Vacation Rentals by Owner

Elegant Costa Rica Villa - Near Beaches, Natural Parks [#171138ha] | View Property

Puntarenas
3 bedrooms, 3 full bathrooms, 1 half bathroom sleeps 6
$225 - $275/nt US Dollars
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Traveler Reviews (18)

• Villa Cabomar

  Villa Cabomar

  • Guest Wendy G.
  • Date of stay 03/01/13
  • Review Submitted 03/30/13
  We arrived at Villa Cabomar on Friday afternoon, greeted by Terisita who had two cold beers & ceviche waiting for us. She gave us a tour of the house and said she would return in the morning to make our breakfast. She telephoned Marta who also welcomed us to their home. The home is very well maintained and the 'spool' in the back patio is perfect for quick dips when the heat becomes too much. The bedroom is air conditioned; the bed comfortable making our sleeps very comfortable. The property is situated close to the beach, corner groceries and excellent restaurants. The people of Puntarenas are very warm and friendly. Highlight of our stay however, was Terisita - she is absolutely wonderful and made us feel part of the family. Breakfasts were a real treat with lots of fresh fruit. Cabell & Marta provided us with a very helpful 'guide' for the house, local attractions and restaurants which was very useful - including the detailed directions from San Jose airport. We would definitely recommend Villa Cabomar to any of our friends or relatives!

  Owner response: Thank you for your kind words. We are so happy you enjoyed Villa Cabomar. We feel very fortunate to have Teresita as part of our family in Costa Rica. Please come by and visit anytime. Martha and Cabell

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• The Canadians Invade Puntarenas

  The Canadians Invade Puntarenas

  • Guest Kathy B.
  • Date of stay 11/17/12
  • Review Submitted 12/03/12
  The Villa Cabomar is an excellent property for visitors to the Puntarenas area who are interested in a well equipped, very clean, secure, attractive and comfortable home base. Puntarenas is about 1.5-2 hours by taxi/van from San Jose. (Great airport). The amenities were very appreciated (refreshing pool, courtyard, 3 airconditioned bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms, well equipped kitchen, washer/dryer). Martha and Cabell were terrific and helped us with preplanning, including excellent suggestions for transportation and support for our trip plans/excursions. The best feature - our wonderful Teresita, who not only is a great housekeeper and cook, she became our best friend during our stay. Simply a lovely lady and could not do enough to help us with communication and enjoyment of our stay. Puntarenas would not be considered a lovely tourist destination itself. The people of Puntarenas were very friendly and patient with us, and we had no concerns regarding our safety. The banks are downtown for ATM/exchange of currency - about a 15 minute walk from Villa Cabomar. There was some good tourist shopping on Fridays at the beach when the cruise ship docks for the day. There was good and delicious fresh food, meat and other groceries available at neighbourhood stores. The restaurants however, were easy to walk to on the beach, and the food (seafood, fabulous steaks, pollo/chicken, pasta) was excellent and reasonable at all 4 that we visited. The Pizza Hut was overpriced. There was a modest casino nearby within 10-15 minutes walking north, that provided some fun entertainment. Visitors should take advantage of the ferry across Nicoya Bay - less than $2.00 per ride and opens up adventures to the western Nicoya Bay peninsula, including the hidden gem of Montezuma (reminded us of Salt Spring Island with artisans, yoga and free-spirits). There are many great playas (beaches) to enjoy here. Take a taxi in Paquera to the hidden "Las Vegas" restaurant for an outstanding seafood meal. There are great one-to-two day trips from Puntarenas that can be easily arranged and enjoyed (La Fortuna area rain forests and hot spas, Arenal volcano area, white water rafting, ziplining, hiking, river cruise with crocodile siting)

  Owner response: We are very happy that you enjoyed your stay at Villa Cabomar. Your kind words about Teresita are especially appreciated. Enjoy the holidays! Martha and Cabell

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• 55th Birthday Celebration

  55th Birthday Celebration

  • Guest Debra S.
  • Date of stay 05/15/12
  • Review Submitted 05/29/12
  My husband and two nieces had a fabulous week in Costa Rica to help celebrate my 55th birthday! What a celebration it was! We found everything beyond our expectations. The house was amazing, so charming and comfortable. The spa was absolutely refreshing in the heat of the day! Nights were so quiet and peacful! Teresita is an absolute jewel and made our visit all the more special. She is an amazing cook and a delight to get to know (we wanted to take her home with us!) We had a wonderful time trying out the restaurants and our favorite was La Yunta! My husband loved the mussels and the cerviche was delicious! Punteranas doesn't have a great deal to offer but it was a great place for us to explore the Pacific side of the country. We made day trips and enjoyed everything from horsebacking riding, canapoy tours, and national parks. We had a full day at Peace Lodge which we also highly recommend. Our only disappointment was that we did not get to Tortuga Island as the catamaran was out of service. I guess that means we will have to go back! Many thanks to Cabell and Martha for all that they did in anticipating our needs (including a terrific guide that they sent with all the necessary information we needed to make our visit hassle free). We rate this visit and Vill Cabomar a pure 10! Sincerely, Debra Sabia and Vincent Kohler

