Cecropia Travel Blogs

Every so often, you stumble upon a place so magical that leaving just feels wrong. 

For me, that place was El Remanso. 

Normally, I use a hotel as a base – somewhere to rest my head before heading out to explore. 

But here? I didn’t want to leave. 

Between the jungle trails, top-class service, and wildlife encounters at every turn, I found myself more than content with wandering the 185 acre property at leisure. 

Perched deep in the wild beauty of Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula, where lush rainforest spills into deserted beaches, El Remanso redefines what eco-luxury means. 

This isn’t just a hotel stay – it’s an immersion in nature, comfort, and luxury. 

Read on to learn more about my time at El Remanso.

Where is El Remanso?

El Remanso is found at the heart of Costa Rica’s Pacific South, in the Puntarenas province.

The location is one of the leading factors as to what makes El Remanso so special.

First, you need to make your way to Puerto Jimenez – the gateway to Corcovado National Park. 

Depending on your timeframe and budget, you can either get here by car or flight – both of which the team at Cecropia Travel can organise. 

Then, it’s a 40-minute 4×4 ride further south into the remote Osa Peninsula – one of the world’s most pristine rainforests and home to nearly 6% of all life on Earth. 

This journey is the start of the adventure. 

Scarlet macaws fly overhead, monkeys call out from the canopy around you, and the ocean waves lap at the shore besides you.

What Makes El Remanso Special?

Secluded in the Osa Peninsula, engulfed by near-endless primary and secondary rainforest, El Remanso is simply a tropical oasis. 

It is more than just a hotel. It’s an experience. 

Now, this is going to sound cheesy, and I certainly haven’t been endorsed to say this, but from the moment you walk through the doors, you feel taken care of.

The team welcomes you with a refreshing natural juice. After, your personalised experience begins. 

This isn’t just a generic saying. 

The team at El Remanso will sit down with each and every client to discuss what guests would like to do during their time at the lodge. Then, a schedule will be created.

Sounds like something straight out of The White Lotus – without the drama. 

Whether it’s early morning bird watching and guided river walks, to waterfall rappelling or ziplining, there are plenty of activities to do in and around El Remanso. 

On-site trails lead down to one of the most beautiful, untouched beaches in the area. Again, during your personal meeting, the team will show you routes, as well as tide-times and optimal hiking hours.

The Food at El Remanso

I’ve been living in Costa Rica for six years now, and at this point, I’d say I’m pretty used to the local food. It’s simple, filling, and, if I’m honest, sometimes a little plain (sorry, rice and beans, I still love you).

However, the chefs at El Remanso have managed to create something quite special.

They take fresh, locally sourced ingredients and somehow transform them into dishes that feel both elevated and deeply connected to the land.

And best of all? Every meal is included in your stay.

Wake up to smoked trout, a sustainable stand-in for salmon, alongside still-warm bread and a plate of fresh tropical fruits so juicy they put supermarket produce to shame.

By the afternoon, it’s all about decadent chocolate desserts that make you forget about everything else – until dinner rolls around, and you do it all over again.

Right now, as I write this, I’m sitting in the open-air restaurant of El Remanso, tucking into a hearty lunch of fresh Costa Rican produce. Around me, the jungle encroaches around the restaurant. In the distance, the Pacific Ocean glints and glimmers, beckoning me for an afternoon swim.

To one side of me, a large group of capuchin monkeys are causing a commotion.

In front of me, tiny squirrel monkeys clamber the outermost branches of the nance tree, eagerly foraging on the equally small nancite fruit. 

On my other side, a troop spider monkeys hang suspended in the canopy, supported by their strong and muscular tails.

It’s surreal – like having a three-course lunch while watching a live David Attenborough special.

It’s a stark reminder to me – we are guests to the natural world. Not the other way round.

Between meals, there’s even a coffee station stocked with rich, local brews and homemade treats. It’s a small touch, but exactly what you need after a sunrise birdwatching hike or an afternoon swim.

Honestly? Dining at El Remanso isn’t just about food – it’s a gastronomical experience, one that lingers long after the last bite.

Sustainable Tourism

Since opening its doors in 1999, El Remanso has been a pioneer in sustainable tourism on Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula.

Long before “eco-luxury” became a standard phrase in the tourism dictionary, El Remanso were already setting the standard – running entirely on their own micro-hydro system, recycling and composting waste, treating wastewater, and creating jobs for more than 30 people from nearby communities.

Food follows the same ethos: if it can’t be sourced locally and sustainably, it’s not on the menu. Simple.

It’s a refreshingly honest approach, one that ties every meal directly to the land and people who make it possible.

That deep connection runs through everything here – whether it’s the team, the materials used to build the villas and rooms, or the philosophy of respecting the rainforest that surrounds them.

