Playa Cativo Lodge

Property class: 4.5
Luxury lodge in Golfito with outdoor pool and restaurant

Choose dates to view prices

Situated on the bay, Playa Cativo Lodge is a great choice for a stay in Golfito. Guests can indulge in deep-tissue massages, body wraps, or facials, and El Gavilan serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Other highlights at this luxurious lodge include an outdoor pool, a bar/lounge, and a terrace.

Reviews

9.4 out of 10
Exceptional

Popular amenities

  • Pool
  • Free breakfast
  • Spa
  • Free parking
  • Free WiFi
  • Restaurant

Why we love this property

Sandy beach retreat
This lodge sits directly on a sandy beach along the bay. Beach towels and loungers await, with massages, snorkeling, kayaking, and a beachfront restaurant.
Beachfront dining views
This lodge offers a restaurant with beachfront, pool, garden, and ocean views. Guests can relax at the bar or indulge in free cooked-to-order breakfast.
Nature at its finest
Deep in a national park, this mountain lodge offers ecotours, fishing, and kayaking adventures. A terrace provides the perfect relaxation spot.

Room options

Available filters for rooms
Showing 6 of 6 rooms

View all photos for Deluxe Panoramic Ocean View

A spacious room with a large bed, a piano, and a view of the ocean.

Deluxe Panoramic Ocean View

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)
  • Ocean view
  • 60 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed and 1 Double Sofa Bed

View all photos for Luxury Casita with Plunge Pool

A spacious living area with a wooden ceiling, large windows, a sofa, a coffee table, and a hammock outside.

Luxury Casita with Plunge Pool

  • Partial ocean view
  • 55 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed and 1 Double Sofa Bed

View all photos for Deluxe Ocean View

A spacious bedroom with a large bed, a ceiling fan, and a view of the ocean.

Deluxe Ocean View

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)
  • Ocean view
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed OR 1 Double Sofa Bed

View all photos for Ocean Front Casita

Room

Ocean Front Casita

  • Ocean view
  • 80 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Two Bedroom Ocean View Villa

A lush garden with a wooden deck and a pool, surrounded by dense tropical vegetation and a view of the water.

Two Bedroom Ocean View Villa

  • Ocean view
  • 90 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 King Bed OR 2 Queen Beds

View all photos for Premium Oceanview with A/C

A wooden-paneled room with a bed, a desk, and a mirror.

Premium Oceanview with A/C

  • Ocean view
  • 80 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed OR 1 Double Sofa Bed

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The price is $102
$115 total
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About the neighborhood

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

What's nearby

  • Piedras Blancas National Park - 1 min walk - 0.0 km
  • Golfo Dulce - 1 min walk - 0.1 km

Getting around

  • Golfito (GLF) - 8.9 miles/14.3 km
  • Puerto Jiménez (PJM) - 9.5 miles/15.3 km
  • Drake Bay (DRK) - 23.3 miles/37.5 km
  • Juan Santamaria Intl. Airport (SJO) - 110.2 miles/177.3 km
  • Free area shuttle

Restaurants

  • Burger King

About this property

Playa Cativo Lodge

  • Situated on the bay, Playa Cativo Lodge is a great choice for a stay in Golfito. Guests can indulge in deep-tissue massages, body wraps, or facials, and El Gavilan serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Other highlights at this luxurious lodge include an outdoor pool, a bar/lounge, and a terrace.

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

Special check-in instructions

    • Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property
    • Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

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 (5 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

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Reviews

Playa Cativo Lodge Reviews

9.4

Exceptional

10

Cleanliness

10

Location

10

Staff & service

9.4

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

Verified review

6/10 Good

Properties located in a rainforest. There is a really beautiful property. Restaurant is great the food is amazing. Stop is really really accommodating and nice. However it is expensive at about $1200-$1300 a night, when you include the food and stay.. The only problem is that it does not have air conditioning. With the hot and humid weather not having air conditioning creates a big problem. When guests are not getting good sleep, they are not able to enjoy their day and that was a problem for us too. Her daughter was under slept the whole week, and she was cranky in the evenings. I would think that a property of this price range should offer air conditioning to the guests. I would not be returning to this property because of that issue.
Verified review

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!!
Verified 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 review

10/10 Exceptional

Très beau eco lodge placé dans un environnement magnifique face à la baie.
Verified review

10/10 Exceptional

Staff muito gentil, quarto bem espaçoso e bonito (sem ar condicionado)
Verified review

10/10 Exceptional

Increible
Verified review

10/10 Exceptional

This place is paradise. Our room was fantastic, we had views of the sea and views of the jungle.
Verified 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.....
Verified 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.
Verified review

10/10 Exceptional

Beautiful place

Amazing place and amazing service !
Verified 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.
Verified review

10/10 Exceptional

Verified review

10/10 Exceptional

Verified review

10/10 Exceptional