Four hectares of forest garden
Bungalows and villas are spread out among tropical trees and plants, with plenty of space between them.
Panica · Tambor · Nicoya Peninsula · Costa Rica
Lodge Margouillat
★★★
Individual bungalows and villas scattered through four hectares of tropical forest, with two pools, a bar and a gravel road that leads to total quiet. It sits in the hills above Tambor, about 8 km from Montezuma, and you will want a car.
- 9.6on Booking.com · 189 reviews
- 5.0on Google · 135 reviews
- 2outdoor pools
Secure booking on Booking.com · Rates change by date
A forest lodge, not a beach hotel
Lodge Margouillat is in Panica de Puntarenas, on a hill above Tambor on the Gulf of Nicoya side of the peninsula. Booking.com puts it about 1 km from the village of Panica and 4 km from Tambor beach; Montezuma is roughly 8 km away in a straight line, around 30 minutes by car according to Expedia. The last stretch is gravel and the walk up from the parking area is steep, so this is a place to arrive by car and then stay put.
What guests praise is the setting: bungalows set apart among trees, howler monkeys and coatis in the garden, two pools and a staff that scores a perfect 10.0 on Booking.com. A few guests would like it closer to the popular beaches, and some mention the bathroom being a few steps from the room. If you want privacy and nature more than a nightlife strip, this is the point.
See availability →What makes it special
Six concrete things, all taken from the listings and from guest reviews.
Two outdoor pools
With loungers and parasols; guests call them clean and well kept, and one has views of the mountain and the sunset.
Wildlife at your door
Howler monkeys in the trees, coatis at breakfast, plus birds and iguanas, as guests describe.
Private bungalows and villas
From a Balinese-style pavilion to a two-bedroom villa; some villas have a kitchenette.
A generous breakfast
Fruit, eggs made to order, fresh bread, juice and coffee, served à la carte in the morning.
Staff: 10.0
The top score on Booking.com; reviews keep mentioning the host's local tips and help with bags up the hill.
Hotel photos
The rooms
Four types, from a Balinese-style pavilion to a two-bedroom villa. Air conditioning, free wifi, hot shower, toiletries and hairdryer. Room names differ slightly between booking sites, so check the one you pick. Some guests note there is no TV and that the bathroom can be in a small separate building a few metres away.
Balinese pavilion
The most immersive option, a Balinese-style pavilion among the trees for those who want to feel inside the forest.
See price →Deluxe bungalow
A wooden bungalow with a big bed, large windows onto the greenery and a mountain view; the pick for a quiet couples' retreat.
See price →Villa
More space and a terrace, and the choice for longer stays; some villas include a kitchenette.
See price →Two-bedroom villa
A house with two bedrooms and a kitchen, in a more secluded spot; guests with children and groups of friends choose it.
See price →Lodge amenities
A small lodge with two pools and a lot of garden. There is no restaurant, but breakfast and a bar are on site.
- Two outdoor poolsWith sun loungers and parasols.
- Free parkingOn site and limited; you carry your bags up from the car park.
- Free fast wifiBooking.com measured 187 Mbps, and guests stream without trouble.
- Air conditioningIn the rooms; one guest says it is not very cold in humid weather, and there is a fan too.
- BreakfastÀ la carte, daily from 7:00 to 9:30; included in some rates.
- BarA bar where guests end the day listening to the howler monkeys.
- Garden, terrace, picnic areaFour hectares of grounds with paths and viewpoints.
- Laundry serviceUseful after a day at the waterfalls or the beach.
- Help with toursThe lodge helps arrange tours and activities in the area.
- Luggage storageHandy if you check out before your ferry or flight.
- Safe at receptionGuests report there is no safe in the room; use the one at reception.
- Multilingual staffReception is open from 6:00 to 21:00.
Breakfast and where to eat
There is a breakfast and a bar on site; for dinner you will drive, or cook if your villa has a kitchen.
The lodge breakfast
Fresh fruit, eggs the way you like them, bread, juice and coffee; guests rate it highly.
The bar
For a drink at sunset; the lodge is quiet from 21:00 to 6:00.
Cook in your villa
Some villas have a kitchenette. Bring supplies from Tambor or Cóbano before you come up the hill.
El Tucán · 8 min by car
A restaurant listed by Expedia, the closest to the lodge.
Palenque Bar and Bar Cocobolo · 8 min by car
Casual spots for a drink and a bite in the Tambor area.
