Sabalo Lodge
800 Meters South of Sabalo School on the Right, 60503 Costa Rica
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Avg. C$106 /night, 10/16 - 10/17
C$114
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#18 of 54 lodges in Osa PeninsulaLocation
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Value
Nestled at the heart of the Costa Rican jungle lies a secluded paradise called the Sabalo Lodge. It is home to monkeys, toucans, frogs and morpho butterflies living alongside human residents of a nearby village and travelers in search of a unique experience. Clustered in the mangroves, the Eco-Lodge sits next to the winding Sierpe River, which makes its way through the Osa Peninsula and joins the Pacific Ocean rimmed by a gleaming sandy beach. Like no other hotel of its kind, Sabalo Lodge has committed to providing a sustainable recreational experience, offering guests an outstanding array of activities which tread lightly on the local ecosystem.
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Property amenities
Free parking
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Pool
Free breakfast
Bicycle rental
Boating
Kids stay free
Children Activities (Kid / Family Friendly)
Wifi
Lazy river
Bar / lounge
Restaurant
Breakfast available
Breakfast in the room
Outdoor dining area
Special diet menus
Canoeing
Diving
Hiking
Horseback riding
Snorkelling
Fishing
Walking tours
Pets Allowed ( Dog / Pet Friendly )
Shuttle bus service
Massage
Open-air bath
Baggage storage
Outdoor fireplace
Outdoor furniture
Sun terrace
First aid kit
Laundry service
Room features
Housekeeping
Private balcony
Seating area
Private bathrooms
Refrigerator
Room types
Mountain view
Landmark view
Pool view
Non-smoking rooms
Family rooms
Good to know
HOTEL STYLE
Hidden Gem
Romantic
Languages Spoken
English, French, Spanish
Location
800 Meters South of Sabalo School on the Right, 60503 Costa Rica
Getting there
2 Restaurants
within 10 kilometers
52Reviews2Q+A2Room tips
Reviews
Traveller rating
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Detailed Reviews
Wow! What a fantastic place!! A beautiful lodge lost in the middle of the rainforest on an amazing property! We spent 4 nights at Sabalo Lodge and loved every minute of it. We did a great mangrove tour (we saw so many birds, monkeys, crocodiles…) as well as a couple of guided hikes in the jungle to beautiful waterfalls. The owner, Andre, is super friendly and accommodating, and very easy to talk with. He will do everything he can to make your stay fun and enjoyable.
The food provided at the lodge is excellent and varied.
The property is beautiful with tropical plants, a natural pool and many birds and animals. We saw many toucans and capuchin monkeys.
The cabins are scattered around the large propriety, so lots of privacy.
We love our cabin! It was clean, comfortable and large enough for our family of 4. No air conditioning but this was not a problem at all; the cabin was well ventilated with mesh windows (fans are available in each room, but we never had to use them). Cold water shower, which was so nice and refreshing (who needs hot water in the tropics?!).
The wifi was strong and reliable.
The road to get to Sabalo Lodge is an adventure, including a river crossing! You can drive there (4x4 required!) but we caught the bus to Palmar Norte and Andre nicely picked us up at the bus station. He then dropped us at a river dock to catch the taxi boat to Drake Bay.
If you want to have a true adventure in the rainforest, we highly recommend Sabalo Lodge! You need more than one night to truly enjoy this beautiful place. We had an amazing 5 days and our time at Sabalo Lodge was one of the highlights of our 5 weeks trip in Costa Rica !!!
The food provided at the lodge is excellent and varied.
The property is beautiful with tropical plants, a natural pool and many birds and animals. We saw many toucans and capuchin monkeys.
The cabins are scattered around the large propriety, so lots of privacy.
We love our cabin! It was clean, comfortable and large enough for our family of 4. No air conditioning but this was not a problem at all; the cabin was well ventilated with mesh windows (fans are available in each room, but we never had to use them). Cold water shower, which was so nice and refreshing (who needs hot water in the tropics?!).
The wifi was strong and reliable.
The road to get to Sabalo Lodge is an adventure, including a river crossing! You can drive there (4x4 required!) but we caught the bus to Palmar Norte and Andre nicely picked us up at the bus station. He then dropped us at a river dock to catch the taxi boat to Drake Bay.
