Vacation Rentals by Owner

Unique Villa & Private Infinity Pool; Walking Distance to Beach [#175367ha] | View Property

Playa del Coco
Villa: 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, sleeps 8; Separate Guest House sleeps 6

Write a Review

Traveler Reviews (12)

• Relaxing week with Tarzan "the Wonder Dog"

  Relaxing week with Tarzan "the Wonder Dog"

  • Guest Douglas T.
  • Date of stay 02/09/13
  • Review Submitted 03/01/13
  My wife and I and another couple spent our mornings snorkeling at two great beaches, both walking distance from the house, swimming with large schools of fish, rays, eels, and skates. Farther out we spotted dolphins and, though we didn't see them, people we talked to spotted a whale breaching in the bay. We spent our afternoons relaxing and enjoying the wonderfully warm temps by and in the fabulous pool. Joining us each morning for breakfast was Tarzan, a most polite and friendly host. Tarzan would share our breakfast, walk with us to the beach, and return to laze around the pool. He also enjoyed snack time each afternoon. He earned his snacks by being a faithful guard dog and easy going companion for us dog lovers. Owners, Cynthia and Patrice, were nearby, which was a plus. After greeting us on our arrival, they left us to our privacy, but were accessible when we had questions or needed help booking a day trip to Palo Verde ( a highly recommended trip). Also nearby was Juan, the gardener/guard, always friendly and quick to lend a hand when needed. Another plus was Francis, who came in to clean three times during the week and made sure we always had fresh towels and clean linens at midweek. The pool was also cleaned twice during our stay. "Sails" is a perfect house for relaxing or taking in the activities around the area. The view is fantastic and the variety of birds and animals that visit the property is astounding - parrots, parakeets, kiskadees, jays, mot mots, vultures, howler monkeys, iguanas, terasaurs, etc. Within walking distance or a very short drive are many great restaurants and bars. Our favorites were Father Rooster's on the beach and Coconuts and Las Olas in Playa del Coco. The house has everything one needs to enjoy a perfect vacation. We will return.

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

• PURA VIDA!

  PURA VIDA!

  • Guest Cookie and friends
  • Date of stay 12/29/12
  • Review Submitted 01/10/13
  My wife and I and our family stayed in this villa for a week over New Year's. Hopefully I can relate what a brilliant experience it was in under 2500 words. From the first communication with Cynthia to the tearful goodbye at the end of the week, absolutely everything was brilliant. All of my questions were promptly responded to, and the payments details were a breeze. The villa easily housed three adult couples and three year old twins. The kitchen, bathrooms, dining room, and living room were well appointed and had everything we needed. Not sure I ever sat in the living room as we spent so much of the time around the pool. Sipping a Costa Rican coffee and listening to the many species of wildlife in the morning, while gazing over the most incredible view, just doesn't get any better. On one of the mornings there were a group of howler monkeys playing in the tree over the pool. The twins thought it was great to have to have their own private zoo right at the villa. It was an easy trek to the beach, even for the tots. Special mention has to go to Tarzan "wonder dog" for his leadership and companionship for those trips to and from the beach. Returning to the villa, it was certainly refreshing to be able to jump into a clean infinity pool or enjoy a cold Imperial while lounging in a chaise. We ate lunch at Father Rooster's several times before returning to the villa after a morning of beach. My youngest daughter and her fiancee walked to Picante and had an incredible meal(he gave her the ring there). There are a number of restaurants in Playa del Coco but we chose to shop in town and prepare most meals in. I like to cook and managed to put on a New Year's Eve dinner including beef tenderloin, seafood pasta, salad, fresh pinnapple with rum, for eleven persons (our friends joined us) and enjoyed outside around the pool. The oldsters stayed in to celebrate the New Year by star gazing and tending tots while the youngers were able to enjoy the Latin American tradition in town. We did a sorkel trip to the islands and caves. Snorkelling was good but the highlight was the pod of dolphins playing in the wake was very exciting. Again the twins thought this was amazing. Thanks to Cynthia and Patrice and of course Tarzan for making our family so wecome and providing us with a 11/10 experience. We will never forget this trip of a lifetime. I could recommend this property to anybody including my mother-in-law. Pura Vida!

