EVIA Life Resort
Tented villas raised above the jungle behind Playa Negra, in three small clusters that each have their own pool
EVIA Life Resort, in the jungle behind Playa Negra, Puerto Viejo
EVIA Life Resort is a new, family-run resort of tented villas raised above the jungle floor on the Playa Negra side of Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, 800 metres west of Hotel Banana Azul. The villas sit in three small clusters, each with its own pool, so a family can take a cluster to themselves and never see another guest.
Why we choose it
- A pool per cluster, not per resort. Three pools for three clusters, each with cabanas and a sofa corner for a cocktail.
- Meals come to the terrace. There is no restaurant building. Breakfast of tropical fruit, fresh juice and gallo pinto arrives on your terrace, lunch and dinner the same, ordered by WhatsApp.
- The south Caribbean, in comfort. Puerto Viejo has never had many places at this standard. This is the one for the client who wants Cahuita, the Bribri cacao experience and the sloths, and a king bed at the end of the day.
Rooms and views
All the villas are 64 m2 under canvas, 28 m2 of it indoors, with a private terrace that has a kitchenette, a dining table and an outdoor shower, and a 270 degree view of jungle from the deck. The Double Tented Villa has a king bed and a pull-out sofa. The Family Tented Villa has two double beds for families or small groups. The Accessible Tented Villa, in the Playa Negra cluster, has a king bed and a walk-in outdoor shower for guests with mobility needs. Cluster Wolaba, a double and a family villa by the water, is the one the resort offers for honeymoons.
On the property
Raised wooden walkways link the villas, the pools and the open-air Yoga and Meditation Pavilion. Massages are done in your villa or at a wellness salon nearby. The resort's naturalist guide leads sloth walks and a night walk from the gate; kayaking the lagoon, snorkelling in Cahuita National Park, horses on the beach and turtle nesting at Gandoca are all arranged, and we put them on your itinerary before you land.
Location and getting there
EVIA is just off the road behind Playa Negra, the black-sand beach, 5 minutes away by car or bike; Playa Cocles is 15 minutes and Punta Uva 25. Limón airport is about 45 minutes by road and San José 3.5 to 4 hours, so it pairs well with Tortuguero or a night on the Pacuare River on the way. The hotel does not publish check-in times, so we confirm them with your booking. Read more about Puerto Viejo.
Hotels we book in Puerto Viejo
From our own hotel records: stars, themes and amenities. Nothing here is a price.
| EVIA Life Resort | Hotel Le Cameleon | Hotel Banana Azul | Shawandha Lodge | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stars | 5 | 4 | 3 | 3 |
| Boutique | Not listed | Yes | Not listed | Yes |
| Spa | Not listed | Yes | Not listed | Not listed |
| Team favourite | Not listed | Yes | Not listed | Yes |
| Check availability | See hotel | See hotel | See hotel |
Where it is
Your Costa Rican driver waits at arrivals and stops whenever you like on the way: fruit stands, a sloth in a tree, a bathroom.
If this hotel is full, we would look at
Your Costa Rica, starting in Puerto Viejo
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