Pura Vida Ecolodge is a beautiful & very private eco-luxury re-wilding retreat near Costa Rica’s South Pacific Coast. At around 4 hours drive (with 4x4) from San Jose International Airport, our unique & stunning location offers guests panoramic sea views & hangs dramatically over the jungle canopy. A perfect romantic getaway for nature lovers, an award-winning jungle nest for your family vacation and an adrenalin junkies paradise!

This is the place for guests who want to disconnect, be ‘off-grid’ and get away from it all. It’s for those of you who have a sense of adventure, are up for trying something new, enjoy bumpy and steep roads in a 4x4 (not AWD) and who, come rain or shine, won’t let the weather stop them from doing what they want. It’s an adrenalin junkies paradise, perfect for those who want to wake up to the sounds of monkeys, trek through the jungle and jump in a freshwater plunge pool all before breakfast!

The surrounding nature and a lifetime of travelling inspires what is the organic eco-luxury setting of Pura Vida Ecolodge .The high bamboo ceilings throughout are inspired from the traditionally Balinese steep roof angles giving way for light and air flow.  In contrast, the low roofline offers ample protection against powerful sun of the tropics, helping to always keep the interior spaces cool and airy. The sustainable variety of locally sourced building materials used both inside and out provides inspiration for anyone who appreciates their unique aesthetic qualities, and celebrates both an organic and stylish way of life.

The stucco wall finishes and polished concrete surfaces reflect a simple, open and uncluttered lifestyle, which compliment the contemporary bamboo furniture and largely wooden accessories. Whereas the natural stone finishes in the bathrooms combined with the antique brass fittings and bamboo faucets allow guests to really embrace the organic cleansing experience.

green living tastefully combined with eco-luxury

As 2022, we’re incredibly proud to be one of Costa Rica’s first Certified Members of 1% For the Planet Member. 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 currently donate 1% of annual revenue to environmental nonprofits & local conservation programs working on climate issues for people and our planet in our local Costa Rican area.

Pura Vida Ecolodge offers a plethora of unique facilities designed to allow guests to re-wild their souls and make their stay even more comfortable: breath-taking ocean views of Caño Island and the Osa Peninsula, a stunning infinity plunge pool surrounded by hanging sun decks and terrace overlooking the jungle canopy, relaxing sun beds, giant floor cushions and yoga platforms that invite you to reconnect with mother nature, an Alfresco sunset lounge area where guests can embrace the sea breeze and the many visiting animals from the surrounding jungle reserve. Why not enjoy a dreamy sunset while trying out our new ‘his & hers’ Contrast Hydrotherapy jungle tubs…

The stylish and organic charm of Pura Vida Ecolodge has been conceptualized to push design boundaries in terms of what is conventionally separated as interior and exterior spaces. While the bedrooms provide our guests with a secure ‘nest like area’, the rest of the retreat is beautifully open-plan with naturally rustic finishes throughout. The lodge is constructed largely of locally sourced guadua bamboo, finished off with oven roasted ornamental bamboo, with teak verandas and decks both of which combine perfectly with the classic stucco white washed walls, bear rock-wall finishes and minimalist polished concrete floors. At a little over 240m2, the Jungle Villa’s exterior space (just over 100m2) comprises of multi-level decks, hanging balconies topped off with a stunning infinity plunge pool with adjoining sun deck and outdoor rain shower, offering sunset views over the lush jungle canopy.

the protagonist of our jungle retreat is the traditional palapa-style tiki roof

…inspired by the native Bribri tribe of Talamanca but produced using a combination of a bamboo structure with a synthetic palm thatch made of recycled materials, a much more durable solution which unlike the traditional palm thatch, doesn’t provide a habitat for the areas insect population! The Jungle Villa's stylish interior design and warm lighting help to produce a tranquil and natural environment absolutely essential to the concept and success of the retreat. Pura Vida Ecolodge has its own parking facilities and sits dramatically on the edge of the rain forest overlooking the rich jungle canopy, offering guests spectacular panoramic valley & ocean views. Its attractive architecture has a distinct emphasis on outdoor green-living and is embellished with beautiful fabrics, furnishings and finishes helping to complete our eco-luxury signature style.