El Remanso’s guiding principle is simple but powerful: coexist with nature, while supporting the communities who call this place home.

It’s a truth that conservationists know well – lasting protection of nature can only happen when local people are at the heart of the effort. And an approach I can fully support and get behind.

Even the buildings reflect this commitment.

Every structure is crafted with certified plantation wood or materials chosen for their minimal environmental impact. The villas themselves strike a balance: private and luxurious, often with plunge pools, yet thoughtfully designed to blend into the landscape.

Handcrafted details bring in local artistry, while wide-open views of untouched forest invite you to disconnect from modern life, and reconnect with the simple beauty of our natural world.

Things To Do at El Remanso

I can guarantee that you will not be bored at El Remanso. 

The incredible nature and scenery around the property is enough to lose yourself in for days at a time. 

But there is so much more included in your stay. 

Early morning bird watching, guided waterfall hikes, night tours, natural history tours. The list goes on. 

During my stay, I had the privilege of joining three included excursions. 

Of course, additional excursions can be organised – turtle tours, a visit to Corcovado National Park, adrenaline adventures. I’m just here to talk about my experiences at El Remanso.

Guided Night Hike

As the sun set over the Pacific ocean, a small group of tourists began to gather, ready to discover the natural residents that only came out with the approaching nightfall. 

The group, led by an expert guide from the area, didn’t have to travel far before we began spotting creatures of the night. 

In fact, very rarely in Costa Rica do you need to venture to a National Park to see wildlife. More often than not, an array of species can be found on your very doorstep. 

And let me remind you, El Remanso is set in a private reserve of 185 acres, so wildlife is never far away. 

Near immediately, our guide spotted the infamous fer-de-lance, or terciopelo, hunting by the waters edge. 

Whilst not the most venomous snake in Costa Rica (that title is held by the bushmaster), they are easily the most feared. 

Fer-de-lances belong to the viper family and are considered highly defensive snakes. If threatened or cornered, they will not hesitate to bite. 

Their aggressive nature, excellent camouflage and ability to live in human-modified environments, means they are responsible for the most snakebites in Costa Rica. 

Of course, our group gave the viper a wide berth. 

Along the walk, we ventured further into the jungle. A flash of a special UV light revealed a few glow-in-the-dark scorpions on a decaying tree. 

My highlight of the night walk was a bird I have never seen in the wild before: the Crested Owl – known for its long, white ear tufts.

Waterfall Hike

The following morning, I was up at the crack of dawn to join a bird watching tour. A whole manner of hummingbirds, manakins, tree creepers, and so much more, were spotted. 

Later, I took a guided hike to a nearby waterfall. 

The young guide had grown up on the Osa Peninsula, and expertly spotted a whole manner of wildlife begging to remain hidden. 

Peccaries, monkeys, and A LOT of birds were seen. I’m talking scarlet macaws, trogons, motmots, parrots. The list goes on. 

However, the wildlife wasn’t the only highlight. 

The scenery was absolutely breathtaking. From small jungle cascades, alive with rare blue shrimp, to sandy river banks with basking reptiles.

The hike took a few hours, following a natural river through the jungle, concluding at a freshwater swimming hole boarding the wild Pacific ocean. Bliss. 

Relax

But if it’s relaxation you’re after, El Remanso has you covered.

Lounge by the pool, soaking up the incredible views with a cocktail in hand. Or hike to the nearby Playa Matapalo for the ultimate beach experience. 

The hike isn’t for the faint-hearted, as it requires traversing some rather steep sections. But, for the most part, the path is well-maintained and offers some incredible rainforest and ocean views. 

When I arrived at the beach, there wasn’t another soul around. 

It was just me and nature. 

Scarlet macaws eagerly foraged for almonds above me. Coatis scrambled around the leaf-litter of the encroaching forest all around. Out in the ocean, pods of dolphins playfully leaped the breaking waves. 

I have never been to a hotel where luxury combines so effortlessly with the natural world. I was in absolute awe of my surroundings.

I wandered further down my private beach.

Soon, I stumbled upon a series of natural tide pools. Sheltered from the incoming waves by a series of rocky formations, the offered a refreshing and protected dip, ready for my return hike back. Just in time for an afternoon coffee.

Final Thoughts

A stay at El Remanso is as magical as it is unique.

Discover the breathtaking beauty of sprawling rainforest, alive with a myriad of life. Indulge in top-class, locally-sourced cuisine. And, most importantly, embrace the adventure that awaits you. 

By staying at this luxury ecolodge, you’ll be respecting the local ecology and communities, whilst celebrating Costa Rican cultures and traditions. 

El Remanso is more than just a hotel stay, this is an experience like no other.