Our very first online review...

Now that PuraVidaEcolodge's doors are officially open and the guests are starting to arrive, 'pocito a poco' our little Jungle Villa is starting to build a reputation... Just in time for the fast approaching 'High Season'.

Check out below, our first online 'review' - recently posted on Air BnB.

...Having just come back from what can only be called a 'Pura Vida Experience' in Costa Rica and being completely new to the 'Air BnB' community, I thought I should do my part and write my first 'review'

As the guidebooks say, Costa Rica really is the Switzerland of Central America because of its comfortable lifestyle, peaceful democracy and overwhelming natural beauty. I was lucky enough to book a reasonably long stay at PuraVidaEcolodge - it was a half-work/half-play kind of trip. The Jungle Villa where I stayed prides itself on the new & unique concept of 'Eco-Luxury'...I think the place has only been open a few weeks, but it has the perfect location for those of you that want to escape the 'urban jungle' and live for a few days right on top of a real one! Half the house hangs over the jungle canopy while the other half is orientated towards the Pacific Ocean, westerly facing, catching some spectacular sunsets...Inside, it's both quirky and comfortable, spacious and the designer obviously likes bamboo and other local stones and natural finishes. Beautiful indoor rain showers (with solar powered hot water) were a winner and the place has clearly been designed so that wherever you are, you have splendid panoramic ocean or jungle views.

Costa Rica has a 'Disneylike' cast of creatures – ranging from howler monkeys to toucans, and every colour butterfly you can dream of – and given the location of the retreat, all these and more are relatively easy to spot. Having a 4by4 was a must and gave us the opportunity to get off the beaten track and experience some real hidden local treats. Playa Tortuga, just a few km's up the coast is one of the best beaches I've ever seen - I swear it felt like I was the first person to discover it! As a surfer, the waves are prime, the surrounding beauty is staggering and the very chilled pace of life, seductive.

The concierge service were great, helping us with local tours and we had a great day trip to Cano Island, diving in the morning and eating on the boat and whale spotting all afternoon. We also visited Corcovado National Park AND Manuel Antonio.... Very special places indeed.

What else is on tap I hear you ask? The question is what isn’t? For the more active travelers amongst you can surf, hike, horse-ride and spot wildlife for starters. The incredibly varied topography means you can cruise the cloud forest one day, visit an active volcano the next, and finish relaxing on a hot sandy beach or indeed back at the Jungle Villa with a cold beer in the infinity plunge pool, watching the sun go down.

Adrenaline junkies have a myriad ways to make mothers worry – among them zipping through canopy lines hundreds of meters long, plunging to the depths of the Pacific Ocean where the reef sharks reside or riding the rough surf of Playa Ventanas, deep sea fishing or even catch a round of Golf at the Zona Sur's new San Buenas. In a nutshell, choice and variety name the game.

I think we probably spent half the time just taking it easy at the PuraVidaEcolodge 'reserve'...Personally I started my days watching the sunrise and doing some yoga, followed by breakfast  on the jungle terrace watching the wonderful world slowly coming to life. At 8am an overflowing fruit basket would arrive (organized by the 'concierge' service), if only I could start all my days like this...I want to go back ;)

'Pura Vida' indeed...Highly recommended! (Henry Vargas, New York)

Sunset colours...