Frequently Asked Questions

+ Is Cielo Lodge right for me?

We recommend that you read through these FAQs before you book, in order to make sure your visit meets your expectations. We are located in the rainforest which means that it is hot and humid here, the rain comes almost everyday, and the plant and animal species that live here have natural defense mechanisms, including some that are not so kind to humans. We don’t have Golf or Tennis, we don’t use insecticides (we rely on a balanced ecosystem to keep the bugs in check), and our off-grid energy system can accommodate fans but NOT air-conditioners.

With that said, if your sense of adventure is stronger than your trepidation, then a visit to Cielo Lodge can be transformative, enabling you to experience an untamed place where humans are merely the audience to nature’s show.

+ How do we get to Cielo Lodge?

Cielo Lodge is located on the green mountain behind Golfito, in the Southern Zone of Costa Rica. Here we are on Google Maps . You can get to us by air, car and boat.

If you are traveling with a group, then you can charter a Carmon Air or Sansa flight and the price will not be too exorbitant. They will arrange a flight that meshes with your schedule.

Please visit our Getting Here page for all of the details on how to get here.

+ Is Cielo Lodge on the beach? Can we walk to the beach?

Cielo Lodge is not directly on the beach. However, we can take you there anytime during the day. It’s a short drive down the mountain and then a 10 or 20 minute boat ride to a multitude of secluded beaches. Plus, our all-inclusive activities include time at the beach.

+ What special things shall we bring if we visit?

Bring cameras, insect repellent, a sun hat, a bathing suit, sunscreen, and sunglasses. Closed-toe walking shoes (sneakers or light boots), a light pair of water shoes for waterfall swimming, and t-shirts & shorts round out your packing list.

It can get cool in the evenings. So bring a light sweater, long sleeve shirt or shawl.

We supply binoculars, flashlights and headlamps, yoga mats, biodegradable insect repellant, and small hairdryers - no need to bring any of those.

+ What about toiletries, make-up, reef-friendly sunscreen, jewelry, fancy clothes, blow-dryers etc.?

With regard to make-up and personal items, life at Cielo Lodge is very casual - there is no need to dress up. You can if you want to - but it is entirely up to you. We recommend that you leave your good jewelery in your room safe or at home.

We have blow-dryers in each suite. No need to bring yours.

Our septic system is delicate, and so we kindly ask that anything you put down a drain (like a special face wash or soap) will be bio-degradeable. We will provide you with bio-degradeable soaps, shampoo and conditioner.

New studies have shown that oxybenzone and octinoxate - 2 ingredients found in sunscreen - are damaging to coral reefs and probably not so kind to rivers as well. And so here are a few reef and river friendly sunscreens that we recommend:

• Thinksport SPF 50 Sunscreen
• Kokua Sun Care Hawaiian SPF 50 Natural Zinc Sunscreen
• All Good SPF 30 Sport Sunscreen Lotion
• Suntegrity Natural Mineral Sunscreen
• Raw Elements SPF 30 Certified Natural Sunscreen
• Stream2Sea SPF 30 Mineral Sunblock
• Mama Kuleana Waterproof SPF 30 Reef-safe Sunscreen
• Manda Organic SPF 50 Sun Paste
• Babo Botanicals SPF 30 Clear Zinc Lotion
• Raw Love SPF 35 All-natural Mineral Sunscreen
• Art of Sport Skin Armor Sunscreen Lotion
• Hello Bello Sunscreen Lotion

+ Is it true that the small plane we will use to get to you has a weight limit on luggage?

Yes. Both Sansa and Carmon use 12 seater planes, and they generally ask you to keep your luggage to 25-30 pounds per person. If you are planning a long trip to Costa Rica, you can often store your large suitcase at your hotel in San Jose and then pack a light bag for your stay at Cielo Lodge. As noted above, you really don’t need a lot of clothing, and if necessary we can do a laundry for you.

+ Are there mosquitos? And what about other insects?

