La Paloma Lodge: Costa Rica’s Eco-Luxury Stay On Osa Peninsula

After more than 13 years of traveling throughout Costa Rica, I finally made it to the remote Osa Peninsula, staying at La Paloma Lodge for two nights in December.

This eco-luxury lodge combines guided adventures, wildlife experiences, sustainable tourism, and beautiful, airy accommodations. During my stay, I packed in multiple guided tours, like snorkeling and hiking Corcovado, while still finding time to relax in my ocean-view hammock surrounded by the sounds of the rainforest.

Now, I’ll be honest: La Paloma Lodge is high-ticket compared to many Costa Rica stays. But for travelers looking for a remote, all-inclusive eco-lodge experience in the Osa Peninsula, especially honeymooners, wildlife lovers, and adventurous travelers wanting a more comfortable way to experience Corcovado, I can absolutely see why it’s worth it.

I’m sharing my genuine experience staying at La Paloma Lodge, including the rooms, tours, food, wildlife, sustainability practices, and whether I’d personally stay here again.

La Paloma Lodge hosted me during this 2-night stay in exchange for an honest review; however, all thoughts are my own honest opinions and experiences.

My Experience Staying at La Paloma Lodge

My journey to La Paloma Lodge was a bit more adventurous than most guests’.  Instead of flying into Drake Bay, I traveled overland from Puerto Jiménez across the Osa Peninsula by public bus and shuttle on a hot, rainy day.

Once I reached Agujitas in Drake Bay, La Paloma sent a private boat to collect me. Like many boat transfers in Costa Rica, boarding involved a classic “wet landing,” meaning I had to walk through the ocean surf to climb into the boat.

From our landing on the private dock, I was ushered up to the main lodge in a golf cart, where staff welcomed me with one of the lodge’s signature sarongs so I could clean off and dry my feet.  Guests use these throughout their stay as towels, beach wraps, or after excursions, which is one of the lodge’s simple sustainability initiatives.

While my luggage made its way to my private bungalow, I sat down for lunch overlooking the ocean, as tropical birds flittered past. The moment I arrived, I could already tell this was going to be an incredible experience.

My Room Experience

I stayed in one of La Paloma’s private ranchos, which are spacious, cozy, and tucked into the surrounding jungle. The room opened onto a large porch with a hammock and ocean views, where I regularly watched hummingbirds perch in the trees outside.

Each rancho has air conditioning, though between the windows and ceiling fans, I rarely needed it. The design kept the space comfortable without disconnecting from nature.

I loved the connected bathroom, with open-air windows facing the jungle while still maintaining privacy. I watched spider monkeys through the open windows, crashing through the trees above while getting ready for dinner, which felt like a classic Osa Peninsula experience.

At night, I fell asleep to the sounds of the rainforest and didn’t even need my usual white noise machine.

While there is no WiFi in the individual rooms, only at the main lodge, I appreciated the chance to disconnect and settle into the slower rhythm of the jungle for a few days.

Dining at La Paloma Lodge

Because of the lodge’s remote location, all meals are included with your stay, including breakfast, lunch, dinner, and an afternoon snack. Meals are planned around excursions and tour schedules when needed, so you never have to worry about missing food while out exploring the Osa Peninsula.

One afternoon after snorkeling at Isla del Caño National Park, the staff even prepared a beachfront cookout lunch before I whisked away to the airport on my whirlwind trip.

Most meals included multiple options to choose from, and ingredients were sourced locally whenever possible. Dinner each night started with an appetizer before moving into a four-course meal and included a glass of wine, all served in the open-air main lodge.

One of my favorite parts of dinner was the community aspect. Guests are encouraged to dine together at a shared table, though there’s no pressure if you’d rather eat privately. As a solo traveler, this made the experience feel much less isolating, and I loved getting to know other guests between tours and meals throughout my stay.

Tours and Experiences Included With Your Stay

One of my favorite parts of staying at La Paloma Lodge was the included tours, with transportation and in-house guides. After spending a few weeks coordinating my own tours and transportation across other destinations in Costa Rica, it was nice to go with tour guides from the lodge and the same guests I saw around meal times, and not have to worry about planning on my own.

Most of the tours start early, and there is so much to experience in the Osa Peninsula, so I’d recommend staying at least 3 nights. Ideally, 4–5 nights would give you a more relaxed pace to fully enjoy both the adventures and the property itself.

If you’re combining Drake Bay with other destinations, this can fit really well into a longer Costa Rica route.

Corcovado National Park Tour

One of the included excursions during my stay was a guided tour to Corcovado National Park through the San Pedrillo ranger station, which is much quieter than the more popular La Sirena station.

The lodge provided two guides who split us into easy and medium-paced hiking groups so everyone could enjoy the experience comfortably. During the hike, we spotted scarlet macaws feeding in an almond tree, sloths, spider monkeys, more tropical birds, and even a crocodile. 

Transportation, guides, snacks, and cold water were all handled by the lodge, making the experience seamless.

