Morrillo Beach Eco Resort is a perfect place for a relaxed surf vacation. We spent a couple of magical days during September '23, surfing every morning, enjoying all meals at the resort, and watching Panama's amazing wildlife (monkeys, toucans, iguanas) from the resort's front balcony The surrounding area is beach and jungle, so don't count on .nightlife, unless looking for sea turtles is your thing I believe its the best surfboard rental I have seen in Panama, with a wide selection of top brand boards.

This was an incredible adventure and an amazing stay at a fantastic ecolodge. The owners and staff of Morrillo Beach are the stars of the lodge and the keys to making the experience one you will never forget. They are so responsive, so attuned to every detail, and so welcoming - thank you Morrillo Beach team! The location could not be better for surfing and the beach has waves that will suit all levels of ability. The beach is unbelievably beautiful and undeveloped as well. You will see birds, monkeys, and other wildlife in the jungle surrounding the lodge. The lodge is very well designed and the public spaces so comfortable. The views from the restaurant are superb. The rooms themselves are spacious, beautiful, and have everything you'll need. Every detail has been considered here - from the composting and recycling programs to the hyper-local and delicious food. What an absolutely top-notch experience. Highly recommend!

Morrillo Beach Eco Resort truly is a spectacular, magical place! Nestled comfortably in jungle-like surroundings on the side of a hill next to a mile and a half of secluded, unspoiled beach miles from anywhere! Waking up to nothing but the sounds of the birds and the surf and the cicadas and the howler monkeys! Fresh, home-made meals served daily with (actual fresh local!) fruits and vegetables and made-from-scratch bread! And there's always a drink and a smile at the ready. Staff are amazing and feel like friends from day one. The beach and shoreline and vistas are stunning. Even if you don’t surf, you can spend many hours just wandering and exploring and bobbing in the ocean. It’s a great hike to the ‘blow hole’ at the end of the second beach. You can also enjoy snorkeling trips to a stunning island, and hikes to waterfalls. Cari and Ryan are super gracious hosts who are genuinely happy to share their home and corner of paradise with their small group of guests. And with just six rooms (generally no more than 12 or 14 people when full), the camaraderie at the bar and restaurant each day is one of the many joys of staying here.

My wife and I traveled with our two young girls to Morrillo Beach on the recommendation of a good friend and we were not disappointed! There is not enough space in this review to describe the beauty and experience of staying at Morrillo Beach Eco Resort. The food and accommodations at the resort are first class, and Ryan and Cari are amazing hosts. They had my girls standing up on surf boards within hours of our arrival. Perfect place for a couple’s get away or the best family vacation ever. We made plans to return next year within days of getting home. Amazing!

Our family spent 6 days over Christmas at the Morrillo Beach Eco Resort. The setting itself is incredible, built on a hillside overlooking the ocean within a lush rain forest, but the sustainable operation owners, Cari & Ryan have built is equally impressive - the restoration of rain forest vegetation, gardens to produce veggies for the restaurant, a solar powered and gravity fed water system, not to mention the fruit trees and pineapple plants everywhere. We loved the small size of this resort, which made it easy to get to know the other guests. The rooms were spacious, spotless and tastefully decorated. The toucan and monkey viewings were a treat! The staff was amazing, kind and helpful. I highly recommend one of the packages, as there is much to see and do. We loved the waterfall tour with Carlos, our surf lesson with Ryan, a property tour and hike to tide pools with Rena, and were lucky enough to see a baby sea turtle release. We paddle boarded up the estuary, walked the beaches, and ate amazing food! Oh, the food! The place itself is one we dream of returning to, but the people - Ryan, Cari and their staff - are what will make us return to the Morrillo Beach Eco Resort!

My wife and I stayed here for a little less than a week and had a wonderful time. The location is embedded in a jungle area that has been preserved to promote the health of the wildlife that belongs in a jungle. We saw, and heard, monkeys from our room's patio on a daily basis! We were also able to see toucans, iguanas, bats, frogs, a nonvenomous snake, and a variety of birds and insects. The location is off the main tourist circuit, so you have very few people to share the beaches and surf with. There are a few different surf breaks within walking distance of the property of varying difficulty so a wide range of surfers can have fun. The surfboard selection for rent was also top notch with a large selection. From soft tops and long boards to the midrange and short boards, everything was in good condition and well taken care of. The restaurant has a set menu, but we enjoyed all the food we had there, and we never went to bed hungry. My wife and I both have some dietary restrictions that they had no problem accommodating for. The best part of our experience here was interacting with the owners and staff. Both owners are genuinely good people and a joy to talk to. They truly care about making sure you have a positive experience and will regularly check in to make sure you have everything you need. They have also done a fantastic job hiring staff members you always greet you with a smile and are happy to help you with whatever you need.

