Come Over — We’ve Got You Covered

Restaurant

Our restaurant is open all day. We prepare fresh meals using mostly locally sourced ingredients. Drinks are available 24/7. Because our meals are prepared fresh, we can accommodate special diets, including vegetarian, vegan and other dietary requirements. We can also prepare breakfast as a packed meal if your schedule requires it. Our fish comes from local fishermen. If you are interested in a special local meal for a group of at least three people, please email us in advance. The menu depends on which foods are seasonally available in the rainforest. If you would like to take part in a cooking experience in a local kitchen over an open fire with a local cook, please contact us as well. The minimum number of participants is two. The activity takes place outside Sabalo Lodge, approximately 1.5 km away, and is easily accessible on foot. If you bring your own food and need to keep it chilled, a shared refrigerator is available. Alternatively, you can borrow a cool box with ice for use at your accommodation.

• all day
• local ingredients
• special diets
• breakfast
• lunch
• dinner
• drinks
• fresh juices

• Multilingual menu

Hammocks and Yoga

A covered open-air space you can use in any weather. Perfect for relaxing in a hammock, doing yoga, reading a book, meeting others, or simply enjoying some quiet time surrounded by nature.

• Yoga
• relaxation
• reading a book
• meeting place
• when it rains
• a place to sleep during the day

Bar

Our bar is the perfect place to unwind in the evening after a day in the jungle. Enjoy a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, play darts or ping pong, and relax in a laid-back atmosphere surrounded by nature.

• Drinking
• evening entertainment
• relaxation, bar
• ping pong
• darts

Boats dock - Kayak

Our small boat landing on the creek, located right at the lodge, is accessible only during high tide, which changes every day. If you’d like to use it, please arrange it with Melvin on site. Our boat trips and kayak excursions start from here, with departure times depending on the tide.

• Kayak
• Sabalo boat
• tide
• dock
• sport

Small children play ground

We are creating and expanding a playground for little monkeys. It is built mainly from local wood and natural materials, right in the middle of our garden surrounded by jungle. You’ll find simple wooden swings, balance elements, and playful structures that invite children to move, explore, and use their imagination. It’s not a classic playground — it’s a natural space where kids can run barefoot on the grass, climb, swing, and enjoy being outside. Everything is designed to feel simple, safe, and connected to nature. We believe children will love it, and their parents will always keep a watchful eye.

• Playground
• children
• sports
• entertainment
• leisure

Natural walk

In addition to our garden, we also have access to our own piece of jungle. There are three well-marked trails that you can safely explore on your own during daylight hours (from 6:00 to 18:00). Follow the marked paths and basic safety rules, and enjoy observing wildlife in its natural habitat. Along the trails, you may also find camera traps used to monitor nocturnal animals.

• A journey through the jungle
• observing animals
• being alone in the jungle
• the jungle in person

Washing machine

Need your laundry done? Simply give your clothes to Angelica in the morning and let her know if you prefer drying in the dryer or naturally in the sun. By the evening, your laundry will be returned to you clean, fresh, and neatly folded. You can find the price list in your accommodation.

• Laundry
• Drying
• Washing machine
• Cleanliness
• Laundry service

• Laundry Service

Dryer machine

Need your clothes dried quickly? We offer the use of a dryer. Please use it at your own risk and make sure to separate items that should not go in the dryer or require special care.

• Drying laundry
• washing laundry
• cleanliness

Swimming pool

Our pool is a simple but refreshing place to cool down after a hot day in the jungle. We chose an above-ground, flow-through design based on local conditions — pools here can easily overheat, so ours is continuously supplied with fresh mountain water that keeps it naturally cool and pleasant throughout the day. The water flows gently through the pool, ensuring it stays clean and fresh without heavy chemicals. It also has a purpose — this is excess drinking water that would otherwise go straight back into nature. Here, you can enjoy it first, surrounded by the sounds of the jungle, before it continues its natural path. Whether you want to relax, refresh, or just enjoy a quiet moment, the pool is a great spot during the day and especially in the early evening when the temperature slowly drops.

