Vacation Rentals by Owner

Seaside Serenity

Guest: Rick C.
Date of Stay: 03/12/12 Review Submitted: 03/28/12

What can I say, the pictures don't do Storms and Amy's home justice. You wake up to a beautiful view of the mountains to your left with the the sunrise cresting and to your right a spectacular view of the pacific ocean in Dominical. Their mountainside home, a stones throw from the beach (literally) is tastefully appointed and well thought out in its design and amenities. Everything was clean and there were plenty of sheets and towels there. We had some internet problems and Storm and Amy were on it 1,2,3. After surfing every day or hiking in the jungle, coming back to the house and taking advantage of your own private pool was a fantastic benefit to renting this unit. Air conditioning was spot on and very comfortable. Make sure you stop by their restaurant Bar Jolly Rodger! Best wings and cold beers in town! Can't wait to come back next year!!!!

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Mar. 2012

Guest: JR (West Linn, OR )
Date of Stay: 03/05/12 Review Submitted: 03/18/12

Our stay at Storm & Amy's villa was wonderful. The view of the surf is great and we had everything we could have asked for. The sound of the surf is a pleasant background and we used the private pool multiple times every day. Storm & Amy are responsive and helpful it providing directions and lining up tour. This was one of our very best vacations.

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

Great country & great place!!!

Guest: Alan D.
Date of Stay: 02/27/12 Review Submitted: 03/13/12

My wife and I, along with our son and his family that included a 3 & 6 yr old, decided that we'd try Costa Rica for the first time after repeated trips to Mexico. We can't say enough about the quality and setting of Storm & Amy's unit! It truly is everything that previous reviews have said, and the photos don't do justice to the unit. The home has all the modern conveniences,- a full size washer & dryer, dishwasher, large hot water tank, and a great fridge and oven. The view overlooking Playa Dominicalita is truly stunning. Storm and his family live 'on-site,' and so they are available on almost a moment's notice to answer any questions or to stop by to check out something. The unit served as an ideal base from which we set out on daily excursions visiting different beaches, nature reserves, and even a music festival 10 min south in Uvita. We had most of our lunches in the unit, cooked some dinners at home, and ate out several other nights. Storm's 'Jolly Roger' Restaurant high up in the hills is a must, and we also enjoyed Tortilla Flats on the beach in Dominical. The Costa Rican people are educated and friendly, and they seemed to exhibit a sense of pride in their country. We recommend spending the night before and after your stay at one of the hotels near the airport (Holiday Inn Express or Hampton). There is a National and Budget rental car agency within a 3 minute walk from the hotels. Virtually all vendors take both US dollars and local currency, or any combination thereof. The 3 1/2 drive from the airport to the unit is paved and quite pretty. There are many spots along the way to break up the drive, e.g., we suggest lunch at Backyard Barn just south of Jaco. The well water at the unit is safe to drink! Great fresh fish at a place just beyond Rio Mar in Dominical. Several grocery stores (one in Dominical with adjacent ATM). Best one is Super Mercado in Uvita (2nd on left).. A four-wheel drive vehicle is an abolute must to climb the very steep gravel road between the main road (Rt. 34) and the unit! We did not see a single mosquito the entire time! We often would leave our sliding glass doors wide open. Hacienda Baru located just north of Dominical is a great place for a 2 1/2 hour nature walk and zipline experience. Dominical itself is a small funky surfing community with its own special appeal. What you will NOT see in Dominical are alot of the stereotypical American tourist which was fine by us!

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outstanding

Guest: Chris P.
Date of Stay: 02/11/12 Review Submitted: 02/20/12

Perfect for young families in search of some safe adventures. The floor plan of this property is awesome, you are always in a livable space. The living room opens nicely onto the deck which is well shaded and has a great small pool. The view is spectacular, and mostly of sea, beach and rainforest. Amazing. Storm and Amy are very welcoming and helpful. We had some help with meal preparation and childcare from a very nice local family (who also sell wonderful fresh fish, so that was suitable!) and enjoyed short local adventures to marvel at the raw beauty of beaches in the surrounding area.

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Felt right at home at Canto del Mar

Guest: lexy d.
Date of Stay: 02/05/12 Review Submitted: 02/15/12

The villa was much more beautiful in person than the pictures! Canto del Mar is a small community of villas settled just high enough to have amazing ocean views, but just close enough to the beach to be able to walk there from your villa. The villa was clean, decorated beautifully, and felt just like home (other than the gorgeous deck overlooking the beach and little blue parrots hanging out in the trees)! Amy and Storm were so welcoming and made our stay that much better. They recommended places to eat, the best beach in the area, waterfalls to check out etc. Amy introduced us to great people around Dominical and made us feel like old friends. After staying in Dominical for the past 5 years (every Feb), we felt this was our best trip thanks to the hospitality we experienced. Be sure to check out Vantanos Beach- it's an amazing beach with caves that you can walk thru at low tide, a fresh water lagoon, and great surfing at high tide. Thanks Amy for sending us to this gem of a beach! We will be back next year to stay at Amy and Storms!

