Lodge Punta Marenco

It is definitely a great place to visit. There are many positives and advantages. You are surrounded by George’s nature — plants, birds, butterflies, monkeys, you name it. The view from the bungalows toward the jungle and the ocean is absolutely stunning. The place is quiet, with pure, unpopulated, and unspoiled nature. The environment is extremely clean, with almost no rubbish and minimal negative human impact. Two breathtaking beaches are accessible via small trails. You can enjoy what may be the best beach you’ve ever been to, often completely empty and without other people. There are plenty of coconuts, and if you’re skilled enough, you can open one yourself, drink fresh coconut water, and taste real coconut. The best time for swimming is in the morning; in the afternoon, the waves can be quite strong. It is more convenient to reach the place by boat, but if you have a 4×4 vehicle, you can also drive there directly. Why did I give 4 stars for the staff? They are very nice, friendly, smiling, and relaxed. However, they are sometimes too relaxed and tend to improvise daily with repetitive responsibilities. One day you don’t get room service, another day there is no starter before the meal, next time tea or water is missing. Simple things often need to be requested multiple times (room number, order details, etc.), orders may be incomplete, and staff sometimes seem to be just chilling around. Don’t get me wrong — they are helpful and kind when asked, but in my observation, the approach is a bit too “mañana.” We would still love to come back in the future because it truly is a great place, and we hope the staff will be more supervised and more customer-focused. Overall, I highly recommend this place.

One of my absolute favorite places in Costa Rica! It’s so nice to disconnect from the internet for a while and simply enjoy the beautiful surroundings and wildlife. I highly recommend it to anyone who needs a break or wants to see plenty of stunning birds and animals. The service is incredible, and Steven takes great care of everyone. I would go back again and again. Already miss the stunning view!

Summary: I ABSOLUTELY recommend for nature lovers who also like a bit of R&R!!! Beautiful views a little off the beaten path and great wildlife right on the grounds. Additional details: I was a solo traveler, who stayed several days in two of the different bungalows (as I booked last minute so couldn’t stay in one). Customer service: Beyond amazing!! Everyone there was so helpful and you really got to know each of the staff. Shoutout to Kembly, Steven, Bert, and Harrison, as well as all the grounds people, who made sure the lawns were absolutely perfect. Everyone worked so hard to ensure a great experience for all of us! Amenities: Breakfast was great and included in the price. Lunch and dinner were optional. I only had dinner - each night, I’d meet with the same group I chit chatted with the prior evening, making for a great communal vibe and each of the different dishes I had were delicious! Tours: The lodge offers a variety of tours. I opted for the morning birdwatching tour with Steven, which lasted around 3 hours; during this time, I saw just about every bird on my bucket list, along with some other fun animals! Steven was incredibly knowledgeable. I recommend doing this one the first morning of your trip so you know where to look if you want to find the birds again in subsequent days!! Nearby: The walk to the closest “beach” is easily under 10 minutes, but it’s super rocky. I’d recommend following the trail (adjacent to the lodge that takes 1 hr really beautiful, fairly secluded walk to get right into town, FYI!!) 20ish minutes to get to a sandier, semi-private beach. Tours from town to Corcovado can often pick up from the lodge’s entry gate if lodge tours are booked, FYI - check in advance! Views: Each bungalow had a stunning view of the ocean and sunset (when I went - I understand the sunset views might change throughout the year). Total time I’d recommend spending at the lodge (if you’re new to Costa Rica): 4-6 days is perfect - one or two for Corcovado, one for birdwatching and time at the nearby river, one for walking to the town, one for beach lounging, one for exploring the property Know before you go: Bring extension cord or a portable phone charger - only one plug high up so I charged my phone and portable charger in the evening in the dining area, which worked out perfectly