boat. Surrounded by Piedras Blancas National Park, it offers complete immersion in one of the country’s most biodiverse regions.
The lodge blends sustainability with comfort, featuring oceanfront rooms that open directly to the sounds of the rainforest and the sea. Guests can enjoy guided rainforest hikes, kayaking through mangroves, snorkeling in coral reefs, or joining birdwatching tours led by naturalist guides.
Playa Cativo runs entirely on renewable hydropower and solar energy, emphasizing sustainable operations from its organic farm-to-table restaurant to its waste reduction and reforestation initiatives.
Arenas Del Mar
Arenas Del Mar in Manuel Antonio in the Puntarenas region is close to several of the best waterfalls in Costa Rica and with direct access to two pristine beaches.
The resort combines upscale comfort with deep environmental commitment. Guests can spot sloths, monkeys, and scarlet macaws from their balconies, take guided nature walks, surf lessons, or enjoy wellness treatments inspired by local ingredients.
Arenas del Mar is fully carbon neutral and operates with strong sustainability principles. Certified by the Costa Rican Tourism Board’s highest level in sustainable tourism, it stands as a leading example of how luxury and environmental stewardship can coexist seamlessly.
Cielo Lodge
Cielo Lodge is a boutique eco-lodge above the rainforest canopy near Golfito in southern Costa Rica. It offers a secluded retreat surrounded by 380 acres of protected forest rich in wildlife, overlooking the tranquil waters of the Golfo Dulce.
The lodge features six elevated canopy suites open to sweeping views of the ocean and jungle, built with natural materials to minimize environmental impact. Guests can explore nearby mangroves by kayak, hike to hidden waterfalls, or relax by the infinity pool while listening to the sounds of the rainforest.
Powered by renewable energy and operating with a low-impact philosophy, Cielo Lodge sources local ingredients for its meals and supports conservation efforts in the region. It provides an experience of quiet luxury where sustainability and serenity meet high above Costa Rica’s southern coast.
Rio Perdido Hot Springs
Rio Perdido is an eco-luxury lodge within a 1,500-acre private reserve in Guanacaste, Costa Rica. Its name means “lost river,” since the property is in a geothermal canyon where hot mineral springs flow through the forest, creating a natural spa setting.
The lodge combines adventure and wellness with comfort. Guests can zip-line across the canyon, float through thermal waters, mountain bike along forest trails, or unwind at the open-air yoga deck and spa. The forest bungalows blend into the natural surroundings, offering privacy and panoramic views.
Rio Perdido operates sustainably, drawing power from renewable sources and employing most of its team from nearby communities. Its restaurant highlights farm-to-table cuisine featuring local ingredients. With its balance of design, adventure, and nature, Rio Perdido is a sanctuary for those seeking both thrill and tranquility.
El Remanso Lodge
Another secluded eco-lodge in the Osa Peninsula, the El Remanso Lodge lies just beyond the soothing shores of Golfo Dulce, deep inside one of the most biodiverse regions on Earth. It neighbours Piedras Blancas and Corcovado National Parks.
Suspended bridges, forest trails, and hidden waterfalls are just steps away from the private bungalows. Guests can join guided hikes, birdwatching tours, or waterfall rappelling adventures, or simply relax in hammocks listening to the calls of howler monkeys and scarlet macaws.
El Remanso has earned Costa Rica’s highest sustainability rating, Level 5, for its commitment to eco-friendly operations. It runs on renewable hydro and solar power, and manages its own water systems.
Arenal Observatory Lodge & Spa
In La Fortuna, a region also famous for its zip-lining parks, just a little distance from the Arenal volcanic mountain lies the Arenal Observatory Lodge & Spa, which offers breathtaking views and promising sustainable tourism.
Because it is located so close to the Arenal Lake and Volcano, the lodge tries its best to maintain a healthy vibe. From planting their own gardens, using mountain spring water, using natural and biodegradable products for garden maintenance to installing a natural sewer treatment plant to ward off any pollution, the Arenal Observatory has thought it all. You’ll also find that the Lodge uses minimal electricity and cook from organic materials, a naturalist’s delight!
