News – Page 2 – Pacific Edge Eco Lodge

Covid, Canceling & Insurance

Covid isn’t the most fun topic to write about but it is, unfortunately, a very relevant topic for the world right now. This is something that our family here at Pacific Edge takes very seriously. So we wanted to share with you our cancellation policies and your options if you find your self needing to cancel or postpone your vacation with us here at Pacific Edge.

Currently the Costa Rican government does not allow travelers to fly to Costa Rica without valid travel insurance or being fully vaccinated along with your Covid Vaccine Card. In our opinion even if you have the vaccine we HIGHLY recommend travel insurance in case you do become sick before, during or after your trip.

As we all know emergencies do arise and if this is because of a positive COVID test result please know that we do understand and we have great empathy for you and/or your party. If you do test positive, or are feeling ill before your trip, please let us know at your earliest convenience. This way we can re open your reserved date with our online booking platforms and try to rebook at no cost to you. If you are canceling the day before or on the day of arrival we will still charge the full price for your booking as it is within our standard 7 day no refund policy agreement. Depending on the time that you cancel, we may be able to reimburse you for the full amount of your cancelled reservation but only if we are able to rebook your room. We understand that this can cause a lot of frustration for all involved so this is exactly why we recommend travel insurance. If we are not able to rebook your date(s) you do have the option of filing a claim with your travel insurance in order to be reimbursed for the cost of your booking and all your travel expenses.

If you must cancel please forward us a copy of your insurance policy, proof of the positive COVID test and your cancelled airline information and we can help guide you to file a claim. We do need these documents in order for you to be considered for a refund so please send them as soon as you are able to do so.

When filing a claim with your travel insurance you may be reimbursed for any out of pocket expenses that you may have incurred because of your cancellations. Having travel insurance in place guarantees there will be no losses incurred for either parties. Most of those that we know personally, that have had to use the insurance, have been reimbursed in less than a week. It’s a no brainer, in our opinion. Especially for those unforeseen emergencies, including COVID, when far away from home.

We HIGHLY suggest buying travel insurance EVEN if you are vaccinated. Please reach out to us as soon as you believe you will need to cancel at Email:pacificedgelodge@gmail .com or call us at tel:+13057536390.

As a very small family run business we can not afford the same leniences as the bigger establishments. Therefore we thank you for your respectful consideration and understanding of our policies.

Our cancellation policy is as follows:

Cancelation policy and Reservations of 1 – 7 days
0 – 30 days	Full charge

31 days	$50 service fee for each room + CC processing fee

Reservations Easter week	Full charge
Reservations of Nov 20-29th & Dec. 15-Jan 15	Full charge

CANCELLATION CONSIDERATIONS: IF we are able to rebook during that time you cancelled, we will consider waving the service fees. We are a small boutique hotel with minimal rooms so we most likely will not be able to rebook your room in that short amount of time. With that being said, it is under our discretion to refund or waive any fees associated with a cancelled booking. No shows/No calls will NOT be waived. Please contact us immediately if you have problems with not making your reservation time slot. If you are cancelling due to a positive COVID test or illness, please contact us with your insurance information, positive COVID test results and we can help to file a claim for you. We will do our best to accommodate you but understand we are a small business and this is our livelihood. We do not have the same leniences as the bigger establishments. So again, thank you for your respectful consideration and understanding of our policies.

We look forward to your booking with us and we hope only the best for your health and safety during your travels.

Matt & Laura – Elopements

Copyright Costa Vida Photography – MichaVandiver.com

Recently I received a phone call from an aunt of one of our guests. She informed me that her niece was arriving the next day and that they were planning on eloping. She asked if would help to surprise them with a few gifts in their room and of course I was eager to oblige! I let her know that I am a wedding photographer and I have been in the business for the last 15 years in the Florida Keys and so this was an area, weddings, that I really enjoyed. She said they were eloping at Nayuca Waterfalls and that everything was already booked beforehand and so she wanted to do something a little extra for them. So before their arrival, we decorated their room with several different flower arrangements, all from our garden of course! Actually I can’t take the credit for the flowers as my husband is the florals in the family.

