Costa Rica Mountain Paradise Atenas, Alajuela Vacation Rental by Owner Listing 117923

Our house as the sun sets

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Location: Atenas, Alajuela, Costa Rica, Central America (One Hour from San Jose & 1 Hour from Central Pacific Beaches)

Accommodations:  House, 2 Bedrooms, 2.5 Baths (Sleeps 4)

Our home in Atenas, is Bali-style - all wood and glass - perched on a ridge above the jungle with magnificent views of multiple mountain ranges. The house is filled with furniture and artifacts collected on our extensive travels. We've designed it to be a relaxing, zen-feeling retreat. It has 2 bedrooms/2.5 open-air bathrooms, a wrap-around infinity pool (great for doing short laps), and lovely decks and tropical gardens. Each deck overlooks another incredible view. From the breakfast deck you look out over jungle and mountain ranges and into the favorite toucan watching trees. The master-bedroom deck overhangs the jungle where we have seen mot-mots, trogans, carablanca monkeys and sloths. The sunset deck borders the pool and is perfect for evening cocktails and dining.

Atenas is 45 minutes from the San Jose airport and 1 hour from the closest beach. It is a laid-back town with several good restaurants and a great Friday fruit and vegetable market. National Geographic claims that Atenas has the best climate in the world. And it does! There is no need for either heating or cooling - and our house is designed so that it can be open to nature all the time. The house comes with a maid and gardener. Because it is built on a steep ridge and has a very deep swimming pool we cannot allow children under twelve.

The house is on a hill-top 2 kilometres from Atenas, an agricultural town (lots of coffee plantations and orchid farms) of about 20, 000 people. From our house you can take long walks on country roads and trails. From the deck we have seen many fabulous birds including the toucans that visit mornings and evenings. In the rainy season (it generally just rains in the afternoons) - we have heard howler monkeys; we've seen a sloth just hanging out in the trees below us, white-faced monkeys in the jungle next to the bedroom deck, and an anteater on our morning walk.

San Jose (and its upscale suburb of Escazu), just 45 minutes away, is a sophisticated area of fabulous restaurants and boutiques, English language bookstores and movies, and all the culture you could possibly want. Within an hour or two of our house we have beaches, volcanoes, rain forests, several interesting cities, incredible plant nurseries and nature preserves. If you're looking for places to go and things to do while in Costa Rica, check out our new book Sleeping With the Toucans - it's all there.

Atenas is the perfect place from which to explore the rest of Costa Rica - and our house is the perfect place to relax and enjoy a luxurious tropical vacation.

Vacation Rental Features

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• Amenities
  • Washer
  • Dryer
  • Linens Provided
  • Covered Parking
  • Off Street Parking
• Beds
  • Queen Bed
• Entertainment
  • Private Pool
• Kitchen
  • Full Kitchen
  • Cooking Utensils Provided
  • Refrigerator
  • Microwave
  • Ice Maker
• Outdoor Features
  • Gas/Electric BBQ Grill
  • Deck/Patio
  • Balcony
  • Lanai
• View/Location
  • Mountain View
• Communications
  • Telephone
  • WiFi (Wireless Internet)
• Suitability
  • No Pets Allowed
  • Not Suitable for Children
  • Smoking Not Allowed
• Activities (on site and nearby)
  • Golf
  • Tennis
  • Zoo/Wildlife Park
  • Shopping
  • Sightseeing
  • Restaurants
  • Rafting
  • Kayaking
  • Boating
  • Shelling
  • Swimming
  • Snorkeling/Diving
  • Surfing
  • Mountain Biking
  • Wildlife Viewing
  • Hiking
  • Fishing
  • Fitness Center/Gym
  • Health/Beauty Spa
  • Cinemas/Movie Theaters
  • Live Theatre
  • Museums
  • Horseback Riding

Rate Details (In US Dollars)

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Personal Currency Assistant™

1/3/09 - 12/19/09: $1000/wk.   $3500/4 wks.
12/19/09 - 1/2/10:  $1250/wk.
1/2/10 - 12/18/10: $1000/wk.   $3500/4 wks.
Contact owners for longer term rates.
A non-refundable deposit of 1/2 the rental amount is required for confirmation.
PayPal or bank wire transfer accepted.
Rentals start at 2 p.m. Saturday and end at 9 a.m. Saturday

Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.

Property Photos

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Guest Comments (3)

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• 07/17/09
  Positive Rating
  Bob Evans , Cumberland, Rhode Island
  • The Cerro Perezoso villa in Atenas was a veritable dream for us. It is so hard to say what was the best highlight of this haven. It could have been the total peace, resting in the early morning cool over looking the verdant valley with cafe listening to the delightful songs of the many birds, or watching the hummingbirds battle over the sweet nectar, or seeing my wife truly rest (she deserves it so) rocking in the peaceful sun-drenched hammock, or enjoying watching my 14yr old son eagerly search for the best photo op for birds and butterflys around the villa. My words can not express the joy I and my family had in Costa Rica and the Pura Vida of Cerro Perezoso. I want my whole family to enjoy the beauty of this place. Bob and Donna Evans
• 03/16/09
  Positive Rating
  Diane , Thorold, Ont. Canada
  • My husband and I along with our cousins stayed here for a week in Feb. 2009. This was our last leg of a 2 week trip.(not long enough) The weather was awesome, the house was awesome and so too were Alison and Chris. We received a very warm and down to earth reception on our arrival with some cold beers waiting for us in the fridge. We spent some time chatting with the two of them on our first evening and disappointed that they were leaving on their own little trip early the next morning. We would have enjoyed spending more time with them. The house was stunning in its Bali design and was decorated with very complimentary souvenirs from Alison and Chris's own adventures. We had all the comforts of home including fresh linens and a well stocked kitchen. There was also a collection of information books on Costa Rica as well as books to curl up in the hammock with. The pool was very refreshing when the afternoon began to heat up. The town centre is close and has everything you would need. There is an excellent outdoor market on Fridays and some excellent local restaurants that Alison and Chris have noted in the local information book that is left at the house for you. I hope to get back to this area very soon. You will enjoy staying here and having your morning coffee with birds. Pura Vida!!!!
• 02/08/09
  Positive Rating
  Beth & John Schutz , Eden Prairie, MN
  • This home is a true find. It exceeded our very high expectations. We loved its open Bali-style which allowed for total relaxation! The location was perfect and the town was friendly and quaint. We look forward to returning to what felt like a true home away from home!

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