Our family had a magical time at Morrillo Beach Eco Resort! The resort is absolutely beautiful and the beach is perfect. We had so much fun playing in the waves, walking the beach, and taking a cooking class. Cari takes such good care of visitors and made special experiences for our family!

I cannot say enough about our visit to Morrillo Beach. My husband and I traveled with our young adult children and all of us had an amazing time. Cari and Ryan do a phenomenal job making you feel comfortable and relaxed, all while offering plenty of sporty activities to enjoy. We all took lessons with Carlos, who did an amazing job teaching us to surf. All of us were successful in getting up on the board. The beach is kind to beginners in helping them be successful. We participated in some awesome hikes and adventures. We saw so much wildlife. Our one daughter is a wildlife biologists and she saw over 90 different bird species in Panama. The food served at the restaurant is amazing- we had a car but really did not feel compelled to leave in search of other places to eat because the food was just so good. Never mind that all the while you are in the longe/dinner area there are howler monkeys everywhere, toucans and the most lovely view of the ocean. Plus the staff is so charming and friendly, you get the feeling you are staying at a place where everyone is comfortable -like visiting someones home. The rooms are large and spacious, the beds comfortable. The rooms have AC and fans, but we really did not use the AC because it was so enjoyable to hear the ocean at night and listen to the monkeys. The ocean breeze was cool enough. The drive to Morrillo took about 5.5 hours from the airport and the road off the Pan American Hwy is newly built and fantastic!. The last 2 miles you definitely need 4wheel drive. I cannot recommend Morrillo Beach Eco resort enough - My husband and I are already planning our next drip back in September to see the turtles and whales!

Our family spent five nights at Morrillo Beach Eco Resort and it was amazing. The staff is incredible, the food is amazing, and the location can't be beat. We surfed every day, took stand ups into an estuary, hiked to blowholes and tidepools, and enjoyed birdwatching and howler monkey visits from the balconies of our rooms. And if you are a beginner or intermediate surfer, Beginner Beach is the place for you. You can stay near shore and enjoy long beginners rides over a sandy ocean bottom, or you can paddle out to larger waves and work on catching them before they break. As surfers, we are a beginner and intermediate group and it was the best place we have surfed. They have quality equipment and great instruction. And as much as we did, we didn't even do a quarter of the activities they offer. You can go on waterfall hikes, snorkeling trips, visit local families, and more. We really hope we can return and stay even longer next time so we can enjoy more of what Morrillo Beach Eco Resort has to offer.

Just a gem of a getaway. Perfect for the 2 of us to celebrate our 8th anniversary. We felt like we were living in the tree tops. With wildlife visiting our terrace. The beach’s are phenomenal, only to be outdone by the courteous staff and enthusiasm that Cari provided to our wonderful experience. Can’t wait to recommend to friends. The second floor guest rooms are the absolute best.

We were looking for a beach vacation away from the crowds, and Morrillo Beach was absolutely perfect. The rooms are simple but very comfortable. Cari was incredibly helpful and attentive to every detail as we planned transportation, excursions, and even our time in the city on the way home. The staff are amazing, and went out of their way to plan kid-friendly activities and teach them all about the ample local wildlife. The gear selection was extensive and high-quality, and the surf lessons, boat tour/snorkeling, and treasure hunt were highlights of the trip. The food was incredible and we all looked forward to chatting with the staff and other visitors over dinner at the end of each day. To quote my 8 year old, "they made it feel like home." We are already talking about our next trip to Panama!

Our stay here was a highlight of our trip. Highly recommend a visit! Cari and Ryan are fantastic hosts and have a truly wonderful spot. From the views to the rooms to the food to the surf, everything is just great. We feel very lucky to have stumbled across this amazing place.

