At Tiskita there is plenty to see and do, and a wonderful combination of optional structured activities and free time to wander on your own lets you create your own itinerary at your own pace. From leisurely walks into the most biologically diverse ecosystem on earth, to sampling exotic tropical fruits. viewing abundant wildlife and more await you at Tiskita. Regular guided walks are offered through our 800 plus acres of covering both primary and secondary rainforest, mountain watershed, streams, lowland coastal regions and the ocean tide pool habitat. A well-marked extensive trail system has been developed allowing our visitors to experience this wide range of topical habitats. With over a decade of experience at Tiskita, resident guide Luis Vargas has developed an astonishing eye for wildlife and is a favorite with tourists. His walks are customized to suit the interests of the group. Tours of what may the worlds largest. Tropical Fruit Collection are also offered. Depending on what is ripe and in season, you may taste the fruit of cacao (the source of chocolate), starfruit, rambutan, mangosteen the Queen of Fruits, durian the King of fruits or over 100 other different types of fruit! Guests are welcome to eat as much as they wish. To view a list of the fruits at Tiskita click. Night walks are also offered after dinner. Many secretive creatures are active only in the evening, including the colorful orange and black land crabs and kinkajous, the nocturnal and arboreal cousins of the raccoon. Bulldog fishing bats may also be seen skimming the stream surface for freshwater shrimp behind the lodge, surrounded by blue-green bioluminescent mushrooms, glowing eerily in the darkness. A rare white bat resides in Tiskita. There are few places comparable to Tiskita when it comes to one of the few places where one can spot so many different birds in such a small area. In fact, over 270 different species of birds have been observed at Tiskita! Click to see our list of birds. With a cup of hot coffee in the morning at the main lodge, guests typically observe over 30 species in the trees overlooking the ocean, including tanagers, trogons, honeycreepers, toucans, hummingbirds, manakins and scarlet macaws. Our resident guide Luis Vargas is renowned for his ability to spot and identify birds. Groups of birders have been coming for years, seeking his expertise. Tiskita has horses available for riding and the setting couldnt be better. The horseback trail takes you up a mountain and through both primary and secondary rainforest, with spectacular views of both the rainforest and Golfo Dulce (picture below). Walking or galloping along the miles of deserted is another highlight of this ride- one can go all the way into Panama by this way! No riding experience is necessary, as these horses are well trained and just take you along. As well, a local guide is always present. Spectacular view on the horseback trail: Stream Pools and Waterfall. The stream winding through the jungle has created natural rock pools out of the bedrock just deep enough to stand in. Here you can avoid the mid-day sun and take a dip in the cool river waters with the jungle all around, all the while observing the diverse wildlife. Just below the pools, a beautiful 100 foot waterfall can be found with another large pool of water below it, also well-suited for swimming. Both the waterfall and the stream pools are a convenient three minute walk from the lodge. The coast opposite Tiskita is made up of pristine wilderness beach stretching for miles, and perfectly suited for long walks. The beach is lined with coconut palm trees and beach almonds that serve as habitat for wildlife, or shade from the sun. A wonderful swimming beach is located directly in front of Tiskita. Late in the afternoon enjoy a golden sunset stretching across the Pacific, and observe the fabled green flash during the last 1/10th second of the setting sun (or so Peters dad always claimed). In late July through August, turtles can be observed coming to the beaches of Tiskita to lay their eggs. Two months later, baby turtles can be observed hatching and running to the ocean. Tiskita is participating in efforts to protect these nesting sites from predators and poaching. To learn more about the Sea Turtle Conservation Program click. In late July a great land crab migration occurs at Tiskita. Following the rains, masses on land crabs move from the jungle to the ocean to lay their eggs. The number of crabs is astonishing! A recreational fishing tour with a local fisherman is easily arranged. Out in the ocean you have the opportunity of catching red snapper, yellow fin tuna, roosterfish, king fish and dorado. Bring your hard earned catch back to the Lodge and our staff will happily make it your dinner! The boat launch in Pavones. The isolated beach just in front of Tiskita is an excellent spot to surf for beginners and experts alike. We offer surfing lessons (board included) from local surfers that know the waves well. Located just 7 km from. a world-famous surf destination, we offer an excellent opportunity to surf. When the tides recede, sea life gets concentrated in pools of water on the coastal rocks. This unique environment is the midpoint between terrestrial and marine ecosystems and is a remarkable habitat. Many fascinating little creatures have adapted to this constantly changing and harsh environment. You can also jump in and have a swim in your own private tide pool. The Lodge and Surrounding Area. The lodge provides a great setting for socializing with other guests and sharing experiences from your day. A variety of iguanas keep good company when one sits in the wooden chairs in the dining room. The chlorine-free swimming pool next to the lodge is a great place to both enjoy the sun and cool off in the shade of the trees or the wooden thatched-roof bar. Sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean