Surf Break at Paunch

Do not stay here! I have never written a bad review for a “hotel” but it is only fair to warn other travelers. The room we stayed in at Surf Paunch was filthy. The bed had stains on it, pillows and towels dirty and the sheets had holes/stains on them too. Not to mention the sheets smelled disgusting and were not washed. None of us used the sheets/blankets. The host was shocked that we checked in 3 people even though the reservation stated three. Apparently the number of people correlates to why we could not have a curtain over the windows in the bathroom (you could then see into the bathroom/shower from outside our room). It should be stated that the sofa bed is an old couch. A sofa bed typically has a metal frame and thin mattress that can be unfolded or opened up to make a bed. In addition, there was no shampoo or conditioner. I wish I could say the room was inexpensive and that would make this experience slightly better but it was beyond expensive for what it was. Lastly, our host was unfriendly. He wasn’t welcoming and couldn’t be bothered mentioning anything about the area/hotel. He made us feel uncomfortable and ignored our complaints. It is concerning when locals would say what is going on there is not good. We were the only ones on the property... wonder why.

What an experience! A beautiful wooden cabin in a dense jungle, included a howler monkey alarm clock. Comfortable beds and a on site host to help with any needs…..thanks David! Great tips about the island from David and a kitchen in case one of the local restaurants (they are amazing) doesn’t do.

Stayed here for 3 nights this summer. We had 3 people in one room, as stated in our reservation, however one person was stuck sleeping on a makeshift futon. None of the amenities you see in pictures or online were available. No breakfast/food, no hammocks, no bikes, etc. If these were available for purchase, we wouldn't know as the option was never given to us. The location is remote, a good ~20 minute drive from town, with much of it being on a rough dirt road. However, the worst part was the pillows, blankets, sheets, etc, given to us were absolutely disgusting. The smell was atrocious and there were visible stains on everything, they were unusable. When leaving my review of this property on Google, we were insulted by the owner for leaving a negative review. Extremely unprofessional. The host was not gracious at all and provided zero information about the location and things to do. He seemed bothered we were even there. Based on the past positive reviews, either the ownership has recently changed or these people are family/friends of the owner.

It’s was just what we were looking for. Not the hustle and bustle of city. It was up in the hill and we loved it!! If your going power goes out a lot on the island so bring flashlights! Overall great place! Car taxi can’t make the hill. So get a bus or truck taxi. Good times.

If you would like a quiet place off the beaten path (as I did), this place is a nice option.

David was a friendly host and the accommodations were very comfortable. I enjoyed the location within walking distance to a nice beach and a couple restaurants. The kitchenette and balcony with hammock were a real treat! The balcony was great for wildlife viewing, including a sloth. Please note it is on a hill so may not be easy for all to walk and if you get a taxi, a truck is best.