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We are thrilled to announce that Cielo Lodge guests can now visit Corcovado National Park on the Osa Peninsula, with a one-day excursion that will allow you to experience a place that is home to an astonishing 2.5% of the world's biodiversity within just 0.001% of the Earth's land area. 

Of course, our nearby rainforest on the green mountain behind Golfito is also host to astounding bio-diversity (and zero crowds). After all, we share the same greenbelt as the Osa.

But Corcovado is a crown jewel of Costa Rica, and we are thrilled to be able to bring our guests there.

Here is what your day-trip to Corcovado will look like:

Accompanied by one of our Certified Naturalists, you will depart the Lodge at 4:30 am, with a gourmet picnic breakfast and coffee. You’ll head down the mountain road to meet our boat captain in Golfito, where he will take you on the 35 minute boat ride across the Golfo Dulce to Puerto Jiménez. You’ll then transfer to a slightly larger boat, for the 1.5 hour boat ride to the Sirena Station in Corcovado.

You’ll eat your breakfast on the larger boat (you can’t bring food into the park, but snacks are available for purchase later on), and after a wet-landing on the beach, you’ll find yourself at one of the ranger stations for check-in and a bathroom break. You’ll then set out on a 4.5 hour, naturalist-led tour from the Ranger Station.

The trail is flat and winds along the park's waterside and nearby beaches. You will have a great chance of seeing Costa Rica’s 4 types of monkeys, caiman, tapirs, scarlet macaws, and even anteaters. The tropical rainforest of Corcovado is home to 140 species of mammals, 367 birds, and 117 amphibians and reptiles, so really, the possibilities for wildlife sightings are endless.

You’ll enjoy a nice snack at Sirena Station and then leave the Park at around 12:30 pm, venturing back the same way you came. You’ll be back at Cielo Lodge by around 3:30 pm, where we’ll greet you with refreshments and more snacks, and you can then enjoy a luscious nap, a hot shower, and restful down-time.

We are thrilled to be able to offer our amazing guests this hassle-free, remarkable adventure - a day-trip to Corcovado National Park, a Crown Jewel of Costa Rica.

For more information about all of the activities that we offer, including many that are included in our rates, please visit our Activities Page on our website. Or write to us at info@cielolodge.com and we’ll get back to you quickly.

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Donny Nunez, one of our extraordinary Certified Naturalists, grew up in Golfito, in a small barrio just below Cielo Lodge. His home life was simple, no cell phones or computers and very little television. Like most kids, he spent his time outdoors, exploring nature - on the water and on the mountain of Golfito.

His childhood appreciation for the surrounding abundance of nature and wildlife motivated Donny to pursue studies in wildlife, English, and hospitality. It was a perfect combination for the path that he's chosen.

Since he grew up here with a very keen awareness of the full spectrum of wildlife, Donny offers each of our guests a highly personalized, curated and immersive experience, allowing our guests to really learn about our nearby ecosystems, as well as the authentic history of Golfito. He’s an inspiration to many of our younger guests, a few of whom have said “I want to be just like Donny when I grow up”.

He's worked in Nature Tourism for over 10 years, in many Costa Rican locations that are farther away. Working at Cielo Lodge allows him to live at home, of which he is very appreciative.

An avid birdwatcher, Donny is constantly updating our bird list, based on what our guests have seen in the rainforest and on the water. He also is helping us to reforest our land, by recommending native species that will attract more wildlife at different times of the year,

With his roots still deep in Golfito, Donny also actively engages with local school children, to share his story and to lead them on hikes and conservation activities. He has brought classes of children to Cielo Lodge to plant young trees, and to bird watch, teaching them how to use binoculars. He is passionate about inspiring the next generation, and encouraging them to think that, like him, they can build careers around a shared passion for nature.

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What if your next vacation directly impacted more women in the travel industry? You hold the power to choose such a destination, where exceptional service meets the genuine pillars of an eco-conscious luxury eco lodge, focused on community and authenticity.

Today, and all month long, we celebrate International Women’s Day, and, in honor of this special occasion, we are turning the spotlight of admiration onto our General Manager - Catalina Torres Portela  –  a true pioneer in eco-tourism in Costa Rica’s Southern Zone. 

 After graduating with a degree in tourism and a minor in botany, Catalina collaborated with an NGO to develop the Esquinas Rainforest Lodge and managed it for 16 years. She is also an entrepreneur. Before joining Cielo Lodge, she ran her own bed and breakfast in Golfito, and helped establish Golfito as an eco-tourism destination among her guests, who came from over 30 countries. 

Catalina’s professional presence and leadership has a ripple effect, positively impacting employee morale and ensuring an impeccable guest experience.

With the support of Cielo Lodge’s owners, Nicole and Keith Goldstein, Catalina continues to encourage the development of local micro-businesses, including many women-owned businesses, thereby benefiting many families in the Golfito area.  We have partnered with a local uniform supplier, local fruit and vegetable purveyers, local fisherman, and local boat and tour operators to bring the best of the area to our guests.

Her connection to community also allows us to provide truly authentic experiences for our guests.  A visit to a family-owned chocolate-farm, a day-trip to the indigenous community of Boruca, an afternoon spent with an artisanal fisherman, or a beach lunch served by a local family are all activities that we are able to program and arrange because of Catalina’s personal connections.   

And it is because of Catalina – her connection to the community, her passion for the environment, her focus on all things local -  that Cielo Lodge was named to National Geographic’s Six of the Best Luxury Eco-Lodges in Costa Rica

 We cherish Catalina's life-long passion of true hospitality and ecotourism, unlocking doors for other women’s’ futures. Her signature style of exceeding expectations attracts a dedicated team of local talent, and there is a constant buzz felt around the Lodge from proudly serving natural and memorable experiences and cuisine that guests carry home for the rest of their lives.

Ready for your bespoke Eco-friendly luxury trip to one of the best Eco Lodges in Costa Rica? Inquire about your dream family vacation or eco resort rental buyout for group travel by emailing Catalina at info@cielolodge.com .