Isla Chiquita Glamping Resort

An island stay under canvas

The boat journey from Paquera marks the beginning of a different kind of stay at Isla Chiquita. Off the Nicoya Peninsula, tents stand on covered platforms, with decks that give you somewhere to settle between island walks and time on the water. The pleasure is being outdoors without bringing camping equipment: a proper bed inside, a private bathroom and room to enjoy the bay beyond your tent.

A furnished tent, a place outdoors

The canvas accommodation makes the outdoor setting comfortable without asking you to provision a camping expedition. Tent Suites have ceiling fans, ocean views and terraces; air-conditioned Tent Suites have jungle views. Premium ocean-view categories and the Master Sunset Suite add private plunge pools. Choose around the outlook, cooling and outdoor space you want, rather than assuming every tent offers the same setting.

King-size beds and private bathrooms bring familiar comforts under canvas. Daybeds, minibars, storage, bedside lamps and overhead lighting, double sinks and hot-water showers are part of the tented accommodation, with screened windows and curtains retaining the camping character. Furnished decks have reclining chairs, a table and chairs for time outside, with ocean breezes part of the island setting. Compare your chosen category’s details, then leave time to enjoy the outdoor space as well as the room.

Days on Paquera Bay

Beach walks and island exploration give the day a leisurely beginning, while kayaks and stand-up paddleboards let you spend time on the sheltered waters of Paquera Bay. Breakfast, kayaks, stand-up paddling and the round-trip Paquera–Isla Chiquita–Paquera dinghy transfer are included. There is no shared resort swimming pool; selected accommodation has a private plunge pool, and the bay provides another way to enjoy time in the water.

Guided birdwatching, sport fishing and island hopping give you more ways to explore, and the resort can arrange off-island outings too. A guided nocturnal hike offers a chance to encounter the bioluminescence of marine microorganisms. That display belongs to nature, so approach it with curiosity rather than expecting a guaranteed spectacle. Leave an hour for a book or binoculars, rainforest sounds around you and the prospect of sunset over the water.

Wellness above the sea

Nimbu takes its name from the Chorotega word for water. Its wellness deck occupies a secluded bluff high on the island, with the ocean beyond and forest around it. Massage therapies offer time to unwind in that setting, while yoga on the beach or platform gives you another way to enjoy being outdoors. Keep room around a treatment for simply lingering on the island.

A changing menu with coastal character

Seafood gives the changing menu much of its character. Oysters, tuna tartare, mango-sauced croquettes, shrimp cocktail, ceviche and crisp calamari suggest the range of starters, with dishes such as tuna with fennel sauce, grilled octopus and sea bass with cassava mash bringing the sea to the main course. Pork chops, tenderloin and chicken offer other choices, alongside soups, salads and pizza; vegetarian diners have options too. Breakfast and lunch share the fresh, locally sourced approach, and breakfast is included. The menu is moderately priced and changes regularly, so these dishes give a sense of the cooking rather than a promise of what will be served on your dates.

Refreshments can be part of a relaxed hour on the island too, with umbrella drinks, herbal lemonades and fruit smoothies among the choices. Enjoy them between a beach walk and your next outing, with no need to turn every pause into another organized activity.

Plan the mainland connection

The boat transportation from Paquera is included, but the journey to that departure point needs its own plan. Free parking is available at the resort offices about a mile from Paquera; arrange transportation or a taxi from there to Paquera. Fifty pounds per person is a recommended luggage guideline rather than a rigid weight limit. From San Jose, the Puntarenas–Paquera ferry is an option, with parking available in both places. From northern Guanacaste, you can drive to Paquera without that ferry.

Why choose Isla Chiquita Glamping Resort?

• An island arrival: the included dinghy transfer runs Paquera–Isla Chiquita–Paquera, making the boat trip part of the experience. Plan your mainland connection separately so the journey fits comfortably into your travel day.
• Canvas with comforts to suit you: Tent Suites combine fans, ocean views and terraces, while air-conditioned Tent Suites have jungle views. Premium ocean-view categories and the Master Sunset Suite add private plunge pools; outlook, cooling and outdoor space should guide your choice.
• Time on the bay is included: breakfast, kayaks and stand-up paddling accompany the round-trip dinghy transfer. These inclusions let a day include a meal, a paddle and time on the island without needing a separate excursion for every activity.
• Water instead of a shared pool: there is no common resort swimming pool. The bay offers a place to spend time in the water, and selected accommodation has a private plunge pool; choose the category accordingly if a pool is important to your stay.
• Dining with the region in mind: the moderately priced restaurant menu emphasizes fresh, locally sourced ingredients and seafood, with meat, vegetarian and other choices. Menus change regularly, so specific dishes are examples rather than guarantees.
• A quieter island rhythm: beach walks, island exploration, Nimbu Spa and yoga on the beach or wellness platform give you ways to enjoy time close to your tent. Birdwatching, fishing, island-hopping, bioluminescence and off-island excursions add options when you want a more active day.
• Parking needs an onward connection: free parking at the resort offices is about a mile from Paquera, and you need to arrange transport or a taxi to Paquera. The suggested luggage guideline is 50 pounds per person, not a rigid weight limit.
• Different mainland routes: travelers from San Jose can use the Puntarenas–Paquera ferry, with parking in both places. From northern Guanacaste, you can drive to Paquera without that ferry; match the route to the rest of your itinerary.
• A pet-friendly option: the resort’s pet-friendly setting may matter when choosing an island stay with your companion. Confirm the current pet arrangements before making the boat and accommodation plans.