That said, this hike still felt adventurous. At one point, I slipped near a sloped drop-off on the trail and caught myself upside down, holding onto a tree trunk, before the guide helped pull me back up. I only wish I had caught it on camera! (RIP to those sunglasses though 😞)

We also crossed a river at one point that completely soaked my hiking boots. 

Little luxury? The lodge had them fully dry again before my night tour later that evening.

If you do this tour, I’d recommend bringing waterproof shoes, a reusable water bottle, and binoculars if you have them, though the guides do carry spotting scopes.

Wildlife sightings can be less frequent here than at La Sirena, so coming in with an open mind rather than expecting to see one specific animal will make the experience much more enjoyable.

Isla del Caño Snorkeling Tour

The Isla del Caño snorkeling tour was honestly a dream and easily one of the highlights of my stay. The water was incredibly calm during my visit, making it a great option even for nervous swimmers, and the guides stayed nearby the entire time. Life jackets were also available for anyone who wanted one.

While snorkeling, we saw huge schools of tropical fish, sea turtles, and multiple kinds of puffer fish. Isla del Caño is known as one of the best snorkeling spots in Costa Rica, and it absolutely lived up to the hype for me (and I’ve even snorkeled at the Belize Barrier Reef!)

After a quick snack break on the island, we got back out into the water for another look before returning to the lodge for a cookout on the beach. There’s also a short but steep trail to a lookout point on the island if you want a view above the coastline.

One thing to know beforehand: the bathrooms on the island are extremely rustic, and if you tend to get seasick, you may want Dramamine for the boat ride since conditions can sometimes get rough. 

I’d also recommend bringing a waterproof camera or phone pouch because you’ll definitely want photos underwater.

🤿 See the best snorkeling in Costa Rica on your own

Night Tour with the Bug Lady

One of my favorite tours I’ve ever taken was the nighttime wildlife tour led by local biologists Tracie, known as “The Bug Lady,” and her husband Gianfranco, a Costa Rican naturalist who co-wrote The Pocket Guide to Mammals of Costa Rica for Cornell University.

The tour takes place around the lodge property and was packed with information that my biology-major self absolutely loved. During the walk, we spotted frogs, spiders, crabs, a scorpion, and even a raccoon moving through the jungle at night.

Even if you are not especially into bugs, I still think this tour is worth doing. It felt more like a fascinating look into the hidden nighttime world of the rainforest than a bug-focused excursion.

The tour lasts about 2.5 hours, and I’d recommend bringing a headlamp, closed-toe shoes or boots, and long pants.

I want to book this night tour!

Planning your visit and what to expect

One of the things that would justify the price for me was how many details and logistics La Paloma handled throughout the stay. The experience felt seamless from arrival to departure.

Included with your stay:

• Two guided excursions
• Night tour with the Bug Lady
• In-house guides and transportation coordination
• Breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily
• Four-course dinners plus an included glass of wine
• Daily housekeeping
• Fresh filtered water delivered to the room daily
• Biodegradable toiletries + hair dryer
• Rooms have air conditioners, ceiling fans, a safe, several seating areas, and a large back porch with a hammock
• Shared oceanview swimming pool
• Shoe drying room for wet boots – which came in handy after soaking them in the river!
• Sarong towels for excursions and beach use
• Evening turn-down service
• Wifi available at the main lodge, encouraging us to disconnect in the bungalows
• Private access path to beach (though all beaches are public in Costa Rica)
• Kayaks available for guest use
• Optional add-ons for scuba diving, whale watching, birding, fishing, mangrove, and horseback riding tours

The lodge also offers paid laundry service, which I was very happy to take advantage of after days of hiking, snorkeling, rain, etc in the jungle. Somehow, they even managed to get mud stains out of my sun shirt before I packed up to leave.

More than anything though, the staff really made the experience feel luxurious. Everyone was incredibly attentive, welcoming, and genuinely seemed to care about making guests feel comfortable throughout their stay. They remembered my name and even asked me how my last tour went.

Getting to Drake Bay and the Osa Peninsula

Getting to La Paloma Lodge takes a bit more effort than visiting many other parts of Costa Rica, but that remoteness is part of what makes the Osa Peninsula feel so adventurous.

Once arriving in San Jose, most guests travel either by small plane or private shuttle into Drake Bay. If you drive your rental car down, you’ll park it and transfer by boat down the Sierpe River.

From there, La Paloma helps coordinate transportation to the property, including the final boat ride across the bay to the lodge.

I thought I would be able to take a shuttle from Manuel Antonio, but there isn’t even really a public bus between these two areas, so be sure to plan ahead when planning your trip to Osa.

One thing to know before arriving: wet landings are common in Drake Bay, so expect to walk through shallow ocean water while boarding or exiting boats. Waterproof sandals or quick-dry shoes are extremely helpful.

If you’re planning your first trip to Costa Rica, it’s worth understanding what travel logistics and safety look like in more remote parts of the country before visiting places like Drake Bay.