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

• Amazing Christmas Adventure

  Amazing Christmas Adventure

  • Guest Eliza R.
  • Date of stay 12/20/12
  • Review Submitted 01/07/13
  We recently got back from an awesome stay at Renaud House over the Christmas Holidays. The pictures do not show just how amazing the house is. Glass, light, and comfortable spaces. Sliding glass doors in many of the rooms for indoor-outdoor living. We woke up each morning to a panoramic sunrise over the ocean. And you can't beat the infinity pool! The location was perfect for us, as we took the opportunity to explore the area and do different activities. Playa De Coco has a good mix of restaurants, shops and bars. Playa de Ocotal is just a short walk down the hill, with the local beach bar, Father Roosters. For sailing and snorkeling, we recommend the Sea Bird, and Diego at Star Paddle took us out on a great Christmas morning paddle. And for a big adventure, you can't miss the zip line, rafting, horseback riding and hot springs at Hacienda Guachipelin. Homeowners Cynthia and Patrice were really helpful in suggesting and arranging several of our family's activities, and checked in a few times to make sure we had all we need. And our kids fell in love with Tarzan, the dog. Great hospitality all around. We hope to be back again soon!

  Owner response: It's lovely to have a family who enjoy the house and gardens as much as we do, and who had so much fun visiting all the area. We're glad it was a warm and memorable Christmas holiday!

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

• Relaxing stay in Playa Ocotal

  Relaxing stay in Playa Ocotal

  • Guest Danielle G.
  • Date of stay 02/09/12
  • Review Submitted 02/24/12
  Thank you Cynthia and Patrice for a wonderful stay at your magnificient home at Playa Ocotal. The house and the terrace are spectacular and the huge infinity pool much appreciated even if we are only 5 minutes from the beach. The place is peaceful and your luscious gardens so well maintained by Juan. Even Tarzan (the dog) was a big plus for us as we are animal lovers. He is so sweet and a pleasant companion for our walks on the beach. We look forward to visit you soon. This has to be our best vacation spot ever.

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

• We didn't want to leave this beautiful house!

  We didn't want to leave this beautiful house!

  • Guest Mary G.
  • Date of stay 11/12/11
  • Review Submitted 12/07/11
  We recently returned from a Girls' Vacation with 3 other ladies. This home is even more beautiful than the site's photos can capture. Everything is perfect - the home, the pool, the garden, and yes, even the dog. We are dog lovers and he was a very special added attraction - what a sweetheart! Every room is well appointed, clean, and bright. Juan the gardener made us feel pampered and safe and secure. Waking up every morning in the master suite to a spectacular view is a memory I will always cherish - I would definitely go back to this home. One of our favorite restaurants is Piccante's which is a very short drive away. If you go at night we advise taking a flashlight - there are no street lights and walking can be dicey. The manager Dany and the staff there are absolutely delightful and make you feel so at home. There is also a fun bar on the beach in Ocotal called Father Rooster where we enjoyed drinking, eating, and watching the sunset. We enjoyed shopping in the town of Coco and had a delicious dinner in a hotel/restaurant called the Palms. We went to Rincon National Park and walked around the volcano which was fun. We enjoyed Playa Famingo which is a nice beach to spend the day and later have a tasty lunch in a restaurant called Marie's. In a nutshell: Great house, the owners and neighbors are very gracious and accommodating, Costa Rica is a beautiful country and I hope to return some day to do all the things we didn't fit in to our week. Thank you so much Cynthia, Patrice, Ed, Lorrie, Juan, Dany, Francis, and Tarzan the Wonder Dog!

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

• Stunning Home

  Stunning Home

  • Guest Jeffrey L.
  • Date of stay 03/20/11
  • Review Submitted 05/14/11
  My family recently spent a glorious three weeks at this stunning home. The home is every bit as spectacular as the photos indicate. It is well appointed, impeccably maintained, and is located in a beautiful setting. It is a very short walk to the beach and several fun restaurants. The the property receives regular visits from a host of beautiful birds and howler monkeys. It is a short drive to the quaint village of Playa del Coco, and conveniently located close to many beautiful beaches, national parks and volcanoes. The owner, Cynthia, was very gracious and helpful to us in ensuring we enjoyed our stay. She assisted with everything from the car rental to recommendations of restaurants, and worthwhile attractions and activities. She is supported by a wonderful team including Juan, the caretaker, Francis the housekeeper and of course, Tarzan the wonderdog. Juan and Francis are very pleasant, honest, trustworthy and aim please. Our next visit to Costa Rica will undoubtedly include a stay at this fabulous home. And, we highly recommend this property to anyone planning a vacation to Cost Rica. Jeff and Doreen, and Taylor (age 22) and Mackenzie (age 19).

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

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

• Stunning!

  Stunning!

