Jungle's Edge: Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai & Yoga Retreats — Hotel in Nosara

WARNING: Fraudulent Overcharge & Owner’s Refusal to Refund||||I was a solo female traveler visiting Nosara. I visited Jungle’s Edge in Nosara, Costa Rica, on January 29, 2025, for dinner. Unfortunately, I experienced a major billing error that the owner, David (Dave) Maher, refused to correct. I ordered French fries listed at 2,000 colones (approx. $4 USD) but was manually charged $2,000 USD instead—an overcharge of nearly $2,000 USD. Despite multiple attempts to resolve the issue, Dave refused to issue a refund or even investigate the charge properly. This overcharge was more expensive than my entire trip to visit Costa Rica for the first time.||||What Happened:||I immediately contacted Dave within 24 hours via email (January 30, 2025). I received no response, so I followed up by phone after returning to the U.S. Dave acknowledged that similar overcharges had happened at his business before. He told me to dispute the charge with my bank, saying that a refund on his end would take months. I followed his advice and filed a dispute with my bank. On February 19, 2025, Bank of America denied my claim. I immediately sent Dave a PDF of the bank’s denial via email, expecting him to honor the refund directly. Suddenly, Dave claimed he had "no record of the transaction.” When I called and asked what documentation he needed, he refused to say and dismissed my concerns.||||Why This Matters:||David refused to even check his transaction history—which would have easily shown that no one orders a $2,000 restaurant meal for one person. When I suggested cross-referencing his records, he became defensive instead of problem-solving. David claimed issuing a refund “wasn’t in his company’s best interest.” After I asked Dave to reconcile his restaurant inventory with the transaction, he felt the need to assert his status as an experienced and successful businessman—which had nothing to do with my simple request for a refund. ||||David avoided accountability, refused to investigate, and provided no apology. Dave ignored my follow-up calls and emails. When I finally reached him, he pretended not to be himself and avoided discussing the charge. ||||Dave has fraudulently kept money that isn't his. Instead of addressing the error, he chose to stonewall and dismiss my legitimate concerns. A successful and experienced businessman would have a transaction history or listen to a customer who was sincerely concerned and flagging this huge error. Dave is entitled to 2000 colones. Dave is NOT entitled to $2000 USD. ||||This entire experience shows David’s complete lack of professionalism, integrity, and accountability. Instead of investigating the mistake, Dave refused to engage in any resolution and kept money he was never entitled to. ||||Bottom Line:||If you visit Nosara, avoid doing business here altogether. If you do risk spending your money here, ensure that David charges you in the right currency. ||||(I am still working to fight to get my...

Warning: Fraudulent Overcharge & Owner’s Refusal to Refund

I was a solo female traveler visiting Nosara. I visited Jungle’s Edge in Nosara, Costa Rica, on January 29, 2025, for dinner. Unfortunately, I experienced a major billing error that the owner, David (Dave) Maher, refused to correct. I ordered French fries listed at 2,000 colones (approx. $4 USD) but was manually charged $2,000 USD instead—an overcharge of nearly $2,000 USD. Despite multiple attempts to resolve the issue, Dave refused to issue a refund or even investigate the charge properly. This overcharge was more expensive than my entire trip to visit Costa Rica for the first time.

What Happened: I immediately contacted Dave within 24 hours via email (January 30, 2025). I received no response, so I followed up by phone after returning to the U.S. Dave acknowledged that similar overcharges had happened at his business before. He told me to dispute the charge with my bank, saying that a refund on his end would take months. I followed his advice and filed a dispute with my bank. On February 19, 2025, Bank of America denied my claim. I immediately sent Dave a PDF of the bank’s denial via email, expecting him to honor the refund directly. Suddenly, Dave claimed he had "no record of the transaction.” When I called and asked what documentation he needed, he refused to say and dismissed my concerns.

Why This Matters: David refused to even check his transaction history—which would have easily shown that no one orders a $2,000 restaurant meal for one person. When I suggested cross-referencing his records, he became defensive instead of problem-solving. David claimed issuing a refund “wasn’t in his company’s best interest.” After I asked Dave to reconcile his restaurant inventory with the transaction, he felt the need to assert his status as an experienced and successful businessman—which had nothing to do with my simple request for a refund.

David avoided accountability, refused to investigate, and provided no apology. Dave ignored my follow-up calls and emails. When I finally reached him, he pretended not to be himself and avoided discussing the charge.

Dave has fraudulently kept money that isn't his. Instead of addressing the error, he chose to stonewall and dismiss my legitimate concerns. A successful and experienced businessman would have a transaction history or listen to a customer who was sincerely concerned and flagging this huge error. Dave is entitled to 2000 colones. Dave is NOT entitled to $2000 USD.

This entire experience shows David’s complete lack of professionalism, integrity, and accountability. Instead of investigating the mistake, Dave refused to engage in any resolution and kept money he was never entitled to.

Bottom Line: If you visit Nosara, avoid doing business here altogether. If you do risk spending your money here, ensure that David charges you in the right currency.

(I am still working to fight to get my...

DON"T DO IT! Management change has left this place in shambles. First off, I have never before written a negative review, but I only gave this place one star because I had to to rate it. . I usually subscribe to the "if you don't have something nice to say, don't say anything" school of thought. However, I feel it is my duty to communicate my experience here. I booked here because of the many positive reviews, which were from during the time both partners were residing here. My first mistake was getting an all inclusive here. DON"T DO IT. The kitchen wasn't always open and I did not get many of my meals. Also the website misrepresents how close it is to the ocean. It is more like a 25 minute walk to the closest beach and further to the best beach for swimming. That made coming back for lunch impossible, so I paid for all of those meals and I never received them. Now on to the narrative. To lay the framework, one of the owners no longer resides here. The remaining owner, Dave, has no concept of the hospitality industry and the resort basically exists as a backdrop for his midlife crisis.

The morning I arrived, I was treated to listening to Dave and his buddy's CONSERVATIVE POLITICAL RANT. After 45 minutes of this pleasure,I was finally taken to a room. After unpacking all of my things, I discovered that the key to the room lock was bent. They were unable to locate another key so I had to move rooms. There was no offer to help me move, despite the fact that I had completely unpacked. So I schlepped all of my things to another room. After completely moving in to a second room I discovered that the toilet had feces smeared all over the inside of it. I had to ask 3 times to get the toilet cleaned. Then my problems with the owner Dave really began. I let him know that had happened but was in no way angry. I had a bicycle rental for 7 days. While I was out on the second day, the bicycle broke. I carried it all the way back and found Dave. I wanted to ride to a yoga class, but Dave would not allow me to have another bicycle until he "determined the cause of the breakage." He would not do it at that moment because he was going surfing. So despite the fact I had paid for a bike, I was unable to leave for the rest of that day. Additionally, Dave's demeanor was patronizing and condescending. I got a bicycle finally the next morning. The rest of the week was mediocre- my room was only cleaned once in the whole time I was there. When I could get it, the food was okay, but definitely not worth an all inclusive prices. The main problem is Dave, the owner. He has no sense of obligation around his guest's experience. He seems disinterested and the resort feels more like his personal party space for him and his buddies. ...