About | Playa Cativo

Surrounded by Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula, named “the most biologically intense region on earth” by National Geographic, the resort is only accessible by boat and is encompassed within 1,000-acre of Private Nature Reserve in Golfo Dulce amidst Piedras Blancas National Park, a 35,000-acre tropical rainforest.

Immediately upon entering Playa Cativo, you will experience the beauty of the natural surroundings, our community, and our commitment to deliver an unforgettable getaway for our guests. We are dedicated to creating unique and distinctive experiences because we believe decadence is in the details, and we thoughtfully tailor our services to the specific needs and desires of each and every guest.

An inviting atmosphere and an elegant environment, designed intentionally to peak your sense of wonder and slow the hurried pace of everyday life, awaits.

Preservation & Sustainability

Playa Cativo Lodge is embraced by Piedras Blancas National Park, a former extension of the nearby Corcovado National Park, and it protects some of the last remaining stretches of undisturbed lowland primary (or old growth) rainforest in Central America. Of all the land-based ecosystems in the world, tropical lowland rainforests are the most biologically diverse and serve as a refuge for many threatened species.

This national park is a critical last stand for an estimated 750 species of trees, 140 species of mammals, 390 species of birds (with a number of species endemic to the region), 117 species of reptiles, and almost 10,000 species of insects. Due to our proximity to this vast ecosystem of biodiversity, we are extremely passionate about protecting the region and all of its precious inhabitants.

We invite our guests to join us to share in environmentally sustainable practices and to do their part to be mindful of Mother Earth while on-site and as they travel. Even the smallest acts can contribute toward a better future for our fragile world. Some of the eco-conscious efforts we have implemented at Playa Cativo include:

Clean Energy

As with many of the lodges and neighbors in the Golfo Dulce and Peninsula de Osa area, the lack of an electric grid creates the need to generate their own electricity on-site. At Playa Cativo Eco Lodge, we generate 100% clean electric energy by hydropower, complemented by solar panels, and we also heat our water with solar power. In turn, our guests can enjoy clean air and undisturbed silence.

Organic Farm: Playa Cativo, Costa Rica

Our Farm is flourishing with a diverse variety of delicious and fresh fare such as fruits, vegetables, and herbs which are harvested and used as ingredients in the incredible farm-to-table cuisine at El Galiván Restaurant and at El Gazebo Sunset Bar. Join our passionate farmers on a tour of the farm and discover the journey of cultivating fresh fare from seedlings to wholesome nourishment.

Reduce, Reuse and Recycle Waste

Our local commercial partners join us in our effort to reduce waste. At the property, we have a collection center open for the community, where all waste is classified, separated, and later taken to the Golfito recycling center. The organic waste is kept at Playa Cativo and treated at our compost center to produce fertilizer and rich soil, and then used in our gardens and organic farm. These activities help to preserve our natural resources, reduce pollution, and reduce waste.

Biodegradable Amenities

All bathroom amenities, as well as cleaning and laundry products, are biodegradable and manufactured in Costa Rica to minimize our carbon footprint. The use of biodegradable products significantly reduces the impact on the environment. We ask guests to use our complimentary quality products and avoid bringing non-biodegradable shampoos, conditioners, soaps, and similar products.

Waste Management and Carbon Footprint

Playa Cativo continues to learn, plan and adopt best practices related to renewable materials. Over 80% of our building is biodegradable or reusable. Other sustainable actions include the use of LED technology that reduces energy consumption and pollution when replacing light bulbs, a solar-powered filtering system for the swimming pool, four-stroke outboard engines in all of our boats, and a solar cloth drying system.

Sustainability at our Eco-Lodge

Playa Cativo Eco Lodge aims to be 100% sustainable. We believe that the protection of the rainforest and ocean is the responsibility of the community as a whole. Therefore, our commitment and actions support the local economy, and we work together with the area authorities. Purchasing at the regional stores or directly from the producers' fuels the local economy while guaranteeing the freshest products for our guests.

Conservation

We currently support three projects carried out by scientists in our surrounding forest and the sea: a Coral Gardening Project which is a process of ¨cultivating¨ pieces of corals in substrate structures that will sustain the growing species until they reach a size to be out-planted. Since coral reefs provide a lot of ecosystem services this process brings benefits to the ecology of the research area and also to the local communities involved.

Acoustic of Spider Monkey, and Sustainable use of Wild Vanilla Species. Future projects include the restoration of the mangrove coverage of Playa Cativo, the creation of a tree nursery with the endangered species of trees, and a climate change adaptation strategy in the mangrove forest, the coral reefs, and the needlefish spawning areas in the coastal area of Piedras Blancas National Park.

Ornamental & Medicinal Gardens

At Playa Cativo we're always keen to form alliances with those who share our vision and commitment to regional conservation. Earlier this year, we partnered with the team of the local organization La Cotinga Biological Research Station on a joint project that aims to change the face of our ornamental gardens. The team is working to replace existing plants surrounding our guest facilities - the majority of which originate from other countries throughout the Tropics - with plants that occur naturally in our own region. There are many reasons for gardening with native species, including increased benefits for regional wildlife (for example, as a source of food, shelter, and nesting), the provision of a truly authentic guest experience, and the opportunity to observe important plant-animal interactions within our garden settings.