Yes and yes — we have mosquitos and other bugs. But we are in a well-balanced eco-system, so we have a lot of animals eating the insects—geckos, dragonflies, frogs and bats all abound, so the mosquitos are well-controlled. The busiest time will be at dusk. We use fans at the bar and dining room during this time and those really help to repel all bugs. Plus, we have insect repellant at the lodge if you forget yours.

+ What is an eco-lodge and how does Cielo Lodge qualify?

Eco-lodges are built with sustainability in mind and their main focus is to bring guests close to nature. Cielo Lodge does both. We rely on renewable energy to power the lodge, and we minimize our landfill garbage by composting and recycling. Our architecture was designed specifically to minimize our impact on the land. We are also re-foresting and restoring our jungle to bring us closer to carbon neutrality. We’ve planted thousands of native hardwood and fruit trees for the animals! Finally, all of our all-inclusive activities are focused on bringing guests close to nature: Hiking tours, the mangrove tour, and other boat tours are all designed to highlight the best of Golfito and our jungle’s natural wonders.

+ Please describe a typical day at the lodge.

Picture this: You wake up at dawn, just as the jungle is waking up. At 6 AM you meet our certified naturalist at the lodge for some coffee and fresh baked pastries and then you head out for a 45 minute stroll/hike to take in the early morning dawn chorus. You hear the toucans, and catch the monkeys and the coatis as they are waking up; perhaps you hike by one of our rivers, looking for poison dart frogs. Come back to the lodge and meet your family for a full breakfast—more coffee and pastries, but also fresh fruit, eggs or pancakes, bacon and fresh fruit juices. At around 8 or 8:30 AM you’ll head out with your family to the mangroves. For 4 or 5 hours you’ll take in the sights and sounds of the quiet rivers that surround Golfito. Herons, crocodiles, monkeys, egrets, ospreys….a photographer’s delight and a nature-lover’s paradise. Return to the lodge for lunch, and then it’s down-time for the rest of the day: swim in the infinity-edge pool, take a self-guided hike to one of our many waterfalls, play games with your family on your private terrace, get lost in a book while sitting in a hammock. Or enjoy a restful nap as the afternoon rain lulls you to sleep. At 5:30 PM, come to the lodge for cocktail hour and the sunset where we’ll provide you with food — appetizers, bocas and tapas. Dinner is at 7:00 PM, after which we’ll invite you for a guided nighttime stroll, where you’ll see our nocturnal neighbors — bats, frogs, maybe even a mammal or two. Finally, you’ll retire to your suite for a delicious, restorative sleep, ready to take on the next day’s excellent adventure.

+ Will the activities that are included in the rates be private - ie. just for our family?

If there are other guests on-property, then we will group guests together, so that everyone has a chance to participate in the various "included" activities. If you would like a completely private tour, then let us know in advance and we will arrange it for an extra cost.

However, if it is a Lodge Buyout, then absolutely - only the guests who are in your group will participate in the activities.

And one final note: The included activites are ONLY for Cielo Lodge guests - so, in that sense, the activities are private.

+ Can four people sleep in a one-bedroom suite?

Yes. We have a full-size sofa bed in each suite and space for a cot (along with a king-size bed) and so 3 adults, or 2 adults and 2 younger children can sleep in a suite. It is a tighter fit, so both the 3rd and 4th person in a suite are given a discount. If you have 4 adults in your party, we recommend that you book 2 separate suites.

+ We have dietary restrictions. Can you accommodate us?

Yes! Our expert kitchen crew can prepare vegetarian, vegan, dairy-free and gluten-free meals. We can also accommodate allergies. Just let us know about your needs when you make your reservation.

+ Can you accommodate young children?

Generally, our Canopy Suite rates allow for children who are 10+. This ensures that the Lodge maintains its tranquil atmosphere, especially around mealtimes. However we can make exceptions if another family has already booked and we are not hosting any couples. So please write to us if you want to visit with younger kids - we can possibly make an exception. With the Rainforest Sanctuary Buyout Package, we can absolutely accommodate younger children.

+ What is the weather like? And how often does it rain?

High season starts in late November and lasts through April. There will be many days during this period - especially from January through mid-April - where there will be no rain, and if it comes, it will start in the late afternoon and rain for 2 or 3 hours. The sun is stronger during these months and it can be a bit hotter.

