The Story of La Cusinga Lodge

For the Tresemer–Guzmán family, Costa Rica’s South Pacific coast has never been just a place—it has always been home. Since 1972, they have lived in the heart of Uvita, surrounded by jungle, ocean, and a profound commitment to living in harmony with the land. In 1995, their dream became a reality with the creation of La Cusinga Eco Lodge—a refuge for travelers seeking more than just a vacation.

Founded by John, a sociologist with a deep-rooted vision of sustainability, and Bella, a woman grounded in Costa Rican values and community, La Cusinga was born from a desire to build a model of hospitality that worked with nature, not against it. Together, they envisioned a space where conservation, culture, and conscious living could flourish side by side.

What they found in the hills overlooking Bahía Ballena was more than a breathtaking landscape—it was a calling. A sacred space where the rainforest meets the Pacific Ocean, and where every path, tree, and wave reflects the powerful beauty and balance of the natural world.

Surrounded by hundreds of acres of protected primary and secondary forest and bordering the renowned Marino Ballena National Park, La Cusinga quickly became more than a lodge. It grew into a living example of regenerative tourism and environmental leadership.

Each guest who walks the trails, rests in our sustainably built cabins, or dips into the hidden river pools becomes part of this living story. A story of land, family, and the unwavering belief that tourism, when done with heart, can help heal the world.

This is how La Cusinga was born—a visionary project brought to life by a family, nurtured by community, and continually renewed through leadership committed to protecting what truly matters.

Here, where the forest whispers to the sea, every step tells a story—and every story becomes part of the land.