Name: La Leona Eco Lodge
Address: Playa Carate, 00000 Carate, Costa Rica, Rincon, Rincon, Rincon, 00000, Costa Rica
Rating: 9

Smoke-free property

Garden

Terrace

All Spaces Non-Smoking (public and private)

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Spanish

English

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Hiking

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Next to the beach

Pool and beach

Pets Not Allowed

Pets

Location

At the guest house

Room amenities

Puerto Jimenez Airport

Drake Bay Airport

Golfito Airport

Palmar Sur Airport

La Leona Eco Lodge

Rincon

It's like being in paradise, and the highlight of the tour is Alvaro, and it's incredible how he finds the animals even when they're still hidden, and it was very special when we finished the night walk, and we could watch a sea turtle laying its eggs on the beach without a trail.

Top destination of the year

Great location, South Sea feel, well-maintained facility. On arrival by 4x4 and then walking through the rainforest (optional along the beach), you are already immersed in a diverse world of animals and plants. Accommodation is very simple, even somewhat unloving. With a few little things it could be made much more beautiful and practical. Kitchen is good, even in vegetarian variation. Great tours with Alvaro, especially Rainforest tour were great. Staff was probably partly new. Kitchen and cleaning staff are very friendly and tiptop. Management is talkative and unskilled. The facility lives on the reputation of its past times and location is a little wonderful.

Great location, very easy accommodation

From Quepos/Manuel Antonio to Carate on the OSO peninsula next to Corcovado park entrance it is about a 5-hour drive. Three of the 5 hours are spent driving on pavement and the other 2 hours are on a well-maintained dirt road. A 4x4 is a good idea but not necessary unless. The drive from Manuel Antonio is beautiful once you get off the main highways. Incredible mountainous country roads through the jungle and fincas. It is truly stunning so don’t be in a huge rush. We saw Coatimundi, Toucans, and neat tropical forest birds like the Great Curassow. Never saw that before!  You will also see an awesome display of every finca animal you can think of. 

Once you get to Carate, La Leona has a base camp where you can securely park your car as you set out for about an hour-long hike to the beautiful La Leona Eco Lodge. You need to get there by 3 or 4 pm. I would not suggest walking in the jungle at night.  If you get there early enough or perhaps decide ahead of time, they can bring your stuff to the Lodge via a very charming horse carriage (see pic) that they use to bring supplies, weary travelers, and heavy bags. Nevertheless, if they know you are on your way, and it gets late, they will collect you to ensure you safely arrive. Normally, this would be no different from arriving at your campsite, but La Leona is so much more than that. My expectations were high and I was not disappointed. 

They have wonderful cabinas that provide what you need. For me, that was a beautiful view, with no Wi-Fi, street noise, and unlimited opportunities to see animals and nature and just get away and relax.  There is no electricity in the cabin or WIFI. But you do get a lot of candles and the walkways are well-lit. I used my phone flashlight. A regular flashlight would be better. Also, maybe an easy-to-carry stationary light for the cabin. 
They serve breakfast lunch and dinner but there is no menu. We had breakfast and dinner and had smoothies in between. If you give them enough notice, they can probably accommodate any reasonable diet restrictions. 

The staff is truly fantastic. It was great to see everyone working well together. Sometimes, the restaurant was at full capacity, other times, it was maybe half full. Regardless. we received fabulous service.  Felipe came and got us on your first day, Frank and Hidekel were like the ambassadors for the lodge. Always on hand to answer all our questions about the lodge, trails, the park, and animals.

One of the best things about staying there was the Coconut Spa. They have 3 different types of body treatments (Chocolate, Coffee, and Coconut) that combines fabulous exfoliating and hydrating creams and serums. Plus, they have a full range of massage options. I got the Coffee therapy; my friend got the Chocolate. There is something wonderful about getting a message in the middle of the Jungle.  

We stayed for a long weekend so arrived on a Friday and left on Monday morning. When you get there, you will find fabulous trails, plants, and wildlife all around you. Plus, you are just a 15-minute walk to the Corcovado Park ranger station and entrance. It was very important to me that I see the spider monkeys. I was not disappointed. A little troupe came down from wherever bounced around in the trees and did some flippy thing with their tails. Did you know that, unlike their other monkey counterparts, Spider monkeys only have 4 fingers? This is probably because their tail is so awesome. It is like another limb, they can hang upside down, etc. 

Overall, it was a wonderful stay in a truly fascinating and beautiful place. 


