Overview

Location

Tiskita is located at the end of the road (literally), in the remote southwest corner of Costa Rica, just north of Panama, just 7 km from Pavones, the world-famous surf destination.

Travelling by plane is the most common and popular way to get to Tiskita. It is a 45 minute flight on a larger plane from San Jose to Golfito. A smaller charter plane then takes 10 minutes from Golfito, flying over the Golfo Dulce onto our private airstrip carved out of the jungle.

Round-trip transportation is included in most packages @ Tiskita. A direct flight to Tiskita by charter plane can also be made, at an additional cost and subject to availability. Please note: There is a 25 pound weight limit on all luggage. Extra luggage can be stored at your hotel.

Driving to Tiskita is another travel option. The trip from San Jose passes through some of the most scenic regions in the country, including the beautiful southern Pacific coast, Manuel Antonio National Park, oil palm and pineapple plantations. For more detailed directions, please inquire when booking.

Tiskita is also accessible by bus. A daily service runs from San José to Golfito, then from Golfito, there is another daily bus to nearby Pavones, or a taxi can be employed.

The Surf

The isolated beach just in front of Tiskita is an excellent spot to surf for beginners and experts alike. They offer surfing lessons (board included) from local surfers that know the waves well.

An 'Endless Summer' best describes the climate at Tiskita, an equatorial climate with little seasonal variation.

Typical of the southern coastal lowlands in Costa Rica, average temperature are around 82 ºF (28 ºC) during the day and 68 °F (20 ºC) at night. There is little variation in temperature through the year.

Tiskita receives an average of 108 inches to 156 inches (three to four thousand millimeters) of rain per year. January through April is sunny and dry. There are afternoon showers May through August, while there are heavy rains in September and October, when the lodge is closed.

Accommodation

Tiskita Jungle Lodge and biological reserve is one of the original ecolodges in Costa Rica having been around for almost 20 years. This family-run business, owned and managed by Peter Aspinall and his wife Lisbeth, started in 1978. Peter built himself a home while reforesting large sections of cleared land with native tree species and fruit trees he collected from around the world. In this fashion, the natural habitat has been restored and Tiskita is now home to a vast range of animal and plant species, including a collection of over 125 species of tropical fruit.

The cabins in Tiskita are set amidst the rich forests and fruiting trees, while being distant from each other. Peter built them using precious woods: mahogany, purpleheart and rosewood, from trees that have fallen on the property. Each has screened windows to allow in the cool ocean breeze and hot showers for your comfort. Cabins also have hammocks on their porches with sweeping panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and Osa Peninsula.

Families are accomodated in our wooden cabins with multiple rooms, so mom and dad can sleep separately, yet next door to the kids. Couples can stay in our single room cabins, allowing for more private lodging.

Between each cabin are a variety of flowering plants and fruit trees that attract wildlife including monkeys, birds and butterflies. Lying in the hammock of your cabin can be one of the best places to observe wildlife!

Facilities

* Tiskita can arrange transfers to the lodge for $20 pp ( luggage weight limit for flights ! )
* chlorine-free swimming pool
* ping-pong table, fuse-ball table, dart board, wooden chess table
* board games and cards
* library with nature books and book exchange
...

Activities

* guided walks in the rainforest, day or night
* sampling exotic tropical fruits
* bird watching ( over 270 different species )
* horseback riding in rainforest & on the beach ( no experience needed )
* 3 min walk to stream pools and waterfalls, perfect for swimming
* walks on the pristine wilderness beach
* swimming beach
* turtles watching in july-aug
* sea fishing
* surfing
* mountain biking
* visit Punta Banco, a seaside village on 10 min walk
....

Meals

Meals at Tiskita are prepared by local cooks who are well acquainted with traditional Costa Rican dishes, while using the low amounts of both salt and oil. Fresh produce is bought from local farmers and twice a week from a vegetable truck that passes by the lodge. Locally raised beef and poultry, and of course, fish fresh from the nearby Pacific Ocean are also staples in the meals.

Vegetarian diets are easily accommodated.

A unique feature Tiskita offers at meals is the wide range of unique tropical fruit juices from our organic tropical fruit collection.

In addition to these juices, hot coffee and tea are available all day, free of charge. As well, our chlorine-free drinking water is taken from a local spring stream and filtered.

Tiskita Foundation

Tiskita has several nature conservation programs which have been ongoing for several years, like the reintroduction of the Scarlet Macaw, The Sea Turtle Conversation Program, The Native Tree Reforestation Project, The Peccari Project, .... The Tiskita Foundation has played a major role in fundraising and administering these programs. Ask for the Volunteer Opportunities !

The Tiskita Foundation is a charitable organization started by Peter Aspinall. It raises funds to purchase land for reforestation and conservation in the Punta Banco region, while also working on educational and health projects serving the local communities.

What to Bring

Tiskita Jungle Lodge is a remote tropical retreat with no televisions or telephones (we maintain constant radio contact with our San Jose offices in case of emergency). Soft adventure travel in Costa Rica is different than most other forms of tourism and a little foresight and planning will make your trip much more enjoyable.

Here is a list of items they recommend you bring:

* travel insurance is recommended and can be purchased from your travel agent
* Binoculars (there are hundreds of bird species at Tiskita)
* Flashlight
* Camera and plenty of film or memory card space (bring different ASAs for the large variation in light intensity)
* Lightweight rain gear
* Hiking shoes/boots
* Bathing suit
* Lightweight clothing for warm weather and a lightweight sweatshirt/sweater or windbreaker
* Any necessary personal medications
* Insect repellent (mosquitoes are rarely found or felt though)
* Sunscreen
* Sun hat
* A small day pack for hikes
* Watertight Plastic bags for your gear

Rates

ACCOMMODATION & MEALS
Included: Accomm, 3 meals per day, taxes
+ 1 guided walk if you book for min 2 n

Single: $ 155
Double: $ 136 pp/night
Triple: $ 115 pp/night
Child < 12y: $ 60

STANDARD PACKAGE
Included: domestic fligths/transfers, accommodation, all meals, exotic tropical fruit drinks, two guided walks with naturalist guide, taxes

2 nights: $ 770/person, Child < 12y: $ 580, single supp: $ 60
3 nights: $ 875/person, Child < 12y: $ 695, single supp: $ 90
4 nights: $ 975/person, Child < 12y: $ 805, single supp: $ 120
5 nights: $ 1070/person, Child < 12y: $ 870, single supp: $ 150
7 nights: $ 1175/person, Child < 12y: $ 970, single supp: $ 180

Stay 6 nights and get the 7th night for free
Create your own package on request ... !

Closed 15 Sept - 15 Okt