An Exclusive Private Island Getaway

Dream Destination! My husband and I just returned from Selva Terra Island Resort and it was hands-down the best vacation we've ever taken. I feel so incredibly lucky to have stumbled upon it in the process of searching for something fun and new for us to try together for our 25th anniversary. As luck would have it, Selva Terra was hosting a pottery retreat in the right time frame! We arrived after dark after a very long day of travel (don't let this deter you--it is 100% worth the effort to get there). We were greeted and escorted to our casita by Samantha, and were pleasantly surprised with our own private little space. The casita is like a good-sized luxury hotel room with a nice bathroom, good storage space, and a patio with a charming pitched, thatched room overlooking the ocean. The patio had a couch for lounging and a hanging hammock chair--so relaxing and peaceful. When I saw the grounds in the daylight the next day I was enchanted. Flowers were everywhere, and bananas and mango trees, too. Orchids were growing on trees, birds were singing, and I felt like I landed in paradise. We headed to the restaurant which, I'm going to be honest, was one of my favorite attributes of this resort. I am whole food, plant-based vegan, and I get food anxiety when traveling, as I rarely find enough food. This place blew me away. The staff greeted us, quickly learned our names and preferences, and took amazing care of us the rest of the week. I had beautiful options for breakfast, lunch and dinner every single day--so much better than any other trip I've ever been on. Not only was the food delicious, but honestly every plate looked like a work of art. The flavors and creativity were unparalleled. My husband, who is NOT vegan, loved every single meal as well. All of our fellow guests raved about the food, too. To elaborate on the staff, I'd like to add that every person we encountered who worked there--groundskeepers, housekeepers, etc--was very welcoming and friendly. This felt genuine--the resort seems to have very carefully selected their employees. The pottery workshop was SO fun! The property boasts an open-air pottery studio with all the tools one could need to learn to create pottery. Samantha is also a potter, and a very skilled one. While she did not lead these lessons, she often joined us and it was fun to watch her at work. Many of her pieces are in the restaurant--hoping they create a gift shop soon so everyone can take home something she created! Included in our stay were a selection of excursions--kayaking to the mangroves (we saw 6 howler monkeys on the way), paddleboarding, a tour of the nearby islands and beaches, and a tour of the plantation on the island where they grow most of their own food. Daily yoga was offered in a studio space that was open and overlooking the ocean--dreamy, to say the least. I was told they host yoga retreats a few times a year, and I cannot imagine a lovelier place for that. One of my favorite things I got to experience on the property was the magical spa space. It's on a small island off the point just past the restaurant. You cross a hanging bridge to get there, and the space itself was so charming--it sits on a little cliff over the ocean, has open windows, and the most artsy tall pitched thatched roof I've ever seen. My massage therapist was very good, very nurturing, and so kind. The spa prices were very reasonable, too. Getting there does take some effort (two flights for us, plus an hour by car and a short boat ride), and it was an all-day endeavor getting down there. But by midday on our first day, I told my husband I would happily come back every month--even if it took twice as long to get there. This place is truly special. It's a hidden gem that has now become my dream destination. I cannot wait to return--especially for the incredible food and the peaceful, welcoming atmosphere. I'd give it 10 stars out of 5 if I could!

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!

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!