Hidden Jungle Beach House

On my first visit in 2023, I wasn't sure what to expect. Could I manage without AC? What would living in an open-air jungle house be like? I booked a week and loved it enough to stay for three. Since then I've come back several times and extended my stays every time. Honestly, I wish I didn't have to leave. Gingi the Jungle Cat may become your best friend if you offer her a little bowl of milk in the morning. The chickens love rice cakes, and the dogs are easy to fall for: Guapo, a fitting name meaning “handsome” in Spanish, Zenith with his adorable snaggletooth, and the calm, effortlessly cool Coffee. Just don't get between him and a split coconut. Playa Negra's black sand beach is only a quick 1-2 minute walk away. I take fresh French press coffee from the house each morning and sit at the free-use tables. Walk a few minutes farther and you're in town, with plenty of good places to eat and drink. Rent a bike there if you want to explore farther. And don't miss Café Gustitos. It's super affordable, just right for someone like me who can't cook. I overlooked it on my first few trips, but now it's my go-to.

The place has a cozy community space and lovely wall decorations, plus a well-equipped kitchen if you want to cook. It's clean and ideally close to town, just minutes from Playa Negra, tucked away as a quiet jungle paradise. Amy is the heart of it all, the kindest and most helpful hostess. I think I left a piece of my heart there. Five stars, five stars!

Our room was lovely, with a balcony where we had coffee and watched monkeys. There was a mosquito net over the bed that kept the little pests away at night. The kitchen had everything we needed, and although we're both allergic to cats, the cat at the property wasn't a problem since everything is so open-air. There are also three dogs and some chickens. Amy's is a really cute home made with so much love. Amy always checked that we were doing well and helped with every question. Her blog has great tips for Puerto Viejo, and we looked at it often. We especially liked the coconut trail and the art cafe. When we asked about the bus to the national park, Amy showed us the stop on Google Maps, then realized construction at the bridge meant the bus wouldn't come. She even came looking for us to make sure we didn't wait there. It has a lovely little farm feel in a beautiful jungle garden, and the small hostel has a very warm atmosphere.

The room with a balcony was lovely, and we enjoyed seeing monkeys and two sloths right outside. The kitchen is large and has everything you need to cook. It was easy to walk into town from this great location. We loved our stay and will definitely come back when we're in Puerto.