Reviews for Samara Vacation Rental - VRBO 144353 - 4 BR Guanacaste House in Costa Rica, Luxury by the Beach

2 couples from Canada

Guest tony
Date of stay 02/06/13
Review Submitted 03/02/13

This property was everything we'd been led to belive. The home is comfortable and private. The people who care take are exceptional. Victor, the pool/gardener, Alonso and Adriana, living on the grounds, her sister, Marybeth doing maid work and their wonderful momasita who makes fabulous ceviche! The dogs, Sammy, Charity and Linda are well behaved and a pleasure to have around. The pool is shallow, but excellent for a cool down after a walk home from Playa Carrillo where we loved to swim. The back yard is shared by many birds in the mornings and late afternoons....what a treat! When we did have any problems, they were instantly seen to by Alonso or Victor. We wanted for nothing. There are super restaurants to enjoy in Samara, El Lagarto being our favorite for North American style, and El Tucan above Playa Carrillo was a drive to get to, but well worth the trip! It is tipico food, but with an authentic twist we have never had before. This was our 5th time in Costa Rica and our first in Playa Samara. We would absolutely return!

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, romantic getaway.

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Wonderful Place to Stay

Guest Family Traveller
Date of stay 08/25/12
Review Submitted 01/03/13

We chose this house for its size and location. We wanted a place on the west coast where our kids can learn to surf and do all the fun activities that are within short drive of Samara. First the road to Samara is excellent. The house is perfect for large families or multiple couples and has EVERYTHING you need while there. If you need something they dont have the wonderful caretakers will help you find it or take care of it for you. We had 4 adults and 5 kids ranigng from ages 6-13 and all had plenty to do in the area. Thanks for the great vacation.

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, sightseeing.

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Nicest home within walking distance of the beach.

Guest Lmzknmom
Date of stay 05/23/12
Review Submitted 05/31/12

What a wonderful home! We had the pleasure of spending last week in Samara at Casa Pacifica. The house was spacious and comfortable. The grounds are beautiful and the pool was clean and warm. The house was everything I expected and the photos are 100% accurate. The Internet worked perfectly and was fast enough to even stream movies. The home has both wifi (to use your own device) and a laptop available for guest use. I downloaded an iPhone app called talkatone and was able to make international calls for free over the wifi. There are several iguanas that live on the property. During the day they like to bask in the sunshine on the roof of the house. Usually at the hottest time of the day we could see 4 iguanas on the roof at once and my son sleeping in the hammock under the tiki hut. We heard monkeys in the trees and a few blocks from the house we saw a howler monkey family (with a tiny baby) very close up in a fruit tree. I got great pictures! The property is gated. At night there is a guard dog that roams the property. The house is at the far south end of Playa Samara which is the nicest part of the beach. It's about half a block walk from the house to the beach. A short walk further south on the beach there is a small cove (just beyond some rocks) which provides seclusion and a very calm swimmimg area. This was my favorite spot! It takes about 40 minutes to stroll up the beach into town. It is also a short walk down the road to Playa Carillo. This beach has picnic tables and benches along the palm lined shore. About a 30 min driive north from Samara is the beautiful white sand beach called Playa Barrigona. You need 4 wheel drive to get to this one. Some people park and walk the rough road. This beach is very worth the effort and yet you will often have this pristine playa all to yourself. I also recommend a drive south of Carillo. The road winds through some small towns and goes high into the mountains, but it's also paved and easy driving. It's a beautiful drive. We thoroughly enjoyed our week in Samara at Casa Pacifica. While Samara is a sleepy little beach town, we found there was plenty to do and see...... Or just kick back and enjoy the amenities of this lovely home.

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children.

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Perfect Home Away from Home

Guest Brian
Date of stay 04/28/12
Review Submitted 05/15/12

We had a superb week while staying at Case Pacifica. The house was only a 2 minutes walk from Samara beach and a 10 minutes walk from Carrillo beach. Carrillo beach is best if you were looking for shade under some palm trees. Both beaches are very quiet and uncrowded. The people in Samara village are very friendly and helpful. We usually walked on the beach to get to and from village, but for when we didn't feel like it we would take a taxi for 6$ for a one-way trip. There are some nice restaurants along the Samara beach at the village. We would usually eat lunch at the village and then some individuals of our group would take turns cooking a fantastic meal for diner. The kitchen was well equipped with the utilities we needed to cook everything we wanted. Everyone slept very comfortably. It was best to wake up early (6AM) to be able to enjoy most of the day's sunlight. We had Adriana cook us breakfast a couple times - she was really nice and very helpful! We did a day-trip to Monteverde Cloud Forest with Carrillo Tours (who are conveniently located up the road from Casa Pacifica!). We will surely be returning for another vacation at Casa Pacifica in the future.

