We have been fortunate enough to have Osa Conservation continue their groundbreaking work aimed at understanding more about the Golfodulcean Poison Dart Frog. This striking amphibian is endemic to the region around Golfo Dulce but spotting it can be difficult as populations are believed to be decreasing due to the loss of intact rainforest.

Here at Golfo Dulce Retreat we are lucky to be surrounded by thousands of acres of pristine lowland tropical rainforest and one of the highest levels of biodiversity in the world. Read about our camera trap programmes and our conservation efforts.

Pristine nature is unrivalled in Golfo Dulce. But here in southern Costa Rica, ancient indigenous tradition, often overlooked by visitors, is just as fascinating. We cross the iron bridge spanning over Costa Rica’s longest river, the mighty Rio Grande de Terraba, its muddy waters hastily rushing towards the Pacific after a few days of heavy rain…

As the new Resident Biologist, my very first day with Golfo Dulce Retreat was a memorable one. I arrived in the middle of a few days’ break between guests and we took the opportunity to visit Isla del Caño, one of Costa Rica’s best diving and snorkelling sites. This is also one of the amazing trips offered by Golfo Dulce Retreat to its guests…

Are you tough enough for the Tropical Rainforest? Could you see yourself spending three months away from civilisation in one of the most biologically intense corners of the planet? Find all there is to know from Cambridge University graduates Rosa and Barley about the arduous life of a Resident Biologist.

We recently hosted Marina from Osa Conservation to help in her efforts to conserve the endangered Golfdulcean poison dart frog. This frog is endemic to the region around Golfo Dulce, meaning that is found nowhere else in the world. Spotting it can be difficult and sightings are rare however here at Golfo Dulce Retreat we are somewhat privileged…

Golfo Dulce is one of the few places in the world where sea bioluminescent occurs near the shore throughout the year. The magic of the bioluminescence boat excursion at the Retreat begins before you even see the phenomenon in the waters of the Golfo Dulce…

A boat voyage that started like any other soon became a dramatic rescue attempt, when something unusual was spotted floating in the water not far from shore.

At first glance the Retreat here seems only accessible by boat; yet for the determined, there do exist trails through the rainforest that connects the land with Golfito and the other little settlements nestled in the National Park.

It was a grey morning, perfect for walking as we set off into the jungle following the trusty Chilin, one of Playa San Josecito's wise men, who walked carrying only a Machete. We crossed the dry river bed and disappeared up a path which turned out to be the beginning of a steep climb...

When I arrived at Golfo Dulce Retreat, one of the first things it was insisted that I see was the chicken coop. Raising chickens in the rainforest sounded daunting to me at first, in an environment so different to the English farmyard...

Today we had the privilege of welcoming squirrel monkeys and parrots as our neighbours-to-be here in Golfo Dulce! The monkeys and parrots were all rescued by Rescate Wildlife, a wildlife rescue organisation right next door to us...

Every evening, after the sun goes down, the evening chorus begins to call and Golfo Dulce Retreat is filled with the sounds of life...

As the jungle awakened I walked down the path weaving through the garden. Hummingbirds hovered at the brilliant pink flowers of the ginger bushes whose leaves were dripping with dew...

With my suitcase wheeling behind me, I walked up the path from the beach to the restaurant at Golfo Dulce Retreat as I was introduced to each of the family members in turn. It was a good thing I’d made an effort to learn names before arrival though…

Like many people, seeing dolphins was a bucket list experience for me, so on my first boat trip I was really only interested in one thing...

As one of the world’s greatest chocoholics, one of my biggest fears before coming to the rainforest for three months was that I would not be able to cope with the lack of chocolate. Luckily, a few days before Easter we stumbled across some ripe cacao pods...

Fishing for dinner at sunset is one of the most enjoyable afternoon activities in our beautiful spot of the world. Golfo Dulce is not only stunning, it is also a very generous sea and we never come back empty handed...