wow, where to start.... this is going to be a long list of superlatives!
Travelling alone through Nica for the first time I didn't know what to expect, but this place is one of the best experiences I have had in many years of travelling all over the world.
The tree houses really give you the true jungle experience.. rooms are simple with lovely fresh linen to lie and listen to the wildlife, waves (and wind!) at night. Howler monkeys are in charge of the wake -up call.
The infinity deck and communal lounging area is a masterpiece of design, all pulled together by the owners and great for yoga and pilates.
What really makes this place special is the gathering of the guests... genuinely very interesting and diverse people which led to great conversation, lots of banter and an enormous amount of laughter, gently stoked by the savvy and smart owners, Marc & Marielle.
I think this is one of the secret ingredients and applaud the communal table for breakfast and dinner.
The food is phenomenal.. I enjoyed Thai, morrocan, Jamaican, italian as well as local meals, all of them fresh, delicious and innovative.
The local beach, Playa Maderas, is a gem and I really got good surf there..it's suitable for all levels of surf and good for beginners.
Also worth noting you don't need to be here for surfing to get the best out of your experience, you will enjoy it whatever you want to do.
I made some fab friends here and props go to Marc & Marielle for a brilliant set-up.
Also good to have Dav and Linds onboard as part of the BVSC group, they really add fun to the mix.

My friend, Karen and I had the pleasure of staying at Buena Vista the first of this year and loved everything about the experience. The design of the place, including the cabins, is very well done - thoughtful design. The meals were outstanding. Mariel's own recipes and the volunteers who work there are trained to prepare them exquisitely. Delish. It's a five minute walk to Maderas, which is a great spot. We took a lesson that Buena Vista arranged for us and it was a blast. Most importantly, the owners are super and we met tons of cool people staying there from all over the world.

We are no strangers to travelling but grew tired of the search for 'the cheapest place in town'. This creates a problem. Moving up to a more pleasing accommodation often cuts you off from the personalities that make travelling great and also sterilises your experience.

We found Buena Vista Surf Club (BVSC) attracts the same people that we used to travel with in our early twenties. Sure, they've grown up a little and their jobs carry the weight of a little extra responsibility, but our stay was punctuated by new arrivals who were a complete joy to be around. A savvy late twenty to late forties crowd who progress from 'just met' to 'good friends' at an alarming rate.

Owners Marc and Marielle set the tone. Friendly, intelligent, laid back with a sharp sense of humour. Their European background (Dutch) adds a modern design element to the BVSC whilst ensuring that the tree top canopy is the focal point. The tree houses are basic, but in a stylish way. Electricity, cold running water and great beds surrounded by clean lines and plenty of locally sourced wood. The sloping lot had our hut's balcony surveying the tree tops, sunsets and various gangs of howler monkeys in close proximity, who ensured there was little need for an alarm clock. Each hut is different with one of our new friends, Jo, having a large tree trunk growing straight through the middle of her bathroom, in keeping with the properties habit of blending with the jungle.

The main lodge is simply stellar. We heard the word modern used but to be honest modernism had given second best to comfort. The sublime and airy main lounging area has huge, custom, relaxing pads (nothing that slouch friendly could possibly be called a chair) backed by mounds of cushions. A couple of smaller tables provide surfaces for intimate board games whilst an extra large 12 person + dining table sets the scene for the family style dinners. I am not usually one for forced socialising but the relaxed dinnertime atmosphere really makes your stay personable and helps to promote the quick making of friends as mentioned earlier. The conversation was always fun and flitted across a mind boggling array of topics. We laughed, hard and a lot. An 'honour system' bar ensures that you will never want for drinks or snacks. The deck ... hmmm, possibly one of the best 'infinity' decks you will come across. Sourced from stunningly grained local wood the wide planks provide an ocean view from above the tree canopy and up close monkeys and bird life.

We had an exceptional time at BVSC. If you are considering a stay here then take it from an experienced traveller (and one that rarely feels the urge to provide a review), you will be hard pushed to have a better experience.

(Note: I rated the location as only 'Very Good' as it takes a little effort to get to and does leave you a bit out of town. I think this also means that you end up staying with a slightly more pro-actve traveller ... worth the extra hassle to get there? You bet.)

We stayed here for a few nights last year for our honeymoon and it was perfect. They have beautiful huts with the kind of views that the name suggests! The deck area is a great place to relax after a mornings surf (good for beginners like us and more seasoned surfers), and the food was delicious. It was also really great to eat with everyone else, as we got to know our fellow guests and Marc and Marielle too. You just can't fault this place!