When Matt and Laura arrived, I am embarrassed to say I did not hear them pull up. I was in the back photographing the howler monkeys. We have a family of them that are always right in the backyard and there are a couple of new baby howlers that I just love to capture. Luckily I heard the car engine and realized our guests were here! So I ran down and apologized and said I was taking pictures of the monkey out back. They said that if I showed them the monkeys all would be forgiven. (They were only waiting 5 minutes but still, embarrassing!)

We got to talking and I immediately feel in love with all that is Matt and Laura. They are two of the most genuine people I have met and we all really connected. I showed them to their room and told them I heard they were getting married while they were here. Laura looked confused as she said no one knew where they were staying, but well, someone did. 😉 So we talked about it and she told me that a local company called Papaya Weddings was whom she booked for the actual elopement at Nayuca Waterfalls. I looked them up and I was very impressed with his gallery as he really has some gorgeous work! Laura told me that she had only booked him for a couple of hours and so I told her that if she wanted to take a few more pictures in the morning before they left and then after for sunset, I would be honored if they would allow me to do so. Plus we haven’t had a wedding here at Pacific Edge yet so it was a win win for all! They both agreed and we planned out how the morning would go. So I shot all the details, Papaya shot the vows and images at the waterfalls and we circled back and shot at the local beach and back to our property for sunset.

Laura really wanted to do a first look with Matt. So we chose to do an early morning first look out on the new deck. Laura loves the dark moody look and lucky for her the morning mist was in full affect. A little drizzle too. Most brides would be worried about a little rain but not Laura. “It was perfect!” She said and I honestly couldn’t have agreed more! After that they ran off to elope and then they celebrated the rest of their day sipping handcrafted Matt Mojitos (Matt you owe me one next time) and lounging by our pool.

Around 3pm we decided to head out to the caves at Playa Ventanas and to capture a few pictures of them down at the beach. It was such a great time and as you can tell these two looked breathtaking in all of them. They are sincerely one fun couple to photograph and of course just to hang out with too.

We decided it was time to head back to Pacific Edge for sunset pictures on the deck. Where they started this journey that morning and then finished it off with a perfect rainy sunset. At the time we had Nadya and Romain (of Nadya Travel Art) here painting murals in our cabins and they also wanted to do something special for our wedding couple and they offered to buy dinner for us all. So Matt and Laura’s dinner of choice, Pizza! There is a story behind that too but I will leave that for them to tell.

Here are a few of the sneak peeks and I will share the whole gallery soon.

It was such a wonderful group that week and we truly fell in love with both of them. They have a serious deep connection, mutual respect and love for one another, which was pretty infectious. We had so many sincere conversations in such a small amount of time and we got to know and love them like our own family. They are official PE family members now and we hope to see them again here very soon.

Matt & Laura, We sincerely miss you guys and I’m so honored I was able to photograph you during your stay. Congrats to you both and we hope you enjoyed your time and all the wonderful experiences you shared together here in Costa Rica!

Lots of love and hugs from your extend family at the Edge.

xoxox – Michaelynn

The Marino Ballena National Park

The Marino Ballena National Park or the Whale’s Tail, is a wonderful beach with an exciting and wide range of activities. The Park is one of the best sites to visit and is only minutes away from Pacific Edge Eco Lodge.

Whale Tail Marino Ballena National Park. Costa Rica

As the title suggests, the park is also the best place to go whale watching in Costa Rica. You can see humpback whales out there as both northern and southern humpback whales pass through the area, allowing the area the most extended whale watching season!

Is it man-made or a natural formation?

The famous whale tail of Costa Rica is indeed a natural formation and a part of Marino Ballena National Park. The park contains 110 hectares of land and around 5375 hectares of ocean, protecting coral reefs, beaches, and mangroves. It is also a whale breeding ground. The whale tail is a result of converging currents which deposits sand on rock formation making a unique tail like pattern.

If you are planning to visit the south of Costa Rica, then this famous Whale Tail is not to be missed.

The natural formation of the Whale’s Tail “tip” can be accessed only at low tide. Check the tide charts before you plan your day.

