The Swiss owned and operated Golfo Dulce Lodge (German/English/Spanish spoken) is surrounded by the undisturbed primary lowland rainforest of the newly established Piedras Blancas National Park (formerly called National Park Esquinas or Corcovado II) and the clear waters of the Golfo Dulce.

Opened in November 1995, this small bungalow settlement lies on a remote beach in the quiet bay of Playa San Josecito on the Golfo Dulce in the Southern part of Costa Rica. The lodge is only accessible by a boat ride of about 20 to 30 minutes either from Golfito or Puerto Jimenez, on foot or on horse-back.

The little complex of individual buildings is informally grouped together as a tiny village in a large landscaped garden right on the edge of the tropical rainforest and less than 300 yards (250m) away from the rocky beach.

• Tropical Restaurant: with bamboo ceiling, where delicious meals with local flavor and ingredients are served, hosts a cosy jungle bar and chairs for leisure. The large, covered rooftop observation deck of the Restaurant, furnished with comfortable bamboo sofas and decorated with lush tropical plants, invites for birding while sipping a cold drink.
• Small main complex next to the restaurant with ladies and gents restrooms beautifully painted with tropical sceneries and kitchen and laundry
• Freshwater Pool (chlorine-free)
• Beach Ranchito with hammocks
• Information Center with hangouts about tropical flora and fauna, history and traditions

Besides rainforest and wildlife conservation one of our primary goals is to do as little harm as possible to the environment. The drinking water is collected from a spring in a canyon about one mile up in the mountains. The water in the bungalows is pure and unspoiled, and thus drinkable. Electricity is generated by a hydro plant, and various septic tanks ensure that there is no negative impact to the environment.

The lodge property consists of more than 300 hectares (750 acres) and was bought to conserve the existing virgin rainforest, and to set up a small place for nature and animal lovers to experience the magnificent world of a still almost untouched environment on an individual basis, far away from tourist crowds. The property consists of various ecosystems such as primary and secondary forest, an extensive heliconia field, and pasture.

Different hikes for various skills and durations are possible on an existing 20 kilometer system of trails. An easily accessible and safe observation platform makes birding inviting. So far, more than 240 species of birds have been observed on the lodge property or in the adjacent Piedras Blancas National Park. During highseasons, the jungle hikes are guided by a qualified German/English speaking biologist who shares his profound knowledge of the flora and fauna.

The Golfo Dulce Lodge supports the official Wildcat Rehabilitation Center Profelis, which is acknowledged by the Costa Rican government and is reintroducing confiscated margays (Leopardus wiedii) and ocelots (Leopardus pardalis) into their natural habitat, the tropical lowland rainforest of the Piedras Blancas National Park. On a remote part of the lodge rainforest, the first worldwide documented margay release took place in February 1998, conducted by Profelis, and was filmed by the German TV-crew VOX. Additionally, part of the documentaries on cats by the wellknown broadcasting teams of BBC and Wild Things California were filmed on the lodge property.

• Various guided hikes on trails of different lengths leading through secondary and primary rainforest, heliconia field, pasture and fruit trees leading through the private reserve and the Piedras Blancas National Park.
• Boat excursion to the mangrove swamps of the Rio Esquinas with and without combination with leisure time at a remote beach of the Golfo Dulce.
• Visit to the botanical garden 'Casa Orquideas', duration approx. 2 ½ hours.
• Boat excursion to Rio Esquinas combined with leisure time at a remote beach: The Rio Esquinas tour can be extended with snorkeling at a secluded beach of the Golfo Dulce
• Other activities include: sea-kayaking, light tackle fishing, horseback riding and safe swimming at the Lodge beach. For interested parties, there is a library, a selection of nature videos as well as a telescope for star viewing.

The Dulce Lodge is surrounded by the undisturbed primary lowland rainforest of the Piedras Blancas National Park, an extension of the Corcovado National Park and the clear waters of the Golfo Dulce.

The remote lodge at Playa San Josecito is only accessible by a boat ride of about 30 minutes either from Golfito or Puerto Jimenez.

• Seasonal Surcharge for special gourmet meals of US$ 15.— person/day on 24 th December, 25 th December, 31 st December and 1 st January
• Rates for Children: 50% discount on double occupancy deluxe rate for children of 8 up to 12 years old if sharing the same room with the parents, children older than 12 years pay the full adult rate. For safety reasons a stay with children younger than 8 years is not recommended.