SCP Corcovado Wilderness Lodge
Near the Corcovado National Park and the Corcovado Jungle, you’ll find a private eco-lodge called the SCP Corcovado Wilderness Lodge. The secluded eco-lodge promises an environmentally friendly stay among the residents of the jungle, which means you’ll be completely in sync with nature. In fact, you might have a hard time spotting some of its lodges because they’re completely in disguise under the shades of trees by the Pacific Ocean.
The lodge offers a rustic ambiance and participates in ecotourism. Corcovado Wilderness Lodge uses sustainable materials, energy-saving systems, and completely organic and biodegradable products. And, if you’re looking for an immersive experience, you’ll love the lodge’s animal-friendly tours.
Lapa Rios Rainforest Lodge
Lapa Rios Lodge is a destination fitted with luxury. From strong ecotourism to offering lush services, this rainforest lodge is a place where you can let loose and enjoy a soothing stay. Tucked in the rainforest at Osa Peninsula, the center of Costa Rican bird watching, this is one place that gives you direct access to nature.
The hotel uses local products and makes use of ecological solutions. It was the first hotel to receive the Certification for Sustainability Tourism. It treats its wastewater through natural bacteria and limits water wastage by collecting water directly from a rainwater harvesting system. You’ll find alternative energy sources used here like solar panels and photocells, and many nature-friendly programs.
Nayara Tented Camps
When you take a glance at the Nayara Tented Camp, you won’t really think it’s real. For anyone who’s looking for an unrealistic luxury and the simplicity of nature, the Nayara Tented Camp is a true eco-resort.
Each spacious tent features a private plunge pool fed by natural hot springs, outdoor showers, and expansive decks designed for wildlife viewing, often of toucans, sloths, and tree frogs. The interiors combine canvas, wood, and local stone, creating a refined yet immersive connection to nature.
Sustainability is central to Nayara’s philosophy. The resort reforested former cattle pastures with thousands of native trees, relies on solar energy, eliminates single-use plastics, and supports local employment and education initiatives.
Rancho Margot
Rancho Margot is a self-sustaining eco-lodge and organic farm located near Lake Arenal in northern Costa Rica. It is also a living example of regenerative tourism, demonstrating how a community can thrive in balance with nature while inspiring visitors to adopt more sustainable practices in their own lives.
The lodge operates almost entirely off the grid. It produces its own electricity through hydro power, recycles waste, purifies its own water, and grows nearly all the food served on-site. Guests can tour the organic gardens, learn about permaculture and renewable energy systems, or take part in hands-on workshops that reveal how the ranch sustains itself independently.
Natural materials and open to views of the surrounding forest and river await visitors here. Activities include yoga, horseback riding, guided nature walks, and volunteering in the gardens or animal stables.
Esquinas Rainforest Lodge
Esquinas Rainforest Lodge is a secluded eco-lodge located in Costa Rica’s southern Puntarenas region, bordering the pristine Piedras Blancas National Park. Hidden deep within the rainforest, the lodge offers complete immersion in nature, surrounded by towering trees and the sounds of tropical wildlife.
Designed as a sanctuary for naturalists and eco-conscious travelers, Esquinas Rainforest Lodge provides a tranquil escape where guests can hike through dense jungle trails, observe colorful birds and monkeys, or unwind by the natural swimming pool. Guided tours introduce visitors to the area’s exceptional biodiversity and to conservation projects that protect the Golfo Dulce Forest Reserve.
The lodge is a pioneer in sustainable hospitality. It produces its own organic fruits and vegetables, operates on renewable hydro and solar energy and has its own wastewater treatment plant. Through reforestation efforts and support for local communities, Esquinas Rainforest Lodge demonstrates how responsible tourism can help preserve one of Costa Rica’s most fragile ecosystems.
Map
As you can see, there are plenty of unique and beautiful eco-lodges in Costa Rica. You will be spoiled for choice if you are searching for a sustainable holiday.
More eco-lodges in other regions
Emese Maczko is a travel blogger behind Eco Lodges Anywhere. Having explored several destinations around Europe, the US, Indonesia, and Australia, and resided in Germany, the United Kingdom, and Luxembourg, Emese possesses a keen understanding of diverse cultures and an appreciation for the beauty of each destination she visits. She advocates for sustainable travel and ecotourism.