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Wonderful Family time

Guest: Dale & Claudia H.
Date of Stay: 01/20/12 Review Submitted: 02/10/12

We have never been to Costa Rica and knew very little of the area,but the home owners Storm & Amy gave us a beautiful house to stay in and a notebook full of really valuable information on where to play, eat and relax. We are already thinking about a return visit. The locals "Tico's" are a warm and friendly people who are very tolerant of our lack of spanish. We felt welcome there. We would recommend the house to anyone we know and love the Dominical Area.

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Canto del Mar Unit 10

Guest: Kevin G.
Date of Stay: 01/15/12 Review Submitted: 04/25/12

Lets start with the pictures of the unit - they do not do it justice. It is much more beautiful than the photographs would suggest. When you pull up to the guarded gate, you will thank Storm Zbel for his advice that you rent a 4-wheel drive vehicle. This road is steep and your first ride up will give you a very real sense of adventure. The next big surprise is when you open the front door and are confronted with a 270 degree view of ocean and mountains thanks to clever archictural design and site location. To anyone thinking about renting, don't think basic accommodation - think luxury. A short list of proof: georgeous dipping pool, oceanview patio, spacious bedrooms (with balcony and ensuite bathroom), modern kitchen, combined dining and living area, beautiful landscaping...well enough said. The unit was clean and fully equiped. There is a lot of detailed information available in the unit regarding restaurants, activities, shopping, grocery stores, etc. We found the info to be reasonably current and very useful. At times I lamented the lack of TV and internet but by the end of our stay (46 days) I was glad to be free of it. So now you know that the unit was fantastic - here is some information on the location. It is 3.5 km from Dominical which is a 4-hour drive from San Jose Unless you want to drive through San Jose and then on to Dominical (GPS strongly recommended at least for the incoming trip) you can fly to Quepos which is only 25 minutes from Dominical. The drive is georgeous and I would wager the flight would be truly awesome. The area is unbelievably beautiful with lots of things to do: scuba, snorkling, riding, zip lines, nature tours...the list is endless. There is a very nice beach within 8 minutes walk, another great surfing beach in Dominical and our favourite Hermosa - miles and miles of often totally vacant beach. In the area there are banks, supermarkets, stores, markets, a library (Uvita) and an array of restaurants ranging from local to American style. Try the Jolly Roger for wings, the Domiloco for world-class tapas and any one of the Domincal restaurants which feature a variety of food types and cooking styles. You will be pleasantly surprised by the quality and service. In summary, the unit is spectacular, the area is beautiful beyond words and there is plenty to do and see for kids of all ages. Best of all you will be in Costa Rica - a wonderful place filled with wonderful people. See you there.

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Wonderful place for family or couples!

Guest: Ann H.
Date of Stay: 01/13/12 Review Submitted: 02/02/12

Villa Tranquila was absolutely beautiful inside and out! My husband and I visited for one week with my parents and 2 young daughters. The layout of the villa was perfect with the bedrooms downstairs and living area with balcony and pool upstairs. I looked forward to getting up every morning to the beautiful view and sounds of birds. The villa was very well decorated, clean, had a great kitchen and the beds were quite comfortable. Amy and Storm went above and beyond in their hospitality!! Very helpful in arranging tours and suggesting places to shop and eat. We did make it to the Jolly Roger one night and the wings were the best we've tasted! We loved having a beautiful waterfall within walking distance. I highly recommend the horseback tour to Nicoya waterfall. Many beautiful beaches close by. I could go on and on..... Can't wait to go back! Thank you Amy & Storm for helping to make our vacation to Dominical as great as it was!

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"Paradise Love Net"

Guest: Linda D.
Date of Stay: 01/07/12 Review Submitted: 01/25/12

Amy and Storm have made their Mt. top villa rental into a warm and welcoming home that we called our "Love Net" for the week we were there. The pictures don't do it justice....it's far more beautiful! They saw to every detail to make our stay one to remember! We loved the location because it was close to the local market where we would buy fresh fish, fruit, and vegetables daily. We loved cooking in their gormet kitchen and eating outside on the balcony at sunset! We loved the local ATV tour we took and loved the hand made items we bought made by the locals in the quaint village of Dominical only a few miles from our Villa. If you come to this area be sure and rent a 4-wheel drive SUV...it's a must have! Thanks Amy and Storm for helping us make memories and we hope to return next year! Linda and Dan Fairhope,Al. (USA)

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Awesome Place!

Guest: Jamie C.
Date of Stay: 12/01/11 Review Submitted: 02/07/12

I have been coming to Dominical each of the last 4 Decembers. This was the first year I decided not to stay in town and I couldn't have been happier with that choice. Storm and Amy are awesome hosts (they even invited me to their house to watch football the first Sunday I was there)! The place was clean and by far the nicest place I have ever rented in CR. The inside is huge, the appliances are great, and the view is unreal! Seeing the sunrise from your bedroom and watching the sunset on the deck at night is a great way to start/end each day. I recommend this place to anyone and everyone!!!

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PURA VIDA!!