  Owner response: We are so pleased that you enjoyed your stay at Villa Cabomar and hope that you'll come back. We too feel very fortunate that Teresita is taking care of our guests and house. Martha and Cabell

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• Wonderful Villa Cabomar in Puntarenas

  Wonderful Villa Cabomar in Puntarenas

  • Guest Mildred O.
  • Date of stay 03/11/12
  • Review Submitted 03/23/12
  Villa Cabomar is a very attractive and comfortable house which easily accommodated five people. Much appreciated were the fans in every room and air conditioning in the bedrooms. A lovely maid serves a delicious breakfast and introduced us to native food, which is delicious. She keeps the house beautifully with vases and pots full of local flowers and fauna. The courtyard was really enjoyed with the magnificent bougainvilia, visiting birds and pool. We felt well situated being in walking distance from shops, banks, fish stores and good restaurants with delicious fresh seafood. It was also a good starting point from which to take trips exploring other places. Charlie, our native guide, was teriffic. I particularly enjoyed Capuchin monkeys eating out of my hand. It was great being so near the beach which we enjoyed a lot. Finally, we were appreciative of being in a town which has hardly been discovered by tourists. We all highly recommend it.

  Owner response: We are so happy you enjoyed the comforts of Villa Cabomar. The house and town of Puntarenas are very special to our family and we are happy to share them. Please come back some time.

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• Villa Cabomar - Home away from home.

  Villa Cabomar - Home away from home.

  • Guest Peter Y.
  • Date of stay 11/27/11
  • Review Submitted 12/14/11
  Costa Rica is an amazing country, to where I have returned now 4 times. The natural beauty of the country is spellbinding and offers the best of both vacation worlds with lush, stunning mountain views bordered by sun covered, breathtaking beaches. The only thing that makes this Costa Rica even better, is Villa Cabomar. I travel for work, stay in countless hotels, so I am a bit of a hotel snob. I have also had the luxury of traveling countless places for fun, and I normally don't return to places I have already been, considering there is so much to see in this world. But I will always desire to come back to Villa Cabomar. And I have....3 times. A home away from home. Villa Cabomar has all the creature comforts of your own home, Teresita making you a delicious, fresh breakfast, a pool, A/C in each bedroom, and a exquisite locale, Villa Cabomar is perfect for either friends, couples or honeymooners. A simple walk leaves you either on the beach, watching an sunset with a beer or wine in hand, or it puts you in the middle of a cute, small historic town, with a nice bustling town center. It's also a nice easy drive from San Jose, unlike some of the other locations in CR which take hours to get to, Puntarenas is a short hour and a half, depending on traffic. If you desire to get out and about, and see more of the countryside, it's a great place to base yourself from. If this is your first time in CR, or you are like me and desiring more, you MUST stay here. Pura Vida!

  Owner response: Peter Thank you so much for your feedback. We are very happy that you enjoy our Costa Rican hometown - Puntarenas - and Villa Cabomar as much as we do. We are especially grateful for your repeat visits and look forward to many more. Martha and Cabell

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• A Personal Resort Embedded in the Local Culture

