After hearing great things about this place--while also wanting to get away from the unusually cold 2022-23 Colorado winter, we planned a trip. The only ways to get to the Osa Peninsula are by small aircraft (typically holding 12 to 15 passengers) or a 6 hour drive on very rough roads. Either way requires spending a night in San Jose near the SJO airport. We chose to fly.

Our United Airlines flight from Denver to San Jose was uneventful. Arriving very late we stayed a hotel near the airport. The next morning we returned to the airport, and went to the domestic terminal to board our flight to the Puerto Jimenez airport. We arrived in Puerto Jimenez on a Saturday in late February 2023 on a midday flight with Sansa Airlines. Earlier we had let the Botanika staff know our expected arrival time and flight number. Upon arrival we were met by a hotel shuttle literally just feet away from the arriving single engine Cessna.

The shuttle took less than 5 minutes to get us to the Botanika lobby. We arrived around 2 & had no issue checking in early.

Our reservation was for a 6 night stay. We used Hilton points for 4 nights and got a fifth night free. We combined the 5 nights with a free night certificate for a total stay of 6 nights. Diamond status got us upgraded to a 1 bedroom suite with a large kitchen/living area and a large outdoor lanai on the top floor of building #1 facing the pool. We experienced daily high temps of 90 and overnight lows of 75. Since it was “dry season,” there was no rain during our stay.

First impressions: WOW what a bargain for a small, fabulous new facility and extremely warm and friendly staff. I'll mention it here to get it over with, but our only issue was a power surge/failure the first evening. It resulted in a problem with an A/C or thermostat malfunctioning. It was not resolved until the next morning and kept us from sleeping comfortably that first night.

The facility was constructed with consideration of the surrounding environment. Short walks around the property allowed us to see native monkeys, birds (including McCaws) and from a very safe distance even a crocodile.

We arranged with the concierge for a half-day “Eco” tour to see more wildlife and were not disappointed. The tour took us to Matapalo beach at the very tip of the peninsula. We saw monkeys, birds and a sloth along the way. What a wonderful part of the country!

TIPS:

• There are 2 restaurants on site: one adjacent to the lobby area and one with lighter fare at the pool. The one by the lobby area is used for the buffet breakfast that is included for all guests. In my opinion, the breakfast buffet was the best that I have experienced at any Hilton property.
• Don’t resist having a few meals offsite. There are several good restaurants nearby that are within short walking distance. However, the free hotel shuttle will take you where you want to go and will pick you up at an appointed time. We ate at two offsite restaurants on the waterfront just north of the Botanika: the Marisqueria Corcovado and Los Delfines. Both were very good, but living in Colorado we preferred the seafood at the Marisqueria Corcovado.
• Don’t miss seeing the insects at the Insectopia displays in the old Crocodile Bay building. We enjoyed listening to the passionate explanations from the resident entomologist.
• Daily room servicing is available upon request. Calls to the front desk are not needed by simply pressing a single button on a smart panel in the room.
• After sunset & dinner each evening we like to watch a bit of TV. The TV was unfortunately locked for screen casting. However, I was able to stream from my cell phone and watch on the TV using a USB-C-->HDMI cable.
• The Botanika provides free access to a partnered beach club a few miles to the south. The staff does not mention anything about it without asking. You just need to reserve the time and a spot on a small motor boat. The boat leaves from the Crocodile Bay dock. Since no dock is at the beach club, getting off/on the boat can be physically challenging for some. Once there, you’ll find plenty of shade, comfortable seating, and food & beverages for purchase with cash or a credit card.

Again great staff providing great service in a remote part of the country. It’s worth wasting the beginning and ending night stays in San Jose. If you decide to go, I can’t imagine that you’ll be the slightest bit disappointed.

Be sure to checkout the Botanika website for full amenity details.