Copa de Arbol

Reachable only by boat, Copa de Arbol is one of those places where, just getting there is a topic of conservation over cocktails. It's not every hotel in the world where you need to take a small plane to a jungle airstrip, followed by a bumpy ride through the jungle to a beach, and then a boat ride along the coast and through mangroves to your destination.

But that's part of life in the remote Osa Peninsula, famous for its virgin rainforests and the Corcovado National Park. They say this part of Costa Rica is the most biologically intense place on Earth.

The easiest way to get to Copa de Arbol is to fly from San Jose to Drake Bay. The flight takes an hour, followed by a 30-minute drive to the tiny community of Drake Bay. Then you'll get on a boat from the beach for a five-minute ride along the coast to the hotel.

You can also drive as far as Palmar Sur and take a longer boat ride to Copa de Arbol from there. But you get the picture - it's remote, and getting to Copa de Arbol means getting your feet wet. All part of the experience!

Once at Copa de Arbol, you'll find nothing but total seclusion and nature. Copa de Arbol's biggest draw is its location. You're minutes from the beach here, and the surrounding rainforest teems with life.

You'll rise to the howls of monkeys, sounds of the wild rainforest, and songs of birds - while surrounded by comforts and luxuries of modern hospitality.

Copa de Arbol comprises ten Balinese-style cabinas and villas, set amid 70 acres of oceanfront rainforest. Over the past few years, it's been a multiple award-winning eco-hotel, ranking high in various TripAdvisor Traveler's Choice awards.

The cabinas at Copa de Arbol are gorgeous. It's the only hotel in the area offering A/C, which allows you to relax after a day in the jungle. You won't find TVs in the rooms, as this help you connect better with your rainforest surroundings and truly unwind. There is the internet, though.

It's a place to relax and enjoy nature, although it's possible to indulge in some adventure at Copa de Arbol. The hotel provides stand-up paddleboards, kayaks, and, of course, plenty of hiking on the trails around the property.

The surrounding jungle is pristine with cool creeks, towering trees, monkeys chattering above, and much more. The complete loop takes around 45 minutes.

Due to the remote location of Copa de Arbol, the hotel is all-inclusive, with a complete meal plan of breakfast, lunch, and dinner included. Unfortunately, there are no restaurants nearby, so the on-site restaurant and bar, Miramar, offers fantastic ocean views. With its open-air design, you'll feel the ocean breeze here while dining out on international cuisine prepared with the best local products.

Freshly baked bread, specialty coffee, local produce, meats, and seafood make for exquisite dining at Copa de Arbol. The restaurant can accommodate all dietary restrictions as long as they receive prior notice.

There's also a fully-stocked bar, perfect for afternoon cocktails.

The hotel also offers off-site tours to nearby areas, including guided hikes in the Corcovado National Park and scuba diving offshore Caño Island.

The tour to Corcovado takes about an hour boat ride from the hotel’s beach, and then it’s a hike through the trails to see the wildlife. The trip to Caño Island is another hour boat ride to the reserve off the Pacific coast.

Here you gear up and submerge yourself in the waters to spot the underwater marine life. Keep your eyes open to try to spot sea turtles, tropical fish, and even sharks!

If you want to explore on your own, head to the beach in front of Copa and walk half an hour to find other secluded beaches on your own.

Suppose you are to stay on-site; Copa de Arbol sports a beautiful, cozy infinity-edge pool to enjoy the hottest hours of the day. There's also a jacuzzi right there to soothe sore muscles after hiking the rainforests.

Copa de Arbol is an off-the-beaten-path property that appeals to nature lovers and those seeking an understated luxury in an exotic locale.

To book a stay at Copa Arbol, or simply to get more information on this eco-hotel, contact our expert travel advisors, who will be happy to tell you more.