  A Personal Resort Embedded in the Local Culture

  • Guest Patrick C.
  • Date of stay 11/27/11
  • Review Submitted 12/09/11
  My girlfriend (now fiance'!) and I spent a week in Costa Rica and much of it at Villa Cabomar. Where to start? If you're looking for a unique getaway that offers the modern conveniences and appointments of a 5-star resort that's embedded into the local culture and free of an overly-touristy experience, then Villa Cabomar is the perfect place to stay. Consider it your own personal resort without the "gate and fence/wall". From Teresita's morning breakfasts of tropical fruit paired with local culinary traditions like Gallo Pinto to the local beach just a block and a half away and the backyard sanctuary that boasts a pool and tropical plants, trees, and flowers, it was impossible not to feel at home and stress-free during our stay. In terms of things to-do while staying at Villa Cabomar, a few suggestions from our experience: - walk the Paseo along the Puntarenas beach and take-in the local culture, smells, and culinary delights. -evening walks on the beach to watch the spectacular Puntarenas sunsets. -day trip on Calypso Cruises' catamaran, the Manta Raya, to Isla Tortuga. The departure dock is a just a short walk from Villa Cabomar and the trip is outstanding! -checkout the market in Puntarenas. We felt like we were transported to the past... an original post-side market experience with all sorts of seafood, meats, fruits, vegetables, and grain being sold. -there's a great art museum that includes the history of Puntarenas in the central part of town. -head to the pier and enjoy a "Churchill" (shaved ice, condensed milk, and syrup... trust me, they're amazing!) at one of the Kioskos. -take a day trip to Monteverde and checkout the cloud forest... for those adventurous types, zip line through the forest's canopy too. -order a bowl of ceviche at one of the local establishments along the beach. It's the best we've ever had and at a quarter of the cost compared to US prices. -and lastly... just relax on the beach with a cold glass of Costa Rica's domestic beer... Imperial. Oh... and a little advice... wear sunscreen :) !!! We look forward to our return trip to Puntarenas and Villa Cabomar.

  Owner response: Patrick - we are pleased that you enjoyed your stay at Villa Cabomar. We are committed to making a vacation at Villa Cabomar a memorable experience for our guests. Remember, Villa Cabomar is a great place for a honeymoon!!

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• A honeymooner's getaway.

  A honeymooner's getaway.

  • Guest Beth E.
  • Date of stay 06/27/11
  • Review Submitted 08/30/11
  My husband and I stayed at Villa Cabomar for our honeymoon. The place is gorgeous! It is far better than staying in a hotel. It is private, close to the beach and put simply a home away from home. Every morning we woke up to a delicious homemade breakfast, made by the amazing Theresita, before we started our day. We stomped around and went to far reaches during the day and could come back, shower, make delicious fresh fruit drinks and relax in the pool out back. We had a rental car which allowed us to travel at our own convenience to beaches further away or the mountains, but public transportation is local and very convenient. We took day trips to La Fortuna, Arenal, Jaco and Esterillos Oeste. Don't miss a canopy tour. They are the bast way to see the countryside in a beautiful panoramic view. In Arenal, the Baldi hot springs are very amusement park like. Not what we were expecting, but perhaps a family would enjoy. Jaco has AMAZING deals at some spas. A nice way to relax for a while out of the sun. There is also a bungee opportunity in Jaco. The guys are nice, professional and I felt safe the whole time. The Tortuga day cruise is well worth the time and money. A beautiful boat ride to an island of paradise. While we are both fairly good swimmers, we didn't do much swimming in Puntarenas or Jaco because of the rip tides. Tortuga is calm and perfect. There are activities if you choose, or you can go around the corner and lay out and swim. Every person we ran into along the way were kind and helpful. They are willing to point you in the right direction if you have lost your way, tell you about a building or location, or offer insight on a place to go that you may have missed otherwise. Cabell and Martha are the most generous, helpful and accommodating hosts away from home. They will do anything they can to make your stay memorable and enjoyable. We hope to return one day, but for now have many memories to take out of Costa Rica and Villa Cabomar.

  Recommended for: Romantic getaway

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• Pura Vida!!!

  Pura Vida!!!

  • Guest Laura
  • Date of stay 03/17/11
  • Review Submitted 04/13/11
  Villa Cabomar is truly an amazing place! This was my first trip to Costa Rica and I can't imagine staying at a more beautiful home. From the minute you arrive at Villa Cabomar you are welcomed into a stunning home filled with love and beauty. One of my favorite things about my visit was waking up each morning to a beautiful blue sky, with a warm breeze blowing into my room and the wild birds singing outside. Then, an amazing Costa Rican breakfast out on the back patio, made by the wonderful Teresita, who I can't express enough is such a pleasure and kind woman. She makes the trip so special just as much as anything else!! Visiting Puntarenas, you get to experience much of the local culture and beautiful scenery without feeling like you are in an area over-populated with tourists. Walking to the beach, eating ceviche and tons of delicious fresh fruit, and not to forget a cold Imperial...make me yearn for my next trip to Puntarenas and the marvelous Villa Cabomar. Thank you!!!