Cocina de Leña La Cobaneña · 14 min by car
A wood-fired kitchen with local food.
Tambor, Curú and the Montezuma waterfalls
The lodge is in the hills above Tambor, on the gulf side of the peninsula, not in Montezuma village. Distances are in a straight line from the lodge; by road count on more, and more still after heavy rain.
Montezuma beach · {km:playa_montezuma}
The village beach, with pale sand, rocks and palm trees. Expedia puts it about 29 minutes by car. Some stretches have rocks and currents: swim carefully.
Montezuma waterfalls · {km:cataratas}
A trail along the river leads in about 20 minutes to the lower waterfall, with a large pool for swimming. Don't jump from the rocks: there have been serious accidents. Allow about 33 minutes by car from the lodge.
Montezuma village · {km:centro}
A handful of streets with sodas, cafés, bakeries and craft shops by the sea. A good place for dinner if you are happy to drive back up in the dark.
Tortuga Island · {km:isla_tortuga}
Two islands in the Gulf of Nicoya with a white-sand beach and good snorkeling. Boats leave from Montezuma and from Paquera, near the Curú Wildlife Refuge ({km:curu}), the closest protected area to the lodge.
Cabo Blanco Reserve · {km:cabo_blanco}
Costa Rica's first protected area, created in 1963. A trail through tropical forest leads down to almost untouched beaches, with monkeys, coatis and seabirds. The entrance is past Cabuya ({km:cabuya}); it works best as a full-day trip.
Santa Teresa and Mal País · {km:santa_teresa}
On the other side of the peninsula, about 35 minutes by car according to a guest, with long beaches, good surf all year, yoga, restaurants and ocean sunsets.
When to go to the Nicoya Peninsula
Average high temperature and rainfall around Tambor and Montezuma, month by month (approximate values).
32°Jan
33°Feb
33°Mar
33°Apr
31°May
30°Jun
30°Jul
30°Aug
29°Sep
29°Oct
30°Nov
31°Dec
Dry (Dec–Apr) Green (May–Aug) Wettest (Sep–Nov) · mm
- ☀️ December to April is the dry season: it hardly rains, skies are clear and the sea is usually calm. It's the busiest time, especially at Christmas, New Year's and Easter, so book early.
- 🌿 May to August is the green season: sunny mornings, afternoon downpours, the forest at its greenest and fewer visitors. July often brings a few drier weeks (the 'veranillo').
- 🌧️ September and October are the wettest months. The gravel road up to the lodge gets harder, so a 4x4 or SUV is wise, and some businesses close for a few weeks.
- 🌡️ It's hot all year (29–33 °C), driest and hottest from February to April. Bring biodegradable sunscreen, a hat and water for hikes.
- 🦟 In the forest you will want insect repellent, especially at dusk.
- 🐒 Monkeys and coatis are very bold: don't feed them, and keep your things secured on the beach and at the waterfalls.
How to get here
By car (the best option)
Guests agree a car is almost essential. From the main road near Tambor you take a short gravel road with a small bridge; an SUV or 4x4 is recommended, especially in the rainy season. Follow the signs and arrive in daylight if you can.
From San José (SJO) with the ferry
From Juan Santamaría Airport it's about 2 hours by car to Puntarenas. Take the ferry to Paquera (a little over 1 hour across the Gulf of Nicoya), then about 45 minutes by road to the lodge ({km:paquera_ferry} in a straight line). Check the ferry schedule.
From Liberia (LIR)
Guanacaste's airport is about 4 hours away by road, without a ferry ({km:aeropuerto_lir} in a straight line). A rental car is the easiest option.
Flight to Tambor (TMU)
The Tambor airstrip ({km:aeropuerto_tmu}) has short domestic flights from San José. Expedia lists it about 21 minutes by car from the lodge. Arrange a taxi or a rental car in advance.
Taxi, shuttle and bus
Buses and shared shuttles reach Tambor, Paquera and Montezuma; from there you need a taxi up the hill, so agree the fare first. The currency is the Costa Rican colón; US dollars are accepted almost everywhere, and there are banks and ATMs in Cóbano.
What's nearby
From Panica de Puntarenas, near Tambor. Straight-line distances; Panica village as given by Booking.com.
