On the north side of the main road, North American–owned Eco Venao offers a cool mountain ambience. Perfect for surfers and adventurers, its excellent options range from campsites and hostel dorms to beachside cabañas (cabins). The lush 140-hectare property means mini-adventures are close at hand, from howler-monkey visits and a playground to a short waterfall hike.
The Surfers Hostel is a rustic though comfy dormitory with eight beds, mosquito nets and fans. Privates range from the thatched two-person Cabañas Las Escobas huts on stilts with composting toilets, to air-conditioned colonial-style guesthouses with colorful weavings, ovens and wood accents, such as La Casa Mango (sleeping six) and the adorable La Casona for eight high up on the hill. Five thatched cabañas on the beach sleep between two and four people (US$95 to US$125). There’s a restaurant called Los Sombreros and a beachfront boat-shaped bar called Barca (open noon to 9:30pm).
Guests can rent horses (US$20) and do yoga. ‘Eco’ means that trash separation and recycling are practiced, as well as reforestation. It maintains a small footprint, with minimal roads and footpaths leading to the beach; there's a two-hour permaculture tour (US$20) at 9am on Saturday.