  • Guest Travelin Canucks
  • Date of stay 02/24/11
  • Review Submitted 03/05/11
  This house, the view, the owners and the community of Ocotal are outstanding!! We can't say enough positive things about are 8 days at 'Sails Ocotal' as there isn't room to describe it. But briefly...the house was perfect for 3 couples, and Cynthia was incredible with her recommendations and assisting with arrangements for excursions. We wish we could go back every year, and if we do, we will make sure to stay at Cynthia and Patrice's gorgeous property. Honestly, the pictures on this site do not even do it justice - it really is that gorgeous and the service is that good! In addition to the assistance we received with choosing, negotiating, and booking various excursions (which included help organizing a surprise 5-yr anniversary vow renewal), the accomodations were also excellent thanks to the regular maid service, pool cleaner, and Juan the friendly gardener/security guard. We will also miss Tarzan the magnificent tour guide dog. Thanks so much for sharing your home with us Canadians!! Other features of note: we say monkeys in the trees 20 feet from us 3 out of the 8 days. Father Roosters is OK food, but we recommend Coconutz in Coco for standard Amerian/Canadian cuisine. El Ocotal restaurant has OUT OF THIS WORLD views but is pretty pricey and the menu was limited compared to other fine dining options in Coco, such as Citron which was delicious. The adventure day at Hacienda Guachepelin is incredibe: zip lining, horseback riding, tubing, rock climbing, swimming in a waterfall, and mud bath & hot springs all in one day. Don't miss out on the waterfall! Snorkeling is a 5-min walk from the house and is really good from the south side of the beach, especially on a clear day. Nothing else to say except that WE LOVED IT!!! I hope we are fortunate enough to return to your house one day. Thanks again Patrice and Cynthia!

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

  Owner response: Thank you! We have to say that these were great guests and we really enjoyed meeting them, and helping a little with the renewal of vows on the beach (and trying to keep it a secret from the groom!) It was a lovely day! Hope you all make it back one day.

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

• The Most Beautiful House!

  The Most Beautiful House!

  • Guest Viola
  • Date of stay 02/17/11
  • Review Submitted 02/28/11
  We returned from wonderful Costa Rica last week. My boyfriend, his three kids, and I spent 6 nights at this beautiful Ocotal house. The house itself is spectacular - very clean, comfortable, open and well equipped. I just loved waking up to those beautiful views! The swimming pool is amazing. The location is perfect and very safe. The town of Coco is about 10-minute car ride away. There are shops and restaurants. There are several good restaurants in the area. We really liked a place called Picante - just 5 minuts from the house. The Ocotal beach is about 10-minute walk. The beach has black sand. We made arrangements for a 4-hour boat and snorkeling tour right there on the beach - saw whales, dolphins, turtles, and many different fish. Costa Ricans are very nice and friendly. It helps if you speak a bit of Spanish. Cynthia and Patrice - the owners of the house - are wonderful. They are very knowledgable about the area and activities and are willing to anser all your questions and help with plans and making arrangements. Per their suggestion we did an Adventure Day - ziplinging, horseback riding, tubing, hot springs. We also did a boat tour and saw monkeys, snakes, all kinds of birds. I highly recommend this property. It's even more beautiful than the pictures above. The house is an architectural gem!

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

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

• Amazing House, Amazing Owners

  Amazing House, Amazing Owners

  • Guest Ariel
  • Date of stay 12/04/10
  • Review Submitted 12/14/10
  Overall the house itself is incredible. Great views to wake up to, great modern open house. The infinity pool is perfect for a refreshing morning dip, or a relaxing mid-day swim. The 3 bedrooms in the house easily sleep 3 couples, or even 8 single people because they have 2 mattresses and 2 folding cots to sleep on. We went for an Adventure Day at Hacienda Guachipelin, which is about an hour drive, and definitely worth it. The house is about 30 minutes from Liberia, so worth flying into there, since it's about a solid 4 hour drive from San Jose airport. The owners are very helpful and friendly to coordinate logistics and suggest activities. A few additional points to know - the beach that is walking distance is pretty small, but there are nicer beaches about 20 minutes by car, and a great surfing beach (Tamarindo) about an hour away by car. The Internet is certainly sufficient for most needs, but it may be slow if you are going down for a working vacation (as we did). Overall highly recommended, and I hope to return.

  Recommended for: Families with young children, girls getaway.

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

• Unreal Views

  Unreal Views

  • Guest Happy in Colorado
  • Date of stay 10/29/10
  • Review Submitted 11/13/10
  We have just returned from Costa Rica and staying at this incredible home. The pictures can not come close to capturing the panoramic scene before you or the architecture of the house. We did feel safe with the community the home resides and Juan's constant guard was appreciated as well. It was a bit of a surprise to have the dog so comfortable in the home especially since he needed grooming badly to address his overpowering order and fleas. This was the perfect location for exploring all the different beaches along the coast. Ed the neighbor was wonderful with his restaurant picks and helpful maps. If you are comfortable with basics amenities and an unbelievable pool with tremendous bird watching this is the place for you. Just remember to keep all food in the refrigerator or you may be surprised in the morning!