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

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Great times were had!

Guest Jacques
Date of stay 04/28/12
Review Submitted 05/15/12

A group of us friends stayed there and had an awesome time. The cleaning lady and pool boy/yard maintenance/taxi driver were really friendly and nice. They both don't speak much English but we were lucky to have Spanish speakers within our group to help translate. The property is very well maintained and the house was really clean. The pool was a treat to help cool down. The town is either a 2$, 2 minute cab away or 30 min. walk down the beach. It's a good, beautiful walk so I can't complain. We got put in contact with a tour company that took care of picking us up at the airport and bringing us to the house (about a 3 hour drive). They also stopped at a store for us to pick some food up. They drove us to Montevede for some zipline and we also did a horse back riding tour with them.

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

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Great house, exactly as described

Guest Mj
Date of stay 03/19/12
Review Submitted 03/23/12

We had a great (but short) stay at Casa Pacifica. House is in great condition and exactly as described. Pool was fantastic way to spend the day watching the local wildlife.

Recommended for: Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, sightseeing.

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Excellent Family Vacation Spot

Guest reeme
Date of stay 01/14/12
Review Submitted 01/24/12

We had a wonderful stay at Casa Pacifica! The house is beautiful and set up in a nice way for multiple couples to have privacy and still have a great space to hang out all together. The caretakes were very helpful and the daily cleaning was a nice service given the amount of sand that followed us inside from the beach. Samara beach is indeed just a few minute walk from the house, but to the actual town is a full 30-40 minute walk down the beach--much longer than we expected. Carrillo beach is also a short walk away, but again, the town is on the other end of the beach, about a 30 minute walk away. We did not rent a car thinking that the towns themselves would be closer, so instead ended up renting bikes ($10 a day) to be able to get to and from more easily, or gettting cab rides ($6 each way). The snorkeling just off the beach and around the island is nothing to write home about but was fun anyway. It was nice to be able to use the kayaks from the house, and we also tried the local Wingnuts zipline and renting boogie boards for the waves which were both fun and reasonably priced. We used Carrillo Tours for our transportation to and from the airport which was very easy to arrange and they were always right on time. If we did this again we would probably rent a car to be able to get to explore neighboring beaches and the surrounding area, but we did enjoy our time between the two towns/beaches of Samara and Carrillo.

Recommended for: Families with teenagers, families with young children.

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Fabulous place to stay in Costa Rica!

Guest Jane
Date of stay 02/03/11
Review Submitted 02/16/11

Casa Pacifica was a great place to stay! I went with friends but this would also be fun for 2 families - there is a ton of room to hang out. I loved the proximity to the beach, the great kitchen and the pool. House was well equiped with gear for the beach - went sea kayaking for the first time! It was great to walk back from the beach, cool off in the outdoor shower and hop in the pool. The house was very comfy but elegant, esp the master BRs. Location is great - close to town and other activities. Recommend Carillo Tours for horseback riding, Miss Sky for SCARY but awesome zipline and La Luna for a relaxing and elegant dining al fresco. I can't wait to go back!

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

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Beautiful home in a beautiful spot.

Guest Glav
Date of stay 01/20/11
Review Submitted 01/24/11

This place is great! Just a short drive out of the main town of Samara, but close enough to walk down the beach. And what a beautiful beach. The house is amazing as well with lot's of room, a big kitchen and areas to hang out, and a fantastic pool. The place is perfect for a family or group of friends. It is incredibly well stocked too. Tons of movies, books, board games and more for those nights you want to stay home. The owner Paul was a great help as well in setting everything up, and had lot's of great suggestions in what to do, where to eat and what to see. When I come back to Samara, I will try and stay here again for sure.

Recommended for: Families with teenagers, families with young children, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

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A Great Place to Stay!!!

