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Playa Cativo Lodge

4.5 star property
This oceanfront haven combines relaxation with adventure, offering beach massages and memorable meals at El Gavilan restaurant with stunning ocean views

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Travelers find serenity at Playa Cativo Lodge with ocean views creating a peaceful atmosphere. The cooked-to-order breakfast energizes guests, while spa treatments like aromatherapy rejuvenate. Snorkeling reveals treasures, and the attentive staff earns praise.

Reviews

9.4 out of 10
Exceptional

Popular amenities

  • Pool
  • Breakfast included
  • Spa
  • Parking included
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Restaurant

Room options

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Deluxe Panoramic Ocean View | Premium bedding, in-room safe, individually decorated

Deluxe Panoramic Ocean View

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)
  • Ocean view
  • 60 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed and 1 Double Sofa Bed

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Luxury Casita with Plunge Pool | Premium bedding, in-room safe, individually decorated

Luxury Casita with Plunge Pool

  • Partial ocean view
  • 55 sq m
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed and 1 Double Sofa Bed

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Deluxe Ocean View | Premium bedding, in-room safe, individually decorated

Deluxe Ocean View

  • Ocean view
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed OR 1 Double Sofa Bed

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Ocean Front Casita | Premium bedding, in-room safe, individually decorated

Ocean Front Casita

  • Ocean view
  • 80 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

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Two Bedroom Ocean View Villa | View from room

Two Bedroom Ocean View Villa

  • Ocean view
  • 90 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 King Bed OR 2 Queen Beds

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Premium Oceanview with A/C | Premium bedding, in-room safe, individually decorated

Premium Oceanview with A/C

  • Ocean view
  • 80 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed OR 1 Double Sofa Bed
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About the area

Located in Golfito, Playa Cativo Lodge is in the mountains and on the beach. Piedras Blancas National Park and Corcovado National Park Office reflect the area's natural beauty and area attractions include Casa Orquideas Botanical Garden and Precious Turtles of Osa. Spend some time exploring the area's activities, including whale watching. Visit our Golfito travel guide
View more Lodges in Golfito
Map
Playa Cativo, Golfo Dulce, Piedras Blancas National Park, Golfito, Puntarenas, 60701

What's nearby

  • Piedras Blancas National Park
    1 min walk - 0.0 km

Restaurants

  • Burger King

About this property

Playa Cativo Lodge

Luxury lodge by the ocean
You can look forward to free cooked-to-order breakfast, a terrace and a garden at Playa Cativo Lodge. With a beachfront location, beachfront dining and beach massages, this lodge is the perfect place to soak up some sun. Treat yourself to spa services, such as a manicure/pedicure, a facial or a Swedish massage. The on-site restaurant, El Gavilan, offers breakfast, lunch, dinner and ocean views. Enjoy on-site activities, such as snorkelling, ecotours and kayaking. Stay connected with free in-room WiFi, and guests can find other amenities, such as a library and laundry facilities.
You'll also enjoy perks such as:
  • An outdoor pool, along with sunloungers and pool umbrellas
  • Free self-parking
  • A free local area shuttle, luggage storage and smoke-free property
  • Multilingual staff, wedding services and a front desk safe
Room features
All guest rooms are individually furnished, and boast comforts, such as premium bedding and laptop-compatible safes, as well as perks, such as laptop-friendly workspaces and separate dining areas.
Other amenities include:
  • Showers and free toiletries
  • Wardrobes/cupboards, separate dining areas and ceiling fans

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Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Free area shuttle
  • Free self parking on site
  • Limited on-site self parking

Food and drink

  • Free cooked-to-order breakfast available daily 6:00 AM to 9:00 AM
  • A bar/lounge
  • A restaurant
  • Coffee and tea in common areas

Restaurants on site

  • El Gavilan

Things to do

  • Ecotours
  • Fishing
  • Kayaking
  • Library
  • Outdoor pool
  • Snorkelling
  • Yoga classes

Conveniences

  • 24-hour front desk
  • Laundry facilities
  • Luggage storage
  • Safe at front desk

Guest services

  • Concierge services
  • Housekeeping (daily)
  • Multilingual staff
  • Tour and ticket assistance
  • Wedding services

Business services

  • Computer station

Outdoors

  • Beach loungers
  • Beach towels
  • Garden
  • In a national park
  • In the mountains
  • On the bay
  • On the beach
  • Pool loungers
  • Pool umbrellas
  • Terrace

Spa

  • Aromatherapy
  • Body scrubs
  • Body wraps
  • Deep-tissue massages
  • Facials
  • Manicures/pedicures
  • Swedish massages

Accessibility

  • No lift

More

  • 2 buildings
  • Smoke-free property

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Premium bedding

Bathroom

  • Dressing gowns
  • Free toiletries
  • Shower
  • Slippers
  • Towels provided

Food and drink

  • Free bottled water
  • Limited room service
  • Separate dining area

More

  • Ceiling fan
  • Desk
  • Individual decor
  • Individual furnishings
  • Laptop workspace
  • Laptop-compatible safe

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 2:00 PM; check-in end time: anytime
Contactless check-in and check-out are available
Minimum check-in age - 18

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM
Contactless check-out

Special check-in instructions

Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Access methods

Staffed front desk

Pets

Pets not allowed

Children and extra beds

Children 5 and younger are not allowed at this property; all guests older than 5 are welcome
Rollaway/extra beds are not available.
Cots (infant beds) are not available

Payment types at the property

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards; cash is not accepted
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector and a first aid kit

We should mention

This property does not have any lifts
Children 5 years old and younger are not permitted at this property

Property is also known as

Playa Cativo Lodge Puntarenas
Playa Cativo Lodge
Playa Cativo Puntarenas
Playa Cativo Lodge Golfito
Playa Cativo Golfito
Playa Cativo Lodge Lodge
Playa Cativo Lodge Golfito
Playa Cativo Lodge Lodge Golfito

Frequently asked questions

Does Playa Cativo Lodge have a pool?

