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!
