Gorgeous New Mountain Oasis with Privacy, View and Pool!

• Kick Your Feet Up*

  Kick Your Feet Up*

  • Guest Stephanie B.
  • Date of stay 04/06/13
  • Review Submitted 04/22/13
  Atop of a hill in the local town of Atenas, with the kindest people, away from tourism, equipped with full relaxation! I quickly began to love my peaceful morning, afternoon and evening walks, surrounded by a beautiful landscape. And this spacious home was mine for a week! Yes! Absolutely do not miss a chance to visit Los Churros waterfall, the experience is wonderful and the directions, though may seem intimidating, are very clear and concise. I wish I had more days during my vacation, because I would have visited this waterfall a few more times with a packed cooler of sandwiches, some beer and my sketch book. I could easily spend all day there. Some days I did not want to leave the house, because I was so comfortable lounging around, experiencing the serene landscape. I tried to mix up my days, so I would have an adventurous day and then a hang out day. I convinced my husband that sometimes it's nice to do nothing. The house is kept so well and it's just nice to hang out there. You have fans everywhere if you want to turn them on, you have outlets in every area of the house, indoor and outdoor. At night you have the option of being away from the bugs, only some nights they would get greedy for light, and the house was designed with screens along every vent so you can close them out whenever you want. I cannot think of any other way I would like to spend my vacation. I had the freedom to be in my own private abode and then leave and experience more touristy attractions. If you're renting a car always make sure to get as much information as you can beforehand. My experience with renting a car was fine, but I guarantee you if you come equipped with all of your research involving car rentals you will have a speedy check in and check out. For me, I always like to get those things out of the way. The grocery store was no more than 10 minutes away, maybe less, and it had everything I needed. Note: The Milk cartons looks just like the Cultured Milk, so read those labels, because I accidentally bought two cartons of cultured milk which I had no use for. There is a plentiful amount of towels in the bathroom, for bathroom use and outdoor use, which was very nice, I did not have to do wash very often, instead I would do one full load. Even though there is a dryer, it was great to be able to wash my clothes and hang them up outside to dry in the fresh air. I can't wait to go back and spend my time here in Costa Rica.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

• We Didn't Want To Leave

  We Didn't Want To Leave

  • Guest Griff
  • Date of stay 03/23/13
  • Review Submitted 04/13/13
  My wife and I, together with her sister and husband, spent Easter week at this lovely home in the mountains just outside of Atenas. After an initial couple of hours of culture shock (we're from New York), we quickly became seduced by the Pura Vida lifestyle. The town, the people, the hard packed dirt roads, the farmer's market, and, yes, the house captivated all four of us. From here we ventured to the Poas Volcano, the Le Paz Waterfalls, the Toledo organic coffee plantation, etc. and we loved every minute of it. The house is first rate and the supporting staff are terrific. We will return.

  Recommended for: Sightseeing, adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, romantic getaway.

  Owner response: We are so glad that you enjoyed yourselves! We'd love to have you back anytime you need some more "pura vida"

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

• Would go back in a heartbeat

  Would go back in a heartbeat

  • Guest Constance C.
  • Date of stay 01/13/13
  • Review Submitted 02/01/13
  My husband and I and another couple have just returned from two weeks at this villa. It was perhaps the most beautiful, peaceful, relaxing place we have ever stayed. It was the perfect size for two couples – whether we wanted to be together or spend time in our own space. The architecture of the house gives you limitless opportunities to open the sliding glass doors and let the outside in, while the shaded patios have many spaces to just sit and look at the views or gather and chat. The intimate swimming pool offered a refreshing dip at the end of the day. The high quality finishes and handsome furnishings enhanced the pleasing and inviting spaces. The house is very well appointed – if you want to cook, just about everything you need is there. We alternated among cooking, eating out (at a couple of very good restaurants in Atenas), and having Heidi, the housekeeper, cook for us if we were coming back to the villa late. Her dinners were always delicious. Jaime, the gardener, came by several times a week to take care of the gardens and the pool, and one day picked a bag full of mandarin oranges for us from the trees just down the hill. Leticia, the property manager, was always helpful. We felt very well taken care of. The house is at the top of a hill in a small gated community, about ten minutes from Atenas, but a world away from the bustle of the town. It is amazingly sited so that it is very private but allows you to see for miles to the mountains on two sides. It is perfectly situated for day trips (such as to the Toledo Coffee Plantation or Poaz and the La Paz Waterfall Gardens), and makes a good base if you want to travel further afield and spend a night or two somewhere else. If you are a bird lover, however, you might just want to stay at the villa and see what comes by – we saw keel-billed toucans, Montezuma oropendolas, a large flock of great crested flycatchers, brown jays, a family of noisy rufous-naped wrens and several different hummingbirds every day, and also a crested caracara, a grey-headed chachalaca, masked tityras, Hoffmann’s woodpecker, and numerous other birds we never did identify. We enjoyed the many places we saw in Costa Rica, but being in this marvelous house for two weeks was the biggest treat of all. We could hardly tear ourselves away.