Guest: chelsi
Date of Stay: 11/15/11 Review Submitted: 01/24/12

I can't begin to explain the time that my boyfriend and I experienced in Dominical, CR...where the mountain meets the sea (best of both worlds). Upon booking our stay for Nov.14th-24th, we received immediate contact from Storm and Amy. They not only helped us with booking flights, activities, and provided us with detailed directions from the airport, but were there within hours of our check-in (which Amy provided a wonderful welcome basket and our itinerary for the week) to assure we were settled in and had everything we needed. They live close by and were incredibly helpful/available at all times if we needed anything. Aside from Storm and Amy being incredibly hospitable and suggestive, the view from the porch overlooks Dominicalito beach, where my boyfriend and I took surfing lessons on our first day. The town of Dominical is just minutes from the villa, and offers a great variety of well known restaurants, shopping, and Dominical beach-which you can see surfers in the morning while eating breakfast @ Tortilla Flats (one of the top 50 beach bars in the world). If you would rather have something a little more quiet, there are plenty of other beaches within minutes from the villa. There is also a waterfall, within walking distance from the villa. We traveled mid month of Nov., which was a great time to experience the true varying climate that CR has to offer. Every day seemed to begin with sunshine, with 2-3 hours of rain in the afternoon/evening. This didn’t stop us from enjoying our stay-as we quickly adapted to how the Ticos (Costa Ricans) experience a day with rain? While we did a great bit of relaxing, we also had an adventurous experience-we took surf lessons, rode horses to a beautiful waterfall, kayaked through mangroves, and went zip-lining (all of which Storm and Amy helped set up for us). Some things to expect: PURA VIDA is like hello/goodbye/how are you to the Ticos-makes you feel very welcome. 4-wheel drive is a must, if you are planning to stay @ Villa tranquila-and definitely if you are going to visit Storm's bar-where he makes some of the best wings we have ever had before! Trouabdors were our favorite. There are ceviche stands around every bend-yum! Everyone is very helpful and kind. Our 11 days spent in Costa Rica was amazing, and it was even better to have a wonderful-fully loaded house to return home to after our daily adventures, and incredibly hospitable people to help us along the way!

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There's a Reason All of These Reviews are 5 Stars

Guest: Greg W (Boston)
Date of Stay: 08/21/11 Review Submitted: 09/30/11

Come to Dominical, stay at Storm and Amy's place, and you will not regret your decision after likely the best vacation of your life. Me, my wife, and our 9-year-old son spent the last two weeks of August camped in Villa Tranquila, enjoying the Costa Rican way of life and forgetting our day-to-day concerns. If we weren't spending hours in our own private pool, we were visiting one of at least 5 different beaches (Hermosa was our fave). If we weren't eating at Tequila Flats in town, we were getting food from the grocery in Uvita and saving a ton of money cooking for ourselves and eating on the deck watching the surfers ride the waves as the sun set. Our hosts made us feel like old friends and could not have been more accommodating in giving us the lay of the land. And Bar Jolly Roger is the one bar that I'd drive up a mountain road in a crazy thunderstorm to drink at. The pictures on this page exist in three dimensions and look in reality like they do on your computer screen. Except they're even better in real life. So stop comparison shopping and book now before I decide to come back and steal the week you want to travel.

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

What an Incredible Place to Stay!

Guest: Trevor (Long Beach, Ca)
Date of Stay: 04/06/11 Review Submitted: 05/03/11

This is truly a hidden paradise. The house is beautiful and the view is unbeatable. Storm in very helpful and does everything in his power to make sure that your stay in this house goes beautifully. I will definitely be returning to Costa Rica and will be staying in this house again.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Villa Tranquila is Magical!

Guest: Michelle (Parker, CO)
Date of Stay: 03/05/11 Review Submitted: 03/23/11

My husband, two sons ages 4 & 5, my parents and I spent 7 nights at Villa Tranquila and had an absolutely wonderful time! The house is so beautiful and has all of the amenities needed if you like to relax at the house and cook at home. Since my boys are so young it is very nice to eat at the house and not spend our time searching for restaurants - while I cook, the kids can play in the pool - what could be better! The view from the house was amazing, and the walk to the beach was short going downhill, but a climb on the way up. Easy for my family but not possible for my parents, (73 and 80 years old) who were just as happy sitting on the deck looking at the ocean or driving to the beach. Poza Azul is 5 minutes from the house and absolutely gorgeous!! A must see while in Dominical. My husband, two sons and I went to Hacienda Baru for ziplining. My boys loved every minute of it and it was very safe. The property is stunning and worth spending time at after the zipline. My husband and I went on the Waves and Caves Kayak tour which was a good workout and a way to see beautiful scenery from the ocean. We were also able to visit the Bar Jolly Roger on evening, and YES, they do have incredible wings and a fabulous view of the ocean! Our trip would not have been what it was if not for Amy and Storm. They are incredible hosts and full of information and assistance for everything you want to see and do. They also have 3 small boys who were instant playmates for my boys - what more could we ask for, seriously?? #16 is suitable for everyone, in my opinion! Dominical is a charming area, and very laid back!! There is as much, if not more, to be offered in the mountains/jungle area of Dominical and Uvita as there is on the beach. It was truly magical!!

