Fodor's Expert Review Verana

Understated luxury and an open-to-nature building design describe this eight-suite boutique property located in a jungle about an hour south of Vallarta. Built into the hillside overlooking lovely Yelapa Bay, Verana is sleek and contemporary yet surrounded by nature and built of locally available materials. Each of the freestanding suites has a different view and feel; several have outdoor showers and all are warm, inviting, and romantic. Every room has a ceiling fan, but just a few have air-conditioning. Three meals a day plus tax and transportation are included in the price. Horses can be rented for treks into the jungle, and there are casual and atmospheric local "dive" restaurants for those who want to rub shoulders with hoi polloi—both locals and Yelapa's dedicated foreign and ex-pat population.