Seven Of The Best Costa Rican Eco-Stays

The UN’s newly crowned environmental Champion of the Earth offers sumptuous, sustainable wilderness stays – in a string of extraordinary eco-lodges

- Alex Robinson

1 LAPA RIOS

Lapa Rios lodge sits on the edge of Corcovado National Park – the largest tract of primary tropical forest on the Pacific coast of Central America — and there’s nowhere you’re more likely to see jaguars. Or find jungle suites with better from-the-bed views: over rolling, rainforest-swathed hills to the shimmering blue Golfo Dulce. The lodge generates its own natural gas (from kitchen-scrap-fed pigs), has a solar heating system, grows its own fruit and vegetables and has been supporting local schools for over 25 years. Bungalow doubles from £675 per night, full board with transfers; laparios.com

2 PLAYA NICUESA

Set on a lush tropical fjord between rainforest ridges and ribbons of black sand beach – and reachable only by boat – Playa Nicuesa is Eden-like. Rooms are gathered in a tranquil tropical garden fragrant with mangoes and brilliant with scarlet heliconia, and it’s easy to do nothing but swim in the deep blue Pacific or watch the horizon meditatively from the shoreside yoga deck. But there is plenty to do – kayaking through the mangroves, fishing for skipjack tuna or canyoning up mountain streams to icy waterfalls. Cabins from £390 per night per room (two nights required) full board with transfers; nicuesalodge.com

3 PACUARÉ