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

Perfect vacation villa

Guest: Faye (Taylor, Arkansas, USA)
Date of Stay: 02/01/11 Review Submitted: 03/05/11

I spent the month of February 2011 in this villa celebrating my retirement. The views were awesome and Storm & Amy were so welcoming and helpful with anything that I needed such as making reservations and suggestions for restaurants and grocery stores. Various family members and friends visited me during the month that I was at Villa Tranquila and everyone had a great time whether we were ziplining, white water rafting, horseback riding to Nauyaca Falls or just relaxing around the pool enjoying the beautiful sunsets. We all agreed that it was the best vacation we had ever experienced. Be sure and go to Bar Jolly Roger. The wings and burgers are superb. The internet worked fine for me & that was the way I kept in touch with family & friends at home. Also, itt is really a plus to have a 4 wheel drive vehicle while in the area. I highly recommend Villa Tranquila. You won't regret it.

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

Villa Tranquila, Dominical, Costa Rica

Guest: hhuffclark (Calistoga, CA, USA)
Date of Stay: 01/24/11 Review Submitted: 01/31/11

We had a wonderful time in this beautiful villa. Waking up to views of the ocean and going to sleep with the sounds of the jungle added to the wonderful amenities of the villa. Amy and Storm were great and had fantastic recommendations and advice. We especially enjoyed the horseback ride to Nauyaca waterfall and the burger and wings at Jolly Roger. We plan on coming back very soon (and next time we won't make the mistake of renting a 2 wheel drive!)!!!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, girls getaway, sightseeing.

Amazing Location

Guest: Matt (Annapolis, MD)
Date of Stay: 01/07/11 Review Submitted: 02/15/11

My wife and I spent 10 days at Villa Tranquila in January 2011. We had an amazing time. We flew in to San Jose, and the drive took about 3 - 3.5 hours, and it was a beautiful drive. The roads are virtually completely paved. Really the only unpaved part of the drive is the street between the main road and the villa. It is also uphill. Four wheel drive is a MUST to get up the hill. A few notes: 1. The villa itself - exactly as it appeared in the pictures. The only thing that did not work was the internet. Storm made an attempt at fixing it, but couldn't get it working. To his credit, we told him that we didn't go to Costa Rica to mess around on the internet, and not to worry about it. There were 2 or 3 things we HAD to get down on the internet - so we went down to Roca Verde, a beach front hotel with wireless internet and great food about 2 miles away. The sunsets were absolutely amazing... I think I took about 50 pictures of just the sun setting over the ocean. 2. The location. We loved the location - there was not a McDonalds within 50 miles (I don't think, but I didn't check). Don't go to this part of Costa Rica if you want Starbucks and American chain restaurants. Go here if you want something more authentic and delicious. There is some good food in town (about 3 miles away) and some FANTASTIC restaurants about 30 minutes south. We HIGHLY recommend Citrus and Exotica. Make sure you check out the road-side ceviche stands on the way. 3. Activities. We surfed (lessons are really close by, fairly cheap, and for all levels). We went horseback riding to a waterfall. We went zip lining at Osa. We went kayaking through a mangrove. There are all kinds of cool things to do nearby. 4. Make sure you check out Storm's bar "Jolly Roger." We ate our weight in wings there. Delicious. Make sure you check it out!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

We visit every year!

Guest: Nina (Boston, MA)
Date of Stay: 01/03/11 Review Submitted: 01/28/11

This is the third year in a row that my husband and I have made our way down to Dominical, Costa Rica and we stay at the same place every year. The villa is perfectly located within a short distance to downtown Dominical and many local beaches in the area. It is clean, quiet and relaxing. From hanging by the pool to taking a hike to the waterfall and enjoying the Costa Rican wildlife, I highly recommend it to anyone. It's the perfect vacation for a couple or family, and Storm is a great host. And make sure to visit the Bar Jolly Roger!

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

Amazing views, location, and comforts

Guest: Don P. (New Hampshire)
Date of Stay: 11/28/10 Review Submitted: 12/20/10

I've been visiting Dominical for the past five years and this is without a doubt the best-value vacation rental I have found yet. There are other houses which may be bigger or have nicer views, but none that offer both views and amenities so close to the beach and at this price. Storm and Amy were perfect hosts and more than willing to help me out with any questions I had. House was very clean, pool was refreshing, and every appliance worked fine. I will definitely be coming back!

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

WOW! it fit our family

Guest: Hardarson Fjolsylda (Denver, CO)
Date of Stay: 11/19/10 Review Submitted: 01/25/11

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday in CR. Our hosts were so great. Travelling with 3 teenagers is never easy, but the house and their help in planning activities helped make this one of the best trips ever.

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

Dominical experience

Guest: Bobbi (Toronto Canada)
Date of Stay: 11/01/10 Review Submitted: 11/03/10

The property is a joy to experience. All details are expertly taken care of from the warm welcome to the friendly attentiveness. The view is outstanding and the house has the friendliest decor. Even though we were there during rainy season, we had reasonable weather. We took advantage of the rainy moment to curl up with books. The sunshine brought us to the falls and to quaint Dominical. I think this is a holiday location that is suitable to many.

