Rainforest and Remote Land Rural Mountain Towns Golfo Dulce Golfito The Osa Peninsula Region Pavones Region Zancudo Beach San Vito Highlands

400 Acres Off-Grid Jungle Lodge
Golfo Dulce

Property reference: 687 GDF

$1,500,000

Full Description:

Recently Reduced

Golfo Dulce: A Historical Jungle Landmark, retains its true pioneering spirit set amongst modern day ‘eco-lodges’.

If you prefer the ‘short version’ please scroll down to ‘Lodge Facts’

Some places just have a life of their own and this offering is surely one of them. When I arrived 24 years ago, this remote property had already been built upon and abandoned. The beach home had a sagging roof, the first floor was dirt, dark wet and musty, bats hung from the floor joists, crabs dug holes everywhere, abandoned coconut shells were tossed about haphazardly, this place had seen better days for sure, the story went like this……….. An American had a small house-trailer shipped down from the states it was barged out to the property and he and his wife lived in it while they built the Beach House. There is no road access; nor will there ever be, it would be impossible to build a road through the jungle, it’s a long way from anything, this is purely ‘boat only access’. The nearest town is about 35 minutes with a ‘fast boat’, in the old days it would take 2 hrs in a heavy dug out with a small outboard motor. The American and his wife worked and dealt in American-Indian artifacts, they had a museum, so I heard, stateside, with an airplane hanging from the ceiling, they collected and sold one-of-a-kind treasures………..this was one of them, and still is today.

Over the years, this abandoned jungle beachfront was gradually transformed but tales are richly filled with true do-it-yourself pioneering lore. I remember what this place was like back then. There was only the Beach House and cacao trees everywhere, it truly felt like the mosquito coast, cacao plantations were always wet and shaded, leaves covered the ground, mosquitoes and snakes loved this environment……….but it’s all different now.

This property (165 hectares) slowly took on a life of its own; the small community of landowners living along this part of the coast were just a handful of simple folks who worked hard and lived a unique beach lifestyle. They had pigs and cows the fish were plentiful and the land was theirs for the taking, the cows grazed, the pigs were fed coconuts, and the means of transportation was mostly by dug-out, in fact folks use to paddle 6 hrs to get into town in those days or paddled up the nearby river and hiked thru the jungle a couple of hours to a remote outpost to purchase things like sugar, batteries, maybe some kerosene……and we think it’s remote today!

I was instrumental in some of the renovations over the years and lived nearby myself; I managed a crew of guys after the original american owner finally gave it up and sold out to an intense businessman from the states with a passion for ice cold imperials, this guy had a pocket full of cash and changes were about to take place. The cacao trees were cut down revealing about 15 acres of gentle-sloping flat terrain with an incredible view to the gulf from every direction. We built bridges with old railroad ties which were purchased in Golfito from the Banana Company era, the local mayor had decided to take out and sell miles and miles of steel rail and also sold the rail road ties he was a bit of a shady character, I wonder whatever happened to that money anyway?. The mosquito infested lagoon was filled in by hand and it took 3 guys with wheelbarrows, one full year to back-fill it, we use to joke at the idea of their arms actually getting longer from all the daily hauling. Once completed the long cement-block retaining wall was erected along the shoreline to stop erosion……..it still stands today and can be seen from the air as well as from the other side of the gulf.

The pristine water source located in the jungle was damned up to create a small flowing pond and piped down to the recently opened spread of land which was the old cacao plantation; even an underground water sprinkling system was installed (in the Rainforest?) I think those cold Imperials had an effect on the previous owner. Today you can enjoy the putting green and even golf clubs are provided.

Yes! Modern-day-American amenities had arrived....the tales continued……..in fact I could bend your ear for hours with tales of yesteryear ………but what came out of all this was a clean and simple lifestyle, today it’s comfortable-living in the rainforest, including cable TV, internet connections and cell phone signal……….if you must.

It is just as remote, yet in today’s world, the remoteness is a sanctuary from some of the craziness taking place. The simple Jungle life is now a part of modern day survival. This is a refuge where you control your destiny. To connect…………or not to connect, the choice is yours. You can be a part of the world, when you want. Living this lifestyle you are not forced into accepting unwanted noise from traffic, neighbors, blaring stereos and television, there is peace and plenty abound.

Living here you will choose to listen to the rain in the forest, howler monkeys, night time jungle cries. If your sense of adventure is still intact and you want to get lost in the real living-life around and have a desire to continue what other owners have started in the past, then cashing in and pulling the plug, could save you and keep you sane in an insane world.