Guest Roy
Date of stay 10/31/10
Review Submitted 11/16/10

Casa Pacifica is every bit as beautiful as portrayed in the photos. Situated in one of the best locations, very near the secluded beach and just outside of the town of Samara, this property had everything. We drove by some of the other properties we looked at on the internet before we committed to Casa Pacifica, and are convinced we made the right choice. Besides being spacious and well built, with granite cabinet tops, and high, teak ceilings in the living areas, the house was equipped with WIFI, laptops, a phone for local calls and a Skype phone to call back to the states. The rear covered porch and pool area are spacious and private, and the well maintained pool was definitely a plus. The grounds were spacious and neatly manicured. We saw some howler monkeys, colorful crabs and lots of native bird species right in the back yard. You won't find a better vacation home anywhere in or near the town of Samara. Go for it! P.S. The town of Samar is a great place to just chill. There are lots of good restaurants, many right on the beach. The food is good and the service friendly. We didn't do much at night, but noticed several bars, one advertising Reggae night that looked interesting.

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

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Great Choice for Samara

Guest Casa Las Nubes
Date of stay 07/25/10
Review Submitted 08/17/10

We're in the process of building our own home near Samara, so we have visited the area often over the past few years. Casa Pacifica is the best place we have stayed so far! It's set in a beautiful, tranquil spot, just off the highway, but just blocks to the beach. The house is enormous, and very comfortable; it's a great spot to enjoy the beauty of Samara and Costa Rica!

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

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Loved This House and Samara!!

Guest Bill
Date of stay 07/11/10
Review Submitted 07/21/10

After spending lots of $ on hotel rooms in Santo Domingo and Monteverde, we thought is was too good to be true to have a house this nice.... and a house this large...and a house this affordable, that would comfortably accomodate 8 of us. This place EXCEEDED our expectations. Our biggest stessor centered around who was going to get up first and make the coffee. We loved getting up and eating breakfast with the entire family around the huge dining table. The air conditioning was wonderful for sleeping at night. The kids loved the pool, and spent hours chasing around little lizards, and looking at the wildlife. After settling in, we went down to Jesse's surf shop (Samara Surf School), rented 8 boogy boards, and headed for Playa Carillo (1/4 mile to the south). Our days consisted of boogy boarding at Carillo in the morning, and surfing at Samara in the afternoon; and relaxing by the pool in the evening. We also took our rental 4x4's and explored beaches to the south (Playa Islita and Playa Coyote). This was our 4th visit to Costa Rica and we plan to return to this place!!!!!!!!!!

Recommended for: Families with teenagers, families with young children.

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casa pacifica review

Guest Anonymous
Date of stay 05/29/10
Review Submitted 06/13/10

I was extremely disappointed in the house. When we arrived, the house was dirty and in disrepair. The air conditioner was not on and the house itself, was close to 90 degrees inside. There were mosquitos, lizards and crabs everywhere inside the house upon arrival. There was no dishwasher, no computer, and the bedrooms were dirty. The outside area was also a disaster with stray dogs roaming about and an unclean, unkempt yard. We had to stay for one night because we got in so late on our first day, and my daughter woke up the next morning with a tick attached to her earlobe! We notified the "staff" that we would not be staying and left the next day--even though had paid to stay the whole week. Please be advised that this is not the house that is portrayed in the pictures!

Recommended for: Pet owners

Owner response: Obviously I am very concerned about the comments above - we have never had a renter react like this (see all the other reviews, almost every renter has loved the place). The renters did not register any complaints (until this review) and did not give us a chance to fix up any of the issues. Comments: - A/C was turned off when they arrived, to save energy - There can be some (but few) bugs & geckos in the house. We do spray, but it does not kill everything. - There are land crabs on the property (cute and harmless) in the rainy season (my kids love these) - There is not an electric dishwasher (we never said there was), our housekeeper does dishes (except for Sundays) - The computer was (and still is) in the computer room - The 'stray' dogs are not stray (but belong to our caretaker) and are harmless - The pictures on our web pages are recent, I can't see how they can portray our house different from what it is All that said, I am going to look into all concerns, and improve things that can be improved. We will continue to make sure the house and landscaping are in good shape going forward and we will make sure that future renters are aware of what to expect in a tropical climate.