If you want to have a true adventure in the rainforest, we highly recommend Sabalo Lodge! You need more than one night to truly enjoy this beautiful place. We had an amazing 5 days and our time at Sabalo Lodge was one of the highlights of our 5 weeks trip in Costa Rica !!!
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Date of stay: January 2022
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
A unique place that is entirely authentic accommodation in this stunning location. Well spaced out lodges with excellent facilities on hand including good functional WiFi throughout.
Above all the new hosts (Anouk and Kevin) are always on hand and clearly really care that all guests have the best experience. Good to see they work with local people and ensure the local culture is either benefited or unaffected
Just great - if you want to experience the wildlife I can see no better place than Sabalo Lodge to stay at.
Outstanding.
Above all the new hosts (Anouk and Kevin) are always on hand and clearly really care that all guests have the best experience. Good to see they work with local people and ensure the local culture is either benefited or unaffected
Just great - if you want to experience the wildlife I can see no better place than Sabalo Lodge to stay at.
Outstanding.
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Date of stay: February 2023
Location
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Sabolo Lodge is a paradise. Beautiful garden with macaws, toucans, capuchin monkeys. A small river flows through the garden and you can cool off in it. Angelina and her people ensure that you are pampered, including with delicious food, and Melvin ensures that you get everywhere. Boat transport from Sierpe can be arranged by the lodge, but the lodge can also be reached by road by 4x4. The range of excursions is wide and varied. Recommended!
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Date of stay: January 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Value
Location
Service
Room Tip:Â De lodge ligt afgelegen dus neem wat tussendoortjes mee.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We booked this lodge way in advance, I got a confirmation by email and payed in advance by PayPal (200 dollars) for Casa Aracari (21/06/2015 - 23/06/2015). This place is quite remote and reachable by 4WD if you cross Sierpe river by ferry. At Sierpe we were warned that there had been a storm and the tourist information tried to call the logde for information about road conditions. There was no answer, so we decided to just see if the road was OK. When we got to Sabalo lodge, ther was only a +/- 15 year old girl that did not speak any English, and our Spanish is not that good, but what we understood is that her father, who speaks English, was not there, she did not know what time he would be back and she could not call him. We showed her the reservation, but then we found out ther there WAS NO casa Aracari, we could not find it either when we walked around the property. Ther is a "restaurant" but the girl could not give us anything to eat or drink, she was not allowed to interfere with the tourists. We waited for more than 2.5 hours in the pooring rain when we decided to try to find another place to sleep, as they probably did not expect us, or have any food for us in this remote place. Since then we tried to call the phone number on the site numerous times and tried to email the adress on the site and the one where I got the confirmation form. It is all not answerd (delivery failed), so there is no possibility to get our money back.
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Date of stay: June 2015Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Value
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The sabalo lodge is an amazing place, competely lost in the mangrove.
Few bungalows around the central house occupied by Melvin and his family. There are plenty of animals crossing through the garden like toucans, monkeys, macaws etc. and there is a river where you can swim if you want.
Melvin is very nice and he knows everything about the environment. He took a lot of his time to show us the mangrove, to take us to the best beach aroud or to guide us through the forest to spectacular waterfalls. we used his boat to move around, and we could share all the family life, it was very great!
The bungalow where we were installed was brand new, just aside the river. Very clean and with electrical light.
If you want to taste real Costa Rica and to know what it's like to live in the jungle, this is the place to go!
Excellent food provided by Melvin's wife, who also offered a massage to my girlfriend!
The Sabalo is definitly a gem in the middle of the forest, very close to the Osa Peninsula but far from being as crowded as Drake bay, and maybe a little bit more authentic.
Few bungalows around the central house occupied by Melvin and his family. There are plenty of animals crossing through the garden like toucans, monkeys, macaws etc. and there is a river where you can swim if you want.
Melvin is very nice and he knows everything about the environment. He took a lot of his time to show us the mangrove, to take us to the best beach aroud or to guide us through the forest to spectacular waterfalls. we used his boat to move around, and we could share all the family life, it was very great!
The bungalow where we were installed was brand new, just aside the river. Very clean and with electrical light.
