Guest Reviews
What our wonderful guests
have to say...
Thank you for a wonderful visit to the Iguana Lodge and the Osa Peninsula… Everything surpassed our expectations and we had a magical experience! We loved beginning the day with the sunrise glowing into the Villa Villa Kuna’s gorgeous bedrooms and ending it eating glorious food and sharing great conversation with you and other guests. Of course swimming, hiking, repelling, climbing, surfing, dancing, or chillin’ (as Aurora and Ryan say) was the glory in between. We can’t believe we saw, felt, smelt, and tasted so much beauty in 5 days. The wildlife, flowers, fauna, ocean, sun, surf, and the food were INCREDIBLE.
We can’t decide why we all feel so moved by our visit. Possibly, the rare and unique combination of the beauty of Mother Nature and Human Nature in one place. You have created a wonderful resort that feels like a logical extension of the beauty in which it sits. Your respect for and connection with the terrific community of Puerto Jiminez and the beautiful Osa peninsula ensures a special experience for your guests. We feel blessed to have met and fallen in love with so many of the local Costa Rican people. (Sidnar, Vlad, Andre, Giovanni, Hannia, Marti, Keilor, etc)
We had great conversations with Aurora and Ryan reminding them that as they leave the nest there are some great possibilities beyond U.S. borders. This visit, meeting you both, and hearing about your journey really gave that message. Thank you for your inspiration to reach for it, go for it, and enhance it as you do.
We can’t wait to come back!
Pura Vida, Indeed.
Continue your mission to enrich people’s lives,
Christine, Peter, Ryan, Andy, Amanda, and Aurora
(from snowy DC)
Our final Costa Rica stop is the OSA Peninsula where we spent a week at the Iguana Lodge on the Golfo Dolce, a tropical fiord. Who knew there were tropical fiords. We always thought they were only in Scandinavian countries.
I am sure a fiord, by any other name, does not have accommodations like Iguana Lodge. Lauren and Toby, owners of Iguana, were great hosts and have created a new high water mark for the hospitality industry. They were friendly and professional and complimented by the wonderful staff they employed: Giovanni, Vladimir, Sydner, Maxine, Andre, Marti an a few others. We stayed in one of their casitas, a screened tree house 12 feet off the ground surrounded by the tropical foliage of the Osa. Waking up to the screeching Macaw and howler monkeys with the pounding surf of the Pacific in the background and falling asleep to the breeze in the trees and the ever present surf was surreal. If this was not enough the varied cuisine was fantastic and every dish prepared perfectly. Friday, pasta nights, are something of a legend in this part of the Osa and we were not disappointed with fresh grilled vegetables, meat balls, and lasagna Mary’s Nona would have been proud to serve. The food was only half the treat. Salsa music and local dancers were the real attraction. Our last night was barbecue on the beach with a 7 foot bonfire and again a phenomenal array of salads and grilled pollo all served with torches and moonlight lighting up the beach.
The black sand vacant beach, warm surf, were daily occurrences plus birding tours with Sydner and biking into town. We took a day trip across the gulf with Andre and Lucy, new friends, who were transiting to Tiskitia and asked if we would like to join them. We did and were able to see the Rio Coco Colorado and a small village. From here we parted company and returned back to the Iguana. Sitting in a hammock relaxing, listening to the pounding surf is not difficult with temperatures in the 90's and equal humidity.
We said good bye to our new friends at the Iguana Lodge on the Osa Peninsula and vowed to return. Then we ferried across the Golfo Dulce and met Giovanni’s friend, Gustalvo, who was waiting with his red taxi. We were off to our final stop, Panama.
"A remarkable excursion into another world." Thomas and Sidra - Switzerland
"You have surely made a paradise on earth." Laura and Louie Pinna - Highland Village, Texas
"One could get lost out here...such beauty, marvelous food and great conversation." Audrey Ethier - Montreal, Quebec
"We made lifelong memories and friends sharing this tropical paradise with you all. We have been to a lot of great spots...but Iguana takes the Special Place Prize."The Crawford family - Houston, Texas
"The jungle was beyond description, the food five-star, the people incredible. We all decided it was the best vacation we ever had." David and Joanie Lane and family - Denver, Colorado
"Today is the best of times and the worst of times...We had an awesome time here. The worst is today, we have to leave. This place returns one to where the heart and soul should be, we just lose our way. The taste of the air, the sensual smell of the earth, the caress of the rain, all so rejuvenating." Jan and Dave Allen - San Diego, California
"I think you have the most beautiful sunrise on earth...and the ocean pounding on the beach is a natural tranquilizer. What a fabulous retreat you have." Robert and Diana Crew and family - Denver, Colorado
"Beautiful beaches for walking...Splendid water for swimming...Delectable food for eating...Quiet, still afternoons for siesta-ing...We couldn't dream of a more fantastic honeymoon." Kim and Donnie Picou - Atlanta, Georgia
"A pity about the return ticket...I could go native here very easily." Dee Humphries - London
"We only planned to stay a couple of days but spent our whole vacation at Iguana Lodge. It's the perfect spot if you just want to relax." Mark and Jenny Dunaway - San Diego, California.
"Something magical happens here...maybe it's the beach or the gardens, the conversation or the jungle, the nights or the days." Susan and Tim Barrows - Raleigh, North Carolina
"The folks who told me to see the Osa Peninsula were right. It's wonderful. I loved the lodge, the cooking, the family spirit, the conversation." Marty Bauman - Wisconsin
"What pie! Pecan from Heaven itself. This after a thunderstorm that strew lightening across the gulf and Rain, Rain, Rain. Gorgeous." Debbie and Gregg - San Diego, California
"The people, the lodging, and the food...it's nature at it's best." Diana Osrob - Bend, Oregon
And a message to our guests...thank you for bringing your lives our way. You know how much we have enjoyed the nights of talking, dancing, laughing, searching for turtles and stars...the days hacking through the jungle, boogie boarding, hanging out on the veranda, playing backgammon, enjoying our lives with you... it has been a pleasure, may you all fair well... Gracias y Pura Vida.
