Garret Pendergrass

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!

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!

Selva Terra is the best place in Panama We spent an unforgettable week at Selva Terra Resort in March, and we still fondly remember our trip. Huge thanks to the entire team for their exceptional organization and heartfelt hospitality — everything was perfect from the very beginning. The hotel arranged our transfer, which was incredibly helpful, as it would have been quite difficult to manage on our own. Selva Terra Resort is truly a unique place. The island itself is like a fairytale: a charming, well-kept territory with perfectly positioned bungalows, each offering its own stunning view of the ocean. Watching the sunrise or sunset from your own terrace, with the water right in front of you — it’s an experience that’s hard to come by. The bungalows are equipped with everything you need, including an excellent hairdryer — far better than the typical hotel ones, which was a lovely surprise. From the moment we arrived, we felt surrounded by warmth and care. The staff were genuinely kind and attentive. Special thanks to Jens, a true professional and nature enthusiast, who guided us through the jungle, showed us monkeys and birds, and shared many fascinating facts — it was truly engaging. The food deserves a special mention: the quality of the ingredients was outstanding, and the flavor combinations and presentation were equally impressive. Every meal was a delight — thank you to all the chefs for this unforgettable culinary experience! And then there was the bar, which completely exceeded our expectations. When traveling, you rarely anticipate anything remarkable when it comes to cocktails, but here, it was different. Carlos, the bartender — a passionate professional with experience in London bars — amazed us with every drink he made. It felt incredible to be on a secluded island, surrounded by nature, sipping on cocktails that could easily rival those served in the world’s top city bars. All in all, this was a fantastic experience for us. We’re absolutely thrilled and would love to return one day without a doubt.

A+ service/food/fishing and scuba diving We brought our adult children for a week of relaxation, scuba diving, and fishing. From the time our plane landed in Panama City, the service we received was A+. They were able to schedule a day of bird watching/ziplining which were amazing. The 2 days we spent fishing were spent catching HUGE black and blue marlins as well as sailfish. The guides could not have worked harder. Saw a ton of white tipped reef sharks and some huge rays, also the expected tropical fish and eels. Food was lights out, nothing like fresh tuna steaks! And the staff went above and beyond to make our stay memorable with amazing massages, cold drinks and an amazingly clean room.