Surfing & Adventure
The southern Caribbean is Costa Rica’s adventure coast, and the lodge sits in the middle of it. Up the coast at Puerto Viejo, Salsa Brava — “angry salsa” — breaks over a shallow coral reef with a steep, fast drop: the most powerful wave in the country, world-class and strictly for experienced surfers. Playa Cocles, just south of town, takes everyone else, with a forgiving sand-bottom beach break, board rental, and surf lessons on the sand. Beyond the waves there is world-class Class III–IV white-water rafting on the Pacuare, and canopy zip-lines and night walks in the rainforest with our long-time partner Nativo Adventures. Reception arranges all of it — lodge guests get a discount, and tours booked through us contribute to the Iguanaverde Foundation.
Salsa Brava & Playa Cocles
Puerto Viejo’s surf reputation rests on one wave. Salsa Brava breaks over a shallow coral reef just off the village with a steep, fast drop — the most powerful wave in Costa Rica, and it has earned its name (“angry salsa”) one broken board at a time. It is a world-class ride for experienced surfers only: if you come for it, bring more than one board, and if you’re not sure you’re ready, it is also magnificent watched from the shore.
Playa Cocles, about a kilometre south of town, is where everyone else surfs — a long, sand-bottom beach break that works for all levels, with board rental and surf lessons available right on the beach and lifeguards flagging the conditions daily. Respect the rip currents and stay out when the red flag is up. For calm swimming, the lodge points you to Punta Uva — our own beach — and Manzanillo.
White-water rafting on the Pacuare
On a scale of one to ten, guests tend to score this day an eleven. The Pacuare is world-famous for its sheer beauty: Class III–IV rapids descending through virgin tropical rainforest, waterfalls cascading into the river from both banks, and tropical birds crossing the gorge overhead — a feeling of total isolation that nothing reachable by road can match.
The trip runs as a full day and includes breakfast, lunch, and transport, with routes connecting Puerto Viejo and San José in either direction — which is why many guests raft on an arrival or departure day and turn the transfer itself into the adventure. Ask reception to confirm current schedules and rates when you book.
Canopy & zip-line tours
The canopy tour is the adventure the whole family can share: a circuit of zip-lines and platforms through the upper storey of the Caribbean rainforest, with the forest canopy finally at eye level and the thrill entirely real. The platforms and bridges are built from recycled plastic wood, and the carbon-fibre cables run quieter than steel — which keeps the wildlife nearby instead of scattering it. Groups stay small, the guides are certified, and tours run rain or shine unless the guides call conditions unsafe. Children can ride the canopy from around age five; reception will confirm the age and height rules for each tour when you book.
Our partner: Nativo Adventures
For the jungle itself we send guests to our friends at Nativo Adventures, who have spent twenty-five years pioneering eco-friendly adventures in the southern Caribbean. Their range runs from gentle to vertical:
- Nativo Canopy Tour — the classic zip-line circuit, with an optional “Superman” cable add-on
- The Jungle Adventure — canyoning plus zip-lines, for guests aged twelve and up
- Bird-watching tour — the southern Caribbean’s birdlife with a certified local guide
- Natural-history guided walk — the rainforest at walking pace
- Nativo Night Walk — the forest after dark, when much of it wakes up
Booking & the Iguanaverde connection
Lodge guests receive a special discount on Nativo tours — you'll find it noted in your booking confirmation, and reception keeps the current rate list, schedules, and pick-up details. Booking through the lodge puts something back, too: tour reservations contribute to the Iguanaverde Foundation's green-iguana work on our own grounds, and guests who book any tour through reception get the Iguana Conservation Tour free — it runs Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