  Recommended for: Sightseeing, people with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, romantic getaway.

  Owner response: We are so glad that you enjoyed your stay in Costa Rica and you loved our house as much as we hoped you would! Thank you for sharing your experience with us. Jaime just cut us a huge cluster bananas from one of our plants and we have it hanging on the beams awaiting a little further ripening. We would love to have you back anytime you need a little paradise!

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1

• Heaven in Atenas Costa Rica

  Heaven in Atenas Costa Rica

  • Guest Robert
  • Date of stay 10/12/12
  • Review Submitted 10/25/12
  I want to use so many adjectives to describe this place...awesome , magnificent, peaceful, beautiful..etc. It was beyond what we expected and more than what we could have hoped for. Leticia was a gem of helpfulness..Hildi the housekeeper was an amazing cook..I could not have asked for a better place to "mend" from the rigors of work and stress. I didn't want to leave the house for the 1st three days everything around us was so beautiful. I am now in a predicament because I would absolutely love to live there, and since returning to the states I have been actively seeking a way to plan for it. I'm back at work and all of my freinds can still see the "glow" around me from a vacation that was the best ever. Liz thanks sooo much for sharing your amazing home with us...it was beyond beautiful and amazingly relaxing; my wife and I thank you so much!

  Recommended for: Sightseeing, adventure seekers, age 55+, romantic getaway, families with young children, girls getaway.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 5/5

• AMAZING

  AMAZING

  • Guest patrick c.
  • Date of stay 08/11/12
  • Review Submitted 08/22/12
  This home is even more amazing than the pictures. It is a perfect retreat. We stayed with our three year old daughter and she did not want to leave. She loved the pool. The setting was perfect. There is nothing like sitting outside and having amazing Costa Rican coffee and fresh fruit from the local market for breakfast. The home is ideally located in a perfect little town that is an easy driving distance for day trips to Manuel Antonio, Pacific beaches, Paos volcano, and other spots. There are some great restaurants in town and a supermarket if you prefer to cook. The housekeeper is lovely and the manager, Letecia, is very helpful and a delightful person. I would not hesitate to recommend this home to anyone considering a trip to the beautiful country of Costa Rica. We spent a week there in August. While it rained most every day (green season), it was predictable. The weather was otherwise perfect. We were surprised how temperate it was given the proximity to the equator. We got an early start each day and did some sightseeing and returned each afternoon to a brief shower that gave way to stunning evenings perfect for some sundowners. Keep an eye out for the pair of Toucans that visit the property. Pura Vida!

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 5/5

• Paradise Found - Beyond Your Wildest Dreams

  Paradise Found - Beyond Your Wildest Dreams

  • Guest Jim M.
  • Date of stay 06/05/12
  • Review Submitted 06/16/12
  Where to start in describing the peace, serenity, and elegance of this villa. It is simply STUNNING. The grounds, the villa itself are all kept immaculately. Owners Liz and Judd have been much too modest in their descriptions and photos. The Bali-style architecture is extraordinarily executed with gorgeous glass sliding Shoji-type doors so that all of the walls open into the beautiful outdoors. The temperatures (because you're in the mountains) are perfect - no A/C is in the house and you don't need it. We slept most nights with the doors wide open enjoying the tropical trade winds wafting through the house. If you love nature and want to treat yourself to a week of luxury like you won't find many places in this world - this is the place to do it; and the price is an incredible bargain. We will be back, and often. Atenas is a quite little town; not many fancy restaurants, but the people are kind, welcoming, and accommodating. We spent 13 days here and loved every minute of it. The house manager, Leticia couldn't have been nicer, and we had the housekeeper Heidi come and cook us two scrumptious Costa Rican meals. Treat yourself to this one of a kind opportunity!

  Owner response: Jim, Thank you so much for your wonderful review we greatly appreciate receiving your comments. We're so glad you enjoyed your stay at the house and we hope you return very soon. Judd and I are working on a blog about our house and all the adventures we have while we're in CR. If we had a great meal or discover something new we'll post it. Hope you'll follow. Thanks again, Pura Vida. Liz

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 5/5

• Amazing Atenas Villa!

  Amazing Atenas Villa!

