Playa Cativo Lodge

Choose dates to view prices

Luxury
4.5 star property
9.4

Exceptional

Secluded sanctuary in Golfito

Rainforest meets ocean at this secluded beachfront lodge with El Gavilan restaurant offering wonderful food and panoramic gulf views. Enjoy morning bird watching tours, afternoon dolphin spotting excursions, or retreat to the outdoor pool area and beachfront massage treatments.

Popular amenities

  • Pool
  • Breakfast included
  • Spa
  • Parking included
  • Free WiFi
  • Restaurant

Room options

Available filters for rooms
Showing 6 of 6 rooms

View all photos for Deluxe Panoramic Ocean View

A spacious room with a large bed, a piano, and a view of the ocean.

Deluxe Panoramic Ocean View

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)
  • Ocean view
  • 60 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed and 1 Double Sofa Bed

View all photos for Luxury Casita with Plunge Pool

A spacious living area with a wooden ceiling, large windows, a sofa, a coffee table, and a hammock outside.

Luxury Casita with Plunge Pool

  • Partial ocean view
  • 55 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed and 1 Double Sofa Bed

View all photos for Deluxe Ocean View

A spacious bedroom with a large bed, a ceiling fan, and a view of the ocean.

Deluxe Ocean View

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)
  • Ocean view
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed OR 1 Double Sofa Bed

View all photos for Ocean Front Casita

Room

Ocean Front Casita

  • Ocean view
  • 80 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Two Bedroom Ocean View Villa

A lush garden with a wooden deck and a pool, surrounded by dense tropical vegetation and a view of the water.

Two Bedroom Ocean View Villa

  • Ocean view
  • 90 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 King Bed OR 2 Queen Beds

View all photos for Premium Oceanview with A/C

A wooden-paneled room with a bed, a desk, and a mirror.

Premium Oceanview with A/C

  • Ocean view
  • 80 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed OR 1 Double Sofa Bed
Mod logo
Sign in to view eligible discounts and perks. More rewards for more adventures!
Sign inSign up, it's free

About the neighborhood

Located in Golfito, Playa Cativo Lodge is in the mountains and on the waterfront. Piedras Blancas National Park and La Tarde Wildlife Area reflect the area's natural beauty and area attractions include Casa Orquideas Botanical Garden and Precious Turtles of Osa. Spend some time exploring the area's activities, including whale-watching. Visit our Golfito travel guide
View more Lodges in Golfito
Map
60701, Puntarenas, Golfito, Playa Cativo, Golfo Dulce, Piedras Blancas National Park

What's nearby

  • A group of dolphins swimming in clear blue water.
    Golfo Dulce
    1 min walk - 0.1 km
  • Piedras Blancas National Park
    1 min walk - 0.0 km

Restaurants

  • Burger King

About this property

Playa Cativo Lodge

  • Luxury lodge by the ocean
  • You can look forward to free cooked-to-order breakfast, a terrace, and a garden at Playa Cativo Lodge. Treat yourself to spa services, such as a manicure/pedicure, a deep-tissue massage, or aromatherapy. The on-site restaurant, El Gavilan, offers breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a beachfront location. Enjoy onsite activities like snorkeling, fishing, and kayaking. Stay connected with free in-room WiFi, and guests can find other amenities such as a library and laundry facilities.
  • You'll also enjoy perks such as:
    • An outdoor pool along with sun loungers and pool umbrellas
    • Free self parking
    • A free area shuttle, wedding services, and a computer station
    • Smoke-free premises, coffee/tea in the lobby, and multilingual staff
  • Room features
  • All guestrooms are individually furnished, and feature comforts such as premium bedding and laptop-compatible safes, as well as perks like laptop-friendly workspaces and separate dining areas.
  • More amenities include:
    • Showers and free toiletries
    • Wardrobes/closets, separate dining areas, and ceiling fans

Similar properties

A swimming pool with lounge chairs and umbrellas, surrounded by palm trees and a mountain backdrop.
Hotel Casa Roland Golfito Resort
Golfito
  • Pool
  • Breakfast included
  • Pet friendly
  • Kids pool
8.8 out of 10, Excellent, 659 reviews
The price is ￥14,066
￥15,895 total
includes taxes & fees
Nov 25 - Nov 26
Hotel Casa Roland Golfito Resort
Compare similar properties

Frequently asked questions

Does Playa Cativo Lodge have a pool?

Yes, this property has an outdoor pool.

Is Playa Cativo Lodge pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking?

Self parking is free at this property.

What time is check-in at Playa Cativo Lodge?

Check-in start time: 2:00 PM; Check-in end time: anytime.

What time is check-out at Playa Cativo Lodge?

Check-out is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Playa Cativo Lodge located?

Situated on the waterfront, this lodge is steps from Piedras Blancas National Park.