  Recommended for: Adventure seekers, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

  Owner response: Thankyou! Tarzan (the dog) will be dealt with immediately on our return! He is amenable to criticism and firm commands however, and really knows he is meant to stay outside...

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

• Amazing property ... Wonderful people

  Amazing property ... Wonderful people

  • Guest adberg66
  • Date of stay 05/10/10
  • Review Submitted 05/23/10
  As beautiful as the pictures appear on the website, they can't possibly show what an amazing property this was. This was our first trip to Costa Rica (hopefully first of many) and from our first email Cynthia helped ease many of our concerns. When we arrived we were greeted by Juan (the guard/gardener) and Tarzan the guard dog. They made the place feel like a home. Every part of the property was immaculately well kept and cared for. The views are incredible at all times of the day. Just a short walk to the beach (and if you don't know how to get there Tarzan will show you the way!) We did a variety of activities from exploring some of the different beaches to some of the ziplines / canyoning and this property was in a great location for all of that. It was also in a location that allowed us to experience some of the culture of Costa Rica, but yet feel very comfortable and safe when we were on the property. Juan was great to let us know when the monkeys were coming through the trees in the evening so we could be ready with our cameras. Overall this property exceeded our expectations in every aspect. We are hoping to go back in the near future and take our kids along. There are very few places I've been that I'd want to go back to the exact same spot but when we go back to Costa Rica we will be certainly be checking to see if this property is available.

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

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

• Vollendeter Stil gepaart mit endloser Herzlichkeit

  Vollendeter Stil gepaart mit endloser Herzlichkeit

  • Guest SST
  • Date of stay 04/23/09
  • Review Submitted 06/27/09
  Das moderne Haus thront über dem Meer und der erste Blick von der Terrasse wird Ihnen den Atem rauben. Sie werden sich dieser unendlichen Schönheit des Anblicks in Ihrem ganzen Urlaub nicht entziehen können. Würde das Land nicht so vieles zu bieten haben, gäbe es keinen Grund das Haus zu verlassen. Alle Räume sind stilvoll eingerichtet und die Ausstattung lässt keinerlei Wünsche offen. Zu keiner Zeit hat man das Gefühl, es würde etwas fehlen. Und auch wenn man nicht im Masterbedroom nächtigt, der sicher das beeindruckendste Zimmer ist, da es fast rundherum verglast ist und einen einmaligen Blick über die Bucht bietet, gibt es kein Schlafzimmer, das nicht eine Besonderheit bereithält. Die Küche bietet alles was man braucht und die vielen kleinen und großen Besonderheiten der Architektur dieses Hauses, sind beeindruckend. Dennoch kommt zu keiner Zeit das Gefühl auf man befände sich in einem durchgestylten Designertempel in dem man sich nicht frei bewegen könnte. Vielmehr vermittelt das stilvolle und gepflegte Ambiente das Gefühl nach stundenlangen Touren durch die ursprüngliche und überwältigend schöne Natur Costa Ricas "nach Hause zu kommen". Verstärkt wird dies durch die Hausbesitzer, die während unseres Urlaubs in dem unterhalb liegenden Apartment gewohnt haben und genau das richtige Maß zwischen hilfsbereiter Aufmerksamkeit und rücksichtsvoller Diskretion fanden. Für jedes Anliegen vor oder während unseres Aufenthaltes hatten sie ein offenes Ohr und haben uns immer herzlich und bemüht mit Rat und Tat zur Seite gestanden. Ebenso hat man sich durch den Hausmeister betreut gefühlt, der keine Bitte unerfüllt ließ. Alle drei Tage kommt eine Zugehdame, die putzt und die Betten wechselt. Die angebotene Betreuung und das außergewöhnliche Ambiente ist jeden Cent wert und lässt einen den Alltag vergessen. Dieses Haus ist genau das richtige für alle, die einen Individualurlaub machen möchten - dabei jedoch ungern auf einige Annehmlichkeiten verzichten. Die Lage macht ein Auto unverzichtbar - dennoch sind z.B. Einkaufsgelegenheiten in einer zumutbaren Entfernung. Wenn Ihnen das was Sie auf den Bildern sehen, gefällt, zögern Sie nicht - Ihre Erwartungen werden sicher noch übertroffen! Wir durften einen unvergesslichen Urlaub im Paradies verbringen - das Haus hat für den nächsten Urlaub eindeutig neue Maßstäbe gesetzt! Danke Cynthia, danke Patrice: Es ist ein Erlebnis auf dieser Terrasse zu sitzen und Euer Gast zu sein! Danke, dass Ihr Euer Haus mit anderen teilt!

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

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/14