Pacuare Lodge

Overlooking the river, the thatched double-storey Nairi Awari restaurant serves delicious, farm-to-table meals, including a rotating dinner menu accompanied by vintage wines or craft beers (brewed on site). The social spaces are dotted with art and decor handmade by members of the Cabecar tribe, and are solely lit by candles in the evening. Surrounded by towering trees, the infinity pool is a real delight, while the Jawa Juü ('house of the healer') spa promises shoulder-sinking massages. Yoga is also offered on the riverbanks.

With glossy hardwood floors and screen walls, the rooms are simply furnished (except for the Simmons Beautyrest mattress, the height of slumbering luxury!) and place their focus on the view. These range depending on location; some enjoy 180° river vistas, while others focus on the jungle. Each rooms has a private terrace, the most luxurious boasting a spring-fed pool, while the Canopy Villa is entirely set on a platform in the trees. The bathrooms are also beautiful with lovely features like a river-view tub and open-air shower. There are no TVs to distract you either, but Wi-Fi and charging stations are available in the lodge.

Explore, explore and explore some more! Join an experienced guide for canyoning down waterfalls and rock faces, hiking into the forest to spot curious creatures, or white water rafting on the river. You can also request a focus on birdwatching - and there are plenty of species to spot, including the rare Montezuma oropendola. On land, drive through the Talamanca Mountains to see Costa Rica's oldest Pre-Columbian ruins, take a tour of the lodge's sustainability projects, or learn all about Theobroma Cacao (the 'food of the gods') and how gourmet chocolate is made in Pacuare.