Can I cancel my reservation for free and receive a full refund?

Yes, this property offers free cancellation on select room rates, because flexibility matters! Please refer to the property cancellation policy on our site for more details about any exclusions or requirements.

Have a question?

AI iconBeta

Get instant answers with AI powered search of property information and reviews.

Reviews

Playa Cativo Lodge Reviews

9.4

Exceptional

10

Cleanliness

10

Location

10

Staff & service

9.4

Property conditions & facilities
Rating 10 - Excellent. 12 out of 15 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 1 out of 15 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 2 out of 15 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 15 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 15 reviews

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Excellent time at Cativo Lodge! The hotel is so beautiful the room is big, comfortable and with great amenities. But the best of the hotel is the staff and how they make us to feel like home! Thanks to GM Kenneth; Mike, Ivan, Alonso, Kevin and many others! Great customer service!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2026
Verified review

6/10 Okay

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Properties located in a rainforest. There is a really beautiful property. Restaurant is great the food is amazing. Stop is really really accommodating and nice. However it is expensive at about $1200-$1300 a night, when you include the food and stay.. The only problem is that it does not have air conditioning. With the hot and humid weather not having air conditioning creates a big problem. When guests are not getting good sleep, they are not able to enjoy their day and that was a problem for us too. Her daughter was under slept the whole week, and she was cranky in the evenings. I would think that a property of this price range should offer air conditioning to the guests. I would not be returning to this property because of that issue.
Stayed 6 nights in Mar 2026
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Playa Cativo Lodge is a wonderful place and the accommodations, food and staff were absolutely perfect. It was nice to be so close to the gulf which was calm, warm, sandy and perfect for swimming. My only complaint was that the entire front area of the lodge has been landscaped with grass and ornamental plants, many of which are not native. Because of this large open area few birds or animals come near the lodge. Bird watching was disappointing compared to lodges that have left the rainforest intact or revegetated. Also with the large, unshaded open area the lodge is blasted with intense afternoon sun making the rooms very hot. Despite this our stay was great and unless you are a hard-core birder and monkey watcher you will love Playa Cativo!!
Stayed 5 nights in Feb 2023
Verified review

6/10 Okay

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
The property is generally good given its environment deep within a rain forest and the staff & management are excellent. The food choice if staying for more than two nights is very limited and the menu does not rotate. The activities around the resort are limited to bird watching and some water based trips such as dolphin spotting. The web site implies you may see a complete range of wildlife including rare sightings of Costa Rica's cats - the reality is you will not and are restricted to birds and an occaisional monkey. Some of the listed activities do not deliver eg AM bird watching is simply a walk around the hotel garden and the Sainos tour includes you stopping after 15 minutes for a drink and some nachos - its not good value as there isnt much to see. The beach at Cativo is not used and so you are restricted to the pool area which is heavily insect infested and so sun bathing or relaxing is difficult. The resort promises alot but doesn't deliver in a number of areas although it is premium priced.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Très beau eco lodge placé dans un environnement magnifique face à la baie.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Staff muito gentil, quarto bem espaçoso e bonito (sem ar condicionado)
Stayed 6 nights in Jan 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Increible
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This place is paradise. Our room was fantastic, we had views of the sea and views of the jungle.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2020
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The setting is stunning combining the beautiful rainforest with the Pacific Ocean in all their glories. The Lodge purposely blends in with the natural surrounding trying to minimize the intrusion. The team here has a true passion for the ecosystem and ecology . They provided an exceptional level of attention and service.Of note a near perfectly prepared piece of red snapper, an evening massage on my balcony to the music of the rainforest 10 ft away,the first tug of a fish on a hand line, a carafe of fresh watermelon juice placed in my room,sunsets sitting on my balcony.....
Stayed 10 nights in Feb 2020
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness
The lodge is in a stunning location - on the beach but within the rainforest. Incredible scenery, great food, a small but well equipped lodge with rooms with plunge pools. An amazing get away. The lodge offers good value as the meals are included - delicious, healthy and organic. There are various activities and guides available for trips. Our highlight was kayaking in the mangroves. But what really makes this place special are the staff - they are very attentive and nothing is too much trouble. With an attention to detail they made our stay a special one. We would highly recommend a visit and we will be visiting again.
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2020
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Beautiful place

Amazing place and amazing service !
Stayed 5 nights in May 2019
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Playa Cativo's welcoming, warm and very ( rain-forest) knowledgeable staff ensure you are well taken care of 24/7. Pampered really! The food is exceptional. This eco-lodge, its gardens and organic farm, in one of the most amazing and beautiful biodiverse rain forests in the world, is beautiful, tastefully appointed, peaceful, healing and nurturing. Just sent 12 days there! Non-toxic insect spray is a must in the rain forest.
Stayed 11 nights in Jun 2018
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 6 nights in Jan 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2018