This was our second visit to Morrillo. The first time we came, was to look for a stay off the beaten track during the corona epidemic. This time was "just" to return and to repeat the great experience from last time. The main difference is that the road from Santiago to Morrillo is no longer a pothole nightmare but an excellent new road which makes the drive through a windy and hilly countryside enjoyable. The accommodation hasn't changed with rooms that are basic but nice, each with a large balcony area that is almost in the tree tops. Again, we were able to watch the howler monkeys and a large iguana in the tree right in front of our balcony. The owners, Cary & Ryan, as well as their staff are very welcoming and will ensure you have a great stay. If you speak some Spanish reach out to the staff who are happy to communicate and interact when they get to know you a bit - on this trip, this turned out to be a major highlight for my wife. The resort is great for anybody looking for a unique and beautiful location immersed in nature and with interest in water sports, being surfing or kayaking in the mangrove lagoon, or taking long beach walks, while valuing great food at their bar/restaurant with dishes prepared with many organic ingredients. .... and good home-brewed beer is an extra bonus.

This is the perfect getaway for adventure and a great cultural experience. The boutique eco-hotel has basically a private surf break (sandy and great for beginners too; my son caught some fun rides inside and it was only his second time surfing). They have all kinds of boards and gear. The site is in a tropical jungle so you can watch the howler monkeys play from your private balcony, as well as seeing other exotic animals and plants. The food is fantastic (everything is homemade and locally grown and sourced). There are lots of excursions/adventures as well as activities for kids. The staff is A+ and feels like a family. We had the best vacation ever—totally seamless, tons of fun, great waves, and we learned a lot about the ecosystem and the local culture. We can’t wait to come back!

The resort is family-owned and operated, and the staff are incredibly friendly and welcoming. They are always happy to go the extra mile to make sure that their guests have a memorable stay. We had a great time will go again.

We traveled Panama for 2 weeks, and that was our favorite place. The owners were so welcoming and friendly and the same goes for staff that work there. This place has a really good vibe to it, remote, surrounded by beautiful tropical plants. We felt like we were staying in the middle of a jungle, and from our balcony we could see not only all those beautiful trees and plants, but also howler monkeys! The only eating option is in their restaurant, but that was another plus, because the food was AMAZING. Everything they make there was from scratch (they even brew their own beer, make their own bread and pasta) and all the meals blew our mind. It was so delicious. All hotel guests ate at the same time, so that was another nice thing, we got to know other guests and had a really nice time getting to know everybody. The beach is just next to the resort, and the surf is very good too. Last but not least, it's an eco resort and that was another big plus. Overall, our only regret is that we did not stay longer.

Off the beaten path serenity of ocean amidst jungle. Captivating! Rooms are comfortably appointed, but not luxurious. Spacious. Food is outrageously wonderful. Staff is local, gracious, and fun. Monkeys swing from trees. Excursions are worthwhile, for sure. This is an Harmonious jungle-living experience, every detail considered and selected per the primary vision and passion: Eco-conscious all the way!

There is a bit of magic in this place. We got welcomed by howling monkeys and the ocean. Our room was wrapped up in nature. Private but somehow full of life. It was more than I expected. It made our Christmas so much more special. Swimming, canoeing, surfing, turtle release, hiking - everything accessible in a perfectly safe environment which gives so much peace. Food with a view on the beach, made with fresh ingredients and creatively mixing local flavors. Most importantly, Cari, our host, took care of us even before we arrived. We could easily communicate about our travel arrangements and she was so patient. Would go back if I could!

Such an amazing vacation full of beauty, adventure, color and new friends! Everything was wonderful and we fell totally in love with the owners and all the staff! A window into the lives of Panamanians, experiencing their home, their food and the way of life was such a special part of this trip. The environment created such an ease to make fast friends of the other guests and all the staff! The monkeys, turtle release and iguanas were such a bonus! I could have watched the monkeys for hours! (And maybe I did…..)

We had an amazing week long stay for our anniversary! The staff was so sweet and prepared a special floral arrangement in the room for our arrival as they knew it was our anniversary. The hosts Ryan and Cari were fun and welcoming. We did several of the excursions and activities which were a blast and the guides were excellent. And the howler monkeys were so cool! One of the most special and memorable trips we have ever had.

Wonderful experience, Cari, Ryan, Carlos and the team are amazing hosts. The place is beautiful, the nature around it is breathtaking. We stayed for two nights and it’s was the peak of our trip to Panama. Highly recommend.

Perfect place to start your surfing adventure. The bay in front of the terrace gives you not only nice waves, but also beautiful sunsets. Our stay there made us forgot about the long way to this isolated beach. The fact that they didn't touch the trees on this corner of peninsula, made it look like your little jungle. Howler monkeys included.

