Pros

  • Secluded location makes for amazing views of the bay
  • Romantic rooms are spacious, and perched out over the jungle
  • Some rooms are completely open-air, with outdoor showers and bathtubs; some have private pools
  • All-inclusive packages are available
  • Large, multi-level infinity pool is peaceful
  • On-site spa offers outdoor treatments
  • Yoga, cooking classes, and tequila tastings available (for additional fees)
  • Free Wi-Fi
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Cons

  • Located up a very steep hillside, with many steps to get around the property
  • Far walk from other restaurants, and a 40-minute walk (or boat ride) to the beach and town
  • No gym
  • Rooms are simple, and lack TVs and mini-fridges
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Bottom Line

Verana is an adults-only boutique resort nestled in a hillside high atop the bay of Yelapa, a small village on the coast of Mexico that is only reachable by boat. Forty-five minutes south of Puerto Vallarta, Verana offers eight uniquely designed, rustic houses that include completely open-air, gazebo-style rooms perched out over the jungle; some have private pools. While facilities are minimal and not exactly upscale, this secluded jungle experience -- which includes a lovely restaurant, spa and infinity pool -- is popular among couples looking to get away from it all. Due to the isolated location, though, it takes some effort to explore Yelapa beyond the property.

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Oyster Hotel Review

Verana

Scene

Fantastic, panoramic views are the reward for the hike up to this chic, majestic jungle resort.

You could say that Verana has a thing for dramatic entrances. First, the ride to Yelapa is an experience on its own. It’s a 45-minute bumpy speedboat ride, past miles of untouched jungle along the coast. When you reach Yelapa, the water taxi turns into a wide, colorful bay lined by houses and filled with boats. On one side is the beach, on the other, a small village nestled into the steep hillside; the backdrop to all are jungle-covered mountains shrouded in a wispy mist, floating down towards the bay.

As you approach the shore, your boatman will point out the buildings of Verana, high up on the hillside, a few unassuming rooftops peeking out of the trees. Then you arrive at the Verana pier, built out over rocks on the side of a small cliff, where the next leg of your journey begins. A member of the staff will guide you up a trail of stone slabs that ascends the hillside, winding its way through the jungle, lined with bamboo groves. It’s about a 15-minute hike, straight up hill, to reach the property. The hotel offers rides on the back of a mule for guests who are less mobile. When the path takes you through a grove of agave plants, you are almost there. And once you reach the top, it’s all worth it for the amazing views.

The small front desk of the property is on a patio next to the outdoor bar and restaurant, where bright orange umbrellas and tablecloths, Verana’s signature accent color, make a fantastic contrast against the backdrop of the blue ocean and the deep green jungle-covered hills. This majestic, upscale boutique property is built in the hillside to help guests appreciate the magic of the nature that surrounds them. Several of the eight unique rooms, or houses, as they’re called, have fully open walls that capitalize on the sweeping views in every direction.

The atmosphere of the hotel is stylish and chic, with many rustic touches such as the stone-slab sinks and thatched palapa roofs. A popular spot for weddings and honeymoons, Verana maintains a very romantic ambience, and children under 16 are not allowed. The property is on a steep hill, and there are lots of steps to get around, to the rooms and restaurant -- so it might not be the best choice for less-mobile guests.

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Location

High on an isolated hillside in Yelapa, accessible only by boat

Yelapa is a small village and beach destination on the coast of Jalisco in a picturesque bay. It is surrounded by dense jungle in a largely uninhabited part of the country that is not accessible by road. There are no cars in Yelapa, which makes it very quiet and old-fashioned, and the only ways to get around are by boat, on foot, or on the back of a donkey, when needed. The town can be reached by water taxis that originate from the beach in Puerto Vallarta or further south from Boca de Tomaltan; several boats run each day -- or you can arrange for a private boat with Verana. The bumpy speed boat ride takes about 45 minutes.

This is where the resort’s unique, secluded location actually becomes a bit of a setback: It’s not an easy task to get anywhere outside of the resort.  It’s a long, hot 40-minute walk on footpaths to reach the village and even farther to the get to the nice beach of Yelapa from the hotel; you can arrange to take a boat taxi for a small fee if you'd prefer. In the village, there are a few restaurants and a small waterfall a short hike away. Guided jungle hikes can also be arranged.

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Rooms

Eight uniquely designed houses, many with no walls to let in nature and the amazing views

Each of the eight romantic rooms at Verana is completely unique -- in concept, layout, and decoration.