If you want to taste real Costa Rica and to know what it's like to live in the jungle, this is the place to go!
Excellent food provided by Melvin's wife, who also offered a massage to my girlfriend!
The Sabalo is definitly a gem in the middle of the forest, very close to the Osa Peninsula but far from being as crowded as Drake bay, and maybe a little bit more authentic.
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Date of stay: December 2011Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:Â the last constructed bungalow is by far the best one, close to the river and brand new!
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I traveled to Costa Rica with two other friends in Dec. '07 and stayed 5 days at Sabalo Lodge. We really enjoyed our stay. The grounds were beautiful and well maintained and though rustic, the cabins and areas to hang out at were comfortable and relaxing. We all enjoyed the yummy home-cooked meals and baked goods that charming host and hostess Dan and Holly provided us with.
We did lots of activities like kayaking, horseback riding, hiking, bird watching, swimming and a trip to the beach. We also enjoyed their two friendly dogs, Daisy and Lassie who accompanied us on hikes and horseback rides.
I especially enjoyed looking for wildlife at night when we saw kinkajous (a nocturnal monkey-like animal), a 3 foot caiman in a trench nearby and shrimp in their stream.
The accommodations are basic and rustic with cold water showers (best taken during the heat of the day) but they are kept up nice and very clean. We were also surprised there were so few mosquitos. We didn't even need to use the mosquito net provided.
I'd recommend a stay at Sabalo Lodge if you want a different kind of vacation. One that's among natural beauty in a very quiet, tranquil environment.
We did lots of activities like kayaking, horseback riding, hiking, bird watching, swimming and a trip to the beach. We also enjoyed their two friendly dogs, Daisy and Lassie who accompanied us on hikes and horseback rides.
I especially enjoyed looking for wildlife at night when we saw kinkajous (a nocturnal monkey-like animal), a 3 foot caiman in a trench nearby and shrimp in their stream.
The accommodations are basic and rustic with cold water showers (best taken during the heat of the day) but they are kept up nice and very clean. We were also surprised there were so few mosquitos. We didn't even need to use the mosquito net provided.
I'd recommend a stay at Sabalo Lodge if you want a different kind of vacation. One that's among natural beauty in a very quiet, tranquil environment.
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Date of stay: December 2007Trip type: Travelled with friends
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Check-in / front desk
Service
Business service (e.g., internet access)
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stayed with my son for unique catch up time during his 'cycle round the world' - Sabolo provided excellent opportunity to chill out and also to explore a hidden corner of the country. Dan and Holly were excellent hosts - interested and interesting, providing not just superb meals, but an amazing ambience in which to share them. Accommodation very comfortable and well maintained - fantastic grounds and access to the wild (especially enjoyed the kayaks!).
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Date of stay: December 2010
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
If you are adventuresome and want to get away from it all, then look no further than this
awesome spot! It is 6-8 hours from San Jose by car, then another hour by boat down
the Sierpe River.
Dan and Holly are great hosts and make your visit with them very personal and memorable. We exchanged many emails before our arrival, so we felt as though we were visiting old friends by the time we actually met them in person. Dan's cooking is out of this world...especially his chocolate mousse!
The cabins are airy, well appointed and quite comfortable, even without hot water or electric fans. It was a bit "sticky" at night due to the heat and humidity, but well worth a little loss of sleep to experience the hike to the waterfall, a visit to Holly's horses and a visit to the flower gardens at the home of one of the staff. We enjoyed relaxing in the hammocks and lazing in the cooling waters of the waterway that runs through the property.
We are animal lovers and also enjoyed the company of dogs, Daisy and Lassie and the five cats and not to be left out, "Buddy the Boa". Just so you know, he stays well away from the guests, although we walked out to visit him on his palm pile each day!
Dan and his groundskeeper keep the beautiful lodge grounds immaculate and there just could not be a more exotic and special place to hang out, relax and unwind for a few days. We were really sorry to leave, but had other Costa Rican adventures ahead.
awesome spot! It is 6-8 hours from San Jose by car, then another hour by boat down
the Sierpe River.
