Luna Lodge

“Unforgettable Costa Rican Rainforest Experience”

Our five-night stay at Luna Lodge was delightful. We hope to return one day. We stayed in a tent cabin high on the hillside. It was a climb to reach it on a well-laid path, but so quiet. The cabin had everything we needed for a comfortable stay and two rocking chairs where we could sit and watch th… more

Our five-night stay at Luna Lodge was delightful. We hope to return one day. We stayed in a tent cabin high on the hillside. It was a climb to reach it on a well-laid path, but so quiet. The cabin had everything we needed for a comfortable stay and two rocking chairs where we could sit and watch the birds, butterflies and lizards go by. So far from cities, the stars shone brightly every night, and we were lulled to sleep by the sound of Pacific waves and the calls of owls. Howler monkeys woke us every morning. The leaders of the birding tours we took around the grounds and to the lagoon were friendly and knowledgeable. We also spent many happy hours walking around the property and down the hill to the ocean on our own, and we took part in a night tour where we saw the somewhat rare false fer de lance, a harmless snake with an unfortunate resemblance to one of the deadliest reptiles in Central America. There were plenty of appealing places to just hang out, read, write, and watch the treetops for spider and howler monkeys, toucans, hummingbirds, or the nesting pair of Scarlet Macaws. This includes the pool area, which was great for cooling off during hot afternoons. Our meals were included and were delicious, especially the fruit and fish. Many ingredients are sourced locally. The staff were kind and helpful, and the owner often appeared at dinner to greet us and to share a bit of the history of Luna Lodge. One night she, and other staff members, performed a song inspired by the rain forest. I can't think of a single negative thing to say about this place.

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“Magical yoga retreat in the jungle”

Just got back from the most incredible yoga retreat tucked away in the jungle 🌿🧘‍♀️ The setting was absolutely magical — surrounded by lush nature and wildlife everywhere you look - monkeys, toucans, macaws, etc. Practicing yoga in an open-air with the sounds of the jungle around was unforgettable… more

Just got back from the most incredible yoga retreat tucked away in the jungle 🌿🧘‍♀️ The setting was absolutely magical — surrounded by lush nature and wildlife everywhere you look - monkeys, toucans, macaws, etc. Practicing yoga in an open-air with the sounds of the jungle around was unforgettable. The lodge itself is beautiful, with comfortable rooms and a saltwater pool that quickly became my favorite place to cool off after a hike on the property! The staff was wonderful and welcoming, and the food was fresh, nourishing, and delicious every day. It really felt like a peaceful escape where you can fully unplug and reconnect with nature. Only thing to keep in mind: there are quite a few stairs since the lodge is built into the hillside — but honestly, the views and jungle atmosphere make the climbs worth it. If you’re looking for a nature-filled yoga retreat with amazing wildlife, great food, and a serene environment, this place is a gem. The treatments and excursions also fabulous! Amazing massage w Rosy and reiki w Lana. A magical spot. Also check out the white hawk foundation - that is trying to preserve this amazing place and the jungle surrounding it!

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“Luna Lodge | An Incredibly Unique Experience”

Luna Lodge was an incredibly unique experience, with its location bordering on Corcovado National Park and overlooking Carate River Valley, dense with biodiversity in flora and fauna. I find myself in the rare situation of finding the right words to describe it. In all of our travels, we have nev… more