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

  Owner response: We are so happy you enjoyed your visit to Villa Cabomar and Puntarenas. We look forward to your return trip. Martha & Cabell

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• We look forward to our return

  Guest comment entered by owner

  We look forward to our return

  • Guest Katie, Conor and Christopher
  • Date of stay 02/12/11
  • Review Submitted 02/22/11
  Thanks again for your hospitality. It was a great and different experience from our first trip here with a toddler and we already have a to-do list for our third trip. The addition to your house is beautiful and Teresita was amazing and great company as usual. It was so nice getting to spend time with you two as well. I think that is what I will take away most - getting to know you guys better and establishing a life-long friendship. We look forward to our return.

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• Cabomar exceeded all of our expectations.

  Guest comment entered by owner

  Cabomar exceeded all of our expectations.

  • Guest Corey and Alexandra
  • Date of stay 02/12/11
  • Review Submitted 02/22/11
  Our journey to Costa Rica was an amazing experience. Cabomar exceeded all of our expectations. Having you here with us during our stay was a wonderful treat. It would not have been the same without you. The aspect we enjoyed most was stepping out of our element and fully embracing the Costa Rican culture. All of the food was amazing and the sunsets were unforgettable.

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• Cabomar is exquisite

  Guest comment entered by owner

  Cabomar is exquisite

  • Guest Jolene
  • Date of stay 02/12/11
  • Review Submitted 02/22/11
  It only took me 32 years to return to Costa Rica. Being here now with my adult sons and grandchild is a very special addition to my memories of Puntarenas. Cabomar is exquisite. It reflects you r sense of design, texture, style and color. I understand why it’s so special to you. You have taken us by the hand and guided us through a memorable journey. Your generosity of time and accommodation of our needs has been remarkable. Teresita is a jewel. She manages to make us feel special in addition to providing a delicious breakfast every morning. Breakfast at home will never be the same.

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• Villa Cabomar

  Villa Cabomar

  • Guest Susan, Henry, Tom, and Ali
  • Date of stay 12/30/09
  • Review Submitted 01/12/10
  Villa Cabomar is the epitome of relaxation and serenity. It is far more than a vacation rental. Teresa, the housekeeper, is a dream come true who made our stay one at a home rather than just at a house. Her superb attentiion to detail and her delicious daily breakfasts were second to none. This is not to say that Villa Cabomar is not beautiful. It definitely lives up its description online, and the splash pool on the back patio was a deligtful refuge at the end of each day of touring. Located in an established neighborhood of Puntarenas, it is an oasis within the port city. A highlight of our trip was the ability to watch the spectacular fireworks on the beach from the second story balcony on New Year's Eve. Puntarenas is not tauted as the ideal vacation destination, but we found it centrally located to all the typical Costa Rican attractions of beach, rain forest, and volcano. The owners' help prior to arrival was extensive, and their suggestions of attractions and eating esablishments were ideal. Since this was not our first trip to Costa Rica, we chose Puntaneras for its accessibilty to other destinations. The owners also arranged transportation to and from Villa Cabomar that was an additional benefit because we arrived after dark and departed very early in the morning. Since we semi-regularly retrun to Costa Rica, we will definitely consider Villa Cabomar for future stays. I have fond memories of the doves waking us up in the morning, and of course, I would love to see Teresa again.

  Recommended for: Age 55+, girls getaway.

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• The best place to stay in Puntarenas

  The best place to stay in Puntarenas

  • Guest Makman
  • Date of stay 11/22/09
  • Review Submitted 12/02/09
  The Villa was amazing, the fact that it's only few blocks away from the beach made it even more fun place to stay. Everything was so neat looking and having a maid definitely made a positive impact on us. She was so friendly that we became friends by the end of the week (it was really hard to say goodbye). She is awesome. The hosts are also very nice and welcoming people. Everything about this place is just amazing. If you are looking for a place to stay in Puntarenas look no further Villa Cabomar is everything you have imagined and more.

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

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

• What an amazing home!

  What an amazing home!

  • Guest MCab
  • Date of stay 12/13/08
  • Review Submitted 01/19/09
  Villa Cabomar is everything you are looking for. Every vacation needs a comfortable home-like setting, privacy, a cool spa, accessible to a beach, accessible to public transportation, good food, markets, souvenirs and people you trust. Villa Cabomar offers this and so much more! Imagine staying at a modern and clean home.. sleeping with such comfort.. waking up to a great breakfast.. having clean towels on a daily basis.. and receiving great help from very warm and trusting people - it's paradise. You are welcomed by amazing people: Daphne was a wonderful help and guide to the city. Teresita.. wonderful, sweet Teresita, the housekeeper, is a gem. Her pleasant approach, welcoming smile, delicious breakfasts and great company is something we truly miss. It was such a wonderful place to simply relax. I traveled with 3 friends and til this day, when we think back to our vacation in Costa Rica, most of our fond memories were in Villa Cabomar. We would wake up to Teresita's delicious breakfast, spend our mornings in the cool spa, walk around Puntarenas during the day to get the local feel and enjoy the sunsets at the beach at dusk. What more can you ask for especially when the beach is a 2minute walk? Where Villa Cabomar is situated in Puntarenas gives travelers a great deal of options and opportunities to check out neighboring towns and attractions. One fond adventure we undertook was the Calypso Cruise on the catamaran. We highly recommend this day-cruise which includes the boat ride, your meal, entertainment, white-sand beach, great staff and so much more. I assure you will have a great time. Thank you again for the opportunity to stay in Villa Cabomar. We will be back! See you soon!