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Best place to stay in Samara

Guest Mark
Date of stay 05/26/10
Review Submitted 07/01/10

This was our second time to Samara and our second time staying in Casa Pacifica. We loved our first trip to the house last year we just had to stay in here a second time. The house was just as perfect as we remembered our first trip. When first arrived Alonso, one of the house keepers, met us at the front door and walked us around the house showing us all of the amenities and to give us the keys. We used the back terrace a lot and just enjoyed sitting out back watching the Howler Monkeys eating from the trees and watching the little blue crabs scurry across the back wall. The mosquitoes were present but they were not terrible if you just put a little bit of bug spray on and lit some of the tiki torches they had available. (It is the rainy season, bugs are going to be present) The short walk to the beach was amazing, it only takes a good 3min walk down a private path to reach the water front and you get some of the best views in Samara. Casa Pacifica has everything anyone needs from a large assortment of DVDs to a couple of kayaks if you want to paddle your way out the the island just off the shore. The wireless internet connection in the house was fast and reliable and we were able to browse the web our entire stay. The beds were made up in the mornings and the A/C was way more than efficient at keeping the rooms cool at night. Overall the place was fantastic as usual and we couldn't have had more fun. We will be back next year and we will be staying at Casa Pacifica again! If you are visiting Costa Rica, make sure you stay at this wonderful house right near the beach.

Recommended for: Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

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Wonderful Getaway!!

Guest Mark
Date of stay 04/10/10
Review Submitted 07/08/10

We hadn't been back to Costa Rica in over 10 years, and what a terrific way to return! Casa Pacifica was exactly what we needed and expected. The large, open kitchen and living room allowed us to spread out and relax. The patio and pool were absolutely perfect for relaxing after dinner and a long day hiking, not to mention for watching the howler monkeys play. The kayaks at the house provided a perfect day paddle out around the island and along the coastline. A very short walk to the beach revealed breathtaking views of Samara and the unique central american sunsets. Wildlife was abundant (cool land crabs and lizards, as well as gorgeous butterflys and birds) and a perfect addition for this city dweller. We walked along the beach to town and ate very well - tried to compare and find the best arroz-con-pollo in town. We surfed (the beginners that we are) for $4 a day - can't beat that. Alonso and Adriana were wonderful hosts - the house was clean and comfortable, providing all of our necessities. Alonso was gracious - we even enjoyed playing with his dog. Overall an excellent experience with the house exceeding all of our expectations based on the description and pictures. We will certainly visit Samara again and Casa Pacifica will be our home while we're there!!

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

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Guest Thomas Warden
Date of stay 03/09/10
Review Submitted 03/09/10

What a beautiful place you have! And one of the closest homes to the most beautiful beaches for a sunset in all of Samara!! We really enjoyed our stay, and you provided everything we could possibly need. The pool was fantastic after a day of traveling to some of the out of the way places and beaches in Costa Rica. We hope to return to Costa Rica some day, and your home would be our no. 1 pick for a place to stay. It was GREAT!

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Guest Bennett Family
Date of stay 01/31/10
Review Submitted 01/31/10

Six of us, including two kids under 10, stayed at Casa Pacifica and had a WONDERFUL 5 days together over Christmas. The place is in great shape, and the caretakers do a very good job of keeping things in order (not to mention making EXCELLENT ceviche). We have been to Costa Rica many times, but this was our first time to Samara / Carillo. What a quaint town, akin to how Costa Rica was 10 years ago. Our family loved WingNuts Canopy Tour, Flying Crocodiles Gyrocopter Tours, surfing at Jesse's, horseback riding on the beach, Scuba Diving, and playing in the surf at Carillo. We highly recommend the area, and Casa Pacifica for families with children looking for an active but restful vacation.

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Loved Samara and loved Casa Pacifica!!

Guest Shelley
Date of stay 01/30/10
Review Submitted 07/08/10

My first trip to Costa Rica could not have been any better!! I travelled with five other moms on a girls' getaway. We enjoyed hanging out on the beach, kayaking to the island (thanks for providing the kayaks!), walking on the beach to Samara, shopping, and eating delicious seafood! The house was perfect for us. There was plenty of space in the four bedrooms so none of us minded sharing. The house was well-kept and clean. The pool, patio, and grounds were beautiful. We liked sitting on the patio in the mornings with our yummy Costa Rican coffee and listening to the howler monkeys. We even walked into the trees behind the house and were able to see a whole group of howler monkeys up close. My friend who loves photography got some amazing pictures of mother monkeys with babies hanging on their backs! Carillo Tours was very helpful in arranging our horse-back riding excursion. My favorite activity (besides eating and relaxing) was the zipline tour with WingNuts. It was so fun to be flying through the trees! I am looking forward to my next trip to Costa Rica and Casa Pacifica!

Recommended for: Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

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Sweet Sámara!