La Leona Lodge is well worth the trek for a much needed break

A paradise and authentic place for those who love nature and simplicity! Wild and beautiful beach, super nice team! We went there to be in nature, it's not a five-star hotel! We sleep on the rhythm of the waves with candles in the tent for light at night. Tropical forest, animals and super beautiful flora! To stroll through the forest and recharge in hammock.... The walk to get there and to leave is part of the experience!

Far from everything in the middle of the elements

We had the best time ever at La Leona. The best feature really is that this is the “end of the road” and you are surrounded by pristine tropical jungle paradise. There are all sorts of trips that you can go on into the jungle with experienced guides (beware of the chupacabras) but from the comfort of a hammock you can see many forest creatures come to you. We had ant eaters, tayras, monkeys, huge sea turtles, basilisk lizards, other reptiles and all sorts of butterflies and giant moths just come to us and say hello. The staff are exceptional. They really made it for us, there is nothing they won’t do to make your stay as happy as possible. Olger is like the Dad and he takes care of everything, the bar staff (Edekel and Felipe) are charming and make the best cocktails and smoothies you’ll ever taste, the food is very healthy and delicious and the rooms are kept spotless by the cheerful cleaning team led by Maria and Juancarlos: they’re like super human scampering around from dawn until dusk. You wake up to the sound of the sea and the animals of the forest every day feeling completely refreshed. I went with my nine year-old daughter and she loved swimming in the cool and crystal clear waters of the little river next to the lodge. It’s a great place for kids -  I recommend you stay a week to really relax and settle into it. Pura Vida!

Perfect Place to Escape the Rest of the World

This is a remote location and and visitors need to be fully aware of this.  The walk down the beach other reviewers have referred to is not insubstantial however not arduous the issue for me is you have no choice but to get wet as you have to cross streams in order to get to the lodge and these can be quite deep.  

The lodge itself is lovely and a magnificent location for the national park ( next door).  We never actually went (I know!), however by the time we reached this lodge we had spent a few weeks in Costa Rica and we didn't feel the need to go to another park when we had already seem so much.
On the lodge itself you see monkeys, birds etc so it is possible to just sit in your hammock and be surrounded by beautiful things.  

The tent we had on the beach was fine however we did get bit a lot! and I think this was due to the netting having holes and it did need a bit of work!  Floorboards weren't tight, door didn't shut properly etc.  For a couple of city dwellers (although we travel) we did struggle with the rustic arrangements particularly with the lack of electricity.

The staff are fantastic! Friendly, helpful, funny! Food was delicious and the management should be really pleased with the team they have built at this lodge.
  I would recommend to go however just be fully aware of the limited facilities at this venue.

rustic friendly lodge

It is a bit difficult to get there (1:30 a.m. on a 4x4 road from the 18th century), but on arrival we were waiting for a quad and its trailer to take us to the hotel (avoiding 45 minutes walking with backpacks). We had opted for the Beach Tents, and it was the right choice. Very eco-friendly equipped, without electricity but with all the comforts.

A different world

The journey alone is unique. One and a half hours by bicycle from the nearest place you have to walk 45 minutes by the beach or through the jungle to the hotel. There is no road there. The tents in the first row offer a sensational view of the sea, but it cannot be bathed (flows). But the view and the noise is a dream. There is no electricity in the tent; only candles. The only thing missing - no electricity and no ventilator and it is already very warm at night. But behind the scenes you also do not want to sleep but to enjoy. Bathrooms are outdoors and the suagans fly over it. The entrance to the National Park is 200 meters away. If you find the luxury of nature here (the most luxurious in Costa Rica), you must have the luxury of nature here!

Unique

The lodge is located in a wonderful place on the kilometre long beach right by the Corcovado. It is accessible on foot in about an hour (on the beach or on the road in the jungle). The tents/houses are equipped with everything necessary, but would be more comfortable with some extra little things (daily fresh towels for showering, since everything is very wet, here and there a few renovations, more storage areas). The accommodations are rather hot and sticky, since there is no electricity and therefore also a ventilator. The food is freshly prepared and is very tasty, but also expensive. The lodges are not very recommended for everyone who wants to have a few fresh towels, a bathtub and a bathroom.

A wonderful place, a small paradise - but uncomfortable

The La Leona is probably more of a glamping place, as they say in New German. This means you can see many animals (apes, parrots, iguanas...) right in the premises. But you can get some privacy with enclosable insect nets and curtains. The great outdoor bathrooms are just gorgeous for friends of nature vacationers. The location is embedded in the jungle all around, which means you can see many animals (apes, parrots, iguanas...) right in the premises. But you can of course get around the exciting guided tours through the National Park. What you should know very well in advance.

La Leona Eco Lodge

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