Could be paradise, but just misses the mark
Location:
The location is stunning, with breathtaking views and a peaceful atmosphere in a lovely village. However, the steep hill can be difficult to navigate, especially after rain. I slipped a few times, and my dad had a heavy fall. The taxi struggled to make it up, as it wasn’t a 4-wheel drive. I enjoyed the exercise walking up and down (I parked my scooter at the bottom), but it’s something to consider when booking.
Wi-Fi and power:
Although advertised as suitable for digital nomads, the internet and power were unreliable. Frequent outages affected my work. The hosts said this was unusual, but a returning guest had similar issues before. They claimed power and Wi-Fi were worse in town, but I found the opposite and often worked there. Short outages during rain were understandable, but a four-day Wi-Fi blackout was frustrating. The hosts offered to take guests to Clave Verde on day three, which was appreciated. However, internet also cut out 8-10 times some days, seriously impacting my work. Despite solar power and a backup generator, outages occurred, including one night when the lights went out mid-dinner with no one to restart the generator. If reliable internet and power are essential, consider a strong data plan or alternative accommodations.
Maintenance:
Maintenance is reactive rather than proactive. I had to move due to a broken water heater. While I appreciated being given another place, the hosts framed it as an ‘upgrade’ rather than a necessary solution. In the second house, I dealt with leaks, mouldy clothes, and an ant infestation. The necessary roof repairs took weeks, causing a tar smell and loud noise that interfered with calls. The walls remained damp, and I had to store clothes outside the cupboard to prevent mould. The hosts provided a fan, but it wasn’t enough. They had also given me ant powder but later claimed they were unaware of the infestation.
Bugs:
The second property had few bugs, but the bungalow had many, making the mosquito net necessary. The hosts provided a sound machine to deter lizards and frogs, which helped somewhat. Mosquitoes were worst during rainy season, and I had bats swooping in at night until I insisted the netting be secured.
Bungalow and Casa Lily:
The bungalow is outside the security gates, which wasn’t clear from the website. The village felt safe, but this was unexpected. The space is simple and functional. The bed was comfortable, the desk useful, and the outdoor kitchen practical but hard to keep clean. When my dad visited, the hosts kindly set up a bed in the living room.
Casa Lily was spacious with a great balcony and spectacular sunrise views. The bedroom has a double and single bed, though the bathroom entrance only has a curtain. The kitchen was well-sized, and the living space was comfortable.
Hosts:
The hosts were responsive but sometimes made me feel like a burden. They often mentioned the cost of requests and occasionally complained about other guests, making me wonder what they said about me. Once, I overheard them discussing me from their house. I also heard them arguing with guests twice, which was uncomfortable. Many issues were beyond their control, but their handling of them sometimes made the experience more stressful.
Staff:
The staff were exceptional. Jean-Claude went above and beyond, picking me up from the bus station, sharpening knives, and helping with maintenance. Nené was also brilliant, fixing my scooter and assisting with repairs. Both were friendly, dedicated, and mindful of my work calls, even rescheduling noisy tasks to avoid disturbing me. Jean-Claude speaks some English, so communication shouldn't be an issue if you don't speak Spanish.
Overall:
This stay was a mix of wonderful and frustrating aspects. If you’re on holiday and can be flexible with power, internet, and maintenance issues, you might enjoy it. However, for digital nomads or those needing reliability, I’d recommend considering other options.