• Swimming
• pool
• sports
• entertainment for children
• evening cooling off

Swimming in the stream

Sabalo Lodge is surrounded by a clean mountain stream that flows right through the jungle. In one of its calm bends, you’ll find a natural spot perfect for relaxing and swimming. The water is fresh and clear (except after heavy rain) and wonderfully refreshing after a hot day. It’s a true jungle experience — no chlorine, no tiles, just nature. For some, it’s the best natural bath you can imagine. For others, it may feel a bit wild. Either way, it’s something you should definitely try.

• Swimming
• sport
• relaxation
• stream
• river
• natural swimming pool

Ping pong

We may not be professionals, but we enjoy a good game of ping pong. You’ll find a table right at the bar — perfect for a fun match with friends or a relaxed game in the evening.

• Table tennis
• sport
• movement
• entertainment

Clothing and drugstore mini store

We offer a small selection of basic items you might need during your stay — such as toothbrushes, chargers, shampoo, simple clothing, or rain protection. You’ll also find picture guides of local fauna and flora, helping you recognize what you see around you. In our guest fridge, there are always drinks available at friendly prices. For a wider selection, there is a small grocery store in the village of Sábalo. And if you take home a Sabalo t-shirt, cap, or hat, you will make us very happy.

• Drugstore sales in Sábalo
• Shop in Sábalo
• Commemorative T-shirts for the rainforest

Local paid tours

We offer a wide range of trips guided by local people who truly know the jungle. These are not standard tours — they are real experiences shaped by the place, the weather, and the moment. Our local guides will show you what is possible: wildlife observation, hidden corners of the rainforest, and authentic life in this region. You can feel safe while discovering places that would be hard to find on your own. All you need is curiosity, a bit of patience, and the desire to experience nature in its raw form. Whether you’re looking for adventure or deeper connection, this is where it begins.

• Active trips
• Rainforest with natives
• Animal observation on the OSA Peninsula
• research site in Costa Rica
• Practical education in Costa Rica

• IMG_7900
• IMG_7772

Organized trips - National parks

Some of the most beautiful places in the region, such as Corcovado National Park or Isla del Caño, can only be visited with accredited guides and official permits. We will help you arrange everything, including transport, entry, and guides. Trips usually start directly from the lodge area. Boats heading to the national parks will pick you up at a nearby pier, depending on tide conditions and schedule. Prices are similar across the region, but the experience can vary — we work with trusted local partners to make sure your trip is safe, smooth, and unforgettable.

• Corcovado National Park
• Isla del Cano National Park
• Marino Ballena National Park
• Whales in Costa Rica
• Costa Rican Wildlife
• Costa Rica for Adventurers

Air conditioning

Air conditioning is not common in this part of Costa Rica, as the buildings are designed for natural airflow. However, we offer portable air conditioning units for rent, mainly for use in tents. For the air conditioning to work effectively, all windows must be fully closed. The tents are equipped with special ports to direct the hot air outside. When used properly, the unit can significantly cool down the space. In solid cabins, due to their construction and natural ventilation, air conditioning is not effective.

• Air conditioning in Costa Rica
• Relaxing stay on the OSA Peninsula

• Půjčení klimatizace

Football

If you enjoy football and feel like joining the locals, just ask at the reception when the next match is happening. The field is about a 5-minute walk from the lodge. It’s a simple outdoor pitch where everyone is welcome — no teams, no rules, just play. People of all ages join in, and it’s often played barefoot. Bring plenty of water and be ready for a real local experience.

• Football in Sábalo
• sport on the peninsula OSA
• outdoor playground
• entertainment in Kostarika

Fridge with drinks

In the restaurant area, you’ll find a glass-front fridge with chilled drinks available 24 hours a day. You can take what you like anytime — just write it down on your cabin’s consumption card. The drinks will be charged upon your departure. The fridge is monitored by a security camera, so everything stays simple and fair for everyone.

