Cabinas Nirvana Ecolodge

The local beach has beautiful black sand, and Cahuita national park has stunning beaches, though the area where you can swim is limited. Town is about a safe 15-minute walk away, with roughly a dozen restaurants, mostly serving the same local food, which got a little tiresome after 10 days. There are also two restaurants within walking distance of the hotel. The pool was nice, though less impressive than the booking.com photos, and it has no shallow end, so it’s not suitable for non-swimmers. Our room had no air conditioning, which meant no windows, so there was a lot of noise. Jungle sounds were fine, but the cats and dogs were bloody noisy. Staff were fairly friendly, but rarely got back to us when we had questions. It was reasonable value, and we enjoyed our stay.

The garden was gorgeous and full of animals, and the beach was close by. The place is tucked away, around 10-15 minutes on foot from the town centre. Still, the whole stay had a strange feel, and I wouldn’t return. I found the service odd and unfriendly, and there was rarely anyone at reception when we wanted to ask something. WiFi didn’t reach our room. There was just one mosquito net in our twin room; we asked for another and they brought one. The bathroom electricity also seemed dodgy, with faulty wiring, and the accommodation felt basic for what it was. A dog that seemed aggressive scared my sister and ran up onto our balcony several times. I adore dogs, but a poorly behaved dog shouldn’t be allowed to roam freely in a hotel. At the very least, guests should be told about it beforehand, since some people would choose not to stay.

The cabins felt private even though they aren’t, and the grounds were gorgeous. The staff were friendly and helpful, and it was very good value for money. We had a great trip, and this was my favorite stay so far on our seven-week journey. Highly recommended!

Playa Negra is a beautiful, pristine natural beach with soft black sand and plenty of shade, about a five-minute walk from this eco-lodge. Town is a 20-minute walk, and the Cahuita National Park entrance is easy to reach on foot, just at the end of ‘town’ after a 25-minute stroll. Tucked into the jungle, it’s a peaceful choice for couples or families who want to get away from the touristy vibe. Our host was welcoming, played good music, helped us call a taxi for excursions, and had three cute dogs. Reception was friendly and fast. We were lucky to book la cabina with air-conditioning. The cabin had a big shower, television, and free internet, though it’s rustic, there’s no hot water, and critters may visit. The pool was refreshing, and at night it gets very dark and you can hear the jungle creatures. There are two restaurants at the end of the little dirt road if you want a prepared meal nearby. An eco-lover’s paradise.