Lodge Facts:

Beachfront Guest House: (1250 sq.ft)
The first construction ever built on this property years ago (see above storyline). Totally upgraded, the original charm still remains. This location acts as the central theme of the property when arriving from nearly anywhere, beach hiking, mountain hiking, arrivals and departures all center on this beachfront house. Other constructions on the property are not as centrally located. So it’s the gathering spot. The main kitchen is located on the ground level of the beach house and also used as the dining area for all guests when the “meals included” option has been exercised. All kitchen equipment is commercial quality, including a 24 volt solar refrigerator and a 110 v freezer. The spacious dining area is a great gathering spot, with open-air breezes and Spectacular Gulf Views. There is a large covered BBQ grill and pizza oven, now sporting a new larger roof, all within steps of the beach. A great spot for evening get-togethers

The second story offers open-air lounging with a private bedroom a queen sized bed and bath, the large living area has a sofa, tables and chairs overlooking the Ocean and the flora and fauna below. One side of this large living area is equipped with two queen beds and a guest bath. The private outdoor hot water shower lies among the botanicals and under the blue sky or evening stars.
It is fully screen and has solar powered electric lighting and ceiling fans.
Behind the beach house is a small but well built secure cement work shed including one of the washing machine.

Canopy/Beach Tree House (357 sq. ft)
Just 88 cement steps up the hill and through the jungle you’ll find yourself in awe of this construction perched above the beach with views through the trees to the gulf, building this must have been challenging…………in fact building anything this far from town and in the jungle is in fact challenging!

If you’ve longed to experience living amongst the tree tops and experience a little Tarzan/Jane lifestyle…………you’ll love this cabin. It is equipped with a full bath, kitchenette, one queen and a single, hardwood floors, fully screened with solar lighting or candles and a hot water shower. You’ll be content in your tree-top perch while observing jungle life (monkeys, toucans, parrots and more) from this advantage point, all in comfort! The 88 steps allow you to think twice before running out for a quick swim and prevents an unwanted guest that just wants to ‘drop-in’. A great location if you don’t want to be disturbed. Perfect for yoga & meditation, the ultimate location for privacy on the property.

Tents……
Yes that’s right; really want to get close to nature? This option is also offered on site, there are 11 acres of manicured gardens full of fruit, ornamentals and native species endemic to the area. I would think building permanent platforms with screened in canvas tents may be a worthwhile endeavor for your business plan if you are looking at opportunities for growth in your new business, the tent option has not been promoted much in this geographical area of the gulf, It really has merit. Larger groups could be targeted, youth groups and the like with maximum benefit. A new full shower and bathroom were recently constructed for the tent enthusiasts as well as a new thatched roof lounge and there is plenty of space for future growth.

The Mariposa Cabin (butterfly house) was newly constructed it sleeps 4 persons and shares the bathrooms near the tent area.

Owners Home: the glass house. (864 sq. ft)
The owners home is a two bedroom cement block unit with a fairly large living area completly tiled measuring 20’x16’, the full front and sides of the home are enclosed with aluminum framed louvered glass. Perfect for observing all movement down to the Ocean with views overlooking a spaciously trimmed and treed front lawn. The background view of the Gulf from this vantage point is truly spectacular

There is a solar inverter for the 120 volt AC unit and the kitchen also overlooks the expansive lawn, wooden cabinets, stainless steel kitchen sink, propane stove, electric refrigerator and freezer.

Caretaker’s house:
500 sq. ft, near the beach, this was a wood storage shed years ago, but was converted to a 2 bedroom unit with kit/dining room table and open air front porch, solar panel and batteries for lighting. It still has a rustic feel

A very large Storage Shed built with Cement Block.
This extra large space measures 72’ x 37’ with 2665 sq. ft. of floor space and several large steel shuttered windows including a full bathroom. Work bench and tool storage unit, equipped with spare parts for all types of repair for the lodge, electrical and plumbing parts galore, odds and ends. There is a large amount of cured hardwood lumber, riding lawnmowers, table saw, 3 generators including a Honda gasoline 5kw and a kohler generator. Boats and Motors etc. etc. The list is too long but if you’d like a complete inventory list just ask me.

Power Sources:
Power sources are all independent and separate in each unit. Beach house has 8 200 watt panels, outback inverter and controller, 2 large batteries exclusively for solar systems, 110 v ceiling fans, lights, 24vrefrigerator and a 110v freezer (at owners house).

Glass house 6, 75 watt panels 4 batteries, mini hydro trickle charger runs 24/7 to help keep batteries charged during the rainy season.

Golf: yes there is a putting green set up near the seawall and plenty of space to practice your Iron shots, clubs and about 500 balls available.

Hiking Trails: A 1 km easy trail is well maintained near the creek and goes through the jungle, for the more adventurous, there are now 3 ‘real jungle trails’, one rises up to the ridgetop which is all part of the 407 acres and the 3 trials approximately total 3 km

Property Information

Commercial,Beachfront,Off-Grid
Survey: Yes
Location: Golfo Dulce
Title: Yes
Size: 407 Acres
Corporation: Yes
Beds: 9
Baths: 6
Status: Active

Features