I am working on a project nearby and was looking for a place to crash the night, I found this Hotel perfect for the location and decided to give it a try, I do have to say it was recommended to me also but for my surprise this place amazed me and now became a place I to come back for pleasure. My visit was too quick to fully enjoy it. But the time spend there was unforgettable, after a long day of work, being able to come back to a place with such nice people, cold beer freshly brewed by my new friends Ryan and Cari, the food was amazing, everything fresh and organic etc etc. i immediately forgot my problems and was totally relaxed. Rooms are very nice and I have cero complaints. Will come back for sure.

Spent an amazing 5 nights with my family of four (along with 5 other friends) at Morrillo. We surfed at an exquisite beach, had our morning coffee with the monkeys keeping us company, had amazing meals made from local ingredients (the homemade caramel isn't to be missed), and made memories that can't be replicated anywhere else. Big shout-out to Cari, Ryan, Carlos, and the rest of the staff for being so attentive to our needs and making this a trip to remember.

We had a great 5 days at Morrillo Beach. This property is beautiful. It is teeming with wildlife. The beach is perfect for beginner surfers. The staff and owners are amazing. We will definitely return!

From the moment you arrive, you are in another world - a beautiful, serene, magical, breath-taking world - jungle, beach, howler monkeys, toucans, whales, surfing, incredible food, tons of activities... Cari and Ryan are the owners of this incredible place. They are salt of the earth people, and their staff is amazing. They are all very knowledgeable and went out of their way to make sure we had everything (and more!) that we needed. The food was so yummy and healthy - all homemade (from salsas to salad dressing to molasses made by locals), with local ingredients and produce. We are vegetarian, and have never had better vegetarian meals anywhere else we've stayed. The rooms are nice and I really loved the organic locally handmade soap and shampoo/conditioner provided. It was so quiet at night, too, which is so refreshing and unlike other places we've stayed in Panama. The beaches and views are unlike any other. Our 10-year old twins had so much fun in the very gentle surf and "lazy river" when the tide was up. There is hiking, kayaking, cooking classes, island tours, and so much more that we didn't get a chance to do. This was a quick trip (only 2 nights) for us as we were just passing through the area, but we will definitely be going back - SOON! And, I have to mention their super cute, super sweet cat, Tila, who became a favorite of our twins (and she loved the twins right back!). This is a gem of a place - an experience of a lifetime!!

Cute eco lodge in the jungle and on the ocean. Excellent food. Good place to learn how to surf. They have an estuary nearby that's fun to explore. Beaches are secluded.

My husband and I enjoyed 5 nights at this resort. Great communication by hosts re: directions and activities to do at resort. We loved waking up to fresh Panamanian coffee and the sounds of birds and howler monkeys. The restaurant provided all meals - they were made from fresh local ingredients and nutritious and tasty! We enjoyed fishing, walking on the beach, kayaking and relaxing. Large, comfortable rooms. Hosts and employees are warm and very helpful. Hope to return someday!

This was a very unique and fun vacation for our family. The resort is beautiful, the staff is amazing, and I have never eaten fresher food. You do need to be in fairly good shape to visit there. There are a lot of stairs and walking and swimming required. We enjoyed the exercise and activity. The water was perfect and it was one of the most beautiful places we have visited. I asked for some tea one afternoon and Cari had one of her staff gather some lemongrass and cinnamon that they grow there and she made me fresh tea. It was amazing. They were very attentive and enjoyed interactive with the guests. There was a group of howler monkeys living on the resort and we enjoyed watching them daily.

We had an awesome trip to the Morrillo Beach Eco Resort! We woke up in the mornings to monkeys, toucans and surfing. The early morning surf followed by a great breakfast was a great way to start every day. The days could be filled on quiet beaches or any number of other activities like waterfall hikes. The staff was fantastic, all the meals were great. It was relaxing and fun, we would love to do it again!

We had an amazing stay at Morrillo Beach. The location is enchanting. Located in the jungle, on a beautiful beach that we had to ourselves. We were travelling with 2 families of 4, kids ages 13 and 15. It was the perfect place to let the teens roam and enjoy the surrounding nature. We did a great waterfall hike and mangrove paddle. The excursions were well planned and made the trip stress free. The howler monkey family was overhead much of our stay and toucans off of our patios. I would highly recommend Morrillo Beach Eco Resort for a remote get away with plenty of activities. The staff was also welcoming and made us feel at home.

