I had heard about Jungle Camp. I knew that it was the favorite of everyone that traveled to Costa Rica, but I was still unsure. It’s in the Jungle. I knew it was remote and didn’t have amenities. I wasn’t sure about bugs and then there’s the no electricity thing. I am not adventurous or rustic. I’m safe and comfortable, planned and predictable, and I don’t like camping and being dirty. I actually had really low expectations, but since it’s everyone’s favorite, I still had to check it out..
We got our of raft and headed toward a path. Walking on the path through the jungle I felt like I had stepped straight into an Indiana Jones movie set. I expected Harrison Ford to round the next corner with a skull in his hand and natives chasing him. Jungle on each side and stones on the path added to this feeling. The hike was short but a little steep and at the top there was a sign, “You made it!” and I felt that relief. I had arrived at Jungle Camp.
It was then that I was surprised. The camp felt clean and calm. I immediately took off my shoes and walked on the wood floors. The main area felt welcoming and homey. There were chairs along the edge to look out over the river and there were couches, chairs, and hammocks to lounge in.
It was peaceful. It was calming. It was magical. I walked towards the rooms, that really felt like bungalows and butterflies flitted across the neat pebbled path. The rooms were gorgeous and felt spacious. They had wire mesh on the top half and our particular room faced the river and the view was breathtaking. I never wanted to leave. I never wanted to plug in again. I felt that I could stay there forever and be content.
The room had a wooden boardwalk surrounding the front and sides and the bathroom was around the corner, but still exclusive to our room. The bathroom and shower were separate and small, and cute. Because I am tall, I could peek out over the shower and see the jungle but I felt so secluded and unobserved and luxurious.
I was surprised. How did I feel luxury in the jungle camp without any extras? It was clean, there were cute touches that showed me thought was put into helping us be comfortable and we were. It was minimal but oh so comfortable. I was completely relaxed.
There was a huge double kitchen and the staff were good friends of our guides and they treated us like friends. They went to work making us a lunch while we showered and changed.
I came back refreshed to a bountiful meal and conversations with our guides that I already loved and the jungle camp staff who were endearing and fast became new found friends.
It was raining so we didn’t get to do the zipline. Water on the cables makes it so the breaks don’t work. But we were able to do the Tarzan swing. It seemed the entire crew came to cheer us on and encourage us as we faced our fears and discovered that the swing was really – just that. A smooth swinging motion over the incredible jungle and river.
As night fell candles and lanterns were lit and made the jungle camp even more magical if that was even possible. We played games and visited as our guides made a meal catered to us. I didn’t realize that they had watch what I had eaten on previous days, asked me about my likes and dislikes – and then created a meal that was in line with everything they had learned about me.
I have never felt so honored or loved. We talked into the night and then headed for bed. I don’t think we even thought or missed that we didn’t have wifi or electricity. It made everything more magical.
I slept with a slight breeze and the shush of the river and woke to the sounds of birds and insects refreshed and ready for my day. We were all sad that we hadn’t chosen to spend an extra day at this oasis. But we packed up our bags, said goodbye to the jungle camp staff and headed back out for another fun filled day on the river with our guides.
The jungle camp was the most expensive thing on our itinerary. It’s in the jungle. No one lives there, there is not an easy road to access it, and thus everything is trucked in – including the food, employees, and our bags. Those logistics aren’t inexpensive, but I now know the cost is worth it.
Many people debate if they should go or not – I say this is a must! You won’t regret it. Time and again I’ve had people tell me – I’m so glad we did that! Can you imagine if we had missed out? I don’t want to imagine it. I just want to go back. I now know why jungle camp is everyone’s favorite and can say that it is worth it.
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