Guest Tiki
Date of stay 01/28/10
Review Submitted 07/08/10

What an exceptional girls' week we had at your home at Casa Pacífica! With six mommies (sans kids and spouses), we bonded, slept in, read books, checked out a lot of local fair, some of us went to a bull fight in Nicoya, some of us went on the zip line, and we all went horseback riding above the beaches. We kayaked, snorkeled, chatted, tidepooled, saw different-colored pufferfish, lots and lots of howler monkeys... I grew up in CR many a lifetime ago, and had missed it terribly. This was a rejuvenation for me and I recommend this house to any considering time in the tropics. Adriana was great assisting us (and cleaning up after us), Alonso was ready to assist in any way he could, and Victor was attentive at the pool and yard maintenance. The quick walk to the beach was great, and having the pool right there was refreshing too. We enjoyed our walks into and back from town whether we had flashlights or not. The owners are quick to respond to any concern (we did not have any) and want this to be a great experience for every single tenant. I will definitely be back. Hopefully with the kids next time!

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, sightseeing.

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Guest Krista15
Date of stay 01/08/10
Review Submitted 01/08/10

What a wonderful vacation and a perfect place to enjoy it. There were 3 couples plus 4 kids and a nanny and there was plenty of room. We never once felt like we were on top of each other. The house is absolutely beautiful and very comfortable. We loved the open living area and kitchen and everything (including each bedroom) could open up into the pool area. The kitchen had everything we needed. One night we were cooking and didn't have a certain spice and Alonso and Adrianna lent us theirs. Adrianna made us a lovely breakfast one morning and showed us a few things that we could easily make back home as well (the food is really good!). Our kids all said the best part of the trip was the pool. It certainly was a peaceful place to relax. The beach was only a short walk. Every day we went down there (and at all different times of day), you'd be lucky to see a handful of people walking it. From the beach we could walk into town (during lower tide--there is a small river to cross). The beach near the house had calmer waves it seemed and in town we'd go to rent boogie boards and surf boards as the tide came in..it seemed like bigger waves on that end. We got to kayak which was great! There are lots of nice places to sit and eat or have a drink right on the beach. The feel of the town and it's people is very laid back. We absolutely would recommend this house to our friends and family and we really look forward to visiting again someday. Also--as I was planning this trip, I had emailed Paul several times with various questions. He always responded that day...usually within a couple hours. Thank you so much to Paul and his wife and to Alonso and Adrianna for making our first trip to Costa Rica so wonderful!

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Great vacation!

Guest Mike
Date of stay 12/16/09
Review Submitted 07/15/10

What a fantastic vacation! My first trip to Costa Rica and can't wait to return. Casa Pacifica was fabulous - all the amenities you could ever want and clean, spacious and comfortable. Loved all the wildlife surrounding the property (howler monkeys, birds, butterflies, iguanas). The location was perfect. Easy walk along the beach to town for dining, surfing, shopping, sunning, etc. The Van Raay's have done a fantastic job providing bikes, kayaks, movies, games, phone, internet, etc. The pool was the perfect way to end the day and enjoy the aforementioned wildlife. And to top it all off the caretakers added a truly "personal touch" to the whole experience. Thank you to the Van Raay's for a perfect vacation - Casa Pacifica was every bit as good as advertised and then some!

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

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Guest utah travelers
Date of stay 07/04/09
Review Submitted 07/04/09

Thank you ~ thank you! Our sentiments echo all the other reviewers so will keep it short.A group of us stayed at Casa Pacifica for a week in late April early May '09. We had the best time ever! The house is lovely and Paul was great to work with. We were a group of 5 adults (one couple, three singles) and found the house and location to be perfect. We spent time on both Samara and Carillo beaches, in town, kayaked out to the nearby island and did a boat tour.Alonso and Adriana were fantastic!! They prepared an amazing traditional dinner for us on our last night and it was so yummy! The backyard, with the pool, monkeys, iquanas and birds made it really hard to leave, even just to go to the beach! The kayaks, snorkel gear, bikes, mp3/ipod compatible stereo - all bonuses! We also recommend William at Carillo Tours who we arranged our transportation for the whole of our trip with (we visited Monteverde, the Arenal/La Fortuna areas, and flew out of San Jose). He was also so accommodating and terrific!We would not hesitate to recommend Casa Pacifica and already have. It was all of our first trip to Costa Rica and it was wonderful! Thank you Van Raays as well as Alonso – Adriana & Chary! There was not a single negative with our trip and any of us would be grateful for a return visit.Traci – Chad – Brenda – Mike and Holly

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Guest N. Ozboya
Date of stay 06/10/09
Review Submitted 06/10/09