Besides whale watching, Marino Ballena National Park offers numerous activities. You can enjoy a lazy day at the beach or do some water activities like scuba diving, swimming, SUP or snorkeling.

The calm waves allow a perfect environment for little ones to enjoy in water. During the year, Olive Ridley and hawksbill sea turtles come to nest and lay eggs. If you are lucky, you can get to view the sight!

The park is stunning with the famous whale tail visible during low tides, the coral reefs, the beaches, the mangroves and the wildlife; the place offers a lot to you to enjoy and fall in love with its beauty.

Believe it; once you get there, you will want to get your whole vacation centered around the park to enjoy the South Pacific Coast of Costa Rica. With beaches covered in a thick green jungle and wildlife without the crowd, this place is just for you!

When to visit the Park

During all year the National Park Marino Ballena is open to the public. Though, during, November to mid-December, it’s a low time for tourists.

With a dry season from the end of December to April, the place will have a sunny and hot season. If you are planning a late visit, you should make it in end of August. You can attend the yearly whale festival in Uvita.

Many fantastic experiences you can get in the exceptional national park. Enjoy beaches, spend time doing water sports and activities or go whale watching but make sure to check the tides before you go. If you are interested in learning more, check in with our concierge before you go!

Weddings at Pacific Edge Eco Lodge

When my husband (boyfriend at the time) first brought me to Pacific Edge in 2010, I thought this was one of the most beautiful spots that I had ever been. Of course, in my opinion, it still IS one of the most beautiful locations and I believe a most incredible spot for lovers to getaway!

When we first arrived, all those many years ago, it took my breath away and I for sure thought that he was going to propose as the view was the most incredible location to say “I do”. I figured if he didn’t ask then, he was just crazy not to. I mean really, why wouldn’t he?? I kept saying “I do” to him randomly throughout the trip, and well, he then thought I was crazy. So yeah, he didn’t propose there, which has been a running joke now for years, but I am now holding him to a vow renewal at some point soon, now that we live here.

So when we purchased Pacific Edge, one of the first ideas we had was, why not share this magical spot overlooking the edge of the Pacific with other couples? And so we are doing just that. Of course, I am impatient and I am hoping someone will propose and say “I do” here very soon.

I just love, “LOVE”, and well, it’s been my business for several years now. As a destination wedding photographer, I KNOW weddings. I have 14 years experience with not only photographing them but also helping to plan them too. I have worked with some of the most incredibly talented vendors, worldwide, and together we have built a few all inclusive packages to help take off all the stress of planning your destination wedding, here at Pacific Edge.

So if you are wanting an intimate wedding setting and you are looking for a romantic location with a “million dollar” view, you have found it here with us at Pacific Edge Eco Lodge. You can either propose to your beloved, get married here, or even stay here for your honeymoon. Whatever you choose, we will be happy to help you every step of the way and to plan one of the most memorable days of your lives.

Fill out Inquiry Form Here

Or email us directly at [email protected] / Call us on WhatsApp +1 305-753-6390

*Our all inclusive packages include photography services from Costa Vida Photography, but you are also welcome to choose another photographer, locally or bring your own. I do understand how personal photography is to each one of us and I do know some amazing fellow photographers that I have also added to our vendor list. So if you need help or guidance in this area, please do not hesitate to ask. This is your day and we are here to help make it the very best!

Great News! We are Re-Opening 2021

Buenas!

We are excited to announce that Pacific Edge is reopening starting March 2021. We are now taking reservations for March 1st and onward. We have 4 cabins available and you can check the website for more details. Although we are really happy to be reopening we understand how important it is to maintain the health of our guests and ourselves. So rest assured we are taking all the necessary precautions due to Covid-19.

With that being said, we are ready to reopen and we are ready to help you book your next vacation with us, here at Pacific Edge. If you have been here before, we look forward to seeing you and thank you for coming back. If you have never been, we welcome you to Pacific Edge and we are here to help you with any questions you may have before your stay.

Pura Vida,

Your Hosts at Pacific Edge

READ HEAlth policies here