Shawandha Ecolodge

“Nice jungle resort.”

We enjoyed being at this resort. The outside shower is really cool because yiu shower in the middle of the jungle. The sounds early morning of the monkeys is impressive. Loads of wild life in the resort. Kudos voor Victoria who was really going the extra mile.

“Beautiful setting with Room for Improvement. We stayed July 23 through July 26, 2025”

We recently stayed at Shawandha Ecolodge, tucked into the Costa Rican rainforest near the Caribbean coast. It’s a place with a lot of natural charm, and we definitely had some memorable moments during our stay—but it wasn’t without its drawbacks. First, the setting is stunning. From the moment we … more

We recently stayed at Shawandha Ecolodge, tucked into the Costa Rican rainforest near the Caribbean coast. It’s a place with a lot of natural charm, and we definitely had some memorable moments during our stay—but it wasn’t without its drawbacks. First, the setting is stunning. From the moment we arrived, we were surrounded by wildlife: howler monkeys calling from the trees, toucans flying overhead, and even agoutis wandering through the property. There’s a peaceful dog who seems to live on-site; we named her Rufus (even though she’s a girl)—she was a comforting little presence throughout our trip. If you’re looking to be immersed in nature, this place delivers. The experience at the lodge, however, felt a little underwhelming in terms of comfort and maintenance. The room had a musty smell, and while the screens allowed for airflow, the lack of glass windows made it feel more open to the elements than we expected. There’s no potable water in the room—you have to fill a carafe at stations around the property—and our shower floor seemed like it hadn’t been properly cleaned before our arrival. It drained so slowly that I ended up using shower shoes. Small issues like a barely hanging towel hook and no housekeeping during our stay added up over time. We also noticed some safety concerns around the property: the wooden bridge to our lodge had rotting planks, and there was quite a bit of standing water and mud—understandable in the rainy season, but better drainage would help. One morning, I scraped my head pretty badly on a low overhang that could easily be marked with a sign to prevent accidents. Another thing to be aware of: the lodge sells day passes, so we noticed outside guests walking the grounds during the day, which made it feel less secluded. Plus, the location is right on a busy road, so traffic noise (especially from early morning ATVs) was more noticeable than expected for a rainforest ecolodge. Food-wise, breakfast was a highlight—especially the spicy sausage and lychee juice—but the rest of the menu was limited, and several items weren’t available during our stay. One night we ordered a pizza that came out strangely uneven: burnt on one half and undercooked on the other. Despite the ups and downs at the lodge, we had some meaningful experiences off-property. One day, we visited a sloth sanctuary, which was both heartwarming and educational. The sloths there are permanent residents due to injury, abandonment, or blindness, and the staff truly cares for them. They impressed us by switching fluently between Spanish, English, and Swiss German so that everyone in the group could follow along. One important takeaway: it’s illegal in Costa Rica to touch sloths, and for good reason. Even if other places offer that experience, please decline—it can harm the animals, even if it seems harmless. We also want to mention beach safety in this area. While the beaches are beautiful, they can be dangerous. We visited shortly after a celebrity tragically drowned due to a strong undertow. The warning signs posted are there for a reason—please take them seriously and don’t underestimate the ocean. In the end, we’re glad we visited this lush, wild part of Costa Rica. Shawandha Ecolodge has a lot of potential, and if you come with tempered expectations and an adventurous spirit, you’ll still find plenty to appreciate. A bit more attention to maintenance, cleanliness, and comfort would really help elevate the experience.

less