The Pool Suite is entirely outdoors, perched on the side of the mountain. It contains two open-air “bedrooms” with king beds, a living room with a day bed and swinging chair, and an outdoor bathroom. Each room is its own little gazebo with a thatched palapa roof and no walls whatsoever. The toilet is the only thing that’s enclosed. The second bedroom is set further back from the hill and is next to a small private plunge pool. The bathroom sink is a stone pedestal with an industrial-style faucet. Next to the outdoor shower and large stone outdoor bathtub, luxe spa products are laid out, including a sea-salt bath scrub.

All off the rooms offer plush beds, mosquito nets, dark wood furniture, and rustic furniture that doesn't quite qualify as upscale. There are no TVs or mini-fridges in the rooms. The Tea Suite has a Balinese/Asian theme, complete with Buddha statuettes. There’s an open-air, palapa-covered living room with no walls, open on all four sides and perched on the edge of a cliff. The views are amazing. The outdoor bathroom has a copper sink and an outdoor shower. There’s also a small private pool area with padded loungers.

The Jungle House includes two or three bedrooms. It’s set in the forest, with one wall that opens up completely to the jungle -- creating a true jungle living experience. The colorful living room and second bedroom are enclosed. There’s a large bathroom with rustic stone-slab sinks. The Palapa House consists of a large living room, dining area, and bedroom under one huge, open-air palapa -- containing multi-levels with a hammock and large sundeck area. The Studio is a large enclosed room with concrete walls and big glass windows facing out towards the view. It’s draped with elegant white curtains and pops of sunny yellow. 

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Features

A lovely Jungle Spa, infinity pool, yoga studio, and upscale restaurant

The main common area is the patio around the restaurant and bar, next to the reception desk, punctuated by bright orange umbrellas. The views from here are spectacular -- on a clear day you can see all the way back to Puerto Vallarta. The restaurant has all outdoor seating, with lovely strings of lights in the evening. Breakfast can be ordered to the room and placed in the little birdcages situated by the room’s gate.

There is an outdoor spa, called The Jungle Spa, built into the hillside. The small spa has two outdoor treatment areas with massage tables that have views of the bay. There’s an outdoor shower and a double sized stone bathtub where guests can book a romantic starlight aromatherapy bath.

The large common pool area consists of a multi-level pool with several decks and seating areas with the signature orange padded lounge chairs and umbrellas, creating many quiet, private places to lounge. Next to the pool, a large open gazebo is used as yoga room and hammock lounge. It is perched on a hillside that peers out over the jungle. There’s also a small library room with lots of books and some games and a small gift shop. There is no gym.

See More Features

Oyster Hotel Review

Verana

Scene

Fantastic, panoramic views are the reward for the hike up to this chic, majestic jungle resort.

You could say that Verana has a thing for dramatic entrances. First, the ride to Yelapa is an experience on its own. It’s a 45-minute bumpy speedboat ride, past miles of untouched jungle along the coast. When you reach Yelapa, the water taxi turns into a wide, colorful bay lined by houses and filled with boats. On one side is the beach, on the other, a small village nestled into the steep hillside; the backdrop to all are jungle-covered mountains shrouded in a wispy mist, floating down towards the bay.

As you approach the shore, your boatman will point out the buildings of Verana, high up on the hillside, a few unassuming rooftops peeking out of the trees. Then you arrive at the Verana pier, built out over rocks on the side of a small cliff, where the next leg of your journey begins. A member of the staff will guide you up a trail of stone slabs that ascends the hillside, winding its way through the jungle, lined with bamboo groves. It’s about a 15-minute hike, straight up hill, to reach the property. The hotel offers rides on the back of a mule for guests who are less mobile. When the path takes you through a grove of agave plants, you are almost there. And once you reach the top, it’s all worth it for the amazing views.

The small front desk of the property is on a patio next to the outdoor bar and restaurant, where bright orange umbrellas and tablecloths, Verana’s signature accent color, make a fantastic contrast against the backdrop of the blue ocean and the deep green jungle-covered hills. This majestic, upscale boutique property is built in the hillside to help guests appreciate the magic of the nature that surrounds them. Several of the eight unique rooms, or houses, as they’re called, have fully open walls that capitalize on the sweeping views in every direction.