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

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• Amazing!

  Amazing!

  • Guest Perfect Gettaway
  • Date of stay 02/01/08
  • Review Submitted 03/17/08
  My new husband and I spent a week at Cabomar for our honeymoon and would strongly recommend it to anybody interested in traveling to Costa Rica. The villa was furnished nicely and provided a wonderful place to run to and relax after busy days of exploring. The food was excellent and the beach was a three minute walk away. Puntarenas was a perfect location to see much of Costa Rica. We would recommend visitors rent a car to make traveling easier. It appeared centrally located and was great in the respect that the city is not americanized. Staying in Puntarenas allowed you to explore the culture and experience a "local" feel. My husband and I can not wait to return to Cabomar!

  Recommended for: Adventure seekers, girls getaway, romantic getaway.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 6/6

• Villa Cabomar - wonderful !

  Villa Cabomar - wonderful !

  • Guest wyotravelers
  • Date of stay 10/01/07
  • Review Submitted 03/05/08
  Villa Cabomar is a wonderful retreat. Costa Rica is a country of stunning natural beauty and Villa Cabomar is right at home within this splendor. The villa beautifully blends its new, modern features and appointments with the quaint atmosphere of the quiet family neighborhood within which it is located. The bedrooms are very comfortable. The tiled baths are inviting. The bedrooms and baths are neatly tucked away from the well designed kitchen and living area. One of the properties visual delights is a wonderful indoor main level garden area. The garden is screened at the roof but is open to the sky. The custom designed native wood dining table and chairs together with the many beautiful paintings speak to the residences elegance and charm. And all of this is located within walking distance to good restaurants and the beach. My wife and I love to visit Costa Rica and we fell in love with Villa Cabomar. We highly recommend it.

  Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 3/3

• villa cabomar

  villa cabomar

  • Guest pat and kathleen
  • Date of stay 10/01/07
  • Review Submitted 03/04/08
  we found Cabomar to be newly remodeled and very stylish. the master suite and two upstairs rooms (with their own private baths) make for comfortable accomodations for a group of up to six. the open to the sky atrium in the center is magical. you can fall asleep to the sound of the rain. the villa is a block off the promenade and within easy walking distance of several good restuarants. Puentarenas is central to many of CR's attractions. Overall, we were charmed by Cabomar and would highly recommend it. pat and kathleen

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

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

• Costa Rican Paradise

  Costa Rican Paradise

  • Guest retired travelers
  • Date of stay 05/01/07
  • Review Submitted 03/05/08
  When the Delta crew told us that Costa Rica was heaven, they knew what they were talking about! Cabomar, in Puntarenas, must have been what they had in mind. Cabomar is exquisite in every detail. Each room is beautifully designed. An atrium between the kitchen and patio spa allows rain to fall inside - a sound that soothes the soul. The patio spa and garden allow for complete and private relaxation. Again, the sound of falling water soothes. We relaxed each evening and looked forward, at dusk, to the arrival of the green parrots. The bedrooms, each with a private bath and outside access, allow perfect sleeping conditions. Cabomar's housekeeper, Teresita, is a culinary wizard preparing breakfasts of luscious fruits in brilliant colors, just-made breads and pastries picked up from the bakery on her walk to your home, and aguas fresca made from ripe tropical fruits. The Costa Rican plato tipico, gallo pinto, changed what we want for breakfast... served at the custom-made dining table or on the patio table surrounded by lush tropical plantings... life could not be sweeter! We took advantage of the owners’ deep knowledge of Costa Rica and, following their advice, had a driver take us to the rain forest in Manual Antonio, to an organic vanilla finca, to an orchid finca, and to the catamaran that took us to Isla Tortuga. We would have been content walking from Cabomar to the restaurants, small bars, and beach... the road trips simply heightened the pleasure of our visit and gave us the opportunity to see more of Costa Rica’s unspoiled beauty.

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

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