Shawandha Ecolodge, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca

Authenticity

Walking into Shawandha Ecolodge feels like you're in your own private jungle. Look up into the trees to see wildlife and listen to the birds throughout the day. Each hut combines hardwood, bamboo, and palms to create a traditional look with high ceilings and porches with hammocks. To get to the bathroom, you'll walk down tiled stairs and enjoy a bit of an oasis with unique mosaics.

Location

Shawandha Ecolodge has an ideal location, set in the jungle but just 500 feet from Playa Chiquita. This beach has some of the best swimming in the area, thanks to a reef protecting it from waves. The property is between Puerto Viejo de Talamanca and Punta Uva, both about 10 minutes away by car. 

Rooms & Bathrooms

The beautiful huts at Shawandha Ecolodge use three types of native wood to craft traditional Caribbean-style rooms with high A-frame ceilings, thatched roofing, and terraces with hammocks. Bathrooms are large, bright, and decorated with unique mosaics. Although most accommodate two people, some huts sleep up to 4 guests. Six of the rooms are adult-only and have a private pool area.

Wildlife

Shawanda Ecolodge doubles as a wildlife refuge, with over 100 animal and 200 plant species found throughout the property. Travelers have often spotted Costa Rican classics such as sloths, toucans, and howler monkeys, but you'll also have a chance to spot plenty of other types of wildlife as you explore the 5-acre grounds. 

Amenities

You'll find two pools on the property, with the smaller pool tucked away in the adults-only section, ideal for travelers wanting a quieter and more intimate space to lounge in. Shawandha Spa offers several types of massages in a jungle setting, providing services in a secluded open-air environment. Some of the rooms have ramps and wheelchair-accessible rooms for guests with limited mobility.  

Family-Friendliness

The ecolodge is a great spot for families, with children of all ages welcome and those under the age of five staying for free. You'll want to book one of the Quadruple Rooms, the largest room type, and one of the few rooms with air-conditioning. 

Other Highlights

Besides the ambience and warm wooden huts, the other highlight of Shawandha Ecolodge is its open-air restaurant, which serves an exceptional traditional breakfast buffet and international dishes for other meals. If you're a digital nomad or planning a retreat, the property has a particular area known as the "Villas" for longer stays. Each long-term stay unit has a private kitchen, pool, and high-speed WiFi. 

Sustainability

Shawandha uses sustainable building materials and local labor to maintain its property as an ecolodge. The buildings and huts blend into the natural environment without impacting it negatively.