Gaia Riverlodge

The rooms feel romantic, and our trips to the Maia buildings were amazing. The lodge sits beside a beautiful waterfall, and the service was great. After five days, the staff felt like friends, especially Rahim at the bar. I’d definitely come back.

Calbert and Greg made our excursions special. They were friendly and knew so much about everything, from local history to the plants and animals. The place itself is quiet, far from the crowds on the beaches, and set in spectacular surroundings. You can swim up to a waterfall, then take a gorgeous tram down the side of a ravine. We had a spectacular trip.

We loved the location, the waterfall sounds, and seeing hummingbirds in the gardens. The restaurant also had some great vegetarian choices. One thing to know about Mountain Pine Ridge: small black flies bite during the day and leave incredibly itchy bites, so be prepared. We did have a rat in our room. I understand insects can get inside, but I’d expect the rooms to be protected from rodents and larger animals. When we told the manager, they suggested vacuum-packed food in our suitcase might have attracted it. That seemed unlikely, and it felt like they were blaming us, especially since no one had warned us about storing food that way.

We ate at the restaurant for four nights and never got bored of the food. The accommodation, bar, and restaurant are beautiful, and the place feels more like a 4/5-star hotel. The staff were 10/10, welcoming and funny, and the bartenders were great company when we sat at the bar. Even the security guard’s magic show was brilliant, the sort of act that deserves a Vegas residency. I’d thoroughly recommend the lodge and its tours.