Bosque del Cabo Rainforest Lodge Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica Activities Lodge Information

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS - AND ANSWERS BY BOSQUE DEL CABO RAINFOREST LODGE - in their own words:

What activities are there?
Hiking and bird watching are the main activities for most of the guests at Bosque del Cabo. There are many trails that go through the rainforest down to the beaches and creeks around the area. We also have a 250 foot steel cable zipline that leads into our 110+ foot high tree platform. There is also surfing, swimming, kayaking, fishing, horseback riding, and boating. For more information on this subject, please click here.

Are there beaches there?
Yes, there are several beautiful beaches around Bosque. The Pacific Ocean has gorgeous beaches with tide pools, waterfalls, and caves. The Golfo Dulce beaches are perfect for swimming and surfing.

Is there a pool?
Yes, we have a small pool with deck and bar area. There are several lounge chairs and stools for sunning and hanging out, as well as a lower deck with tables and chairs for alfresco dining, relaxed conversations or card games. We also have several rows of shady palm trees with hammocks for your enjoyment.

Is there snorkeling?
You can go snorkeling in the Golfo Dulce, but as a general rule, snorkeling is not that great off the beaches here. If you would like to go snorkeling, we can help you arrange a trip to the reefs inside the gulf. Isla de Cano is located approximately 3 hours by boat from Puerto Jimenez and offers the enthusiast world-class snorkeling and scuba. Tours can be arranged by Bosque del Cabo.

Can we go fishing?
Yes, fishing is great here. There are a couple of sport fishing companies in the area that provide pick up in Puerto Jimenez and a great day of fishing for about $450. Normal catches include sailfish, dorado, roosterfish, snapper, and grouper. Also smaller local boats can be contracted for less money. If you bring your own equipment, fishing off the shore has been rewarding for many guests.

Is there any nightlife there?
There are a lot of nocturnal animals that can be seen on night walks, but as far as discos, bars, and movies, no. In order to better view the natural nightlife, Bosque del Cabo offers several great night tours that give you the opportunity to view animals like frogs, spiders, toads, bats and other nocturnal mammals. The weekends offer the colorful local disco in town, and taxis can be arranged.

Should I pick a standard or deluxe cabin?
Both styles are cabinas are nice and all of the cabinas have great views. The basic difference is that the deluxe cabinas have one king-sized bed and the standard cabinas have 2 double beds. Also, the deluxe cabinas have solar-powered lights.

Are there many other people that will be at and around the lodge?
Maximum capacity of the lodge is 30-35 people. Since we serve dinner at one big table, you’ll have a chance to meet all the guests and socialize. On the other hand, there is always plenty of room to have privacy even when we are full. Our restaurant and bar are private, so we don’t have lots of people in and out that aren’t staying at the lodge.

What is the nearest town and what is it like?
Puerto Jimenez is 22 kilometers from Bosque del Cabo (about a 45 minute drive). Puerto Jimenez is a typical small, sleepy Central American town with a population of roughly 3500. The center of town (basically a 2-block radius) has small restaurants and bars. There is all the local color and quaintness you would expect, plus most of the amenities that you need, including a bank, airstrip, post office, gas station, public dock, several markets, a bakery, a hardware store, and a soccer field.

Is there electricity?
There are no power lines run this far out, the closest grid power is 20 kilometers away. We produce our own electricity for the restaurant, bar, office, pool pump, and deluxe cabins with solar panels. The houses are powered by hydroelectric power. We do have outlets for charging camcorder batteries and such.

Is there t.v.?
No, there is no t.v.

Is there hot water?
There is no hot water, but most people find the showers to be refreshing, especially after a long day of hiking.

What is the weather like?
Costa Rica has two main seasons, the rainy season and the dry season; the months vary a little from region to region. On the Osa Peninsula, you can usually count on December through April being dry with a few scattered showers per month. May to July is the beginning of the rainy season, and it will usually rain a few times a week, usually in the afternoon. Late August through early November bring the hardest rains; there is normally a pattern of hard afternoon rains followed by bright, sunny mornings. The temperature stays in the upper 70s and 80s, with the hottest time being March.

What kind of clothes should I bring?
Bring lots of t-shirts, tank tops, and shorts. Light clothing is best, since it is never very cold and can be hot and humid. Also, a pair of lightweight, long pants and a long-sleeved shirt are useful. Hiking boots and teva-like sandals are the most practical footwear for the Osa. A hat and sunglasses are good for sun protection. Sunscreen is always a good item to have, as well as any medicines that you may need. If you are visiting during rainy season, a lightweight rain jacket is a good idea.

What kind of shoes should I bring?
Hiking boots and “Tevas” are the shoes we most recommend. Hiking boots are recommended for long trails through the jungle where ants, stumps and brush can make a closed toe shoe a better choice. Hiking boots also give you ankle support and better traction on slippery ground. “Tevas” are good for beach trails where you can use them to walk through water as well as on hot sand. Some guests hike in their tennis shoes, which seems fine for most people. Some people also like to use “Reef Walker” shoes (mesh and rubber water shoes) for going in the ocean. Flip-flops are not recommended for hiking.

Is there anything else I should bring?
Yes, a good flashlight, camera (and film and appropriate batteries), and binoculars (although we do have several pairs of 8 x 30 Swarovski lenses for rent at the lodge).

Are there bugs, and if so what should I bring to repel them?
There are surprisingly few bugs at Bosque del Cabo, partly due to the location 500 feet over the ocean with prevailing winds and nature’s cycle still being intact. Most guests even forego the use of mosquito nets at night. But, it is best to bring some over-the-counter insect repellant to have on hand, in case you need it (although we do sell an all natural, Deet-free insect repellent).

What kind of animals am I likely to see there?
You will see Scarlet macaws, toucans, parrots, hawks, tanagers, and many other types of birds. There are over 300 species of birds identified in the local area. As far as animals, the most commonly seen are monkeys (there are 4 types here, and it doesn’t take much hiking to find them all), coatis, agoutis, tayras, kinkajous, sloths, armadillos, and anteaters. Also spotted on our reserve have been pumas, ocelots, margays, jagarundis, and peccaries (wild pigs). There are also a host of amphibians and insects to observe such as the poison dart frog, iguanas, boas, morpho butterflies, leaf-cutter ants, and many many more. For more information on this subject, please click here.

Can we visit (should we) visit Corcovado National Park?
We are approximately 20 kilometers from Corcovado National Park and the terrain and vegetation are very similar to what you see in the park. Most guests are more than satisfied with the hiking and wildlife that we have at Bosque. If you still wish to visit the park, day trips can be arranged either by flying into Sirena or hiking into the park through Carate. Guests that have gone on these day trips have found it very adventurous and exciting, as well as tiring, but most agree that they see as much wildlife at Bosque.