Recommended for:Age 55+

Beautiful

Guest: alan (waxhaw, north carolina)
Date of Stay: 09/18/10 Review Submitted: 09/29/10

This is for anyone who loves beautiful scenery, a laid back atmosphere, and beautiful beaches. Really enjoyed early morning swims in the pool to get the day started. BIG DOWNSIDE-I never got a chance to try the wings at Jolly Rogers.

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

Costa Rican Paradise

Guest: Miss Lynn (Charleston, SC USA)
Date of Stay: 07/25/10 Review Submitted: 08/12/10

Our stay at this beautiful Villa was amazing. The villa itself is great. Lots of light two large bedrooms and yet we had 5 plus a one year old. The views from the villa are incredible. We enjoyed the pool and the great porch area with our pina coladas. Beaches are very close and the little town of Dominical is close as well. Now with the new highway it is only three hours from San Jose..Everyone was so nice and helpful. Just a great chilled vacation. Thank you Storm and Amy.

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

Loved Villa Traquilla

Guest: katharine (Washington, DC USA)
Date of Stay: 06/26/10 Review Submitted: 07/06/10

Great accomodations. Clean, comfy beds, modern kitchen with everything you need. Washer/dryer was much appreciated and well used. AC was nice to have but not necessary most of the time we were there. Cool breezes and so nice to sleep with the windows open to listen to the surf and the wildlife. Perfect for a family. Easy drive to beautiful, swimable beaches and other spots in CR. The most amazing beach is 20 minutes south Playa Ventana. 30 minute drive north to Manuel Antonio and Quepos. Dominical proper a couple of miles north, funky, surfer town with nice restaurants and great cheap eats at "sodas." Lots to do if you want or nice place to relax and enjoy the surreal view.

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

Perfect Get-Away Spot for EVERYONE!

Guest: Kristen M.
Date of Stay: 06/15/10 Review Submitted: 04/02/12

Justin and I could not have started our new lives together in a more perfect place. This villa is a perfect spot for a couple of newlyweds! The waterfall, the private beaches, the walk through the rain forest and the VIEW - what a romantic, fun place to see and visit! The villa is located within a wonderful, gated community that overlooks the ocean. (Very safe!) There were toucans, sloths, and monkeys who also made their home just outside of this community - which made for fabulous nature hikes and photos. Storm, the owner, had Costa Rican coffee and a pineapple waiting on us when we arrive and then he came by personally the second day to welcome and check in on us. He gave us some tips on some "must see" places - and his recommendations for hot spots to eat (Jolly Rogers!) and venture (Aldea del Rio) were fantastic. The villa is well furnished and decorated beautifully - you have all the comforts of home in a dream location. The private pool was great fun to splash around in, the bed was super comfy, and the massive shower in the Master bedroom was fantastic. We were able to cook a few meals in the villa AND do our laundry before we headed back to the US. (This was exceptionally helpful for us, as we left our honeymoon and headed straight to a work conference in Chicago without going back home to Nashville.) We would recommend (and have recommended) this particular villa to anyone traveling or thinking of travelling to Costa Rica. We had originally debated going to an all-inclusive type resort, but we are SO GLAD we found Villa Tranquilla instead. Who wants to go on their honeymoon with hundreds of other people also celebrating theirs? Not us. No over-commercialized resort can offer what Villa Tranquilla can. We enjoyed spending one-on-one time with each other, discovering all that Costa Rica has to offer. The beautiful beaches - that can be found completely deserted - are the perfect place to connect with one another and with nature. We could not be more pleased with Villa Tranquilla and Storm's personal hospitality. Please consider this villa for your own vacation get-away! -Kristen and Justin Morris *** This was back in June 2010, but Justin and I were just reminiscing over our time there in Dominical and wanted to make sure others knew about what a wonderful place this is. It was such a pleasure being there... when we go back to Costa Rica, we will definitely stay with Storm again!

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Trip to Dominical

Guest: Carla, Bob, Kendrick and Andrew (Charlotte NC and Asheville NC)
Date of Stay: 06/08/10 Review Submitted: 07/01/10

My family had a wonderful time in Dominical staying at this beautiful villa! The owners -- Storm and Amy -- were great. They were attentive to our every need. The villa was very clean and the views were just as the photo promised. I would highly recomend this villa based on location and reasonably priced. We also saw monkeys swinging in the trees right below the villa. And by all means -- visit the Jolly Roger for Storm's incredible wings!!!! One of our guests is a chef and he even said these were the best wings he has ever tasted!!! And -- the short hike to the waterfall is a must! Costa Rica will be high on our list to visit again some day.

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

Incredible place and location!

Guest: pattie pie (reidsville, nc usa)
Date of Stay: 05/14/10 Review Submitted: 05/21/10

This villa is fabulous and a perfect location for exploring the area. The view can't be beat! We found the villa had all the luxuries you could ask for and was very secure. Storm checked on us the day after we arrived and found us all napping around the beautiful pool - talk about relaxing! I would highly recommend this spot. We found the villa to be clean and the kitchen was well equipped, even had a great waffle iron which we enjoyed using. We found the location close to area restuarants and beaches.

