An Exclusive Private Island Getaway

Paradise I recently stayed here for a yoga retreat and it was nothing short of amazing. The grounds and casitas were gorgeous, the beach and views were spectacular and the food and service was out of this world. All of the staff bent over backwards to make sure our group was having the trip of our lives. I also had an amazing massage with Gladiz and loved the suspension bridge experience to get to the spa. I highly recommend the jungle hike to see the howler monkeys, the sound bath and painting pottery with Sam and the plantation tour to see all of the delicious fruits and vegetables they grow there. Take me back!

Honestly the best resort ever. I cannot say enough about how INCREDIBLE this resort is - Sam and her team have created an actual literal island paradise. Remote and yet accessible - an hour drive from David airport and a 15 min boat ride, and then everything you need is there. It's incredibly peaceful with beautiful landscaping, the most pristine beaches with soft warm water, a pool with a sunset view. The casitas are perfect, with lovely porches with ocean views. And omg the FOOD. Seriously the most delicious for all meals, incredibly fresh and delicious. Huge shout out to the staff, especially Bea, Axel, Carlos, Cristophe - truly serving from their hearts. Activities available too if you want them - surfing, kayaking, diving, fishing - we did a hike up through the farm to a lookout and saw the howler monkeys! It's just gorgeous. The massage was magical too! I was there on a pottery retreat - so lucky to have such a perfect little pottery studio, and amazingly wild clay you can dig on the beach!

Don't miss Selva Terra -- it's a dream! Selva Terra is a TRUE GEM. Even the many glowing reviews of Selva Terra on TripAdvisor don't do it justice -- my trip far exceeded my expectations. Selva Terra is a beautiful, thoughtfully-appointed, nature-rich, and peaceful place, with super fresh drinking water - yay!, absolutely incredible food and drinks, and unbeatable views. AND yet, on top of all this greatness, it's the service that really puts it over the top. I have never felt so cared for or tended to in a inn/hotel experience as I did at Selva Terra. What a true delight. Carlos, behind the bar, welcomes everyone with a smile and warmth that can't be beat. He puts true magic in every drink (with or without alcohol) and somehow always delivers just what you need at any particular moment. Jens is the ultimate guide -- so knowledgeable and happy to share all he knows about the natural environment or just help you make your way through another day in paradise. Likewise, Michael was attentive to everyone's needs and preferences and ready with suggestions whenever needed. Samantha, one of the owners, was always checking in to see how everyone was doing and led a magical yin yoga/sound bath one evening that (in addition to her soothing daily yoga sessions) will forever be a favorite memory. There were a number of other people behind the scenes -- from the enormously talented chefs to the various people tending to the grounds and the rooms -- whose presence was always felt through the great care they provided. And in addition to the terrific Selva Terra staff, Garrett, the visiting pottery instructor (and his wife Lynn) were AMAZING. I learned more about the wheel in one week than I have in a year at home. I have traveled quite a bit in Central America and elsewhere over the years and this is at the top of my all-time favorites. Thank you, Selva Terra, for such an incredible experience! I can't wait to come back!

Great short stay at Terra Selva Selva Terra is a beautiful boutique resort with lovely casitas, a special location and very friendly service. Two things in particular stand out for me. The scuba diving was awesome. Mikael is a fantastic dive master. We did two private dive trips and they were some of the best diving we have done anywhere - and there were no other dive boats in sight. Second, we loved hanging at the bar with (big-but getting smaller) Carlos. In addition to be a very friendly and interesting guy, he is a master bartender who relishes making special cocktails based on each guest’s flavor profile. So much fun! Overall - a big thumbs up!

As a first time retreat leader, Selva Terra blew me away and has really made it challenging for any resort to follow after them. From the planning to the send off at the end of the retreat, Samantha and every single staff member (including their dogs) made the experience welcoming and magical. The food was out of this world! I cannot think of one suggestion for improvement. The amenities offered (sarong beech towels, water bottles to carry around and take home, etc) make it a luxury resort but the intimate, natural setting keep it down to earth and comfortable. Even when the thing that is out of their control happens - the weather, they gave us options for rearranging plans, etc. It is clear that Selva Terra's goal is a wonderful experience for all of their hosts and guests. I only hope that when we are ready to rebook (because this place is too special not to return), that the secret will not have gotten out so much, that they are fully booked!