If you are weighing up El Lugar Costa Rica for your trip, here is an honest, independent take rather than the brochure version. El Lugar is a sustainable eco-resort tucked into the rainforest of Sarapiqui, and it is one of the quietest, most nature-first places we have stayed in the country.
We spent a couple of nights at El Lugar, and the photos in this review are our own, from the casita to the food to the birds off the deck. This is the kind of resort that does not show up on the usual “best of Costa Rica” lists, which is exactly what makes it worth knowing about.
Below is everything that actually matters before booking: where it is and how to get there, the rooms, the food, the sustainability story, what it costs, what there is to do nearby, and an honest verdict on who it suits and who it does not.
Key Takeaways
- It is a small, sustainability-first eco-resort in Sarapiqui, surrounded by rainforest near the La Selva research station in north-central Costa Rica.
- It suits travellers who want quiet and nature over a scene. Think birdsong, slow mornings and conservation, not a beach club or nightlife.
- The sustainability is built in, not bolted on. From the construction to the daily operations, protecting the surrounding forest is the whole point.
- You will want a car or a transfer. It sits about two hours from San Jose, so the remote setting is part of the appeal and part of the planning.
- Our verdict: a calm getaway for someone who wants something different from what everyone else recommends. We rate it 4.5 out of 5 for the right traveller.
El Lugar Costa Rica at a Glance
Here is the quick snapshot before the detail.
El Lugar Resort at a Glance
| Where | Sarapiqui, north-central Costa Rica (near La Selva) |
| Getting there | About 2 hours by road from San Jose and SJO airport |
| Style | Small sustainable eco-resort, casitas and rooms |
| Best for | Couples and nature lovers wanting a quiet rainforest stay |
| Not for | Beach, nightlife or big-resort travellers |
| Sustainability | Conservation-focused construction and operations |
| Suggested stay | 2 to 3 nights |
| Our rating | 4.5 / 5 for the right traveller |
About El Lugar Resort
Costa Rica has no shortage of sustainable resorts and wellness retreats, but El Lugar Resort pushes the conservation side harder than most. It was built with a clear goal: protect the surrounding rainforest without watering down the guest experience.
The result is a low-key property where the forest comes first. There is no sprawling complex or party energy here. Instead you get a handful of casitas and rooms, a pool, a restaurant, and direct access to the wildlife that makes Sarapiqui special. It reads less like a hotel and more like a comfortable base inside a private slice of jungle.
Where El Lugar Is and How to Get There
El Lugar sits in Sarapiqui, in the northern lowlands of Costa Rica, right beside the kind of rainforest that draws researchers to the nearby La Selva Biological Station. It is roughly a two-hour drive from San Jose and the SJO international airport, heading northeast over the mountains and down into the humid lowlands.
The easiest way in is to drive or arrange a private transfer. A rental car gives the most freedom to explore Sarapiqui once you are there, and the mountain road down is scenic if a little winding. We use Vamos for car rentals in Costa Rica because the rate they quote already includes the mandatory local insurance. If San Jose is your gateway, it is worth a night in the capital first, and the things to do in San Jose guide covers how to fill it.
Sustainability at El Lugar
Sustainability is the reason El Lugar exists, and it shows in the details rather than the marketing. The build was designed to sit lightly on the land, the operations aim to minimise impact, and the surrounding forest is actively protected rather than just admired. The point is to give the rainforest a reason to stay standing.
If the idea of a genuinely green stay is new to you, the what is an eco hotel guide explains what separates a real eco-property from one that just hangs a “reuse your towel” card in the bathroom. El Lugar lands firmly in the former camp, and it is one of the stronger picks in the best eco lodges in Costa Rica roundup.
The Rooms and Casitas
Accommodation at El Lugar is split between standalone casitas and rooms, all designed to keep you close to the forest. Here is how the styles compare so you can pick the one that fits your trip.
| Room Style | Feel | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Casita | Private standalone unit, closest to the trees | Couples wanting privacy and a nature-immersive stay |
| Resort room | Comfortable room within the main building | A simpler, central base for shorter stays |
Our casita was the highlight: quiet, comfortable, and opening straight onto greenery, with the sounds of the forest as the soundtrack. The finishes are natural and understated rather than flashy, which fits the whole ethos of the place. If a nature-first stay is the goal, the casitas are worth the upgrade.
Food at El Lugar
Dining at El Lugar happens on-site, which suits the remote setting since there is nowhere to pop out to. The kitchen leans on fresh, local ingredients and the kind of Costa Rican cooking that pairs well with a rainforest view. Meals are unhurried, which is rather the point of the whole stay.
Eating where you sleep also means you are not driving the dark mountain roads at night looking for dinner. Build the meals into your plan, settle in, and let the slow pace take over.
Facilities and Amenities
The facilities are deliberately modest, in keeping with a small eco-resort. The centrepiece is the pool, a welcome cool-down after a humid morning in the forest, with a relaxed poolside spot to sit with a drink. Around it are the common areas where guests gather, plus easy access to the trails and wildlife just beyond.
This is not a resort with a casino, a nightclub and ten restaurants. It is a calm, low-density base built around the natural setting, and the amenities are there to support that rather than compete with it.
Activities at El Lugar
The real draw at El Lugar is the nature on the doorstep. Sarapiqui is one of the best birding regions in Costa Rica, and mornings here mean toucans, tanagers and a soundtrack of calls before breakfast. Max spent the early hours with binoculars and a camera; the bird life genuinely delivers.