Four of us spent four days at the end of May at Casa Pacifica, and we enjoyed every minute of it. The house is very beautiful and comfortable, and equipped with almost everything you may need, from band-aids to kayaks. You get to see the howler monkeys, parrots, crabs, and other wild life just sitting by the pool. They have a nice collection of DVDs, books and games to keep everybody occupied. For the ones who cannot get away from work, the wireless internet connection works great. If you do not have your notebook, there is also a computer with internet connection.We did not have a chance to use the bikes, but we used Paul’s equipment to kayak to the nearby island for snorkeling, which was a lot fun. We tried several restaurants in the downtown area, and we liked the Esmeralda where you can have traditional Costa Rican dishes and seafood at very reasonable prices. We also liked El Colibri, the Argentinian restaurant in Carrillo, with great steak dinners. The caretaker couple, Adriana and Alonso, were very friendly and helpful. She prepared an excellent red snapper dinner for us, definitely the best seafood we had at Samara. We also visited La Selva, an animal rescue park/zoo operated by a very knowledgeable lady, where we saw several local wild animals rescued by them. The type and number of animals obviously change all the time, as they release most of the rescued animals back into the wild, once they grow up or recover. On the way to the zoo, stop at the bridge over the river and watch the crocodiles.Overall it was a very enjoyable stay for us at Casa Pacifica and we strongly recommend it.

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Guest Norris Phillips
Date of stay 04/26/09
Review Submitted 04/26/09

We cannot say enough about your fabulous accommodations AND our trip to Samara!! Your house is just beautiful, so spacious, and perfectly equipped for any group. My husband and our 2 children (ages 14 and 9) stayed for a week and did NOT want to leave. Alonso was so personable and incredibly helpful to us, arranging a horseback ride on the beach and a dolphin watching/snorkeling trip, and answering any questions we had. Adrianna's breakfasts were amazing, and she kept the house spotless each day. The howler monkeys in the woods behind your house were a huge hit, as well as the iguanas, birds, geckos, and crabs that we saw. The local zoo/wildlife refuge in Carillo was wonderful - we highly recommend it. The woman who works there rescues injured/abandoned animals and helps reintroduce them into the wild whenever possible. The day we went, she had a baby howler monkey who was adorable!! She also had crocodiles, boas, turtles, toucans, owls, bats, iguanas, and numerous other animals. Both of our kids tried surfing lessons in Samara, which was a lot of fun for them (and they were both able to get up and catch a couple of waves!). They also loved the local sno-cones (called copoz, I think), which included sweetened condensed milk, making them creamy and delicious! The town of Samara was so fun to walk around, shop, and try different restaurants. It was truly one of the most relaxing, fun, and interesting vacations our family has had - We can't thank you enough!!! Norris and Jeff Phillips

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Guest The Gonzo's
Date of stay 04/09/09
Review Submitted 04/09/09

My wife and I spent 12 days at Casa Pacifica with our two young children (3 and 6). The house and pool are perfect for families with children and could hold a very large group. We enjoyed our time so much we all agreed on the 3rd day we would book next year upon our return. The Villa is very well equiped with bikes, kayaks and accesories necessary for an active family. Importantly, the house and grounds including pool are very well maintained something not always found in the tropics. We enjoyed Adrianna's breakfasts and Alonso was quite helpful arranging a fishing trip that was perfectly tailored to young children with short attention spans. Can't wait to get back!

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Guest Anonymous
Date of stay 03/31/09
Review Submitted 03/31/09

Dear Paul, I am writing to thank you and your staff for the exemplary job that was done to make our wedding reception the wonderful event that it was. Alonso and Adrianna did an outstanding job of pulling it all together. The food was delicious; the setting was beautiful; they were very gracious and their family worked with them to make it a near perfect event. It was all that I imagined it would be. We were very pleased. Thank you for the gift of ceviche ... it was a hit! It has been a long time since I have had it ... I have a friend in Maine who used to make it when we would visit her and I had forgotten how much I really like it. Your home is beautiful, very comfortable and perfectly located. Congratulations on your choice of setting, decorations, staff etc... I could go on! From the Samara web-site, we chose to book an additional room at The Hideaway Hotel, assuming only that we would share a beach. We were shocked when we arrived and found out that it is the hotel next door. WOW! What a great surprise. The week was filled with great surprises. Bottom line ... thank you ... we hope to visit again ... we hope to stay in touch. Sandi and Terry

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Guest Springer Family
Date of stay 03/20/09
Review Submitted 03/20/09

Our trip to Casa Pacifica included 8 adults and 3 small children (i.e. not a small group). This gorgeous house fit us all more than comfortably and offered all the amenities you would want. The location was ideal – quick walk to the beaches or short drive to town – yet it was private, with beautiful landscaping. Paul, Alonzo and Adriana were awesome! Thank you Van Raay family, we will recommend you to our closest friends (though don’t get too booked up, ‘cause we want to come back!).

