Discovering a Jungle Lodge in Costa Rica: The Ideal Winter Getaway

The new Origins Lodge in Costa Rica’s northern cloud forest is the ideal destination for a warm-weather getaway.

Just hours after landing in Costa Rica, I found myself on a shaded yoga platform at Origins Lodge (villas from $750), in the cloud forest of the country’s north. As my teacher, Manuel Guevara, guided me through downward dog and warrior poses, I began to notice the vibrant drama surrounding me. Blue skies morphed into clouds, then rain, and the soft beat of distant thunder; then just minutes later, the sun returned.

Lime-green parrots darted past, a yellow-breasted toucan emerged from the tree line, and tiny poison dart frogs chirped from hidden corners of the jungle. As I focused on this swirl of life, my jumble of anxieties—flight connections, looming deadlines, and family obligations—seemed to vanish as quickly as the rain.

Moments like these were the very reason I had traveled to Costa Rica: to take a few days off from my routine by immersing myself in the breathtaking landscapes, more than a quarter of which are protected, and where six percent of the world’s biodiversity can be found. Origins, one of the newest properties from the South Africa–based Mantis resort collection, is comprised of six hillside lodges and the three-bedroom Villa Vertigo. As I explored the 111 acres of primarily pristine rainforest on the property, a multisensory orchestra of howler monkeys, birds, and amphibians surrounded me at all times.

Even while ensconced in my spacious villa, complete with high bamboo ceilings and gauze-shaded bed, I was cooled by the abundant breezes—no air-conditioning necessary. In my outdoor shower, created with local volcanic stone, I enjoyed bath products made with fragrant ylang-ylang flowers cultivated on the property. I spent an afternoon on my veranda next to a private plunge pool that was heated by a nearby wood stove, taking in the aromatic birdsong and panoramic views that stretched all the way to neighboring Nicaragua.

One of the most luxurious aspects of my stay at Origins was the feeling of having this lush, green landscape and all of its sights, sounds, and even flavors to myself. While on a horseback ride, I took in the rolling hills that appeared in every direction, exchanging friendly waves with farmers tending their small plots of land adjacent to the property.

Each morning at El Salto Restaurant, which uses local ingredients from their organic garden or wild sources, I relished a jam made with locally grown arazá fruit over my toast while admiring the pristine rainforest from which it was harvested. The flavor-rich coffee, sourced from an artisanal producer from the area, was prepared with a traditional chorreador, composed of a wooden stand and a cloth bag for coffee grains through which hot water is poured.

While embarking on a morning nature walk with my guide, Pablo, we spotted a juvenile sloth clinging to a tree branch before leaving the lodge; later, we encountered fresh ocelot tracks while heading to see a waterfall and a centuries-old kapok tree. We also discovered a perfectly ripe guanabana, or soursop, which we plucked from the tree to enjoy at breakfast the following morning.

While observing an army of bullet ants, known for having the world’s most painful insect sting, I witnessed Pablo reach down to allow one to crawl onto his finger. “When they bite, you can feel the pain radiate up your arm,” he explained as the ant traveled from his finger to his wrist. “However, most things here aren’t looking to hurt you; they just wish for peace.”

Engaging with Nature at Origins Lodge

Pablo’s words resonated with me later that evening during our night walk, when all of the jungle’s nocturnal creatures were in full swing. As we ventured into the inky black night, our single flashlights illuminated our path while we searched for sleeping birds and snakes. Suddenly, a frog leaped at me from out of nowhere, landing on my leg, prompting an involuntary shriek. Nevertheless, I quickly realized that I was the intruder in this frog’s home as it continued with its activities. I collected myself, muttered an “excuse me,” and continued down the wildlife-rich trail.