Rustic bungalows between jungle and Playa Chiquita
Hardwood bungalows, jungle gardens and the nearby shore give Shawandha Lodge its Caribbean character. Set within a five-acre private reserve at Playa Chiquita, the lodge invites you to move between forest and beach: a walk along a nature trail, a short stroll to the coast, then a quiet interval beside the pool’s small waterfall. Playa Chiquita invites a beach walk or time in the water before returning to the shade of the reserve.
The grounds are a place to look for dart frogs, sloths and monkeys, with tropical vegetation keeping the setting close around you. Wildlife sightings are a possibility rather than a certainty. Even when you are simply resting by the pool, the waterfall adds its own soundtrack to the afternoon.
Open-air dining, with Monday plans to make
Wandha Restaurant is open-air, with tropical breakfasts accompanied by bird sounds and a dinner menu blending tropical flavors with French cuisine. Plan meals around one firm limitation: the restaurant is closed every Monday throughout the year. WiFi is available in some public areas, so the lodge’s appeal is a natural retreat rather than a promise of connection everywhere.
Rustic rooms, with a choice of comforts
Wood, bamboo and palms shape the bungalow interiors, complemented by hardwood furnishings and artistic bathrooms. Choose a naturally ventilated bungalow for a rustic stay without air conditioning or television. The Bungalow Superior Plus category has air conditioning, so select that specific option if cooling is important to your stay. The Tippie Deluxe category is adults-only; compare the current room details when traveling as a family.
A Caribbean day beyond the reserve
Puerto Viejo’s shops, restaurants and bars are about ten minutes away by car, with a lively Caribbean atmosphere for a change from the gardens. Cahuita National Park and Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge offer groomed hiking trails, wildlife observation and beaches for days out. Snorkeling can be particularly rewarding from March through May and August through October, while canopy ziplining or surf lessons at Playa Cocles bring a more active change of pace. Return to Shawandha when you are ready for the quieter combination of jungle and shore.
Why choose this stay — and what to plan around
- Walk between a five-acre jungle reserve and nearby Playa Chiquita, with rustic hardwood bungalows giving the stay a forest-and-beach character.
- A pool with a small waterfall, tropical gardens and nature trails makes a quiet lodge afternoon as appealing as a day out; dart frogs, sloths and monkeys may be seen along the paths.
- Wandha Restaurant serves tropical breakfasts and French-influenced dinners in an open-air setting; it is closed every Monday, so plan those meals elsewhere.
- Choose cooling comfort deliberately: naturally ventilated bungalows give you a rustic stay without air conditioning or television, while Bungalow Superior Plus has air conditioning.
- Tippie Deluxe is adults-only; families should compare the other room categories around their needs.
- WiFi is available in some public areas, and Puerto Viejo’s shops, restaurants and bars are about ten minutes away by car for a change of atmosphere.
- Cahuita National Park and Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge add groomed forest trails and beaches; Cocles surf lessons and canopy ziplining provide more active alternatives.
- Snorkeling can be especially rewarding March–May and August–October; plan it around seasonal conditions rather than assuming the same experience year-round.