Yes, this property has an outdoor pool.

Is Playa Cativo Lodge pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking at Playa Cativo Lodge?

Self-parking is free at this property.

What time is check-in at Playa Cativo Lodge?

Check-in start time: 2:00 PM; check-in end time: anytime.

What time is check-out at Playa Cativo Lodge?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Playa Cativo Lodge located?

Within easy reach of Playa San Josecito and Casa Orquideas Botanical Garden, this Golfito lodge is located by the ocean and set on the beach. Area attractions also include Piedras Blancas National Park and Playa Cacao.

Can I cancel my reservation for free and receive a full refund?

Yes, this property offers free cancellation on selected room rates because flexibility matters! Please refer to the property cancellation policy on our site for more details about any exclusions or requirements.

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Reviews

Playa Cativo Lodge Reviews

9.4

Exceptional

10

Cleanliness

10

Location

10

Staff & service

9.2

Property conditions & facilities
Rating 10 - Excellent. 10 out of 13 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 1 out of 13 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 2 out of 13 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 13 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 13 reviews

Reviews

Verified

6/10 Okay

Akshay

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Properties located in a rainforest. There is a really beautiful property. Restaurant is great the food is amazing. Stop is really really accommodating and nice. However it is expensive at about $1200-$1300 a night, when you include the food and stay.. The only problem is that it does not have air conditioning. With the hot and humid weather not having air conditioning creates a big problem. When guests are not getting good sleep, they are not able to enjoy their day and that was a problem for us too. Her daughter was under slept the whole week, and she was cranky in the evenings. I would think that a property of this price range should offer air conditioning to the guests. I would not be returning to this property because of that issue.
Stayed 6 nights in Mar 2026
Verified

8/10 Good

Nancy

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Playa Cativo Lodge is a wonderful place and the accommodations, food and staff were absolutely perfect. It was nice to be so close to the gulf which was calm, warm, sandy and perfect for swimming. My only complaint was that the entire front area of the lodge has been landscaped with grass and ornamental plants, many of which are not native. Because of this large open area few birds or animals come near the lodge. Bird watching was disappointing compared to lodges that have left the rainforest intact or revegetated. Also with the large, unshaded open area the lodge is blasted with intense afternoon sun making the rooms very hot. Despite this our stay was great and unless you are a hard-core birder and monkey watcher you will love Playa Cativo!!
Stayed 5 nights in Feb 2023
Verified

6/10 Okay

Jeffrey

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
The property is generally good given its environment deep within a rain forest and the staff & management are excellent. The food choice if staying for more than two nights is very limited and the menu does not rotate. The activities around the resort are limited to bird watching and some water based trips such as dolphin spotting. The web site implies you may see a complete range of wildlife including rare sightings of Costa Rica's cats - the reality is you will not and are restricted to birds and an occaisional monkey. Some of the listed activities do not deliver eg AM bird watching is simply a walk around the hotel garden and the Sainos tour includes you stopping after 15 minutes for a drink and some nachos - its not good value as there isnt much to see. The beach at Cativo is not used and so you are restricted to the pool area which is heavily insect infested and so sun bathing or relaxing is difficult. The resort promises alot but doesn't deliver in a number of areas although it is premium priced.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Peter

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Increible
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This place is paradise. Our room was fantastic, we had views of the sea and views of the jungle.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2020
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jonathan

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The setting is stunning combining the beautiful rainforest with the Pacific Ocean in all their glories. The Lodge purposely blends in with the natural surrounding trying to minimize the intrusion. The team here has a true passion for the ecosystem and ecology . They provided an exceptional level of attention and service.Of note a near perfectly prepared piece of red snapper, an evening massage on my balcony to the music of the rainforest 10 ft away,the first tug of a fish on a hand line, a carafe of fresh watermelon juice placed in my room,sunsets sitting on my balcony.....
Stayed 10 nights in Feb 2020
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Es

Liked: Cleanliness
The lodge is in a stunning location - on the beach but within the rainforest. Incredible scenery, great food, a small but well equipped lodge with rooms with plunge pools. An amazing get away. The lodge offers good value as the meals are included - delicious, healthy and organic. There are various activities and guides available for trips. Our highlight was kayaking in the mangroves. But what really makes this place special are the staff - they are very attentive and nothing is too much trouble. With an attention to detail they made our stay a special one. We would highly recommend a visit and we will be visiting again.
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2020
Verified

10/10 Excellent

kaitlyn

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Beautiful place

Amazing place and amazing service !
Stayed 5 nights in May 2019
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Ruth

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Playa Cativo's welcoming, warm and very ( rain-forest) knowledgeable staff ensure you are well taken care of 24/7. Pampered really! The food is exceptional. This eco-lodge, its gardens and organic farm, in one of the most amazing and beautiful biodiverse rain forests in the world, is beautiful, tastefully appointed, peaceful, healing and nurturing. Just sent 12 days there! Non-toxic insect spray is a must in the rain forest.
Stayed 11 nights in Jun 2018
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Thomas

Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

J

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 6 nights in Jan 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2018