Inside Costa Rica’s Most Secluded Rainforest Retreat
Far down Costa Rica’s South Pacific coast lies a hilltop hideaway built for those who want to disappear for a while. Getting there takes time, with winding roads leading deeper into nature. But once you arrive, the views are worth it, stretching from rainforest to ocean. This resort is peaceful, private, and surrounded by the sounds and sights of the wild.
Twelve Villas With Unbroken Views
Image via Unsplash/Fabio Fistarol
Hidden inside this ridge in Ojochal is the Hotel Three Sixty resort. The entire property comprises twelve freestanding villas, built with floor‑to‑ceiling glass doors that open to private terraces. The interiors utilize local stone and wood without crowding the space, and designers chose furnishings for comfort rather than decoration.
The rooms are equipped with air conditioning and high‑speed Wi‑Fi, but the main feature is what stretches beyond the terrace: a rainforest canopy that runs for miles before meeting the ocean. Rates start at about $485 per night.
An infinity pool curves along the main deck and frames sunsets in uninterrupted color. Steps away, KuaKua Restaurant serves seafood caught along the Pacific coast. Dishes like octopus ceviche and tuna tartare are regular highlights. 360 Bar sits beside it with cocktails shaped by local produce and open‑air seating that looks across distant islands. Guests often stay long after dinner to watch the sky shift as night settles over the ridge.
A Private Rainforest Few Can Access
One of the most distinctive parts of staying here is access to a conservation area that is rarely visited. Through a partnership with Swarovski Optik, Hotel Three Sixty brings guests into a 285‑acre rainforest preserve in the Osa Peninsula. This parcel of protected land holds pumas, poison arrow frogs, and more than 300 bird species. It remains largely undeveloped, with narrow trails, wooden bridges, and clearings that reveal how alive this region is.
The experience, called the Swarovski Package, includes a guided hike, a premium villa stay, breakfast, and a pair of Swarovski binoculars to take home. The experience starts with an hour’s drive to the preserve, followed by a guided hike along forest trails. The cost starts at 2,798 dollars per person. For those interested in Costa Rica’s wildlife without the crowds of national parks, this tour stands apart.
A Commitment That Runs Deep
Hotel Three Sixty holds certification from the Costa Rican Tourism Board through its CST program, which requires proven action in sustainability. Energy is managed through solar systems, and water conservation is a standard across the property. Villas were positioned to avoid heavy clearing, and the grounds use existing paths rather than carving wide roads. Partnerships with One Tree Planted and Innoceana tie each stay to reforestation and marine protection projects that benefit the wider region.
The impact of these efforts is visible in how the property feels. Native plants surround the villas, wildlife moves freely, and guests move through wooden walkways that fit into the natural contours of the hill.
Reaching Ojochal
Image via Unsplash/Rain Wu
Most guests arrive through Juan Santamaría International Airport near San José and then take a four‑hour drive through the countryside and along the coast. The final stretch passes rivers and villages before climbing into the ridge where Hotel Three Sixty sits. Local flights into Palmar Sur shorten the transfer to around an hour, though many travelers choose the drive for its views of changing terrain.
The resort is adults‑only, which keeps the atmosphere calm and unhurried. Ojochal itself has a reputation for small restaurants run by chefs from around the world, so those who want to explore beyond the resort find plenty of character in the surrounding hills. Still, many guests spend most of their time on the property.