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

Incredible Views

Guest: KellyZ (Bocas del Toro, Panama)
Date of Stay: 04/18/10 Review Submitted: 05/04/10

The views were incredible and Storm and Amys home was beautiful and very comfortable.They are great hosts and make sure you are taken care of. We loved the palapa area with the pool. It was so relaxing. We had a lttle bird sing us The Adams Family song beautifully all day every day at the villa:). We saw many beautiful places-Pozo Azul which is close to the house, we did a trail ride to the N? Falls which were very beautiful and swam thru the pool to sit under the falls. On the road up to the trail ride, a toucan was spotted and we heard Howler monkeys at several locations. We hiked to the Whales Tail and went to several beautiful beaches, did the non adrenaline zip line at Hacienda Baru. Any age (ages 3-83 according to the owner) can safely do that zipline and it was a great uphill hiking workout.We did not do any whale trips as it was considered off season but we talked to some people who went on an offshore fishing trip that did spot whales at the time we were there. We had a wonderful getaway. Thanks Storm and Amy! Be sure and try the chicken wings at Jolly Roger!

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

Beautiful Property, Wonderful location

Guest: K@ (Cary, NC, USA)
Date of Stay: 03/13/10 Review Submitted: 03/23/10

This was a wonderful rental. The home is lovely and the location is outstanding. Storm was a pleasure to do business with. We saw a variety of birds without ever leaving the porch and we had our own resident iguana on the roof. The ocean water was like bath water. Check the beach at low tide so you know where the rocks are located. Lots of great food. If you take a left at the bottom of the hill, the first local restaurant on your left offers very good local food - wonderful ceviche. Exotica and Citrus in nearby Ojochal are outstanding and worth the 25-minute drive. The nearest gas station is to the north. The closest to the south is 30 minutes away. It's truly a paradise.

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

Great spot in a great place

Guest: MarktheArch (Asheville, NC)
Date of Stay: 03/06/10 Review Submitted: 03/21/10

I'm an Architect and fortunate to travel a lot. I've never been to Costa Rica, so I searched out the perfect spot to experience it for my wife and two teenage children. I found it in Dominical, Dominicalito and specifically, this home in Canto del Mar. The owner's descriptions gave us high expectations, but were easily exceeded when we walked in the door. After exploring the beaches or rain forest, we were happy to take a dip in our own pool then sit on the terrace perched high on a hill overlooking Dominicalito Beach and the Pacific Ocean. Life is good! The home is adequately described by the owner, but I want to say a little bit more about Dominical. This little village will give you the best experience of what Costa Rica has to offer. It seems like a page from the past. A rutted gravel drive paralleling the unparalleled Dominical Beach with shops, bars, and sodas (small local eating spots). I'm going to miss getting my juice and fruit from my amigo's fruit stand, and ordering coscados (beans and rice with eggs or fish) to take back up to my family for enjoying on out terrace. Many GREAT restaurants to choose from all priced as if from the past as well. Raymond at the Green Iguana surf shop got all of us up and surfing. Our 13 year old son was shocked at how his 50 year old Mom was surfing all on her own in a two hour lesson. (For the record, I knew she could do it). They let us "borrow" the boards the next day and our son took another lesson to learn how to ride the bigger breakers a couple days later. He is now, officially a surfer after our week in Dominical. They also took some of us snorkeling to the Whales Tail. My wife and daughter loved the horseback ride to the waterfalls. The zip line/canopy tour was incredibly fun AND educational. We only drove through Quepos and Jaco, and were glad that was it. Dominical is not fancy. Mostly locals, hippies and surfers. But if you want to experience Costa Rica before the developers redesigned it, come to Dominical. Combine this experience with the luxury of this home in Canto del Mar, and you will find the best of both worlds!

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

Absolutely BEAUTIFUL!

Guest: students (Vermont)
Date of Stay: 01/30/10 Review Submitted: 02/11/10

The villa was absolutely stunning. It was clean, spacious, and had an incredible view of the ocean and the rainforests. Originally we were hesitant to stay in a place outside of town, but the five minute drive ended up being just enough separation for us. We enjoyed having a gorgeous, and nearly private beach just down the hill, especially since it had such a wonderful view of the sunset. There is also a small waterfall (with a rope swing!) and swimming hole just a five minute walk away from the villas, where we loved spending a few afternoons in the shade. If you are looking for more active pursuits, there is TONS of great surfing at the beach in town, or you can try snorkeling at Whales Tail, which is just a short drive away. We were interested in hiking, but most national parks worth travelling to are about an hour drive away. Restaurants and night life are also great in town, but we spent most evenings cooking for ourselves (the kitchen was well equipped with any tools you might need). In the end, the villas were great, but you will probably need a car if you would like to get around. Storm and Amy were really helpful in helping us plan out our trip. Thanks again for a lovely stay!

