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Playa Cativo Lodge

4.5 star property
Beachfront lodge in Golfito with outdoor pool and restaurant

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your current months are December, 2024 and January, 2025.
December 2024
January 2025

Photo gallery for Playa Cativo Lodge

Outdoor pool, pool umbrellas, sun loungers
Ocean Front Casita | View from room
Luxury Casita with Plunge Pool | Premium bedding, in-room safe, individually decorated
Aerial view
Luxury Casita with Plunge Pool | Premium bedding, in-room safe, individually decorated

Reviews

9.4 out of 10

Exceptional

Popular amenities

  • Pool
  • Non-smoking
  • Bar
  • Free breakfast
  • 24/7 front desk
  • Spa
Main amenities
  • Daily housekeeping
  • On the beach
  • Restaurant and bar/lounge
  • Outdoor pool
  • Free area shuttle
  • Beach sun loungers
  • Beach towels
  • Room service
  • Spa services
  • Terrace
  • 24-hour front desk
  • Coffee/tea in a common area
Feel at home
  • Separate dining area
  • Garden
  • Terrace
  • Daily housekeeping
  • Laundry facilities
  • Premium bedding

Room options

Available filters for rooms
Showing 6 of 6 rooms

View all photos for Ocean Front Casita

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

Ocean Front Casita

Highlights

Separate dining area
Individually furnished
Individually decorated
Premium bedding
Ceiling fan
Private bathroom
Bathrobes
Free bottled water
  • 861 sq ft
  • Ocean view
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Deluxe Ocean View

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

Deluxe Ocean View

Highlights

Separate dining area
Individually furnished
Individually decorated
Premium bedding
Ceiling fan
Private bathroom
Bathrobes
Free bottled water
  • Ocean view
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed OR 1 Double Sofa Bed

View all photos for Premium Oceanview with A/C

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

Premium Oceanview with A/C

Highlights

Separate dining area
Individually furnished
Individually decorated
Premium bedding
Ceiling fan
Private bathroom
Bathrobes
Free bottled water
  • 861 sq ft
  • Ocean view
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed OR 1 Double Sofa Bed

View all photos for Luxury Casita with Plunge Pool

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

Luxury Casita with Plunge Pool

Highlights

Deck/patio
Separate dining area
Individually furnished
Individually decorated
Private plunge pool
Premium bedding
Ceiling fan
Private bathroom
  • 592 sq ft
  • Partial ocean view
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed and 1 Double Sofa Bed

View all photos for Deluxe Panoramic Ocean View

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

Deluxe Panoramic Ocean View

Highlights

Separate dining area
Individually furnished
Individually decorated
Premium bedding
Ceiling fan
Private bathroom
Bathrobes
Minibar
  • 645 sq ft
  • Ocean view
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed and 1 Double Sofa Bed

View all photos for Two Bedroom Ocean View Villa

Two Bedroom Ocean View Villa | Premium bedding, in-room safe, individually decorated

Two Bedroom Ocean View Villa

Highlights

Separate dining area
Individually furnished
Individually decorated
Private pool
Premium bedding
Ceiling fan
Private bathroom
Bathrobes
  • 969 sq ft
  • Ocean view
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 King Bed OR 2 Queen Beds

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About the neighborhood

Map
Playa Cativo, Golfo Dulce, Piedras Blancas National Park, Golfito, Puntarenas, 60701

What's nearby

  • Playa San Josecito - 1 min walk - 0.1 km
  • Playa Cacao - 19 min walk - 1.6 km

Getting around

  • Golfito (GLF) - 8.9 miles/14.3 km
  • Puerto Jiménez (PJM) - 9.5 miles/15.3 km
  • Drake Bay (DRK) - 23.4 miles/37.6 km
  • Juan Santamaria Intl. Airport (SJO) - 110.2 miles/177.3 km
  • Free area shuttle

Restaurants

  • Burger King

About this property

Playa Cativo Lodge

At Playa Cativo Lodge, you can hit the beach to get a beach massage or relax in a sun lounger, plus you'll have access to onsite snorkeling and kayaking. Guests in the mood for pampering can indulge in deep-tissue massages, aromatherapy, and mani/pedis, and the outdoor pool provides fun for everyone. Offering a beachfront location, El Gavilan serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Other highlights at this luxurious lodge include a bar/lounge, a terrace, and a garden.

Languages

English, Spanish

At a glance

Hotel size

  • 18 rooms

Arriving/Leaving

  • Check-in start time: 2:00 PM; Check-in end time: anytime
  • Contactless check-in available
  • Minimum check-in age: 18
  • Check-out time is 11:00 AM
  • Contactless check-out available

Restrictions related to your trip

  • Check COVID-19 restrictions.

