design3


A Brief History of La Paloma by Kate Kalmbach, June 1995 I have brief glimpses of the land as cow pasture, a moment's memory of the dirt-floored hut with horse feed and building tools that was the only roof on the property, my sleeping bag upon packed red clay. Thus began the La Paloma Lodge project. The view was, even then, magnificent, but the land had been devoured and destroyed, left bereft of all vegetation except a few hardy weeds and bushes. Dad began the lodge with the clubhouse, his dream of kicking back with good friends and a few beers after a day of fishing at Cano Island. The clubhouse was finished (minus the stairs, at that point we pulled ourselves into the building from the ground four or five feet beneath) in 1986 with the thatch roof true to our logo, and then, while we kids explored the river and raced horses across the beach, construction began on cabins 1-3. Although today we have a staff over thirty people, the work in those days was shared between just ten. Most of those people were seeing electricity (with the help of a small generator) for the first time. My Dad did most of the architectural design and set-up. Mom worked on the landscaping and home-schooled her rambunctious brood. Our family moved into Rancho 3 in 1988. Mom, loaded down with school books for three different age groups, and Dad, ready to make the last minute adjustments to transform La Paloma Lodge (at that time Drake Bay Lodge) into a gateway for the avid sport fisherman. After the fishing boat sunk on its way up the coast from Panama with Dad and my grandfather aboard (a story in itself) , Mom had the good sense to notice the environmental treasure we had; the gears shifted and guidebooks began taking note of La Paloma, an eco-lodge nested atop a hilltop in beautiful Drake Bay. After the usual slow start, guests began flocking to La Paloma for its beauty, its remoteness, the food, the tours, even the fishing. There are constant changes, and many improvements each time I return to the Lodge. Both of my parents are still hard at work to preserve this pristine area for future generations, and in our family we shudder when hearing the words "progress" and "development" attached to our childhood paradise of Drake Bay. From the manager, Nichole DuPont Greetings from Drake Bay. Our team here at La Paloma Lodge invites you to experience Mother Nature at her best. Our staff and myself are proud to offer the highest caliber naturalists guides in Costa Rica, and people that truly understand what customer service means. We strive to meet any special desires in order to maximize your experience. We want you to have a true rainforest adventure. We offer an education in exposing people to the natural beauty of the Osa. Here you can see, hear, smell, feel, and taste it. There is no climate control, unless you count an ocean breeze and ceiling fans. Our rooms include no coffee makers; we prefer to bring it freshly brewed to your doorstep. Our hospitality goes beyond the call of duty. We offer special human care. We want you to feel at home; in a pinch we'll even loan you our shoes. La Paloma Lodge tries not to tamper with nature's perfect balance. Instead, we provide a warm and calming retreat. Relax amidst the richness and splendor of the tropical jungle. Come enjoy nature at her best...pure and simple.

A Brief History of La Paloma

by Kate Kalmbach, June 1995

I have brief glimpses of the land as cow pasture, a moment's memory of the dirt-floored hut with horse feed and building tools that was the only roof on the property, my sleeping bag upon packed red clay. Thus began the La Paloma Lodge project. The view was, even then, magnificent, but the land had been devoured and destroyed, left bereft of all vegetation except a few hardy weeds and bushes.

Dad began the lodge with the clubhouse, his dream of kicking back with good friends and a few beers after a day of fishing at Cano Island. The clubhouse was finished (minus the stairs, at that point we pulled ourselves into the building from the ground four or five feet beneath) in 1986 with the thatch roof true to our logo, and then, while we kids explored the river and raced horses across the beach, construction began on cabins 1-3. Although today we have a staff over thirty people, the work in those days was shared between just ten. Most of those people were seeing electricity (with the help of a small generator) for the first time. My Dad did most of the architectural design and set-up. Mom worked on the landscaping and home-schooled her rambunctious brood.

Our family moved into Rancho 3 in 1988. Mom, loaded down with school books for three different age groups, and Dad, ready to make the last minute adjustments to transform La Paloma Lodge (at that time Drake Bay Lodge) into a gateway for the avid sport fisherman. After the fishing boat sunk on its way up the coast from Panama with Dad and my grandfather aboard (a story in itself) , Mom had the good sense to notice the environmental treasure we had; the gears shifted and guidebooks began taking note of La Paloma, an eco-lodge nested atop a hilltop in beautiful Drake Bay.

After the usual slow start, guests began flocking to La Paloma for its beauty, its remoteness, the food, the tours, even the fishing. There are constant changes, and many improvements each time I return to the Lodge. Both of my parents are still hard at work to preserve this pristine area for future generations, and in our family we shudder when hearing the words "progress" and "development" attached to our childhood paradise of Drake Bay.

From the manager, Nichole DuPont

Greetings from Drake Bay. Our team here at La Paloma Lodge invites you to experience Mother Nature at her best. Our staff and myself are proud to offer the highest caliber naturalists guides in Costa Rica, and people that truly understand what customer service means. We strive to meet any special desires in order to maximize your experience. We want you to have a true rainforest adventure. We offer an education in exposing people to the natural beauty of the Osa. Here you can see, hear, smell, feel, and taste it. There is no climate control, unless you count an ocean breeze and ceiling fans. Our rooms include no coffee makers; we prefer to bring it freshly brewed to your doorstep. Our hospitality goes beyond the call of duty. We offer special human care. We want you to feel at home; in a pinch we'll even loan you our shoes.

La Paloma Lodge tries not to tamper with nature's perfect balance. Instead, we provide a warm and calming retreat. Relax amidst the richness and splendor of the tropical jungle. Come enjoy nature at her best...pure and simple.