The atmosphere of the hotel is stylish and chic, with many rustic touches such as the stone-slab sinks and thatched palapa roofs. A popular spot for weddings and honeymoons, Verana maintains a very romantic ambience, and children under 16 are not allowed. The property is on a steep hill, and there are lots of steps to get around, to the rooms and restaurant -- so it might not be the best choice for less-mobile guests.

See More Scene

Location

High on an isolated hillside in Yelapa, accessible only by boat

Yelapa is a small village and beach destination on the coast of Jalisco in a picturesque bay. It is surrounded by dense jungle in a largely uninhabited part of the country that is not accessible by road. There are no cars in Yelapa, which makes it very quiet and old-fashioned, and the only ways to get around are by boat, on foot, or on the back of a donkey, when needed. The town can be reached by water taxis that originate from the beach in Puerto Vallarta or further south from Boca de Tomaltan; several boats run each day -- or you can arrange for a private boat with Verana. The bumpy speed boat ride takes about 45 minutes.

This is where the resort’s unique, secluded location actually becomes a bit of a setback: It’s not an easy task to get anywhere outside of the resort.  It’s a long, hot 40-minute walk on footpaths to reach the village and even farther to the get to the nice beach of Yelapa from the hotel; you can arrange to take a boat taxi for a small fee if you'd prefer. In the village, there are a few restaurants and a small waterfall a short hike away. Guided jungle hikes can also be arranged.

See More Location

Rooms

Eight uniquely designed houses, many with no walls to let in nature and the amazing views

Each of the eight romantic rooms at Verana is completely unique -- in concept, layout, and decoration.

The Pool Suite is entirely outdoors, perched on the side of the mountain. It contains two open-air “bedrooms” with king beds, a living room with a day bed and swinging chair, and an outdoor bathroom. Each room is its own little gazebo with a thatched palapa roof and no walls whatsoever. The toilet is the only thing that’s enclosed. The second bedroom is set further back from the hill and is next to a small private plunge pool. The bathroom sink is a stone pedestal with an industrial-style faucet. Next to the outdoor shower and large stone outdoor bathtub, luxe spa products are laid out, including a sea-salt bath scrub.

All off the rooms offer plush beds, mosquito nets, dark wood furniture, and rustic furniture that doesn't quite qualify as upscale. There are no TVs or mini-fridges in the rooms. The Tea Suite has a Balinese/Asian theme, complete with Buddha statuettes. There’s an open-air, palapa-covered living room with no walls, open on all four sides and perched on the edge of a cliff. The views are amazing. The outdoor bathroom has a copper sink and an outdoor shower. There’s also a small private pool area with padded loungers.

The Jungle House includes two or three bedrooms. It’s set in the forest, with one wall that opens up completely to the jungle -- creating a true jungle living experience. The colorful living room and second bedroom are enclosed. There’s a large bathroom with rustic stone-slab sinks. The Palapa House consists of a large living room, dining area, and bedroom under one huge, open-air palapa -- containing multi-levels with a hammock and large sundeck area. The Studio is a large enclosed room with concrete walls and big glass windows facing out towards the view. It’s draped with elegant white curtains and pops of sunny yellow. 

See More Rooms

Features

A lovely Jungle Spa, infinity pool, yoga studio, and upscale restaurant

The main common area is the patio around the restaurant and bar, next to the reception desk, punctuated by bright orange umbrellas. The views from here are spectacular -- on a clear day you can see all the way back to Puerto Vallarta. The restaurant has all outdoor seating, with lovely strings of lights in the evening. Breakfast can be ordered to the room and placed in the little birdcages situated by the room’s gate.

There is an outdoor spa, called The Jungle Spa, built into the hillside. The small spa has two outdoor treatment areas with massage tables that have views of the bay. There’s an outdoor shower and a double sized stone bathtub where guests can book a romantic starlight aromatherapy bath.

The large common pool area consists of a multi-level pool with several decks and seating areas with the signature orange padded lounge chairs and umbrellas, creating many quiet, private places to lounge. Next to the pool, a large open gazebo is used as yoga room and hammock lounge. It is perched on a hillside that peers out over the jungle. There’s also a small library room with lots of books and some games and a small gift shop. There is no gym.

See More Features

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Airport Transportation

  • Balcony / Terrace / Patio

  • Cabanas

  • Cable

  • Cribs

  • Kids Allowed

  • Laundry

  • Pool

  • Poolside Drink Service

  • Spa

  • Swim-Up Bar

Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.