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Guest Elice
Date of stay 03/18/09
Review Submitted 03/18/09

Thank you Van Raay's for sharing your home with us. We had an INCREDIBLE time! That was our favorite vacation we have ever had, by far. Your house is lovely, and we especially appreciated the books and videos. Alonso and Adriana were kind and helpful and Adriana's food was fantastic. We love Samara and Carillo. Thank you for helping us have such a wonderful experience! Sincerely, Elice

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Guest Elmer and Cathy Enns
Date of stay 01/21/09
Review Submitted 01/21/09

Our stay at Casa Pacifica was fabulous. We really enjoyed the hospitality of Adriana and Alonso, who are a lovely young couple. We were given a lot of helpful information for interesting and fun things to do in the area. Adrianna cooked some wonderful fresh meals for us. Being able to use the bikes, kayaks, boogy boards etc were extra touches that really made it very easy to settle in and enjoy our stay there. Our family voted this favorite stop of the six places we stayed while in Costa Rica (followed closely by the Hotel La Mansion in Arenal, which was also just spectacular). We are hooked and certainly hope to travel back to stay at Casa Pacifica again. We highly recommend this place to anyone. Thank you again - Cathy and Elmer Enns Rosthern, SK. Canada

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Guest Myron Shear
Date of stay 01/07/09
Review Submitted 01/07/09

We just got back from a week at Casa Pacifica, Dec 12-19. It was a wonderful vacation, and our first visit to Costa Rica. The house is even nicer than I expected from the pictures. Everything about the house is first class. We had four couples in our family group, plus a 9-month old baby, and there was plenty of room for all of us in the villa. The two master suites are great with huge attached bathrooms, and the other two bedrooms and bath are fine. We swam in the pool, walked to both Playa Samara and Playa Carillo, and used the kayaks to go around the island. The housekeeper, Adriana is very sweet. She did a great job of keeping the house clean, and she even babysat for the 9-month old some of the time. Alonso, her husband, was very helpful too. Alonso arranged to have horses brought to the house. We rode on the beach. We enjoyed the Samara zipline canopy tour. We took a day trip to Arenal Volcano -- it makes a long day, but well worth it. We swam in the hot volcanic pools at the Los Lagos Resort beside Arenal. (Warning, watch out for the water slides as one person in our group had to get stitches in his head, when he hit it on the slide. The long water slide was a bit violent. However, the Costa Rican medical care turned out to be very nice, and free.) We would love to return to this house. It was all terrific!

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Guest Arlene5
Date of stay 12/16/08
Review Submitted 12/16/08

We had a fabulous time at Playa Samara and Casa Pacifica as well as all the other places we visited in Costa Rica. Casa Pacifica was even nicer than it looked on the internet! We treated my husband’s parents to Casa Pacifica and the four of us had a wonderful time. The layout of the house was perfect for us with the two master suites. We loved the large pool and enjoyed many late afternoons sipping wine while we floated in the pool. We enjoyed both beaches and kayaked to the island twice. We walked into town via the beach one morning and another morning we cycled on the beach. On our last evening, there was an amazing sunset. It was the most brilliant orange sky we had seen in all our travels over the world.

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Guest Kerry W.
Date of stay 05/21/08
Review Submitted 05/21/08

We rented the house the last week in April. Nearly perfect weather (warm/dry) the entire week. Kids (13 & 14) really enjoyed the trip. I highly recommend getting a 4 wheel drive and explore. We drove across rivers, tried to get lost, etc. We went ATV'ing (Monkey Tours - GREAT fun), horseback riding, zip lines, fishing, beach fires and Ultralight flights. All were a good time. The house is very nice (new). I enjoyed waking at 4:45am each day to watch the sun rise, drink CR coffee, end hear the howler monkeys in the back yard (we saw them everyday, up close). Plus we had birds and even horses walking just beyong the pool. A stop at the grocery 1/2 way from Liberia is manditory. Stock up for the week! We missed it and had to shop locally 100%. Supplies were a bit limited and prices are higher. Plan to bring everything you need, including spices, etc. This house is new and most of those items are not available. Lastly, bring adventure-seeking friends willing to explore. Although I did not get a single bug bite, everything is alive in CR. The crabs came inshore one night and it was very cool to watch. Alonzo and his wife were very gratious hosts, and did a great job keeping the house clean, directions etc. We did not experience any safety of theft related issues the entire trip. Enjoy CR. Thanks Paul!

