Romancing The Green

Unite Exotic Adventure and Eco Friendly with a Green Honeymoon.

Golfo Dulce – Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica

Costa Rica’s Pacific coast has been described by National Geographic Magazine as ‘the most biologically intense place on earth.’ This Eden-like setting is an idyllic, remote location for a romantic and adventurous honeymoon and a perfect spot to make it a Green one where you can not only unite two hearts into one, but also show your desire for working together towards a more sustainable planet.

Imagine hiking with your new partner to a secluded swimming hole with a cascading waterfall in the rainforest? Or peacefully kayaking in one of only four tropical fjords in the world? The Golfo Dulce, or the Sweet Gulf, off the Osa Peninsula in Costa Rica offers a unique opportunity for both a beach and a rainforest honeymoon in one location. The gulf is surrounded by protected rainforest preserves, national parks, biological corridors and sanctuaries with hiking trails and a myriad of wildlife easily viewed wildlife.

A Dream Honeymoon

Though teeming with natural beauty, the Osa Peninsula is still far enough off the beaten track so you’ll not be surrounded by hordes of other travelers. Most resorts are accessible only by boat. One such resort, Playa Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge, has the tranquil waters and unspoiled beaches of the gulf at its front door, and its 165-acre rainforest preserve and the lush Piedras Blancas National Park out back. If you’re looking for a private escape for your adventurous honeymoon, this may be the place for you.

The small size of Playa Nicuesa allows for an intimate experience with nature. Its cabins, guestrooms and the main lodge are uniquely designed to create a seamless and enjoyable transition between the indoors and outdoors. The lodge’s five cabins are all very private and great for couples seeking unique accommodation, including a special garden open air shower surrounded by nature.

Playa Nicuesa’s honeymoon package offers intimate rainforest cabins, aromatherapy massages, and candlelit dinners on the lodge’s rainforest terrace, and a selection of adventure activities, such as a private hike with a naturalist guide to a hidden waterfall, kayaking, mangrove river tours, snorkeling, fishing and bird watching. The package includes meals with an emphasis on local cuisine and fresh fish, tropical fruits and vegetables. If you want a little more room, a Cabin Suite is yours for the asking.

Playa Nicuesa’s green philosophy stands out. They understand the fragility and value of the beauty and nature that surrounds them, and have adopted strong environmental practices and policies. They practice sustainable, low-emission living and have adopted carbon neutrality as a way of life.

Their conservation program protects 95 per cent of its 65 hectare (165 acres) rainforest property in an undeveloped and natural condition. They also use clean energy powered by solar panels to run the majority of the lodge’s electrical service, and candles are used throughout the lodge to maintain the natural experience.

Playa Nicuesa Lodge has also earned a FONAFIFO (Costa Rica’s official carbon credits foundation) certification for offsetting their use of fossil fuel by purchasing carbon credits and has begun the official process to be certified a Carbon Neutral Business. Guests can offset the carbon footprints from their flights to Costa Rica by purchasing carbon credits with FONAFIFO that will be used to reforest and preserve the Golfo Dulce/Osa Peninsula.

Honeymoon couples can also plant their own hardwood tree to symbolize their start of their own marriage and contribute to the lodges Osa Peninsula conservation program that donated $10,000 to the Nature Conservancy last year. A perfect combination for romancing the green.

Playa Nicuesa also offers special rates to rent the entire lodge, if you are looking for a wedding venue. This option includes a nature guides, chef, boat captain and housekeeping, as well as unlimited use of preserve trails, kayaks, windsurfers, snorkeling equipment and fishing gear. The lodge can accommodate 22 guests.

If you want to go off on our own adventure the lodge will set you up with a delicious packed lunch, a bottle of wine and some snorkeling equipment to put in your kayak and go off for a day of exploring private beaches and snorkeling spots.

The Golfo Dulce

Corcovado National Park, Piedras Blancas National Park, and private reserves create a protected biological corridor around the gulf, and an extraordinary large trail system for hiking and exploring the incredibly bio-diverse rainforest. The region is only accessible by boat, so you know you’ll be able to experience nature intact complete with howler monkeys, over 250 types of birds including toucans and parrots, butterflies, coati, iguanas, lizards, tree frogs and much more.

Golfo Dulce, protected from the open Pacific by the Osa Peninsula, is home to groups of whales and at least three types of dolphins, as well as sea turtles, sea birds and other marine life. The gulf, the tenth deepest in the world, is a great place for kayaking, snorkeling, fishing, windsurfing, sailing or surfing. Its tranquil waters are pleasant for sailing and windsurfing, and excellent for snorkeling and fishing. The lodge has its own boats and local guides to take you out for a variety of tours including a private sunset boat tour of the Gulf or a variety of fishing trips.

The Golfo Dulce and Playa Nicuesa Lodge are a perfect combination for romancing the green.

Submitted by Margo Malcolm, www.nicuesalodge.com