• Cold drinks
• Beer
• Juices

• Fridge with drinks

Fridge for rent

Do you need to keep something cold? You can use the shared fridge located at the bar, or borrow a cooler box with ice from Angelica. A simple solution for storing your own food or drinks during your stay.

• Refrigerator
• Fridge
• Food storage
• own food
• cold food

All-day hot shower

Some accommodations have hot water, some don't, for now. We are trying to modernize the system and supplement the heating systems. At the restaurant, there is a shower with hot water available to everyone 24 hours a day. And why is it so complicated? Hot water needs pressure. The system doesn't have enough pressure, and if we increase the pressure, the distribution system won't be able to handle it. So we have to gradually dig out all the low-pressure distribution lines and replace them with pressure hoses and, most importantly, couplings. Believe me, sometimes it's quite fun, full of water fountains and unexpected surprises. So, like everyone else, we can proudly report: We have hot water (and that it depends on the sun no longer). But we want to be honest with you. Most showers still depend on natural heating. But each of you will get hot water anyway.

• Hot water
• hot shower
• hot water all day
• hot shower

Wi-fi

Our Wi-Fi network is powered by Starlink, currently one of the most reliable internet connections you can find on the Osa Peninsula. The signal covers the entire living area of Sabalo Lodge and, for safety reasons, also extends into parts of the surrounding jungle. Whether you need to stay connected for work or just share your experience, you’ll have access almost everywhere on the property. You can find the Wi-Fi password in the restaurant area and also in your cabin or tent. Mobile signal in the area is limited and depends heavily on your provider, so Wi-Fi is the best option here.

• WiFi
• Starlink
• Internet in Sábalo Lodge
• data and signal, mobile data, phone

Room cleaning

The cleaning frequency is stated in the cottage. In order to save nature, we have set a regularity regime. If, for any reason, you need to clean earlier or, on the contrary, you do not want the cleaning to be done, please make an individual arrangement. By avoiding cleaning, you risk preventing the ability to eliminate "bugs" that you attract, for example, crumbs.

• Room cleaning
• cleanliness and order
• cleaning at Sabalo lodge

Filtered water

The water in our system is maintained as potable. However, we are in the middle of the wilderness, so we prefer to be honest and call it non-drinking water. If you want to be sure, just ask Angelica for filtered drinking water, which we use in the kitchen.

• Drinking water
• filtered water
• water purity in Sabalo lodge

Parking

There are several parking areas available around Sabalo Lodge, located as close as possible to the accommodations. Upon arrival, drive all the way to the end of the road to the “roundabout” near the restaurant — this is the central area of the lodge, where you will find reception, the restaurant, and the main parking spaces. From there, it’s a short walk to your cabin or tent. If you need help with your luggage, just ask at the reception.

• Parking
• free parking
• parking spaces

Never-ending garden

Sabalo Lodge is not just a few houses on a small plot — it is a large living space that blends a maintained garden with untouched jungle. You can walk here for dozens of minutes every day and still discover something new. There is calm for those who want to observe, photograph, or simply slow down. There is space for relaxation, and also for exploration. Part of the area is a fruit garden, and beyond it begins the primary forest on the edge of the mangroves. We maintain trails for our guests, and their accessibility depends on the season and rainfall. Most of the year, walking here is easy, inspiring, and full of life. You may encounter sloths, toucans, macaws, monkeys, countless insects and amphibians, and with a bit of luck even animals like anteaters, coatis, ocelots, or jaguarundi.

• Very large garden
• primary forest in Sábalo
• anteater
• sloth
• ocelot
• jaguarundi

Jungle seating spots

Across Sabalo Lodge you will find several simple wooden seating spots, built by Melwin from local materials. They are placed in quiet corners of the property – in the forest, between the tents, or by the canal. Perfect for a short rest, a morning coffee, or just sitting and listening to the jungle around you. No crowds, no rush – just you, nature and the moment.

• Relaxation
• jungle seating
• quiet place
• nature rest
• wooden benches