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Guest Deborah Tillman
Date of stay 02/13/08
Review Submitted 02/13/08

This was our first trip to Costa Rica and it was great. The villa was wonderful, plenty of room, fruit trees in the back yard and your private pool right out back. We had a lot of fun, we went to the zoo, the beaches which were beautiful, did some kayaking, snorkeling and bike riding. We spent a lot of time just hanging out at the pool relaxing and that was really nice. We made trips to town daily to shop and try different restaurants. Adriana & Alonzo were very nice and always there to help out. Thanks to the Van Raay family for sharing there villa with us. We had a wonderful vacation and look forward to going back one day.

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Guest Vicky McLean
Date of stay 02/07/08
Review Submitted 02/07/08

This was the best vacation ever. My first trip to Costa Rica will be most memorable due to the generosity and hospitality of the Van Raay family and their grounds/housekeeper. The Villa is so relaxing and beautiful. Adriana and Alonzo are so sweet and very helpful, I must say it was very nice to have a clean beach towel available every morning. The toughest decision during the day was whether to stay at the pool or go to the incredible beaches. We did venture into town everyday and have drinks, lunch or dinner, but we also bought groceries and cooked at the villa. I must say the boys got very good at making fruit drinks. Thanks for allowing us to experience this beautiful country with the luxery of your villa, it is simply breath taking.

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Guest Gerardo Chaves
Date of stay 01/11/08
Review Submitted 01/11/08

Our stay in this property was very pleasant given the great location, ammenities of the house and overall quality of the property. With it's easy access to the pool from any room and large comfortable living room area the two families with children we had had a lot of fun. The service personnel was also very helpful in guiding us regarding local sites and kept the house clean and well stocked with clean towels. If you plan on visiting Samara this is the place to stay!

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Guest Michelle Ragusa
Date of stay 01/06/08
Review Submitted 01/06/08

I love to travel around the world, and have been to numerous places...yet this recent trip to Costa Rica has quickly worked it's way to one of my favorite places of all time. The Villa is gorgeous, spacious, and paradise. The house keeper Adrianna and her Husband Alonso were sweet, kind, and extremely helpful. The Location was minutes from the beach and we saved a ton of money by the kayaks and snorkel gear which was available to us on the premises. We kayaked to a nearby island, walked up and down the beach to the local town meeting all the locals and trying several typical dishes and drinks along the way. The town offered us many things to do as well, such as zip line canopy tours (like Tarzan), Scuba, and trips to see the volcano in Arenal. We took a horseback ride of the beach/mountains/rainforrest. We hiked through and explored rain/dry forrests and waterfalls. Costa Rica is equistie, and the rental home was beyond wildest expectations. I would go again in a heart beat and sincerely reccomend it to all.

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Vacation Rentals by Owner

Luxury by the Beach - Great for Families or Multiple Couples [#144353] | View Property

Traveler Reviews (36)

2 couples from Canada

2 couples from Canada

Wonderful Place to Stay

Wonderful Place to Stay

Nicest home within walking distance of the beach.

Nicest home within walking distance of the beach.

Perfect Home Away from Home

Perfect Home Away from Home

Great times were had!

Great times were had!

Great house, exactly as described

Great house, exactly as described

Excellent Family Vacation Spot

Excellent Family Vacation Spot

Fabulous place to stay in Costa Rica!

Fabulous place to stay in Costa Rica!

Beautiful home in a beautiful spot.

Beautiful home in a beautiful spot.

A Great Place to Stay!!!

A Great Place to Stay!!!

Great Choice for Samara

Great Choice for Samara

Loved This House and Samara!!

Loved This House and Samara!!

casa pacifica review

casa pacifica review

Best place to stay in Samara

Best place to stay in Samara

Wonderful Getaway!!

Wonderful Getaway!!

Loved Samara and loved Casa Pacifica!!

Loved Samara and loved Casa Pacifica!!

Sweet Sámara!

Sweet Sámara!

Great vacation!

Great vacation!