Marenco Lodge - Corcovado National Park - Costa Rica

Allow us to introduce you to the most wonderful piece of paradise on earth; we call it: " a place out of time". It is a place to feel at peace, to rediscover your sense of wonder, to learn, and to indulge your spirit of adventure. National Geographic says: it is "the most biologically intense place on earth". We invite you to come and see for yourself; call it what you feel...

Marenco Beach & Rain Forest Lodge is a Costa Rican, privately-owned nature reserve and lodge located in what is probably Costa Rica's greatest natural endowment, the rain forest and scenic coastal regions of the Osa Peninsula. Marenco's breathtaking, exotic coastal location provides unlimited opportunities for adventure, family recreation, nature study, research and yes; even some rest and relaxation, in one of the world's classic wilderness areas. Ecotourists, natural history travelers, researchers, student groups, birdwatchers, and beachcombers will all be delighted with the variety of environments and activities that Marenco offers. Marenco's romantic setting has also made it a favorite with honeymooners.

The Lodge

Visitor's will be acquainted with the diverse biota of our surroundings, including excellent examples of earth's most complex living systems: tropical rain forests and coral reefs. With guided field trips we present these worlds so that those who come to Marenco will gain a deeper understanding of Nature at her most prolific. Marenco Beach & Rain Forest Lodge makes every effort to foster a climate of inquiry, one in which people can enjoy the experience of learning.

What makes Marenco Beach & Rain Forest Lodge truly special is its proximity to world renowned Corcovado National Park, one of the most important natural wilderness areas in all of the Neotropics. The unsurpassed biological diversity of Corcovado and its great visual beauty have made the park a Mecca for bird watchers, wildlife enthusiasts and tropical biologists.

Our coastal location facilitates easy travel to such extraordinary places as Isla del Caño, a coral reef-fringed, forested biological reserve just eleven miles west of Marenco, and to the largest and most beautiful stand of mangroves in Costa Rica, those of the delta region of the Sierpe and Terraba Rivers. Our 1500-acre private nature reserve, and 5 kilometers of solitary tropical beaches, just north of Corcovado makes adventure, on-site study and exploration easy and pleasurable.

Enjoy beautiful panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean from our hilltop facilities which are exposed to cooling sea breezes. The lodge was built in harmony with the surrounding rain forest and beach environment. All rooms include a private balcony and are fully screened.

As long-time residents and pioneers of tourism of the Osa Peninsula, we have a special intimacy with the area. Our experience gives us the flexibility to handle the special needs of groups and/or individuals. We pride ourselves for giving visitors an opportunity to explore one of Costa Rica's most remote and interesting regions in a safe and comfortable manner. Marenco continues to support research and education providing affordable rates to students and researchers.

Marenco has a unique, non-traditional approach to conservation and tourism. We believe that business and conservation interests can, and must, work together toward the preservation and wise use of tropical areas. We also hope to bridge the gap between conservation and tourism; to help develop an awareness of the delicate balance and intricacy of natural systems. This is the reason why the scientific community is backing efforts of tourism to organize and conduct tours in which an appreciation of ecology and nature, as well as beautiful scenery and recreational activities are featured.

The Red Macaw

Tours and Activities from the Lodge

The lodge contracts tours through a local co-op of professional naturalist guides. The main destinations are Corcovado National Park and Caño Island Biological Reserve. Tours are pre-scheduled on fixed days of the week. Please review our tour schedule so you can arrange your own itinerary.Click here for tour schedule For these and other tours available you may request information from the lodge manager during your stay at Marenco.

1) Isla del Caño National Park:

This is a day to remember your beach towel and snorkeling gear (available for rent). Early morning departure from Marenco. This is an hour boat trip each way. In the early morning, we land on the island. Immediately upon arrival the guide leads a hike up to the site of the Indian graves that are found all over the central plateau, where archaeologists unearthed mysterious stone spheres and finely worked artifacts, testimonies to a vanished culture. Along the way, notable differences between the island and mainland forest will be pointed out. By noon a picnic lunch is provided on the beach.

Following lunch, you are at your leisure to swim and soak up the sun, you will be free to visit other parts of the island or snorkel among the corals and brightly colored reef fishes. Snorkelers will delight in the schools of brightly colored fish.

By late afternoon, it's time to return to MARENCO, a short distance by boat, but an entirely different world. Watch for dolphins along the way! Overnight stay is not permitted on this Biological Reserve except by express permission of the Costa Rican National Park Service for visits involving active research.

2) Corcovado National Park (San Pedrillo Station):

This full day tour, accompanied by a naturalist guide, begins right after breakfast. A short 25 minute boat trip from Marenco´s landing takes you to San Pedrillo Station, the northernmost ranger station of Corcovado National Park. After disembarking, there is a walk of about an hour along the beach, to a forest trail up the Rio Pargo. Once more the rain forest story unfolds before you. The trees in this area are magnificent in height and support an outstanding variety of epiphytic plants such as orchids, bromeliads, ferns-even shrubs and small trees. Monkeys, agoutis, sloths and other critters will entertain you. By noon, the tour returns to the beach to enjoy your packed lunch in the shade of a mango tree while watching the surf. Then a short walk; the San Pedrillo river ( time to get our feet wet) brings you to a pristine rain forest waterfall. As always keep your eyes peeled for beautiful birds and secretive wildlife. Kingfishers and Jesus Christ lizards are residents of this river. In late afternoon, we board the boat for return to Marenco.

3) Marenco Biological Reserve (Full Day):

This ful-day tour, accompanied by a naturalist guide, begins right after breakfast. During the course of the walk along Marenco's primary rain forest trails, you may visit a beautiful creek or the big tree, a giant of several hundred years. The naturalist will point out wildlife and also explain points of interest in the ecology of the rain forest. The trails are relatively steep in places, but the pace is slow. A system of trails through various areas of Marenco Biological Reserve are excellent for bird watching, wildlife observation and exploration. One can expect to see numerous birds such as toucans, parrots, and other exotic species as well as various animals including 3 species of monkeys.

The hike will lead you the mouth of the Rio Claro, a natural fresh water swimming pool right next to the ocean. After arriving to Rio Claro you continue an additional 20 to 30 minutes along the beach trail to a beautiful beach called San Josecito, where a picnic lunch will be served under the palms or mango's trees. After lunch you will have the afternoon free to snorkel on the reef or rest on a hammock under the shadow of the palms, relaxing until the boat comes to pick you up and bring you back to the Lodge around 2-3 in the afternoon.

4) Diving Information: Caño Island:

Enjoy world class scuba diving with our professional PADI Certified Instructors and Divemasters contracted with local suppliers. Caño Island offers the novice and experienced diver an excellent diving venue. Diving in the waters here will bring you face-to-face with a wide variety of underwater marine life. Glide through the water with a giant, manta ray or observe the huge schools of barracuda, jacks, and rays that frequent the area. Swimming side-by-side with a sleek but non-aggressive reef shark will certainly send a tingle of excitement down your spine. If you're lucky, you may even witness an awe-inspiring whale shark!. All this makes Caño Island one of the best dive locations found anywhere in Costa Rica!.

If you don't have your own dive gear, rentals are available. We offer only top quality, name brand equipment from Sherwood Scuba and Henderson Aquatics.

Need instruction? A full range of PADI certification courses are available from our professional certified instructor.

5) Horseback Riding: