Casa Manila — Hotel in Hicaco

Unfortunately I can’t recommend this place as I had a scary experience with the staff.

It’s ran by a family and the cousin working there offered to take me to the better beach further away. I’d seen him do this with another girl the day before so i thought it would be safe. But while we were there he repeatedly tried to force me to kiss him. He grabbed my face and pulled me towards him without checking if I wanted to kiss him, i was shocked and I pulled backwards, pushing him away and told him NO. Instead of accepting this, he kept asking “why not” and saying “just one” and “it’s just a kiss” and repeatedly grabbing my face and body and trying to force me to kiss him again and again. I said no about 10 times but he kept trying and grabbing me. He had walked me down to the end of the beach, round two coves and so whilst this was happening there were no other people around. And in the moment I didn’t know how far this forcefulness would escalate.

It was a really horrible experience and left me overwhelmed and anxious ever since. It would not of been okay for any man to do this because NO means NO. But the fact that he works there makes it worse because this shouldn’t be happening to guests. It finally ended when he forced a kiss on my cheek with me trying to push him away. After he said he was embarrassed and that didn’t like that I got angry with him. So I said I wasn’t angry and tried to just keep it friendly because we still had over an hour walk to get back to the hostel.

I had another 2 nights at the hostel, so I stayed friendly all night and told myself it wasn’t a big deal (also I was in shock and hadn’t processed yet). But I reflected on what happened later and realised how bad it really was. I regret not leaving the hostel early because I felt extremely uncomfortable around him and did not enjoy the rest of my stay. My plan was to just avoid him, be either out the hostel or hide in my room. But he would come into the hostel dorm looking for me or send me messages, it was really overwhelming.

A man not respecting the word no is very dangerous, and the businesses have a duty to keep their guests safe. I don’t tell the owners because they are his family so I don’t feel comfortable brining it up with them. But I think it’s important to bring it up here so hopefully he changes his behaviour and as a warning to other female travellers.

I was the first client to live in one of the lovely rooms that are fresh and newly renovated. The ambience is cosy with love to details and hand-made decorations. The rooms have AC, a private bathroom and private terrace with picturesque ocean view. The owners are super friendly and considerate. The ocean view is mesmerizing and the sunsets unbelievable. You feel like home in paradise and there's access to a private rocky beach. I absolutely recommend staying at Casa Manila.

Very cute lodge on a small cliff overlooking the sea. You can access the beach below and rinse off with an outdoor shower. Each cabin has a hammock to chill with the breeze. There is also a gazebo on top of the small cliff to watch waves and sunset. Enrique and Pia are a sweet couple and will help you with anything you need. They can show you the shortcut to the beach that can take you to town much faster than Google map. We truly enjoyed our stay!