Eco Venao

The pub and restaurant crew were very friendly, as were the people at reception, and I loved being right by the beach. The location and staff were great. The cabins look rustic outside but are more modern inside. The bathroom had no outlet nearby, so I had to dry my hair by the bed. There are also steps down into the sleeping area, which could be tricky for older people walking up to the bathroom and back in the dark.

We stayed for a week in July, and the Cabañas were worth the price. Now we're spoiled and wouldn't want to stay any other way. The staff cleaned daily and dealt quickly with issues, like the slow shower drain. Everyone was friendly, and the facilities were wonderful and extensive. It felt very clean for a cabana, and we only spotted a couple of critters inside, much less than I expected in a place like this in the jungle. It's a 20-minute walk or a 2-minute drive to the activity down the beach, far enough away that the noise doesn't bother you. The community kitchen is very basic, but it has a fridge and stovetop, so I could make my son a hot meal every day. We also saw and heard howler Monkeys in the trees a couple of times, and took the trail to the waterfall. Loved it, and we'd definitely return!

We had a cabin overlooking the sea and really loved the place. The cabin was cleaned daily, and service was friendly, with staff answering our many questions with a smile. I also liked the atmosphere, with surfing and amenities nearby, and the spot is far from the noise of Venao "centre". I'd love to stay here again.

I spent 12 days here and stayed in the beach cabana, casita, and casona, so I got to experience a range of spaces. The grounds look great, and the overall vibe is cool and pleasing to the eye. If you're into board culture and surfing, you'll feel at home and inspired. Even if you don't surf, it works for solo travelers, couples, or families. Eco is away from the EDM and party strip downtown at Playa Venao. It's a 15-20 minute walk along the beach to the party, so you can get there without having it in your backyard. The EDM can start at 6am. If you're a boomer or Gen X/Y, you may not want to wake up to that scene; maybe Gen Z will like that side of the beach. Eco feels tranquil, green, environmental, focused on health and wellness, active, rustic, and connected with nature. As you get older, that's the sort of environment you want around you. The staff were great communicators, which mattered to me coming from Canada. Everything went smoothly, everyone spoke English, and they handled everything through WhatsApp. I recommend starting a chat with them early and asking questions directly. They respond quickly, can give clearer answers about room availability, adjust things, and offer better rates. Booking.com or Expedia and other third parties aren't necessary here, and may work against you. The property would rather avoid those fees, and so would you. For a couple or solo traveler, I recommend paying extra for the beach cabana. At $86 USD versus $115 USD, the difference isn't big, and it's way better than the Casita. I think the Casita is overpriced. It's tiny, with a mattress made of two singles instead of a queen, less comfortable, and AC that doesn't work as well as in the cabana. There's no mini fridge or freezer, which matters if you want cold drinks or food. The shower had no hot water, and the taps were a bit of a mystery. Great if you like cold showers. The door lock was finicky, and a loose door sweep let in more insects and geckos. The Casita does have a nicer outdoor area, with a hammock, a nice table and chairs, and a view. It also has shelves and storage space for unpacking. The cabana's storage is actually kind of shocking in how little there is: a tiny metal shoe-rack-looking thing for folded items and a rod with a couple of hangers. In Cabana #5, a couple will basically live out of their suitcase. That's about the extent of the Casita's advantages, though. The cabana is massive by comparison and about 90 percent better for around $29 more per night. It has AC, a great mini fridge, high ceilings, a great layout with a step-down sleeping area, and a large front window that gives natural light and privacy from the trees. There are two showers, an outdoor one for sand and an indoor glass-and-stone rainfall shower with hot water and taps that make sense. The bathroom is split into three sections: shower, sink area, and toilet in its own room with a door. That's convenient for couples, since one person can shower while the other uses the toilet or puts on makeup. It's a much better design than having everything in one room. The outdoor bamboo shower and foot sprayer were amazing. Stay in the cabana, it's worth it!