El Castillo Vacations from $1,160

This is a barely discovered gem, a rare destination that will leave you with lifelong memories. We stayed here 9 years ago, and returned this summer. The rainforest location is unique. We stayed in a treehouse, with frequent visits from spider monkeys and seemingly endless species of birds. We partook for a second time the riverboat tour through the local rainforest, up through the Nicaragua border. We saw spectacular macaws, toucans, and numerous other bird species. We encountered crocodiles, circling vultures over cow pastures, a green river snake swimming at the town boat dock. We saw other monkey species hanging out in the trees, iguanas… But perhaps most memorable to us was the genuineness of the Eco Lodge staff. Many are local, and share with us their pride in their community. Their true warmth allows us to experience the rainforest, not as a visiting tourist, but as a proud local. The guides are wonderful! They are smart, engaging and passionate. Even on our return boat ride across the river to the parking area, the staff member took a slight detour to point out colorful macaws eating fruit in a tree on the riverbank. We came with our family, there were tourists of all ages, from young children to older retirees. Our binoculars and telephoto lenses got quite the workout! While we are not professional birdwatchers, the diversity was remarkable. And, we found fellow tourists to be grounded, appreciative of life and the opportunity. Thank you staff!!!

10000/10 Javier was a wonderful host, would highly recommend. He was very accommodating, very helpful with local suggestions. We had issues finding the location, he even went to go find us. Absolutely wonderful experience. The dome was one of the coolest experiences we’ve had yet.

Another wonderful stay! The property was as lovely as ever and staff is superb! I love returning here each time. We had 90-minute massages that were incredible, I was so relaxed that I actually fell asleep. Can’t wait to be back there again!

Our stay at Gaia Hotel & Reserve was wonderful, but what truly made it exceptional was the outstanding level of service. From the moment we arrived, we were incredibly impressed by the warmth, professionalism, and genuine attentiveness of the entire staff. You can tell that providing exceptional service is part of the culture of this hotel. Everyone made us feel welcomed, cared for, and completely at ease throughout our stay. A few people especially stood out: Chris at the front desk and concierge was fantastic—always attentive, knowledgeable, and ready to help. Oscar was wonderful from the moment we arrived, helping with our luggage and transporting us around the property with such kindness and a great attitude. The restaurant staff was equally impressive, especially Abraham and Jack, along with the rest of the team, who were consistently warm, helpful, and attentive. The property itself is beautiful, but for us, the people were the true highlight. Exceptional hospitality and a level of service that we will absolutely remember. Thank you to the entire Gaia team for making our stay in Manuel Antonio so special!