Ecotopía Park

You feel far away in nature at Ecotopia, even though Las Terrenas is still close by. The forest trails, lookout at the top of the property, and natural swimming hole are all fantastic. It's a great ecolodge for getting away, and the owners, Colmar and Rosibel, are excellent people and hosts. I hope I can come back.

I wanted a quiet reset away from big-city life and plastic all-inclusive resorts, and this tucked-away spot in a peaceful hollow was exactly what I needed. After a friend's wedding in Punta Cana, I rented a car and drove six hours to Ecotopia in Las Terrenas. I even picked up a hitchhiker on the way, which is no big deal there. It's a good place to hang out and rough it, with enough amenities that it wasn't a shock. When I visited, there was no wifi and cell service was limited. The ride into town is easy and close enough for picking up food and basic supplies at the mid-sized Mercado, and the townspeople were friendly and helpful. The property has interesting infrastructure, tasty native fruits, and beautiful views scattered around. Just know you'll sleep under mosquito netting and might wake up to a resident lizard on the wall. The ecosystem seems well balanced, with predators, prey, and parasites keeping one another in check. Cleanliness was adequate for me; I've stayed in rougher places. I wouldn't choose the Punta Cana resorts, but I'd consider returning to the DR just for Ecotopia.

A lovely place with a jungle feel. If you're looking to get away from the city and enjoy nature, this is the spot.

The nature pool was beautiful, but the photos are a little misleading. The walls stop short of the roof, so you can hear everything from the kitchen and bathroom. There are curtains instead of doors between rooms, and getting to the second bedroom means passing through the kitchen, bathroom, and first bedroom. There was no wifi either.