Nala Santa Teresa — Hotel in Cóbano

For those who don’t want to read the full review, let me sum it up: awful host, terrible experience and place. Only positive is the aesthetic is good (depending on which room you get - and sadly I stayed in most of them).

I booked to stay here and then Eden (the host) told me they couldn’t accommodate my booking in one room - instead I’d have to move 3 or 4 times with staying elsewhere in the middle of my stay. When I asked to cancel so I could find somewhere else for my 3 week stay, he refused, and then began the 3 weeks of hopping between rooms and just a total mess. He promised that he or his team would help me move between rooms - this did not happen once. He said he would help me move to another hotel for a few days in the middle of my stay as they apparently couldn’t accommodate me, but he did not - I had to rent a car and make my own way there. After the fact, Eden said he would’ve helped, which is useless after the fact when his assistant said the best they could do was order a taxi I had to pay for in cash. Overall, this stay was the only negative of my one month in Santa Teresa. Eden took a long time to respond, didn’t follow through with anything he’d promised to help with, and he didn’t provide a refund so I could move on and enjoy my stay, but instead used me as a stop gap for his empty rooms.

My advice - if you’re staying for 2/3 days, Nala will be fine. If you’re staying for longer, avoid at all costs. They’ll take your money and not help with anything. The place I stayed at before Nala continued to help once I’d left there property which I think is more representative of the Santa Teresa vibe. Eden and his team are sadly not, so I’d advise not staying here as it really detracted from the overall positive experience of Santa Teresa as a whole.

The drive to get to the place is a narrow. steep road up and down too, which is not a fun experience. Parking is difficult. Walking isn’t awful, but at the beach in rainy season, you’ll have to cross a river to access the rest of the beach.

Overall, I’d advise staying somewhere else - there are lots of other great options, some of which I stayed at too, and others that I’ll try on my future visits. I certainly won’t return to Nala myself, and there are a plethora of other, better places in Santa Teresa.

Having seen other negative reviews, Eden seems to dispute their accuracy. Unfortunately I can’t provide screenshots of our conversations but if I could there would be no way for him to dispute any of it given their total incompetency and dishonesty. Airbnb even provided some compensation because of how bad things were with Nala and Eden. If you do have to stay here, make sure you DO NOT move to WhatsApp (stay in Airbnb chat) so Airbnb can read all of the correspondence and then have a higher chance of cancelling or refunding you on their end.

Enjoy Santa Teresa as it is absolutely beautiful! Just avoid this...

NALA ST was truly a one-of-a-kind stay.

From the day before check-in, Jessie, the manager, went above and beyond, helping with my itinerary and arranging trips to fit around our stay, in addition to making sure everything at the hotel went smoothly.

The rooms are fresh, cleaned daily, and always stocked with new towels. We stayed in the kitchen room with a balcony, which was perfect. Free coffee, water, and toiletries are provided, and they even wash the dishes for you.

The pool is cleaned daily, with tanning chairs around it for relaxing. There’s also a yoga pad with its own kitchen, adding a really nice touch to the property. For those looking for adventure, ATVs can be rented directly from the hotel, so there’s no need to go elsewhere.

The staff are on site throughout the day, constantly cleaning and manicuring the property, which really adds to the experience.

The only challenge is getting to the hotel—especially with a van. Drivers usually drop you at the entrance of the block, leaving about a 100-meter walk, but if you tip around $5 they’ll usually take you right up to the gate. Parking is available but on a slope, so watch your step.

Highly recommended and comfy...

Nestled in a secure area located on a small hill, a 5 minute walk to the beach, is NALA. It is a quaint hotel that brings pure peace to the soul. The pool area is kept well-groomed and clean, all one hears is the sounds of nature. There is a spot to work out/yoga looking over the pool. A common area kitchen and big refrigerator is convenient, if the need arises. The studio suite is perfect with a comfortable bed and small patio to relax. As well as a mini fridge for treats. The room was cleaned and restocked with coffee daily. The staff is not only efficient, but kind and always welcomed guests with a smile. One can't help but feel like a small family among the staff and other guests. Everything you can think of is just a quick walk to the main street. And the beach at sunset is something to never forget. I not only recommend this hotel but hope to go back time and time again. Thank you for this little...