Costa Rica - A country where organic is just as important as stylish...

"...If we lose the battle against tropical deforestation, we lose the battle against climate change. Please join us in trying to save the rainforests - for the sake of our children and grandchildren..." (Prince of Wales - The Prince's Rainforest Project)

The Prince's Rainforest Project was launched at a WWF event in October 2007. Since then it has focused on two very specific aims. The first, to identify appropriate incentives to encourage rainforest nations to slow their deforestation rates. The second, to raise awareness of the link between rainforests and climate change.

As the maps above illustrate, Costa Rica is one of the few examples that managed to 'buck the trend' of global deforestation. Starting in the 1990's after almost two decades of having one of the highest rates of deforestation (when forest cover dropped to just 21% in 1987 - compared to 75% 50 years earlier) the government (backed by the people) luckily stepped in and launched a sweeping new policy to save the remaining forest and to encourage new planting. Today, forest cover has increased to 51%  proving that with the right policies in place and attractive incentives, deforestation can not only be halted but can indeed be reversed altogether. For more information please click on the link below, where you can download a fascinating online booklet - http://www.rainforestsos.org/book/

At Pura Vida Ecolodge, ever since the beginning, one of our 'backbone' philosophies has been to try to take care of the environment just as much as our guests. We realized early on that there is a great bunch of people that want to travel in style without feeling guilty. Luckily Costa Rica provided us the perfect platform as it's a country where organic is just as important as stylish and the government plans to be the world’s first carbon-neutral country by 2021.

"...Leave the brashness and bling of resorts and hotels behind for a more natural, understated approach - and everyone benefits...

 

View of Pura Vida Ecolodge from the roadside above - showing the original 'palapa style' roof, the lush green valley, the flowing river Terraba and of course, the stunning Pacific ocean views... (Taken mid August 2012 around 10am)

 

 

 

Pura Vida Ecolodge is a very special Jungle Villa: it has been specially designed to exist symbiotically with the surrounding forest, jungle and wildlife, the reserve's fruit trees and colourful plants are maintained using filtered greywater and instead of bringing in bottled water to give to our guests, we rely on the pure fresh flowing water of one of the many mountain streams in the area. The style, finishes and colours of the interior decor compliment the vibrant surroundings: airy open-plan living spaces which provide guests with ample comfort and luxury at the same time as feeling natural and organic - in a nutshell - Eco-Luxury.

The westward facing corner of the Jungle Villa's 'wrap around teak deck' where guests can enjoy dramatic view of both the Pacific Ocean, el Rio Terraba and the Pura Vida Ecolodge jungle reserve.

The Southwest view (from the front balcony) looking over the valley towards the Osa Peninsula and Panama (on the left) and the mouth of the Rio Terraba, the Pacific Ocean (and the Isla de Cano) on the right

Abundant foliage, plants, fruit trees and colours attract a wide variety of birds and wildlife to the retreat

Take advantage of our introductory PROMO prices (via AirBnb - link below) for the coming high season - beginning this December! Pura Vida!

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/720986

Children are very welcome at the Jungle Villa!

I must confess, originally at the beginning of the 'conceptualization stage' all those many months ago, the first Jungle Villa at the PuraVidaEcolodge Reserve was indeed going to be exclusively for couples,  in fact we even NEARLY went as far to make it a 'NO CHILDREN' kind of retreat...But the truth is that after a lot of thought and consideration, we realized this really went against the ethos of what PuraVidaEcolodge is really about.

While it's all about relaxation and getting back to nature, it's also about fun, adventure and the overall Pura Vida Experience (hopefully by now, you've got this clear to mean 'pure life') - which with the combination of the Jungle Villa's location, its facilities and amenities and of course the fantastic adventures both on the reserve and on our doorstep surely EVERYONE is entitled to their piece of paradise!

Whether it's the kids first 'tropical' holiday abroad or whether it's the once in a lifetime trip that you've had planned ever since you were a kid yourself - PuraVidaEcolodge's Jungle Villa Experience is for you! Friends, families, couples and kids!

As soon as we decided that young families and indeed KIDS would be some of our special guests at the Jungle Villa, special efforts have been made (on all levels) to make the decks, terraces and pool areas as 'child-friendly' as possible. US (and European) regulation verandas have been stylishly incorporated into the balcony designs which are both safe and don't interfere with the guests enjoyment of the incredible and natural surroundings...

 

But fear not, it's definitely not just about the 'younguns' as there are plenty of touches, finishes, furnishings and details for the dare I say it, older and more sophisticated ones among you... At the latter stages of completion especially, huge efforts were made with the interiors and materials so as to have the perfect combination between stylish and rustic, eco & luxury, sustainable yet contemporary, minimal yet homely...

Here are just a few of the final touches...

Both of the bedroom suites come with hand-made yoga mats, a perfect way to start the day on one of the private decks or  terraces.

There are a plethora of towels, sheets, blankets, throws, cushions and pillows all around the Jungle Villa, so guests don't need to worry about being comfortable, dry and warm throughout their stay

While most of our guests choose to wake with the animals and the morning sunshine, we appreciate that some of our guests enjoy a good lie-in, so we have dressed all of the bedroom windows with rustic and organic fabrics such as cotton, linen and hemp.

The walk-in 'rain' showers in both bathrooms are large and spacious, finished in antique chrome and are directly connected to the solar panel giving guests fresh hot water 24/7

Both en-suite bathrooms come equiped with perlato natural stone wash basins with the water faucets uniquely designed using organically treated bamboo

The kitchen units are designed with a rustic & weathered finish, which combined with bamboo handles and linen towels adds a real authenticity to the Jungle Villa 

An eclectic array of ornaments, bowls, carvings and appliances help to make the Jungle Villa feel very warm and homely

For more info on rates, reservations and availability please visit our profile on Airbnb:

Pura Vida Ecolodge - Jungle Villa

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