The property is gorgeous, the little houses are beautifully decorated and most comfortable, and the service is unparalleled. I mean that...everyone, from NIgel (the main man) to his superb staff including Freddy, Lucy, Hector, Kobi, NIgel and everyone else is so kind and genuine. You MUST see Christopher do his magic tricks!
The setting is one of a kind and spectacular. Set on a ridge in a pine forest above a river with too many waterfalls to count, the lobby, bar and dining areas offer wonderful views. Take the path down (or the two-person tram like lazy I did) and you come across what I call a pavilion set seamlessly into nature. A massive outcropping with at least ten waterfalls creates a very large pool for swimming and exploring. You can lounge in the sun or the shade (hot sun). There is a sandy beach area, a little bridge, two pagodas with Adirondack chairs, and and three huge hammocks in the shade. Spend an entire day there and explore the river, especially Big Rock.
You CANNOT miss a trip to Caracol. I'm not going to try and describe this former 150k person Mayan city. It is a wonder -- exhilarating, powerful, and uncrowded (for now -- they're building a highway to it). Our trip to the cave was amazing too: we found ancient pottery pieces and it was jaw-dropping. The canoe ride through the water caves and the zipline was...The property is gorgeous, the little houses are beautifully decorated and most comfortable, and the service is unparalleled. I mean that...everyone, from NIgel (the main man) to his superb staff including Freddy, Lucy, Hector, Kobi, NIgel and everyone else is so kind and genuine. You MUST see Christopher do his magic tricks!
The setting is one of a kind and spectacular. Set on a ridge in a pine forest above a river with too many waterfalls to count, the lobby, bar and dining areas offer wonderful views. Take the path down (or the two-person tram like lazy I did) and you come across what I call a pavilion set seamlessly into nature. A massive outcropping with at least ten waterfalls creates a very large pool for swimming and exploring. You can lounge in the sun or the shade (hot sun). There is a sandy beach area, a little bridge, two pagodas with Adirondack chairs, and and three huge hammocks in the shade. Spend an entire day there and explore the river, especially Big Rock.
You CANNOT miss a trip to Caracol. I'm not going to try and describe this former 150k person Mayan city. It is a wonder -- exhilarating, powerful, and uncrowded (for now -- they're building a highway to it). Our trip to the cave was amazing too: we found ancient pottery pieces and it was jaw-dropping. The canoe ride through the water caves and the zipline was fantastic too -- don't forget to go the (sort of) bungee jump at the end...Wow!
This is in my top 5 favorite place ever visited and Gaia Riverlodge...well, perfect, I wouldn't change a thing. One last detail: the food is impeccable. Everything we ate was delicious and well proportioned. Get the full meal plan with a couple of excursions and you'll be so grateful to created memories at this unique and stunning place. I am.More
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