Eco Venao

I had an amazing stay at Eco Venao. For almost two months I stayed in one of their Cabanas, located next to the river in an great location, just 5mins to the surfing beach. The service was amazing - Manu, Male, Esteban, Orlando, Catalina, Carmen and Rita were super nice and always very attentive to all my needs.

We didn't stay at this location, but we heard about the little hike to the cascades. Easy 25-30mimutes walk in the jungle where we had the chance to see at least 15 monkeys playing in the trees - it had made our day!!!! There wasn't much water in the cascades since there hasn't been raining much in the last weeks, but it was worth the little hike!

Just got back from a four night stay here to surf and relax.. we had a wonderful time and it was really hard to leave! We stayed in Cabaña 2 and it was right on the water, and very private, and really clean and comfortable. Cabanas are well worth the splurge, but we went off season in May and got a deal.. everything felt very private and romantic so if you’re here for a couples retreat, the off season is a great way to go, plus the surf is better during their winter. Eco venao resort is actually lots of small, very local businesses making up one big eco- focused resort.. it’s truly a magical place and everyone there cared a lot about their role in keeping it that way. It’s a very small team so it felt like we met everyone that worked there and they were all so warm and helpful. Surf Dojo Is connected to the resort and we were able to just saunter over and snag an instructor when we were ready to go out, but if you’re new to surfing check in on the best times for the waves because it’s not a constant option all day long with the tides/ seasons. Instructors were great, very knowledgeable and focused on your safety. There’s no sharks in the areas, or coral/ rocks so it’s a really safe place to learn for first timers. It was my first time on a board and I had a blast. We’re SO glad we stayed here as opposed to any other resort in playa venao. Almost all of them were tightly packed together and had house/ pop music constantly playing even at breakfast.. so it was a party hostel vibe at all times. We couldn’t even hear them at eco venao so it was just waves, reggae at the surf shack and locals chatting with each other. Truly paradise especially if you’re escaping a big city for a few days. Stay longer than you think you should, there’s a ton to do in the area if you have a car like national parks and hiking, and also just so many cool spots to lounge around, plus given it’s the jungle you will have rainy days! We wished we stayed for a full week at least. Suggestion: We drove here ourselves from Tocumen airport, but there are shuttles for like $100 pp available if you contact the hotel via what’s app. It’s a beautiful drive but if you do it yourself we HIGHLY recommend you don’t do it at night, roads are poorly marked through the mountains and it was really stressful at times, plus you miss all the views. Personally, I’d skip the massage. It was $70 USD and felt rushed and much of it was just light touch vs tissue massage.

This place changed my life. It brought me back to my alignment. To my best version. And how did it happen? It showed me what I really needed in deeper ways that I couldn't even imagine. And the answer was: NATURE in its best and balanced version, and people, in their best and balanced version. This is how we can live in community, this is how we can regenerate de world. Thanks ECOVENAO for showing us the way!

Wow. What an amazing place to stay. Everyone at eco venao lodge is absolutely lovely and made us feel right at home. They upgraded our rooms the second day we got there to the incredible beach side cabanas. The views are amazing and the location is great and slightly removed from all the buzz of playa venao. If you are looking for somewhere to stay look no further it is truly fantastic.

We've stayed here twice, in very different lodgings and had a very interesting time. Our first visit, we stayed in a private cabin up the road near the rear of this beautiful compound. Up the trail behind us, were monkeys in the trees. Across the road, on the beach they offer even more rooms. They have a great little surf dojo there that offers surf lessons and a beautiful spot to enjoy the amazing waters of Playa Venao. In the heart of the grounds is a huge bunkhouse that has a dorm room of beds, usually filled with young surfers staying from weeks, to months, some ever longer. These surfers come from all over the world. Our second visit, we actually stayed in a smaller room in the bunkhouse. It was not nearly as private or as comfortable as the cabins, but walking around the building in the rain to our shared toilet and shower was a true challenge for my old worn out body, but I'd do it again if the private cabins were full. The resturant on the premises was perfect. We enjoyed whole fried fish that was delightful. They also have an open kitchen for guests and after a day of catching tuna on a boat in Pedasi, we cooked several times for ourseles and the resident gueasts as well. What a fun place to be.

Lovely place to stay! We stayed in the Eco Venao Casitas in the jungle, which are spacious, clean and comfy. Good food at the restaurant, nice little bar down at the beach, good surf as well. Definitely a recommendation, if you want to stay a bit away from the crowds. Thanks to the super friendly team!

If you want secluded paradise with minimal amenities but a fabulous time, look no further. They feature quaint bungalows with A/C, a nice thatched roof dining facility with an excellent chef. ||The beach features a great boat shaped bar, with bartender named Freddy, makes and exquisite fresh margarita. ||Not too many people, quiet and no one bothers you. Nice waves, but not stupid big. Lots of beach to walk and enjoy. I could have stayed for a month; easy.