  • Guest Eric J.
  • Date of stay 11/13/11
  • Review Submitted 12/30/11
  Just looking at photos and reviews online, it can be hard to get a sense of what a place will truly be like. And who doesn’t want to find the best place possible to spend a special time? Bottom line: there’s a reason this villa is consistently rated 5 out of 5 stars. For vacationers looking for a relaxing, private home in a beautiful, uniquely Costa Rican setting, it simply doesn’t get more perfect than this. My husband and I honeymooned here for a week, and we couldn’t have been more thrilled or appreciative of our stay. True to the gorgeous photos, the house, its grounds, and living areas are thoughtfully and luxuriously appointed. Thinking back to our time there, I’m overcome by the memories of deep relaxation, the romance of the setting, and the peacefulness of being truly a world apart from our daily routines. When we did venture out, Dennis was an extraordinary asset. He helped us get a preferential booking at the fabulous Tabacon Hot Springs, and knowing he was just a phone call away was so helpful for we non-Spanish speakers. Dennis also helped us book private pool-side massages at the villa for a very reasonable rate, and also arranged for Haydee to cook a sumptuous meal for us. We also loved finding our way around Atenas and the nearby villages (car rental is highly recommended, though bring your best defensive driving skills!). One of our favorite finds was Kay’s Gringo Postres just down the hill – a local breakfast shop and bakery run by American expats who thrive on welcoming newcomers to Atenas. After talking with them, it’s very easy to be lured into the expat life! Next time we’d go to great lengths to rent a GPS along with a car – they were sold out when we were there, and as a consequence we took a number of unintended detours navigating Costa Rica. (But what amazing scenery! Absolutely breathtaking.) Also, the house is perfect for two couples - I’d bring another adult couple to share the space and enjoy sunsets sipping wine while looking out over the mountains. We will be returning, so book this villa NOW, before we snatch up your vacation week in paradise.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 4/4

• Beautiful, private home-outside charming Atenas!

  Beautiful, private home-outside charming Atenas!

  • Guest Peter V.
  • Date of stay 11/06/11
  • Review Submitted 11/21/11
  We had a great week! Thanks again! We loved staying at your beautiful place in Costa Rica. Atenas is the perfect mix of beautiful weather, friendly people, quiet town atmosphere etc. And it's just wonderful that it's not overflowing with tourists. Your house is fantastic and when we show pictures to people back here in the states they are impressed. Dennis, the property manager, was very helpful. He picked up groceries for us in advance (we asked him to pick up a few items), helped us pick a fun adventure to the Hotel Golfo and Adventure Park for a zipline waterfall tour, gave us a jump when our car's battery was dead, etc. He was a great help in many ways.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 2/2

• Really, Really Cool Place to Stay

  Really, Really Cool Place to Stay

  • Guest Don R.
  • Date of stay 07/03/11
  • Review Submitted 07/20/11
  My wife, 2 of my kids (ages 17 and 13), and I stayed at this wonderful home in early July 2011. I was totally impressed with the unique layout, private location, and incredible views that the home provided my family and me. We have stayed at numerous VRBO homes over the past many years and this home was without a doubt one of the neatest places we have ever stayed. The property managers, Gerardo and Dennis, in Atenas were awesome......very helpful and friendly. Atenas is a great base location to tour Costa Rica with a super climate, wonderful restaurants, and very friendly people. I would highly recommend Atenas and this home. Last thing, the WI-FI worked perfectly for us.

  Recommended for: Sightseeing, adventure seekers, families with teenagers.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 4/4

• Absolutely Wonderful Experience

  Absolutely Wonderful Experience

  • Guest Andy, Kathleen & Alysha Innerkip, ON Canada
  • Date of stay 05/12/11
  • Review Submitted 06/10/11
  We stayed at Pica Flora May 12-20,2011 and as I look at the pictures on my desktop I wish I were there again. Beautiful house and setting for two 60 years olds and their 19 year old grand daughter. We slept at night with the doors open in the master bedroom, it was like camping in a king-size bed but much more comfortable. Hardly any insects and despite the humidity we found that being so high provided welcomed mountain breezes. We were amazed by the size of the toads and the number of hummingbirds that frequented the feeder. The residents of Atenas were delightful peoples and at the Friday farmers market one vendor actually came to find us because we had overpaid! The property manager was extremely helpful and we had no trouble navigating our way around the country with the aid of a GPS which I recommend because they really don't have street addresses as we do in North America. Thnak you so much for sharing your lovely home with us and we look forward to returning in the future.

  Recommended for: Sightseeing, adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, romantic getaway.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 4/4

March 6- Sept 6,2013... $1200/week 
Sept 7-Nov 15, 2013 ...$900/week
Nov 16-Dec 20, 2013 ...$1300/week 
Dec 21, 2013 - Jan 3, 2014 $1500/ week 
Jan 4-April26, 2014 ....$1300/week 
A 50% non refundable deposit is required to hold the reservation.
$35 cleaning fee
$35 Administration fee

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