Fodor's Expert Review La Buena Vida

Charming fauna-themed villas showcase the U.S. owners' attention to detail at this small lodge. The Gecko Villa, for example, comes complete with large tiled geckos in the shower and bedroom. Each villa is unique, some with two stories and outdoor showers, and others with kitchens and laundry facilities. In the middle of Santa Catalina's "downtown," La Buena Vida has a vegetarian restaurant ($) that is open for breakfast and lunch. The owners also run the adjacent hostel Boarders Haven, which, due to its small size, can easily be rented in full by a small group of budget travelers seeking a bit of privacy. The garden café, green practices, yoga classes, and massage treatments make this one of the best places to stay in town.