Luna Lodge was an incredibly unique experience, with its location bordering on Corcovado National Park and overlooking Carate River Valley, dense with biodiversity in flora and fauna. I find myself in the rare situation of finding the right words to describe it. In all of our travels, we have never seen so many species in their own habitat, such as all four (4) of Costa Rican monkeys (howler, squirrel, spider, white-faced capuchin). Many varieties of birds, including scarlet macaws, toucans, black hawks, and other wildlife such as white-nosed coati, agouti, possums, tree frogs, and too many more to list! Back to the ecolodge……. Opting not to rent a 4x4, we took advantage of the ground transportation arranged through Luna Lodge that picked us up from the airport in Puerto Jiménez within minutes of landing. Part of the fun was actually getting there, which takes approximately 2 hours from the airport. Upon our arrival, we were greeted by friendly staff, offered glasses of water as our luggage was brought to our bungalow. We took advantage of the amazing view of the rainforest and ocean off in the distance with the sound of cicadas and the sight of scarlet macaws flying from one tree to another while enjoying the rocking chairs in the restaurant/common area. Our bungalow wasn’t too far from the restaurant/common area. Even so, it was quiet and private with the exception of the amazing nature and rainforest we were temporarily co-existing in. We were also fortunate to have our own private deck with a coffee table and 2 rocking chairs overlooking the Carate River Valley. Just sitting, rocking, and taking in the hummingbirds, white-nosed coati, squirrel and howler monkeys carrying about, was just amazing! The Merlin app confirmed the sheer number of birds that seemed to take shifts with their calls, including yellow-throated toucans, scarlet macaws, bananaquits, scarlet-rumped tanagers, hawks, and so many more! The tranquility and experience of being in a self-sustaining ecolodge did not have any downsides for us. While there was no air conditioning, there was typically a breeze, and the night air was not uncomfortable. Hearing the wildlife was incredible! Equally incredible was not hearing anything more than 1 airplane the entire 5 nights-6 days. No sirens, dogs barking, noisy neighbors or cars was sublime. The room was clean, bed was comfortable, and the bathroom had a nice shower and tub, though I learned to be cautious as the rocks could get slippery. As this is a self-sustaining ecolodge with its own sanitation/septic and extremely delicate ecosystems, toilet paper cannot be flushed but placed in a wastebasket. I only mention this so there is no surprise. It was never a problem, as the entire bungalow, along with the said wastebasket, was cleaned daily. This was the first time we opted for a stay that included meals, as exploring local markets, etc..is what makes travel interesting to us. However, this is literally in the middle of the rainforest, so that was not an option. Luna Lodge offered three healthy and delicious meals daily. All were made with fresh, local ingredients, some grown onsite and prepared on-premises in their kitchen, providing wholesome vegetarian and non-vegetarian meal options. The fruit plate before breakfast was something we looked forward to every morning with our coffee. Literally the best pineapple, papaya, mango, and bananas we’ve ever had. Lunch was always a fresh vegetarian plate, and dinner never disappointed. Coffee, tea, and water were available all day/evening. Wait staff were friendly and efficient, and the owner, Lana, would make a point of stopping by every table to talk to guests, ask about activities, their stay, other plans, etc…On our last evening before dinner, we viewed an informative presentation about her non-profit, www.whitehawkfoundation.org/, that supports conservation efforts to preserve this incredibly biodiverse area, keeping out commercial development. Definitely take advantage of the tours offered by Luna Lodge’s professional, knowledgeable and licensed guides. We thoroughly enjoyed our day of exploring Corcovado National Park, hiking for approximately 6 hours. That tour left early in the morning, but breakfast was offered earlier to the six of us signed up for an amazing hike with lots of wildlife in a rainforest abutting the beach for ~6.5 miles. In addition to just enjoying the lodge and its surroundings without a tour, we did take the Safari Bird Watching and the Night Walk tours and self-guided hikes to the waterfalls onsite. We also explored the other areas of the lodge, which were quite steep to get to, but so worth the view! We were given a personal sustainability tour from Lana, the owner whose vision, labor, and tenacity built Luna Lodge into the peaceful, self-sustaining ecolodge it is, co-existing with the biodiversity of its location. She is passionate about protecting the Carate River Valley, Corcovado, and the Osa Peninsula. Unfortunately, her book was out of stock at the lodge, or I would’ve purchased it on the spot! If we are fortunate enough to return to Costa Rica and explore more, we will definitely make sure we find our way back to Luna Lodge again.

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“Such a special place”

Such a special place! The location cannot be beat!! Nature right outside the door. Great food. Friendly staff. Just hard enough to get to that it’s not over run. I’d go again in a heartbeat!