El Remanso is a family-run rainforest lodge on a 185-acre private reserve at the southern tip of the Osa Peninsula, running entirely on its own solar and micro-hydro power since 1999. Villas and bungalows look over the forest canopy to the Pacific, three meals a day are included, and most of the guided hikes start at your door. It’s one of the best places on the Osa to combine real wilderness with real comfort.
At a glance
| Location | On the road from Puerto Jiménez to Carate, near Cabo Matapalo, Osa Peninsula |
|---|---|
| Style | Small off-grid lodge with villas, bungalows and rooms |
| Setting | 185 acres (75 hectares) of rainforest running down to a rocky Pacific shore |
| Best for | Couples and families who want forest, wildlife and good food in one place |
| Getting there | Flight or drive to Puerto Jiménez, then about 45 minutes by 4×4 |
| CST status | Not listed in the official directory (checked 2026-Oct-21) |
Where it is
The lodge sits off the dirt road that runs from Puerto Jiménez around the tip of the peninsula to Carate. Its directions page describes 22 km of unpaved road with narrow bridges, finishing with a steep 4 km climb, and puts the drive at 45 minutes to an hour. A four-wheel-drive vehicle is required, and the lodge asks guests to arrive before dark: by 5 pm from December to April and by 4 pm the rest of the year.
Most guests fly from San José to Puerto Jiménez, about 50 minutes, and one round-trip transfer from the airstrip is included in the rate. Driving from San José takes around six hours on an average day, via Jacó, the coastal highway and Chacarita.
Rooms
The lodge has 14 to 16 units, depending on which page of its website you read, built from fallen timber and certified plantation wood, according to its About page. Its accommodations page lists five types:
- Deluxe Double Villa: 175 square meters, two bedrooms and two bathrooms for four to six people, with ocean views, a private plunge pool and an outdoor shower.
- Deluxe Villas: 125 square meters, one bedroom, ocean and forest views, private plunge pool and outdoor shower. The lodge also calls these its treetop rooms.
- Classic Bungalows: 110 square meters, sleeping three to five, set in the forest with a glimpse of the Pacific and an outdoor shower.
- Superior Rooms: 90 square meters, west-facing over the ocean.
- Poniente Rooms: 75 square meters, facing the garden.
There’s no air conditioning anywhere. The FAQ explains that rooms are cooled by large fans, open layouts and cross-breezes. Wi-Fi is free in rooms and the lobby, but there’s no cell signal.
Power and sustainability
El Remanso is off the national grid. According to the FAQ, it makes all its electricity from solar panels and a micro-hydro system, with no diesel generators. Power runs 24 hours but isn’t enough for air conditioners, hair dryers, flat irons or coffee makers, which is a fair trade for a lodge with no fuel deliveries humming in the night.
The lodge also hires and trains local staff and buys food from nearby farmers and fishers. An earlier version of this page reported that El Remanso earned the top CST rating in its first certification. It doesn’t appear in the current CST directory, so that status can’t be confirmed today.
Food
Three full meals a day are included, made to order from a menu rather than served as a buffet. The lodge isn’t all-inclusive: smoothies, sodas and alcohol are extra. According to its dining page, the open-air bamboo restaurant sits over a forest canyon with ocean views, where macaws, toucans and monkeys often pass. The kitchen cooks light Costa Rican food from its own gardens, local farmers and sustainable fishers, and it adapts dishes for gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan guests.
Things to do
Much of what makes a stay here special is included. According to the activities page, guided outings on the property include a forest hike, an early-morning hike, a night hike, a river walk, a shorter hike, a tour of the Matapalo area, lowland birdwatching and garden birding. You can also explore on your own: the reserve has about 8 km of trails, suspension bridges and a beach trail down to tide pools and a lagoon.
Extras that cost more:
- Zipline canopy tour on the property, designed for wildlife watching.
- Waterfall rappelling down falls inside the reserve.
- Surf lessons, horseback riding and sunset kayaking in the mangroves.
- Yoga, massages and skin-care treatments.
- Day trips to Corcovado National Park and dolphin trips on the Golfo Dulce, with transport and guides included.
The shoreline below the lodge is rocky and not safe for swimming, but there’s a pool (open until 6 pm), and the lodge can arrange a shuttle to calmer beaches when conditions allow.
Wildlife
The lodge highlights scarlet macaws, toucans and monkeys around the restaurant and trails. The southern Osa is also known for sloths, coatis, poison dart frogs and a long list of birds, and SINAC credits nearby Corcovado with about 2.5% of the world’s biodiversity. As anywhere, sightings depend on the season, time of day and luck. Our mammals of Costa Rica guide is a handy primer before you go.
Who it suits
El Remanso suits couples and families who want a complete rainforest stay, with trails, guides and good meals all on the property, and who don’t mind fans instead of air conditioning. The lodge recommends four to five nights, and that’s about right for this much forest. Families are welcome, and extra beds for children can be added in most units.
It’s less suited to travelers who want a swimming beach at the door, constant phone signal or a short visit; the drive alone takes a chunk of a day. Neighboring Matapalo lodges include Lapa Rios Ecolodge and Bosque del Cabo, and La Leona Eco Lodge puts you right at the Corcovado entrance. For more, see our Osa Peninsula eco-lodges.
Frequently asked questions
Does El Remanso have air conditioning?
No. The lodge runs on its own solar and micro-hydro power, which isn't enough for air conditioners. Rooms are designed for cross-ventilation and have large fans.
Are meals included at El Remanso?
Yes, three made-to-order meals a day are included. Drinks such as smoothies, sodas and alcohol are charged separately.
Can you swim in the ocean at El Remanso?
Not in front of the lodge: the shore is rocky and the lodge says it's unsafe. Use the pool, or ask about the shuttle to swimmable beaches nearby.
Which activities are included in a stay?
The guided forest, night, river and birding walks on the property are included, as are the self-guided trails and suspension bridges. The zipline, waterfall rappelling, spa treatments and off-site trips cost extra.
