Entire home

Jacaru Hideaway Nature Lovers Retreat

Photo gallery for Jacaru Hideaway Nature Lovers Retreat

A spacious room with a wooden staircase leading to a loft area, large windows with a view of greenery, and a cozy seating area with a sofa and cushions.
A rustic cabin-style kitchen with wooden walls and a central island.
A kitchen with wooden cabinets, a central island, and pendant lighting.
A rustic cabin with a screened porch, a front porch with steps, and a small front yard with various plants.
A spiral staircase in a room with large windows, a wooden floor, and a bean bag chair.

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional

Highlights

  • Firepit available
    One of the few properties with a dedicated outdoor firepit.

Popular amenities

  • Balcony
  • Air-conditioning
  • Refrigerator
  • Internet
  • Washing machine
  • Onsite parking available

Explore the area

View map
Alachua, FL
  • Place, Santa Fe River
    ‪9 min drive‬
  • Place, Mill Creek Preserve
    ‪14 min drive‬
  • Place, San Felasco Hammock Preserve State Park
    ‪22 min drive‬
  • Airport, Gainesville, FL (GNV-Gainesville Regional)
    ‪35 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

5 bedrooms (sleeps 12)

Bedroom 1

2 Single Beds and 1 Double Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 3

1 Double Bed and 2 Single Beds

Bedroom 4

1 King Bed

Bedroom 5

1 Double Futon

2 bathrooms

First floor bathroom

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Master bathroom

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Balcony

Add dates for prices

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About the area

Alachua

Located in Alachua, this holiday home is in a rural area. Mill Creek Preserve and San Felasco Hammock Preserve State Park reflect the area's natural beauty and area attractions include Reverend Gerald Criswell Park and High Springs Civic Center Park. Take the opportunity to explore the area for outdoor excitement like hiking.
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Map
Alachua, FL

What's nearby

  • Santa Fe River - 9 min drive - 6.4 km
  • Mill Creek Preserve - 14 min drive - 14.9 km
  • San Felasco Hammock Preserve State Park - 22 min drive - 22.3 km
  • Turkey Creek Golf Course - 22 min drive - 22.0 km
  • Gainesville Raceway - 32 min drive - 34.4 km

Getting around

  • Gainesville, FL (GNV-Gainesville Regional) - 33 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Circle K - ‬17 min drive
  • ‪J&J's Whiskey River Saloon - ‬16 min drive
  • ‪Pinkys - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Biogera, LLC - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪Sophias Pizzaria - ‬14 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Jacaru Hideaway Nature Lovers Retreat pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking at Jacaru Hideaway Nature Lovers Retreat ?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Jacaru Hideaway Nature Lovers Retreat ?

Check-in begins at 2:30 PM.

What time is check-out at Jacaru Hideaway Nature Lovers Retreat ?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Jacaru Hideaway Nature Lovers Retreat located?

Situated in a rural location, this holiday home is 4.6 mi (7.4 km) from Santa Fe River and within 12 miles (20 km) of Mill Creek Preserve and Reverend Gerald Criswell Park. Alachua Library Branch and Turkey Creek Golf Course are also within 12 miles (20 km).

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 19 out of 21 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 1 out of 21 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 21 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 21 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 21 reviews

9.0/10

Cleanliness

9.8/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
A beautiful, clean house and the host was accommodating.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Nice location, off the beaten path.

Hostess is amazing! Location is perfect for a little gwt away from others.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great for a group

Amazing property and plenty of room inside! Pantry was well stocked and the kitchen had everything we could need.
Stayed 10 nights in Nov 2024
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Disliked: Cleanliness

Great place for family groups

A great property for family groups to stay! Room to roam around and fun fishing in the pond! Quiet, private location adds to the relaxation and enjoyment. Outdoor deck and seating around the property could use some cleaning. Overall we were pleased with our stay.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 10 Sept 2022
Thank you Cynthia!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Trip to the springs

This was a lovely home for our mini vacation to visit the springs. Property is as described and lots of room to relax with friends and family. Kitchen has everything you need to cook meals. Even has a friendly peacock that visits in the morning!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 10 Sept 2022
Thank you Pauline!!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Cabin getaway

We had a wonderful stay at this cabin getaway!! Nicely tucked away, private and very clean!! The picture’s definitely did not do it justice….we will be staying again on our next trip back!! Thank you
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wedding

The place was amazing and was perfect for me and my daughter & my sisters and husbands to stay while we were in town for my son's wedding.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Nice

Nice, quiet, unique lay out, dated but clean. Held our large size family well.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Relaxing cabin in the woods

Gorgeous property to enjoy outside beauty's. Sorrounding is stunning. Two porches outside and campfire were most enjoyable for our group. House inside is more like mountain cabin which gives cozy feeling. Thank you for letting us stay! Lidia
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great spot for our family to gather for graduation weekend

The house was exactly as shown. We were comfortable talking around the table and in the family/living room. The kitchen was well stocked. We loved seeing the goats and were treated by a hummingbird visit our first morning. We enjoyed a walk down the dirt road and loved the trees.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect Getaway

We loved the house and property! The house fits at least 10 people. The wood work inside is beautiful. It’s a cozy house, stocked with everything you can think of. The property is beautiful, too. We enjoyed taking walks on the property and having campfires out by the little pond at night. We highly recommend and will definitely be back!
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

better than listing

Cant believe how cool and unique the hose is. Thanks so much. See you next year
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 5 Jan 2024
Thank you for staying!!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great for large group visits to UF

We booked this for our family to stay in while attending graduation festivities in Gainesville. We brought many things we ended up not needing: tongs, coffee, sugar, large platter, knives. The ice machine was broken in the freezer, but it was stocked with two bags of ice so that lasted through the weekend. . Highly recommend in you’re in town for a UF function.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Old Florida Hideaway

Jacaru is a unique house in an "old Florida" setting. By "old Florida" I mean it is really way back in the woods and gives you a feeling of "old Florida", the real Florida (not the Disney/Orlando) version) is about. The natural setting is wonderful and the house is truly unique, spacious and well-maintained. Host Melissa is one of the nicest, most responsive and helpful hosts I have ever worked with. She will do whatever she can to help. This property was a wonderful place for our family of nine to stay and extended family of 14 to gather to celebrate a Christmas Family Reunion. Wonderful memories were created there!
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2022
Verified review

4/10 Poor

Liked: Check-in, communication
Disliked: Cleanliness

Family reuion 2023

The listing never described that the retreat was a mile down a dirt road. The outside of the property was NOT main.tained. The spiders should be on the outside not on the inside - pest control is a MUST at this location. The deck could use a good power washing. The gutters which all had covers also need to be cleaned. If going outside to venture on the premises, you will need shoes or boots and long pants. The windows, wood floor and refrigerator weren't cleaned properly. The grill had not been emptied from previous occupants. The woodchairs by the pond are dry rotted and unsafe to sit in. HUGE DISAPPOINTMENT
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect for our son's wedding weekend!

Melissa was great to work with and the house was clean and cozy to be as big as it is! We loved how secluded it is as well!
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful vacation!

The property was beautiful, beds comfortable, we had a great time!
Stayed 6 nights in Nov 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Relaxing.

Had a great time.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Disliked: Cleanliness
Stayed 3 nights in May 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2026
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