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

Villa with Ocean View

Guest: Josh and Ape (Denver)
Date of Stay: 01/26/10 Review Submitted: 02/09/10

Nice place with great view. The patio was our favorite evening hangout. Sleeps six if two are on a blow-up matress. No pullout couch. We also recommed Storm's wings at Jolly Roger's.

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

house in Dominical with view

Guest: vancouverfamily (vancouver BC)
Date of Stay: 01/18/10 Review Submitted: 01/28/10

Our family stayed at the Zbel house just outside of Dominical in January 2010 for 4 nights – and we must say that we could have easily stayed longer! My stepfather raved about the nice finish and quality of the house, my mom raved about the lovely kitchen and how well equipped it is, and my husband and I especially enjoyed sleeping in a comfy bed. We all enjoyed the little pool that we used several times a day to cool off in. Furthermore we all felt that the ‘million dollar view’ was well worth being a few minutes away from the beaches (you can walk to one beach). We visited the local waterfall/swimming hole every morning (10 min walk) to have a freshwater swim– and surprisingly we always had that gorgeous place to ourselves! We loved going for lunch at the local restaurants in the area – some of the best in Costa Rica that rival Vancouver, BC restaurants (Citrus was our favourite!). The Zbel family are lovely hosts, and it was very nice to have them close by and to meet their energetic young boys. The area has lots of activities and daytrips to go on for any active members of the family.

Recommended for:Families with teenagers, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Villa in Dominicalito Costa Rica

Guest: dstuart (Gulf Shores, Alabama USA)
Date of Stay: 12/26/09 Review Submitted: 01/10/10

Our 12 night stay was wonderful. The villa exceeded our expectations in every way. It was comfortable, clean, nicely furnished and the kitchen had everything needed for meal preparation. The view was spectacular. We spent most of our at home time on the covered deck looking at the ocean. Storm provided us with excellent customer service. Booking and payment was very simple and Storm continued to promptly answer our many questions after we booked. We had visited Costa Rica a number of times and on this visit we were looking for the opportunity to explore on our own; however there were many tours available if that is what you want to do. Dominical is less than a 5 minute drive from the villa and while we enjoyed going there for dinners and activities, it was nice to get back to the quiet of our villa. We were two couples who have traveled together for a number of years and we all agreed that this was the best overall vacation we have ever taken.

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

Villa Tranquila Review

Guest: ibo739 (Chicago, IL, USA)
Date of Stay: 12/14/09 Review Submitted: 02/07/10

This villa was in a great location and had great amenities. It overlooks the ocean and is fully equipped. It is really luxurious for the price you pay. On top of it, the renters are wonderful people. They were so helpful in getting us situated, showing us around, and making recommendations for restaurants and activities. I highly recommend this place to anyone who wants a combination of relaxation and adventure.

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

All you need!

Guest: Dave12 (Asheville, NC)
Date of Stay: 10/24/09 Review Submitted: 11/09/09

It can't possibly be as good as the pictures! Wrong! This place was wonderful. Clean, safe, well stocked. Jump in the little pool after your hike to the waterfall that's just across the soccerfield. Definitely do the Osa Canopy tour for a great zipline. Reserve an afternoon to sit on Dominical Beach and watch the sufers. See sloths, toucans and coati's at Hacienda Baru. Make sure you are in shape for your 3 hour mangrove kayak and you'll probably see some monkeys. Grocery store is just down the road. ATM with guard close by. New roads make it easy to get around

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Amazing House!

Guest: Pete (Manhattan Beach)
Date of Stay: 08/28/09 Review Submitted: 09/09/09

This house was by far the nicest place we stayed in all of Costa Rica! The house felt brand new with great amenities and slept 6 adults comfortably. Our only regret was not staying longer. Thank you so much Storm and Amy for letting us in, the views were breathtaking and the location was amazing! If you do stay there I suggest taking the short walk to the waterfall, the rope swing was a blast! -Pete

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

Slice of Paradise

Guest: The Muppets (Sarasota, Florida)
Date of Stay: 08/15/09 Review Submitted: 08/25/09

Thank you Storm and Amy for sharing your amazing Villa with us for the week, none of us wanted to go home and we are certainly planning to come back as soon as possible. The accommodations are top notch, very luxurious which we did not expect in Costa Rica but certainly enjoyed not to mention the security of the 24/7 guards on property! The Villa has everything to make your stay as comfortable as possible and then some! The terrace was our favorite hang out after a day filled with activities as the view of Dominicalito and the surrounding mountains were just stunning. The Hawks and Hummingbirds added to the atmosphere and allowed us all to just forget about the real world. Not to mention the other wildlife (monkeys and sloths) who hang out in the surrounding trees just a short walk around the property. The boys surfed from dawn to dusk and were in paradise. Many thanks also for all the tips and recommendations of what to do, we only wished we had another 3 weeks to do them all! Next time we will stay longer than a week!

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

Guest: Camby (Denver Colorado USA)
Date of Stay: 07/17/09 Review Submitted: 07/17/09

We were thrilled with the home and location. It was absolulety wonderful. You can here the waves crashing on the beach while living in luxury. The thunderstorms in the middle of the night were awesome, and the bar Jolly Rodger -that was our favorite- was only 5 minutes away. The Pozo Azul swimming hole was more than we could have asked for. Thank you for letting us stay in your beautiful safe home!!!

