Lookout Playa Tortuga

The Lookout at Playa Tortuga, in the hills near Ojochal

The Lookout sits in dense tropical jungle near the village of Ojochal, in Costa Rica's Southern Pacific zone, with wide views of the ocean and the mountains. It is a small place of individual bungalows, made for people who like birds, quiet and a good view.

It suits couples on a romantic trip, families and anyone who wants a calm base for exploring the south coast.

Why we choose it

• The view from the top. The restaurant looks over the ocean and the jungle, and sunset here is a daily event.
• A birder's base. Scarlet macaws, fiery-billed aracaris, Montezuma oropendolas and trogons are regulars, and the Southern Zone draws birders and photographers from all over.
• Ojochal's restaurants. The village nearby has a surprising number of good restaurants, with international cooking and Costa Rican dishes, for evenings out.

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Rooms and views

The bungalows stand on their own in the jungle for privacy, each with a king or queen beds, a private terrace, a TV and air conditioning. You wake up to birdsong, and a hot breakfast starts the day.

On the property

There is a pool, a small shop and the restaurant, good for a romantic dinner or a quick bite as the sun goes down, with a cocktail in hand. Spa treatments and yoga with a view make it easy to spend a whole day here. It has also hosted tropical weddings and family gatherings.

Location and getting there

The Lookout is easy to reach by road or by air, and close to both beach and jungle. From here we can arrange whale watching, sport fishing, hikes, horseback rides to waterfalls such as Nauyaca, and boat trips to Caño Island for snorkelling and diving. Or just walk down to the beach and watch the birds. Read more about the Southern Zone.

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