- Panica village1 km
- Tambor beach3.5 km
- Tambor airstrip (TMU)4 km
- Cóbano6.7 km
- Montezuma beach7.5 km
- Montezuma waterfalls8.1 km
- Cabuya14.5 km
- Curú15.1 km
- Santa Teresa15.9 km
- Tortuga Island17.8 km
- Cabo Blanco Reserve18.8 km
- Paquera ferry19.9 km
What guests say
9.6 out of 10 on Booking.com from 189 reviews, 10 out of 10 on Expedia from 42 and 5.0 out of 5 on Google from 135.
10.0Staff
9.6Comfort
9.5Cleanliness
9.3Location
«The property is beautiful, comfy bed, nice pools, yummy breakfast. The entrance sidewalk is steep so wear sneakers, not sandals.»
«Such an ideal place in the forest. Love the separate shower and bathroom buildings. Great breakfast.»
«A little piece of paradise in the hills above Tambor, the perfect place to recharge in nature.»
«We woke up to howler monkeys in the tree right in front of our window. Breakfast was great too.»
«Access to the lodge is a bit tricky, so I recommend renting a car (SUV). Once there, the grounds are very well kept.»
«A beautiful place surrounded by nature, and it takes care of every detail.»
Good to know before you book
Check-in 14:00–20:00
Reception is open from 6:00 to 21:00. Check-out is at 11:00. If you will arrive late, contact the lodge in advance.
You really want a car
The lodge is a few kilometres up a gravel road. Guests recommend an SUV or 4x4, especially in the rainy season.
Steep entrance path
The walk up from the car park is steep: wear sneakers, not sandals. The host helps with bags, but it may be hard for guests with reduced mobility, and there is no elevator.
Some bathrooms are separate
In several rooms the shower or toilet is in a small building a few metres away. If you care about an en-suite bathroom, check your room type before booking.
No TV, good wifi
Guests mention there is no TV or coffee maker in the room; breakfast has coffee and the wifi is fast.
Children
Children of any age are welcome, but the lodge has no cots or extra beds, and children from 3 pay as adults on Booking.com.
House rules
No pets, no smoking, no parties or events, and quiet hours from 21:00 to 6:00.
Payment
Booking.com lists cash and a prepaid first night; Expedia lists Visa and Mastercard. Check the conditions of your rate.
Things to do from Tambor and Montezuma
Highly rated tours on Viator: a surf lesson in Montezuma, Tortuga Island by boat, private nature tours in Cabo Blanco and Curú Wildlife Refuge, a night kayak among bioluminescence and horseback riding in Cabuya. Most meet in Montezuma or Paquera, so check each tour's meeting point or whether it includes hotel pickup; cancellation terms vary by tour.
2-Hour Surf Lesson in Montezuma
See the tour →
Isla Tortuga boat tour - from Paquera
See the tour →
Private Nature Tour in Cabo Blanco Park Costa Rica
See the tour →
Private Nature Adventure Tour in Curu Wildlife Refuge
See the tour →
Bioluminescent Kayak Tour
See the tour →
Costa Rica Horseback Riding Experience
See the tour →Tour texts and photos: Viator.
Where it is
Panica de Puntarenas, 60105 Tambor, Puntarenas, Costa Rica
Book your stay at Lodge Margouillat
See today's rates and availability on Booking.com. Many rates can be cancelled for free; check the conditions of each one before you book.
See availability →Frequently asked questions
Where is Lodge Margouillat?
In Panica de Puntarenas, on a hill above Tambor on the Nicoya Peninsula. It is about 1 km from the village of Panica and 4 km from Tambor beach, and Montezuma is roughly 8 km away in a straight line.
Is it in Montezuma?
No. It is on the Tambor side of the peninsula, about 30 minutes by car from Montezuma according to Expedia. The waterfalls and Curú are close enough for day trips.
Do I need a car?
Yes, almost always. The lodge is up a gravel road, and guests recommend an SUV or 4x4, especially in the rainy season.
Is breakfast included?
On some rates yes; on others you pay on site. It is served à la carte every day from 7:00 to 9:30 with fruit, eggs, bread, juice and coffee.
Is there a pool?
Yes, two outdoor pools with loungers and parasols.
What time are check-in and check-out?
Check-in is from 14:00 to 20:00 and check-out at 11:00. Reception is open from 6:00 to 21:00; if you arrive later, contact the lodge in advance.
Are children and pets allowed?
Children of any age are welcome, though there are no cots or extra beds. Pets are not allowed.
Are there TVs or a safe in the rooms?
Guests say there is no TV in the rooms. The safe is at reception, and the wifi is free and fast.