Dan and Holly are great hosts and make your visit with them very personal and memorable. We exchanged many emails before our arrival, so we felt as though we were visiting old friends by the time we actually met them in person. Dan's cooking is out of this world...especially his chocolate mousse!
The cabins are airy, well appointed and quite comfortable, even without hot water or electric fans. It was a bit "sticky" at night due to the heat and humidity, but well worth a little loss of sleep to experience the hike to the waterfall, a visit to Holly's horses and a visit to the flower gardens at the home of one of the staff. We enjoyed relaxing in the hammocks and lazing in the cooling waters of the waterway that runs through the property.
We are animal lovers and also enjoyed the company of dogs, Daisy and Lassie and the five cats and not to be left out, "Buddy the Boa". Just so you know, he stays well away from the guests, although we walked out to visit him on his palm pile each day!
Dan and his groundskeeper keep the beautiful lodge grounds immaculate and there just could not be a more exotic and special place to hang out, relax and unwind for a few days. We were really sorry to leave, but had other Costa Rican adventures ahead.
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Date of stay: January 2011Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
If they say a change is as good as a rest, after Sabalo Lodge you'll be able to take on the world. Just getting there was an amazing Adventure, from Sierpe, we took a long river boat along the wide Rio Sierpe, lots of floating plants in the water, then he hung a left and we twisted and turned through a snake work of mangrove rivers, dodging low trees, monkeys and sloths and large birds of every description watching from above, how the boat driver even remembered where to go was beyond me, it took about an hour, absolutely amazing, if you want jungle, Sabalo is THE place. After finally docking we walked along a trail and onto the beautiful landscaped ground of Sabalo, I mean we were so far from anywhere, and there it was, this beautiful tranquil grassed property buried in the jungle, little cabins, a main lodge, the sounds, smells and sights of a place so far removed from civilization, a trail along beside it with Indian kids riding their horses, they give part of their profits to the local village school, the meals were filling and great, Holly and Dan are the most interesting hosts, if you want to get away from it all this is the place, bar none! I'll be back the next time I need an escape from the civilized world.
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Date of stay: February 2011Trip type: Travelled on business
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This is where you want to stay to get away from typical resort experince. Dan and Holly tend to your every needs. Dan is a most wonderful cook. 98% of CR has utility electricity. This is in the other 2%. Dan has limited solar backed by generator/batteries, so expect periods of no lights, never hot water, and some periodic generator noise. But this is part of the experience and is NOT a hinderence. The wildlife on property and on guided hikes by staff make up for all inconvenience you may perceive. 3 well prepared meals each day dining with the owners family style. The boat ride to get there is such an experience thru the mangroves. Holly does such a good job in emails before you arrive, you feel like she is your new best friend. Dan and her can tell stories of their ownership experinces for hours. Their knowledge of the rainforest is great. We left here and went to Drake bay for a couple nights and were able to see 2 whales with calves up close and personal. All transportation is dictated by tide schedules, as the Sierpe river can allow boat traffic. A wonderful experience and a great place to stay.
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Date of stay: January 2011Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
"Aracari cabin seems best, most private. There is no potable or hot water in cabins. Wifi is available near dining area/hammock area."Read full review
"the last constructed bungalow is by far the best one, close to the river and brand new!"Read full review
PRICE RANGE
C$85 - C$119 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
Costa RicaProvince of PuntarenasOsa Peninsula
NUMBER OF ROOMS
8
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Sabalo Lodge
What are some of the property amenities at Sabalo Lodge?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free wifi, free breakfast, and a pool.
Which room amenities are available at Sabalo Lodge?
Top room amenities include a refrigerator, a view of a nearby landmark, and a view of the mountains.
What food & drink options are available at Sabalo Lodge?
Guests can enjoy free breakfast, an on-site restaurant, and a lounge during their stay.
Are there opportunities to exercise at Sabalo Lodge?
Yes, guests have access to a pool during their stay.
Are pets allowed at Sabalo Lodge?
Yes, pets are typically allowed, but it's always best to call ahead to confirm.
Which languages are spoken by the staff at Sabalo Lodge?
The staff speaks multiple languages, including English, Spanish, and French.
Is Sabalo Lodge accessible?
Yes, it offers reduced mobility rooms. For specific enquiries, we recommend calling ahead to confirm.