Magical Treehouses You Won't Believe Exist in Central America

Tucked between the Pacific and the Manuel Antonio National Park in Costa Rica, Hotel Costa Verde peeks out of the forest on a coastal bluff. All rooms offer birds-eye views of the park below – ideal for spying on the local monkeys, sloths, and toucans – but two rooms in particular stand out. First is the 727 Fuselage Home, built from a 1965 Boeing 727. Then there is the Cockpit Cottage, made from the front segment of an airplane and accessible only by a hanging suspension bridge.

As you arrive at the Portofino Beach Resort on Ambergris Caye, you’ll see its pair of treehouses in Belize’s jungle towering above the rest. Open the French doors to the private balcony to enjoy unimpeded views of the Caribbean Sea below. Venture out in a kayak or hit up the resort’s dive shop to check out picturesque spots along the Belize Barrier Reef, including the Great Blue Hole.

The Jicaro Island Lodge sits on a private island just off the shores of Granada, a small town on Lake Nicaragua (also called Lake Cocibolca). Here you’ll have your pick from nine treetop casitas built from local, sustainable wood, each overlooking the lake and the Mombacho Volcano. Each two-story treehouse has an open bedroom upstairs, with a spacious living area downstairs complete with a private deck.

Treehouse villas in Central America line the shores of Aqua Wellness Resort’s private bay, located on Nicaragua’s Playa Gigante. The resort is perfect for an unplugged experience – each treehouse has its own plunge pool, perfect for relaxing – though you may want to check out nearby excursions like cliff climbing, deep-sea fishing and surf lessons. For pure serenity, you’ll want to book a yoga class on Aqua’s open-air deck or opt for a Nicaraguan cocoa bean scrub at the spa.

Lapa’s Nest Tree House looks like it could be in the 21st century ‘Swiss Family Robinson’. The angular, seven-story treehouse is near the Corcovado National Park on Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula, about a six-hour drive from San Jose (four-wheel drive recommended). You’ll be outside 24-7, starting the day with a fresh-brewed Costa Rican coffee on the patio as titi monkeys swing by the treetops just a few feet away.

The Tree House Lodge in Costa Rica is situated on a 10-acre (40,500sqm) property close to the breathtakingly beautiful Playa Uva on the Caribbean coast. The Tree House Lodge is highly dedicated to the environment and to its guests. It is one of the few hotels that has a certificate for sustainable tourism (CST). Each treehouse has its own theme and has been built using recycled and sustainable materials as well as reclaimed wood from the surrounding jungle. These treehouses are exquisite and quite luxurious while keeping an authentic jungle feel. The lodge also has its own foundation, the Iguana Verde Foundation, committed to protecting and restoring green iguana populations.

Finca Bellavista is a treehouse community with both permanent and temporary residents. There are 13 completely unique treehouses available for rent. They range from studio layout with no electricity to multiple bedrooms with electricity. There is the main base camp, where wifi, yoga classes and tours can be organized. Most treehouses are between a 10 and 45-minute hike from the base camp. This sustainable forest community is an idyllic and magical place to disconnect from the outside world and reconnect with nature.

If your childhood treehouse fantasy somewhat resembled the Swiss Family Robinson house, Rancho Delicioso’s newest structure, The River Palace, will make your dream come true. This three-level treehouse in Central America was built using locally sourced and natural materials. This treehouse has immense open spaces, seven bridges that connect different areas of the house, two bathrooms, a kitchen, a huge dining room table made from a single branch of a Cabuya tree and six hanging beds. This is a beautiful space to come and be creative, join a retreat (choose from yoga or permaculture), or just enjoy the peacefulness of the Montezuma area.

Rancho Pacifico is an eco-luxury boutique hotel with treehouse villas that has won a truly impressive amount of prestigious awards. There are ten villas, suites and treehouses, all with specular views of the vast Pacific Ocean from the hotel’s elevated jungle vantage point. There are private hiking trails that lead to beautiful waterfalls, multiple beaches, heavenly spa treatments, organic dining options and unmatched hospitality. This is the perfect treehouse option for honeymooners as well as those seeking a romantic or relaxing getaway!

The Nature Observatorio is a unique two-story, two-bedroom treehouse in the middle of the Gondoca Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge on the Caribbean coast. The house is suspended in a giant tree but what makes this treehouse special is that not a single nail or screw was used to secure the house to the tree, leaving it completely unharmed. The philosophy behind this treehouse is all about co-existing within nature rather than simply using it. A maximum of four people can share the house and breakfast, lunch, drinks and snacks are all included in the price.

Lucero – a private community in Panama – is a magnificent treehouse boutique hotel up in the highlands of Boquete. Each treehouse has a 360° wraparound deck, high thread count sheets, a daybed on the balcony and a queen bed inside. For added luxury, treehouses also come with a rain shower, coffee maker, kitchenette, wifi and room service. With a clubhouse in addition to facilities such as clay tennis courts, an 18-hole golf course and an on-site restaurant, this is the adult version of your childhood treehouse fantasies.

Caves Branch Jungle Lodge offers adventurers amazing treehouses in Belize. The treehouses are situated next to the Caves Branch River and are designed in such a way as to keep you connected with nature. There are several treehouse options, but all have comfortable beds, beautiful interiors and stunning views.

The Tree House Hotel is located in the rainforest near La Fortuna, ideal for those seeking to enjoy the adventure activities of the area. There are seven unique treehouses here and the property itself sits within a wildlife refuge that is home to monkeys, sloths, toucans, hummingbirds and more. A delicious, typical Costa Rican breakfast is served every morning in the rancho and the hotel offers private massage.

What better place to stay in a treehouse than in Monteverde? Hidden Canopy has six treehouse chalets up in the mountains of this lush region. These intricately constructed luxury treehouses are surrounded by beautiful gardens, waterfalls and plenty of wildlife. Offering spa treatments, afternoon teatimes, fresh baked goods and lovely treetop walkways, you will receive a personalized concierge service that makes you feel truly at home.

Jungla Vista is an enchanting house sitting high up at treetop level. With two bedrooms and two bathrooms as well as a meditation and yoga deck, the floor-to-ceiling glass windows make you feel truly immersed in the beautiful surroundings. Just ten minutes away from a variety of international restaurants, Jungla Vista sits between Playa Negra and Junquillal in Costa Rica’s Guanacaste province.

If you aren’t particularly interested in staying in a treehouse but would like to spend a little time in one, this is your ideal situation. The Tree House Restaurant and Cafe is located in Monteverde and is an exceptional place to dine amongst the trees. The menu is typical Costa Rican and Latin fusion whilst the restaurant itself is built around a huge ficus tree that makes you feel as if you are dining in the forest. For caffeine lovers, it is also worth noting that this place is well known for the high quality of its coffee.