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       sunset with cano island view 
  - Costa Rica

Casa Corcovado

Casa Corcovado

Destination: Drake Bay

Comfortable lodging, gourmet dining, and Spanish-style architecture, all plopped down next to the Corcovado National Park; in writing, Casa Corcovado seems too good to be true.

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But it's real; the secluded eco-resort, which went 100 percent self sustainable about eight years ago, has been operating for the past 20 years and offers packages that include park tours, snorkeling excursions and bird watching.

Rooms

Guests might spot a wild coati running across one of Casa Corcovado's cement pathways as they make their way to one of the 14 private bungalows.

The classic four day, three night experience package, $1,140 per person (May 1 – Aug. 31 and Nov. 15 – Dec. 14, resort is closed Sep. 1 – Nov. 14), accommodations in one of the three different styles of bungalows, modeled after a traditional Spanish villa in hues of cream and calming blue to contrast against the surrounding green jungle.

The honeymoon style bungalow includes a full bed, an indoor and outdoor shower, mini bar, ceiling fan, indoor sitting area, and an outdoor hammock, table and chairs in the grass surrounding.

The classic experience also includes:

  • One excursion to Corcovado National Park's San Pedrillo ranger station

  • One excursion to Caño Island for snorkeling

  • Pick up and drop off in Sierpe. Drake Bay, Palmar Sur and San Jose pick up and drop off can be arranged for an additional fee

Los Vitrales Restaurant

Even with its remote location, having fresh, gourmet food isn’t sacrificed at Casa Corcovado, three gourmet meals are included daily in every package.

Self-serve fresh fruit, cereal, yogurt and coffee are available and guests then choose from a menu of set breakfast items each morning. The traditional American plate includes eggs (cooked to order), choice of bacon or sausage and toast, providing all the energy needed to make it through morning excursions until lunch.

Hiking through Corcovado National Park works up quite the appetite, and the eco-resort guides set up a picnic style lunch upon arrival at the ranger station. Picnic items vary and could include ham and cheese sandwiches, beef burritos, rice, fruit, potato salad and cookies for dessert.

After a snorkeling excursion to Caño Island, the eco-resort staff will greet tour-goers back with a private beach picnic lunch of spaghetti, vegetables and tuna pasta salad.

On days when guests don’t leave the eco-resorts grounds for a tour, traditional Costa Rican fare is served for lunch at the open-air, thatched roof Bar el Bosque.

After a day of activity, guests can unwind with a soursop margarita, $5, at the Sunset Margarita Bar, perched on a hill that frames a view of the ocean and Caños Island. Munch on the complimentary guacamole or bacon wrapped potatoes and watch the sun sink below the Pacific and turn the sky hues of orange and pink.

The sound of a conch shell alerts guests that it is time to gather in the dining room for dinner, there are three choices given nightly for the meal including a vegetarian option.

The nightly four-course meal begins with a small appetizer, one night it may be zesty pico de gallo, and the next a flavorful stuffed tomato. Next is a soup, the creamy carrot and buttery sweet-corn soups were some favorites.

For the main course the chefs prepare flavorful, decadent dishes such as grilled mahi-mahi with sweet pepper sauce and yucca root or chicken cordon bleu topped with a creamy sauce with potatoes and sautéed vegetables.

A dessert that stood out with just the right amount of sweet to end an extravagant meal was the pineapple upside down cake.

Breakfast: 5 a.m. – 8 a.m.
Lunch: 12:30 p.m.
Sunset Margarita Bar: 5 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Dinner: 7 p.m.
**Drinks are not included in package, range from $2.50-$5.

Services and Amenities

Casa Corcovado operates all tours out of its eco-resort with three tour guides and six boats, two of which are modified for sport fishing. The guides prepare every guest for their tours in the guide house, which has rubber boots, walking sticks, backpacks, towels, and all the snorkeling equipment needed for excursions.

Guests can also independently enjoy the kayaks, private trails and Inspiration Point Overlook on the sprawling property.

Casa Corcovado has two sparkling swimming pools; one solar heated pool is in the center of the grounds and, the other, filled with fresh-spring water is off a short trail past Bar el Bosque.

A game room and library called Salon Corcovado is open 24 hours a day. Guests can play pool and card games here.

The reception desk, open from 6 a.m. – 7 p.m. with free Wi-Fi and a computer, can assist with all guest questions and needs, and can also arrange on-site massages for guests.

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Casa Corcovado in Pictures