See rates and book directly with La Paloma Lodge

How Long to Stay + Best Time to Visit

After only spending two nights at La Paloma Lodge, I honestly wish I had stayed longer. My short time there was absolutely packed with activities, from early morning tour departures to late night walking tours, without much downtime in between.

I can absolutely see why they recommend a minimum stay of three nights, though even that would probably feel like it goes by too quickly. I think 4-5 would be the ideal amount of time.

This is the perfect destination to lean into slow travel.

I visited in December at the start of Costa Rica’s dry season and still experienced plenty of rain, humidity, and muddy trails. The rainforest here is incredibly lush year-round, so come prepared for wet conditions no matter when you visit.

Wildlife sightings also vary throughout the year, and nature in Corcovado can feel unpredictable. The group who went out one day before us saw whales on their way to snorkel, although we never did.

After I left, the hotel spotted several tapirs and even a wild cat during evening walks. I witnessed several spider monkeys crashing through the trees one day, but it’s always different, so be open to what the jungle will reveal during your stay.

The “green” season, May to November, is known for the best wildlife sightings, and rates tend to be lower. Whale-watching has two seasons: August to early December and late December to March. It tends to rain less often between December and April, though you can still experience wet conditions.

In short, there isn’t really a “best” time to go, just one that works best for you.

What to Pack

Packing for La Paloma Lodge may be a little different than packing for a typical beach vacation since you’ll likely be hiking, boating, snorkeling, and spending most of your time in the rainforest.

A few things I’d especially recommend bringing:

• Lightweight, quick-dry clothing
• Swimwear
• Waterproof sandals or hiking shoes
• Rain jacket or poncho
• Reusable water bottle
• Binoculars
• Headlamp for the night tour
• Waterproof phone pouch or camera protection
• Dramamine if you get seasick
• Biodegradable bug spray
• Reef-safe biodegradable sunscreen

I also have a full packing guide with a printable download if you’re planning a trip to Costa Rica and not sure what to bring.

You’ll also want to embrace the reality that your clothes and shoes will probably get wet, muddy, or sweaty at some point. Thankfully, the lodge’s drying room and laundry service make that much easier to deal with.

Sustainability, Wildlife, and Responsible Tourism

Sustainable Design + Community

One of the things I appreciated most about La Paloma Lodge was how connected the property felt to the surrounding rainforest without sacrificing comfort. The ranchos are designed to stay naturally cool with open-air architecture, ceiling fans, and airflow that often made air conditioning unnecessary during my stay.

Small sustainability-focused details were woven throughout the experience, from biodegradable toiletries to reusable sarongs provided instead of beach towels (they use a fraction of water to clean compared to regular towels).

Meals are sourced locally, and food waste is composted or collected by a local farmer who owns pigs. Single-use plastics are minimized by encouraging guests to bring a reusable bottle, while the hotel brings beverages in glass bottles and recycles them.

The lodge also uses electric golf carts around the property, and there isn’t really vehicle access through much of the area.

La Paloma is locally owned and operated, and the experience feels intentionally connected to Drake Bay and the surrounding community rather than isolated from it like some larger resorts can feel.

Wildlife Around the Lodge

Wildlife sightings around the lodge are incredibly common. I watched hummingbirds from my hammock, spider monkeys crashing through the trees from my bathroom window, and toucans flying past the main lodge during dinner.

Other guests and staff shared stories of spotting tapirs, snakes, and even wild cats around the property at different times of year. The lodge is built on an old cow pasture, and the myriad of wildlife sightings in the thick jungle surrounding the buildings is a testament to their reforestation and efforts to minimize intrusion.

Combined with the included excursions into Corcovado and Isla del Caño, it constantly reinforced that this is one of the last truly wild parts of Costa Rica.

Why Responsible Tourism Matters Here

The Osa Peninsula is one of Costa Rica’s most biodiverse and least-developed regions, which is exactly why intentional tourism choices matter here. Visiting this part of the country is not just about checking off Corcovado National Park or seeing wildlife, but supporting the people and places that help protect it.

For me, La Paloma felt like a good example of eco-luxury done thoughtfully. It gives travelers a comfortable way to experience the rainforest while still keeping nature, conservation, and the local community at the center of the stay.

Contact La Paloma to book your stay!

Ready to Start Planning Your Costa Rica Adventure?

La Paloma Lodge reminded me that some of the best experiences in Costa Rica happen when you slow down a little and let yourself fully settle into a place instead of rushing from one destination to the next. Between the wildlife, rainforest, ocean views, and connection to the local community, this is so much more than just another hotel stay.

While it is a premium, experiences like this can completely change the way you experience Costa Rica, especially in places as wild and biodiverse as the Osa Peninsula.

Check rates and book directly with La Paloma Lodge

If you’re planning your own Costa Rica adventure, be sure to check out more of my Costa Rica guides here on Adventures Abound covering sustainable travel, itinerary planning, wildlife experiences, packing tips, and navigating remote destinations throughout the country.

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