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Vacation in Canto Del Sol, Dominical

Guest: Gorda (San Jose, costa rica)
Date of Stay: 07/15/09 Review Submitted: 07/22/09

We had a great time at Canto del Sol in Dominical, Costa Rica. The house was properly kept and very clean. The view from the terrace was beautiful. We brought our two dogs, and they also had a great time.

Recommended for:Pet owners, sightseeing.

Better Than Advertised!!

Guest: Camby (Denver Colorado USA)
Date of Stay: 07/06/09 Review Submitted: 07/21/09

The pictures dont do this vacation property justice. We were beyond impressed. Storm and Amy were the most accomadating people we met in CostaRica. The views from this canto were the best we saw in the country. The location is central to Dominical and Uvita. Great restaraunts within 5 minutes. The property is very safe with 24hr guards. We will definitely stay here again when we visit Costa Rica in the future. Minutes away from ziplining horseback rides to waterfalls scuba diving trips, all activiteis were awesome. Just an amazing place to stay and I couldnt imagine anyplace being better!!

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

already saving up for my next visit!

Guest: jeanneb (New York, NY)
Date of Stay: 05/23/09 Review Submitted: 06/30/09

A beautiful villa with breathtaking views! It has all the comforts of home - modern kitchen appliances, washer/dryer, stereo w/ ipod dock, A/C - and beyond. There is plenty of space, and it's very clean. We were able to visit downtown Dominical, a few local beaches & waterfalls, a butterfly garden & take a horseback ride, all without traveling far. The bank and grocery store were also convenient to reach. On the property, I saw iguanas, white-faced monkeys, and toucans! This place is a perfect home-base for exploring or a perfect retreat for relaxing... or both! (I recommend floating in the pool with a cocktail) Amy & Storm are incredible hosts and couldn't be more accommodating. Go see them at Bar Jolly Roger and have a margarita!! Pure heaven. I'll definitely be returning. And I've already recommended it to all my friends.

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

best vacation ever!

Guest: family threesome (charleston, sc)
Date of Stay: 05/23/09 Review Submitted: 06/08/09

The accomodations, and the view, were spectacular! We could not believe how many beaches and waterfalls were located within minutes of our "home" base. Although the weather was hot, the pool was always cool. Our hosts provided us with excellent sightseeing recommendations to fit our budget and sense of adventure! Our home away from home had all the amenities, the beds were very comfortable, and the place was spacious. Granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, elaborate tile flooring and all the details with literally 360 degree views. We had the best vacation ever and plan on returning next year! Same place, same time - see you then!

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

Classic Ocean-View Vacation Rental

Guest: Travelin' with Grommies (Huntington Beach, CA)
Date of Stay: 04/20/09 Review Submitted: 07/06/09

My wife and kids and I had a great time here - spent about a week and loved every minute. The home is very well-furnished, the views are fantastic and Storm and Amy are fantastic hosts. The surf, the restaurants and the shops are all close by - we will return next time we get to Dominicalito.

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

Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 04/01/09 Review Submitted: 04/07/09

Everything that is said in the description is absolutely true! The villa is THE BEST!!!!! Beautiful views, wonderful accommodations, and great hosts!!! We will not stay anywhere else when we go back to Dominical.

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 04/01/09 Review Submitted: 04/07/09

If you've read all the other reviews, they're all accurate. Wonderful place. 1500 sq. ft. Villa actually looks better in person than in photos, if that's possible. But Storm and Amy are a big help in experiencing all that the area has to offer. Ask about deep sea fishing trips. A great time. We'll be back.

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 03/01/09 Review Submitted: 03/17/09

What a wonderful time we had. The Villa was beautiful, comfortable and perfectly equipped. The views from the Villa took my breath away. I got so many compliments on the pictures I took from the beach and river. It was a short walk to the breath taking ocean and another short walk to a hideaway waterfall. We had such a good time in the Villa, we decided to entertain ourselves at the local sites and do the nature thing next year. I can't wait to come back. Thank you so much for your wonderful hospitality Sven and Amy. See you soon.

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 03/01/09 Review Submitted: 03/16/09

This was an incredibly beautiful place to stay. The condo was so comfortable and the view was spectacular. The location is also incredibly convenient to some of the best aspects of Costa Rica. A long drive form San Jose, but well worth it.

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 02/01/09 Review Submitted: 02/18/09

My wife and I, along with some friends, stayed at this amazing property. The location was perfect, the views were amazing, and the people of Dominical treated us very well. We will be back soon. The Zbels were great hosts and the sunsets each night were indescribable.

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 01/01/09 Review Submitted: 01/12/09

We had the most amazing time. Walked to beach and to waterfall for swims every day as our morning ritual then made breakfast in the beautiful kitchen and ate on the patio as we looked our into the sea (also great views of the sunsets)...couldn't have asked for a better place or more graciuos hosts....

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