The main communal living space offers guests a fully equipped open-plan kitchen, dining table (space for 6) as well as a comfortable and contemporary lounge area. A teak wood hanging deck surrounds the whole of the upper level of our Jungle Villa, perfect for yoga, sunbathing or enjoying the fantastic panoramic views on offer. The Jungle Villa has two large double bedrooms, both with private balconies and decks and the luxury of ultra-efficient ceiling fans. The upstairs bedroom (with internal access via the lounge & living area) offers guests impressive ocean views while the downstairs bedroom (with outdoor access only), hangs right over the jungle canopy. Both bedrooms have en-suite bathrooms finished with natural perlato stone each with a large indoor walk-in rain shower (with solar powered hot water) and both rooms can be set up as King-size doubles or twins with 'sleep on nature’ orthopaedic beds that work in harmony with a customized pillow menu custom designed by Cocomat, providing our guests with the perfect nights rest. The Ocean view suite has an additional pullout day bed (for younger children or toddlers who don’t want to be downstairs alone in the Jungle Suite).

Organically designed from a stylish blend of bamboo, volcanic stone, teak, coconut and other locally sourced tropical woods

 — The nature reserve —

When we first found the land that is now home to Pura Vida Ecolodge, the largest part of the reserve was primary jungle and functioned as a fantastic wildlife corridor. Right from the beginning we knew that we weren’t going to disrupt what is essentially home for over 850 species of animals and with this in mind, less than 5% of the Pura Vida Ecolodge Reserve has been used for architectural buildings and all the primary jungle part is now protected as the Pura Vida Ecolodge Private Reserve.

a selection of wild but accessible nature trails await…

The nearest and easiest nature trail starts from the jungle retreat itself and the carefully crafted steps wind their way through both primary & secondary jungle, where if you set off early you're likely to see (or at least hear) large groups of Congo monkeys playing in the trees. You’ll cross a couple of creeks and streams, leading guests to a beautiful two-tier waterfall which is in full flow during Costa rica’s Green Season. There are more challenging trails and hikes on the edge of the reserve, taking you all the way to Cascada El Pavon - a much longer hike but well worth the investment! There is no better way to unwind than to wash off under the free-flowing water or bathe in a pure jungle water hole! Keep your eyes peeled en-route for all sorts of colourful and magical plants and creatures…

Nowhere else in the world are so many types of habitats squeezed into such a tiny area. The range of habitats in Costa Rica, a consequence of its unique geography, creates an incredibly rich diversity of flora and fauna – in fact no other country on the planet has such variety. Along with its diverse geography, the large number of species in Costa Rica is also due to the relatively recent appearance of the country. Roughly three million years ago Costa Rica rose from the ocean and formed a land bridge between North and South America, and as species from these two vast biological provinces started to mingle and mix, the number of species was essentially ‘doubled.’

The South Pacific zone enjoys two very different seasons, both of which will offer you a very different jungle experience. The Green Season (from May through to early December) provides the reserve with the necessary rain it needs for its various eco-systems and the creeks and streams become full and often fast flowing.

Adventurous guests can take advantage of the ‘His & Hers Rain Jackets’…

…In contrast which will keep you bone dry as you trek through the jungle. In contrast, El Verano' (the summer season starting December through to April) brings strong and consistent sunshine, often drying even the heaviest of waterfalls and plunge pools at one stage or another. While The dry season is the busiest time in Costa Rica for tourism, no season is a bad season for exploring Pura Vida Ecolodge's natural environment and La Zona Sur. An added bonus of visiting between December and February is that many of the wintering migrant birds are still hanging around. A trip after the peak season may mean fewer birds, but it is a stupendous time to see dried forests transform into vibrant greens and it’s the time when resident birds begin their nesting season.

Luckily the Pura Vida Ecolodge is wild throughout the year…

…and while each season may attract different species to the reserve - You will hear howler monkeys (congos) most mornings as you wake, toucans finding their bed for the night as the sun sets and even the occasional sloth (perezoso), mountain leopard (leopardo) and panther (pantera) have all been seen in and around the reserve. After a couple of days up at Pura Vida Ecolodge, you'll see that birds in Costa Rica come in every color, from strawberry-red scarlet macaws to the iridescent jewels called violet sabrewings (a type of hummingbird) and all turn up in abundance for the sunset ‘orchestral chorus’ every evening

Enjoy this completely untouched location, as this is your chance to really embrace the Pura Vida lifestyle…