can be seen while being surrounded by trees that attract. and countless other wildlife. A lookout next to the swimming pool is just the place to relax. It offers a great vista of both the rainforest and the ocean below and has comfortable chairs and small tables. Native trees planted in this area attract wildlife, including coatis, agoutis and dozens of species of birds. The area between the lodge and the bar has a beautiful mahogany ping-pong table, fuse-ball table, dart board and a wooden chess table, to be enjoyed by our guests. In the dining room, a small library can be found with nature books and other relevant texts. There is also a book exchange supported by our guests. Board games and cards are also available. What better way to explore the surrounding area than by mountain bike? You can ride along the dirt road that follows the coastline, most of which is lined with large trees that provide shade from the sun overhead. The rustic seaside village of Punta Banco is a short 10 minute walk from Tiskita. Here you can visit the Guaymi Indigenous Crafts shop which sells handmade items made by native from the nearby reservation, or watch the local football match by the sea. The has been involved with numerous projects in with this community. The world famous surf destination Pvaones is home to the 3rd longest left breaking wave and located only 7 km from Tiskita. this wave attracts people from far and wide, and is an excellent spot to watch skilled surfers in action, or give it a try. After a full day of activities, you finally enter your cabin ready to rest. As you listen to the soothing sounds of the ocean surf below and the forest's peaceful night chorus outside, you'll likely wonder what new adventures await you tomorrow

Tiskita Jungle Lodge and biological reserve is one of the original eolodges 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. 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! To view a slideshow of the lodge click. There is an ocean view from each cabin. 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. Location and Getting There. Tiskita is located at the end of the road (literally), in the remote southwest corner of Costa Rica, just north of Panama. 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 to 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. This map outlines directions for driving. For more detailed directions, please inquire when booking. Tiskita is also accessible by bus. A daily service runs from San Jose to Golfito, then from Golfito, there is another daily bus to nearby Pavones, or a taxi can be employed. It is best to call the office (506-296-8125) to find out the most current and accurate bus schedule and information. 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. 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 we recommend you bring: travel insurance is recommended and can be purchased from your travel agent. Binoculars (there are hundreds of bird species at Tiskita). Camera and plenty of film or memory card space (bring different ASAs for the large variation in light intensity). Lightweight rain gear. Lightweight clothing for warm weather and a lightweight sweatshirt/sweater or windbreaker. Any necessary personal medications. Insect repellent (mosquitoes are rarely found or felt). A small day pack for hikes. Watertight Plastic bags for your gear. Our guests often write us about their experiences at Tiskita. Here are some of their comments: We loved Tiskita Lodge, Luis our guide, and Paulino our horse guide, the food was so healthy ans fresh ¡!! All activities at Tiskita were well done and worth it! FP. As to our stay at Tiskita, it will be remembered as one of our favorite places we´ve visited during our many visits to Costa Rica. The accommodations, food and staff service were excellent. We found Luis to be most knowledgeable and accommodating and the walks with him a pleasure. JP. The pool at Tiskita was warm and inviting and we enjoyed that immensely BM. We loved Tiskita So Much!!! The highlight of our trip!! Peter (owner) and son ( Clyde) were so wonderful and our guide Luis was a fabulous naturalist!! The place felt like home, the rooms were so authentically tropical, the staff kind and food the best, the reserve so National Geographic-like!! NM. We had wonderful visit, you have your own piece of paradise and we had a wonderful time with great food, hikes and accommodations AK. You have a model here- of rain forest preservation, of sustainable development and of eco-tourism - that I hope will be replicated hundreds of times to the region, for sure I will keep coming back here, because the extra element that you add can not be duplicated. I learned more in 4 days than I´ve learned in years KK. Thanks for the royal treatment and beautiful hikes, the monkeys were the best and the ocean views extraordinary. I´m coming back for my honeymoon. Keep with the good work and the friendly atmosphere KB. Thank you for letting us share this special Eden of yours. To experience the intelligent and loving care which you are giving to this section of the planet is indeed impressive DW. Peter I really enjoyed the fruit trails, your enthusiasm is infectious. It was great experience staying at Tiskita Lodge SK. Thanks for the great hospitality and excellent food!! Surfing was great! Hope to see you all again TP. The sloth, descending a tree right in front of us, the tide pools after a hike, any sunrise or sunset from our cabin, thanks many thanks. BH

 Luggage storage
 Credit cards accepted
 Currency exchange service
 Dinner may be served in the room
 Games room
 Garage places
 Ironing facilities
 Laundry services/washing machine
 Licensed bar
 Smoke-free guest rooms
 Parking lot
 Private park, garden, courtyard
 Quiet surroundings
 Restaurant
 Safe deposit box
 Private/Ensuite bathroom
 Swimming pool
 Patio, summer terrace
 Cheques accepted