Beyond birding, the property offers horseback riding through the grounds, which Oksana took on, plus guided nature walks that turn up far more wildlife than wandering alone. If the animals are what brought you to Costa Rica, the guide to Costa Rica animals is a good primer on what to look for, and the Costa Rica rainforest guide sets the wider scene.
The Sarapiqui lowlands are also prime territory for the small stuff that makes Costa Rica famous. After dark, guided night walks are the way to find red-eyed tree frogs, glass frogs and the insects that fuel the whole ecosystem, and the wetter green-season months are when the frogs are most active. Sloths, poison dart frogs and the occasional river otter are all on the cards here, which is a big part of why researchers cluster in this region in the first place.
What El Lugar Costs
El Lugar sits at the boutique, upscale end of Costa Rica’s eco-stays rather than the backpacker end. You are paying for a small, low-impact property in a private rainforest setting, with the kind of personal service a big resort cannot match. For most travellers it is a special-occasion or slow-trip splurge, not a budget base.
Rates move with the season and the room style, with the dry-season months running higher. When you weigh it up, factor in the inclusions and the remote setting: with meals on-site and the nature experience built in, the nightly number covers more than just a bed.
El Lugar is a small, sustainability-first eco-resort in the Sarapiqui rainforest, and the casitas book up fast in the dry-season peak. Booking ahead locks in your dates and room style.
Check live availability and current rates, compare room types, and reserve your stay.
Things to Do Near El Lugar in Sarapiqui
Sarapiqui is an underrated corner of Costa Rica, and El Lugar makes a good base for it. The standout is the rainforest itself, with the La Selva Biological Station nearby for some of the most accessible primary-forest birding and wildlife in the country.
The region is also known for white-water rafting on the Sarapiqui River, with runs that suit both first-timers and more confident paddlers depending on the section. Chocolate and pineapple farm tours show the agricultural side of the lowlands, and boat trips along the river are one of the easiest ways to see caimans, river birds and monkeys without a long hike.
You can book Sarapiqui tours and day trips in advance to lock in the popular ones, especially in high season when the small-group trips fill up. It all slots neatly into a wider trip, whether you are building a 2-week Costa Rica itinerary or just adding a few rainforest days to a beach-heavy plan.
Who El Lugar Is For, and How Long to Stay
El Lugar is for the traveller who wants something quieter and more genuine than the headline resorts: couples, nature lovers, photographers, and anyone drawn to conservation over a crowd. It makes a lovely romantic base too, the sort of place that fits naturally into a Costa Rica honeymoon. It is not the pick for travellers chasing beach, nightlife or a big-resort buzz.
Two to three nights is the sweet spot. That gives you enough time for the on-site nature, a slow morning or two by the pool, and at least one Sarapiqui excursion without feeling rushed. Pair it with a beach stretch elsewhere and you get the best of both sides of Costa Rica. For timing the trip, the best time to go to Costa Rica guide breaks down the seasons, and the wider things-to-do guide helps round out the rest of the route.
Frequently Asked Questions About El Lugar Resort
Where is El Lugar Resort in Costa Rica?
El Lugar is in Sarapiqui, in north-central Costa Rica, set in rainforest near the La Selva Biological Station. It is about a two-hour drive from San Jose and the SJO international airport.
Is El Lugar Resort worth it?
For the right traveller, yes. If a quiet, sustainability-first rainforest stay appeals, it is a genuinely special place and one we rate 4.5 out of 5. If a beach, nightlife or big-resort holiday is the goal, it is not the match.
How do you get to El Lugar Resort?
Most guests drive or arrange a private transfer from San Jose or the SJO airport, roughly two hours northeast into the Sarapiqui lowlands. A rental car adds the most flexibility for exploring the region.
What makes El Lugar a sustainable resort?
Sustainability runs through the whole property, from a low-impact build to day-to-day operations designed to protect the surrounding rainforest. Conservation is the reason the resort exists, not a marketing add-on.
What is there to do at and around El Lugar?
On-site there is birdwatching, horseback riding, guided nature walks and the pool. Nearby in Sarapiqui you can visit the La Selva reserve, raft the Sarapiqui River, and take chocolate, pineapple and wildlife tours.
How many nights should you stay at El Lugar?
Two to three nights is ideal. That covers the on-site nature, a relaxed day by the pool, and at least one Sarapiqui excursion without rushing.
Does El Lugar have a restaurant?
Yes. Dining is on-site, leaning on fresh local ingredients and Costa Rican cooking, which suits the remote setting since there is nowhere nearby to head out to for dinner.
Is El Lugar good for couples?
Very much so. The quiet setting, private casitas and nature focus make it a strong romantic and honeymoon pick. Families can enjoy it too, but the appeal leans toward couples and nature-minded travellers.
Final Thoughts
El Lugar is not trying to be everything, and that is its charm. It is a quiet getaway for someone who wants something different from what everyone else recommends, a small rainforest resort that takes its conservation seriously and lets the nature do the talking. We left rating it 4.5 out of 5, with the only real caveats being the remoteness and the fact that it simply is not built for beach-and-nightlife travellers.
If that sounds like your kind of trip, El Lugar is one of the more memorable places to base a few rainforest days in Costa Rica. Have you stayed at El Lugar, or are you weighing it up for an upcoming trip? Share your thoughts or questions in the comments below.
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