Generally, in the green season (May through mid-November), the rain will come everyday in the afternoon. It can start at around noon or 2:00 PM and then rain for 4 or 5 hours. That is why we start our days early — so you will rarely miss a day to rain. And that is why we schedule down-time/naptime in the afternoon — there’s nothing like a good rain to lull you into restful sleep.

October through mid-November are the rainiest months - you can lose a day to rain, which is why we are closed during this period.

The weather is hot and humid all year round. Average temps are 80’s to 90’s Fahrenheit. No matter the season, our green mountain is always a bit cooler and offers refreshing breezes. It actually can get cold at night up on the mountain, and so we give guests blankets for sleeping, and we recommend that you bring a couple of sweaters or sweatshirts.

+ Do you have air-conditioning?

No, we don't have air-conditioners. We use fans for air flow. Generally, the climate up on the green mountain is cooler than in Golfito. There are fresh, natural breezes,and, in the green season, it can actually get cool at night. As noted in the answer above, bring a sweater or a sweatshirt, just in case.

+ Is there a hospital nearby?

Yes. Golfito has a well-equipped hospital. It is about 30 minutes from Cielo Lodge.

+ Is the Zika virus there? What about Dengue and other diseases?

Yes. Costa Rica has mosquitos which transmit tropical diseases. We use insect repellent and mosquito netting to keep them away. As noted above, we are also in a well-balanced eco-system. This means that a lot of animals are eating the mosquitos. We have planted for these mosquito-eaters so mosquitos are kept under control.

+ How far is Cielo Lodge from Manuel Antonio and Arenal? Is it logistically possible to visit all 3 areas?

Yes! Manuel Antonio is a 3 hour drive from Golfito, on a good paved road. So totally do-able, and we will pick you up or drop you off at the Golfito car rental spot. Arenal is a bit farther, but also do-able. Please visit the bottom of our Getting Here page for more information about driving and flying to these areas, from Golfito.

+ Can you accommodate people with disabilities and mobility issues?

Generally, yes. One of our one bedroom suites has universal access and is wheelchair accessible. However, our terrain is rugged and our internal walkways are gravel. So though they are wheel-chair accessible, the ride is bumpy. And many of the activities (such as waterfall hikes) will not be suitable for the physically disabled. But we have golf carts that can drive you on the lodge grounds, and if you can get into and out of a boat, then the boat tours themselves will be comfortable.

The bar is upstairs, but we are happy to serve you and your family drinks by the pool if stairs are a challenge.

+ What’s Golfito like? Is there nightlife?

Golfito is an authentic, working port-town that caters to its residents. It is not a tourist town (at least not yet) and so there are not really attractions designed for tourists in town. Golfito has some nightlife that centers around the bars in the area, but if you are looking for nightlife, then Cielo Lodge is probably not the place for you. We can drop you in town if you want to take a walk and get a feel for it. There are a couple of shops that cater to tourists near the large dock as well as a couple on the main strip.

+ What is your cancellation policy?

We have a 30 day cancellation policy for Green and High Seasons, and a 60 day cancellation policy for the Holiday season.

Here is the specific language:

Cancellation requests must be received in writing to reservations@cielolodge.com 31 days ( 61 days for Holiday season) prior to arrival to avoid any penalties. Cancellations made 31 days (61 days for Holiday season) or more prior to arrival will receive a full refund of the 25% deposit less the $200 non-refundable portion of the deposit. Cancellations made between 30 and 0 days (or 60 and 0 days for Holiday Season) prior to arrival are not refundable.

No-Show, unused room nights, and/or early check-outs are not refundable. Late bookings made within 30 days of arrival (60 days for Holiday Season) are not refundable once the credit card has been charged.

For this reason, we highly recommend that you purchase Travel Insurance. We have partnered with Global Rescue and Signature Travel, which together, provide ONE comprehensive policy that will give you peace of mind for any travel issue or emergency - missed flights, missing baggage, and even medical emergencies and evacuations.