Special check-in instructions

  • Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival

Required at check-in

  • Credit card, debit card, or cash deposit required for incidental charges
  • Government-issued photo ID may be required
  • Minimum check-in age is 18

Children

  • Children (7 years old and younger) not allowed
  • No cribs (infant beds)

Pets

  • Pets not allowed

Internet

  • Free WiFi in public areas
  • Free WiFi in rooms

Parking

  • Free onsite self parking

Offsite

  • Free area shuttle

Other information

  • Smoke-free property

Property amenities

Food and drink

  • Free cooked-to-order breakfast each morning 6:00 AM–9:00 AM
  • Restaurant
  • Bar/lounge
  • Coffee/tea in a common area
  • Room service (limited hours)

What to do

  • On the beach
  • Yoga classes
  • Ecotours
  • Kayaking
  • Snorkeling
  • Fishing
  • Whale-watching nearby

Working away

  • Computer station

Services

  • 24-hour front desk
  • Concierge services
  • Tour/ticket assistance
  • Laundry facilities
  • Luggage storage
  • Wedding services
  • Multilingual staff
  • Beach sun loungers
  • Beach towels
  • Pool loungers
  • Pool umbrellas

Facilities

  • 2 buildings/towers
  • Safe-deposit box at front desk
  • Garden
  • Picnic area
  • Terrace
  • Library
  • An outdoor pool
  • Spa services

Room amenities

Home comfort

  • Ceiling fan
  • Bathrobes and slippers

Sleep well

  • Premium bedding

What to enjoy

  • Individually furnished and decorated
  • Separate dining area

Freshen up

  • Shower only
  • Free toiletries
  • Towels

Stay connected

  • Desk
  • Free WiFi

Food and drink

  • Free bottled water

More

  • Daily housekeeping
  • In-room safe (laptop compatible)

Special features

Spa

Guests can pamper themselves by indulging in the onsite spa services. Services include deep-tissue massages, Swedish massages, facials, and body wraps. A variety of treatment therapies are provided, including aromatherapy.

Dining

El Gavilan - This beachfront restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Guests can enjoy drinks at the bar.

Fees & policies

Policies

This property does not have elevators.
Guests can rest easy knowing there's a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit on site.
This property accepts credit cards. Cash is not accepted.

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 offer free cancellation for a full refund?
Yes, Playa Cativo Lodge does have fully refundable room rates available to book on our site. If you’ve booked a fully refundable room rate, this can be cancelled up to a few days before check-in depending on the property's cancellation policy. Just make sure to check this property's cancellation policy for the exact terms and conditions.
Is there a pool at Playa Cativo Lodge?
Yes, there's an outdoor pool.
Are pets allowed at Playa Cativo Lodge?
Sorry, pets aren't allowed.
Is parking offered on site at Playa Cativo Lodge?
Yes, there's free self parking.
What are the check-in and check-out times at Playa Cativo Lodge?
Check-in start time: 2:00 PM; Check-in end time: anytime. Check-out time is 11:00 AM. Contactless check-in and check-out are available.
What is there to do at Playa Cativo Lodge and nearby?
Have fun with onsite activities like kayaking, fishing, and snorkeling. Additional recreation onsite includes ecotours and yoga. Enjoy a swim in the outdoor pool or use the lodge's other amenities, which include spa services and a picnic area. Playa Cativo Lodge also has a garden.
Are there restaurants at or near Playa Cativo Lodge?
Yes, El Gavilan offers beachfront dining and garden views.
What's the area around Playa Cativo Lodge like?
Playa Cativo Lodge is a short 1-minute walk from Playa San Josecito and 19 minutes' walk from Playa Cacao.

Reviews

9.4

Exceptional

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Staff & service

9.2/10

Amenities

9.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

10/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

8/10 Very Good

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!!
Nancy, 5-night romance trip
Verified Expedia guest review

10/10 Exceptional

J, 6-night trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review

6/10 Good

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 Expedia guest review

10/10 Exceptional

This place is paradise. Our room was fantastic, we had views of the sea and views of the jungle.
3-night trip
Verified Expedia guest review

10/10 Exceptional

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.....
Jonathan, 10-night trip
Verified Expedia guest review

10/10 Exceptional

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.
Es, 4-night romance trip
Verified Expedia guest review

10/10 Exceptional

Beautiful place
Amazing place and amazing service !
kaitlyn, 5-night romance trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review

10/10 Exceptional

5-night trip
Verified Expedia guest review

10/10 Exceptional

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.
Ruth, 11-night trip
Verified Expedia guest review