For our first family vacation in several years, we chose Morrillo Beach Eco Resort as a place to get away from it all and chill out. It did not disappoint. Hosts, Cari and Ryan (and their staff) provide a friendly welcoming environment. They offer delicious farm to table cuisine and were willing to tweak their menu to accommodate my special dietary needs. Our week long adventure included surfing, hiking, playing in waterfalls, snorkeling, spearfishing, paddle boarding, releasing baby sea turtles, a message and a very special cultural visit with a local couple. Hanging out on the balcony and watching the resident howler monkeys play was also very special. It was a trip we will be talking about for years to come. Dawn

We recently had the pleasure of experiencing Morrillo Beach Eco Resort, unfortunately for only 2 nights. But in that short period of time we felt like we were visiting old friends in the most magical of settings. Cari and Ryan have created a jungle oasis on a hillside overlooking two stunning beaches with excellent surf. The resort has only 6 rooms. All spacious and tastefully decorated in a traditional Panamanian style. The gardens are lush, the howlers jump across the tree tops in the early morning and evening and the toucans make an occasional visit. All the food is either locally sourced or grown on the property. Everything, and I mean everything, is made from scratch. The meals were some of best we have ever had. Cari is definitely a MasterChef. Her enthusiasm for what she cooks is apparent in her dishes. Oh yes and let's not forget Ryan's home brew. Awesome!!! Carlos and all the staff were warm, welcoming an extremely attentive. This is definitely a place everyone should experience. We know that we will be back. Cari, Ryan and all the staff, you guys "ROCK"

Cari and Ryan have created a magical resort in a magical corner of Panama. Everything about Morrillo Beach Eco Resort is wonderful….the rooms, the bar & restaurant, the available surfboards, SUPs, and boogie boards, and most of all the people! We signed up for the 11-day package and it was so nice and relaxing not to have to worry day to day about where to eat and which board to commit to. Instead we ate fresh, locally-sourced, and delicious meal three times a day, and grabbed whatever board was appropriate for the given tide and swell conditions. Because of their location (near two beaches and on a little estuary that leads to mangrove forests) and the broad range of play-toys available, there was always something fun to do no matter the then-current conditions. One early morning we were lucky enough to watch baby endangered sea turtles make their way safely to the sea. The best part of our stay was getting to know Cari, Ryan, and the other wonderful people at the resort. It was hard to say good-bye when it was time for us to leave.

Our vacation to Morrillo Beach Eco Resort was five stars. The accommodations were excellent. The ocean view and  surrounding  hills  and estuary were beautiful. Cari and Ryan provide a menu of home made foods, deserts, and home brew beer. You will wake up to a family of howling monkey's and see a variety  of tropical birds and animals. The staff is polite, professional and friendly and ready to accommodate  your every need. The bilingual guide is specially knowledgeable of the variety of vegetation, sea and wild  life on the  area trails. The bay provides excellent surfing and other water activities.

Impossible to pinpoint my favorite thing about this place. The owners? The love Ryan and Cari have for the jungle, the monkeys, the people, the earth is overwhelming - and they want to share it with all who visit. The team? You can feel their happiness and eagerness to help. They may be shy at first, but if you engage in a smile or conversation, you will find yourself with a new friend. The hotel? Clean, comfortable, views of the jungle, beautiful (and different) animal murals in each room. The restaurant and bar? Over the top tasty, local, and wholesome food - Coffee from a family owned small farm in Panama, daily drink specials, fresh brewed beer and cider (from fruit grown on site), and wine. The beach? Pretty special to step down the stairs with surfboard in hand. I also enjoyed swimming in the estuary, walking to the island, and playing an important part of helping our precious earth by cleaning the beach. I thank you all at Morrillo Beach Eco Resort and look forward to my next visit.

Let me tell you this: You must visit and experience this wonderful place yourself. You simply must! We spent a couple of days in this wonderful Eco resort and it was just amazing. Large spacious rooms with super comfortable beds, a high ceiling with a balcony right into the jungle where you can listen and watch the local howler monkey troupe parade. We were super stoked surfing two nearby spots. The wave next to the resort is beginner friendly but a lot of fun while the other has a bit more spit and is great for challenging yourself. Recharging your batteries with the most delicious food crafted by the owner and her team is just a pleasure. So much passion, so many local ingredients, so yummy - and I won’t even start to rave about the deserts. When you fancy a beer of course you can always have a Balboa but why would you? The owner brews his own beers and I tell you, they are just amazing. We had such a good time here that we’ll come back for more!