Casa Tranquila - Oceanview, Sleeps 6 with Hot Tub & Dish TV

• Beautiful Family Vacation

  Beautiful Family Vacation

  • Guest Julie
  • Date of stay 12/27/12
  • Review Submitted 01/22/13
  It is difficult to put into words how much we loved our stay at Balcones de Majagual. Our party of 8 (2 families with 4 children total), were perfectly situated in the forest canopy, with stunning views of Playa Maderas. The adults, in particular, would have been quite content to remain at Casa Tranquila for an indeterminate length of time! The beach and property were perfect playgrounds for our "un-plugged" children (between the ages of 7 and 12) and the fitness-minded adults found plenty of satisfaction running the roads within and around the Balcones property. We felt completely safe and secure at both Casa Tranquila and on the playa. In fact, it seemed that we had the beach almost entirely to ourselves most of the time during our 5-day stay. We are in the process of planning our next visit to Nicaragua and will certainly stay at Balcones again! The location in relation to the beach and to San Juan del Sur were ideal--we easily could spend time in either place and escape when we needed to (back to our pool-side patios and well-equipped kitchen, of course). I will recommend this property highly to our like-minded traveling friends at home!

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

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

• A favourite!

  Guest comment entered by owner

  A favourite!

  • Guest Sam
  • Date of stay 01/12/13
  • Review Submitted 01/21/13
  This may be the my favorite of the multitude of homes I've rented around the world. Simple, beautifully built, beautifully landscaped, secluded, secure, luxurious and rustic all at the same time. I could happily have spent the whole time solely on the property and in the pool. Always super fun to take the 4 minute 4x4 trip or 10 minute walk down to the practically private beach, a seriously beautiful tropical pacific beach that makes your eyeballs ache. Laura was prompt, friendly, straight forward and super helpful. Everything was as promised and far more streamlined than when I visited 5 years ago. Gabriela the property manager couldn't have been more helpful, going so far as to come shopping with us before we headed up to Balcones. Balcones is a sort of eco-development with less than 10 homes and with so much land and steep hillsides it doesn't feel developed at all. It has a full time security and the house itself has someone there (but out of sight) 24/7 to make sure everything is working properly and to keep a general eye on things. Also there's howler monkeys, 3 toed sloths and tons of birds. Pretty luxurious - I don't know about you but I don't get that at my spot in Brooklyn. Be prepared to have a 4x4 the roads are steep (and fun) and the drive is about 20 mins door to door from San Juan del Sur, just far enough to be away from the multitudes of tourists but close enough to not feel like a crazy trek. It's not for everyone (but neither is Nica) but I'd say it's great for most and pretty remarkable. I can't recommend it highly enough.

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

• Better than what will be written in a review...

  Better than what will be written in a review...

  • Guest Michael
  • Date of stay 08/13/12
  • Review Submitted 09/05/12
  My wife and I had the amazing privilege of spending our honeymoon at Casa Tranquila and it was an incredible experience. After getting over the long day of traveling to the house (airport to San Juan Del Sur, from town to the house..) we were finally able to relax and realized just how amazing this property is! We truly felt like we 'got away' - turned off from the outside world and soaked up the slow and beautiful lifestyle of Nicaragua. If you are looking for something between all-inclusive and adventure travel this is it. It's luxurious enough to feel like you're at a private resort, but it's off the beaten path enough that you will have every opportunity for adventure! Everyone that worked with us setting up our stay could not have been more helpful - if you have any hesitations in renting through VRBO, or traveling to Nicaragua, or about this property specifically, they are more than willing to answer your questions and work through all of it with you! When you see a place with this many 5 star reviews it certainly means something, and I can almost promise your experience here will exceed your expectations. Don't be thrown off by having to rent a 4X4 or being outside of the town (San Juan Del Sur) - it's more than worth it... Though it sounds cliche I almost don't want to recommend you rent here because I don't want it to be overrun with visitors! But truly...this place is amazing and worth every bit of time and money you would put into going. I HIGHLY recommend Casa Tranquila and the community of Balcones for your next getaway!

  Recommended for: Adventure seekers, romantic getaway.

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

• Fantastic week just north of SJDS

  Fantastic week just north of SJDS

  • Guest Daniel H.
  • Date of stay 02/04/12
  • Review Submitted 02/21/12
  Casa tranquila was an exceptional home base for our second trip to the SJDS area. The house is very tastefully designed and furnished, the view is excellent, and it is very private. I feel the photos of the property greatly understate the beauty of the surroundings and unique design of the the house. The house is designed to maintain a feeling of continuity with the jungle around you. Most of the walls are screens, many of which can be retracted for even more openness. The separate sleeping buildings allow couples their own private areas, while the kitchen/living room and pool areas provide plenty of room for the entire group to congregate and party. The house is in the jungle, and you WILL see the jungle's permanent residents - for us, this included monkeys, a variety of birds, a toad that had to weight 5 pounds, and yes, a few tarantulas and scorpions. The wildlife is part of the charm of staying in the jungle, and will not bother you as long as you follow a few basic precautions that Gabby will provide at check-in. There were no mosquitoes. The house is not air-conditioned, and you do not need it, we slept with blankets every night due to the ocean breeze. Balcones is about 30 min drive from SJDS, definitely close enough for 2-3 nights out for dinner and drinks, but you probably won't want to drive into town every night. A little menu planning goes a long way in reducing the number of trips to town for food and other supplies. Also, if you like cocktails as much as we do, stock up on ice at every opportunity, as the ice maker will not keep up with demand. The best beaches in the region are a quick five minute drive down the hill. A 4WD vehicle is mandatory! Gabby (the owner's rental agent in SJDS) was exceptional. She responded to each inquiry promptly both before and during our stay, and even kept an eye on our luggage for a few hours after we checked out. The Spanish-speaking security guards were very friendly, and readily available 24/7. In summary, casa tranquila is a unique and spectacular way to experience the beauty of the jungle and be very close to the best beaches in the area. It does require a little more planning than staying in town, but the reward of staying in such a great location will be worth it. Highly recommended!

  Owner response: Thanks so much for capturing the essence of a stay at Casa Tranquila. It is a different experience from your usual hotel - and I feel that you really got at what makes our home special. We hope you enjoy many more vacations in the beautiful and dramatic country of Nicaragua!

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

• Sun, sea and nature at it's best

  Sun, sea and nature at it's best

  • Guest Tom
  • Date of stay 11/16/10
  • Review Submitted 12/03/10
  My wife and I stayed at Casa Tranquila for 7 nights (November 2010) and found the house and it's surroundings perfect. With monkey's outside our bedroom every morning and the infinity pool a refreshing retreat each day, our time there was relaxing and romantic. Casa Tranquila is in the jungle but has all the comfort and amenities that anyone would want. Cooking dinner in the open kitchen was special and the house has all the supplies we needed to keep us comfortable and happy. The beach, which is just a short drive away (or a little longer walk), was beautiful and often we were the only ones there. The surf beach is just around the corner and it seems is very popular with some good surfing action daily. We do suggest that you rent a 4 wheel drive to make your experience easier. We would definately recommend Casa Tranquila to anyone who wants to experience soft adventure with a touch of luxury.

  Recommended for: Adventure seekers, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

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

• Amazing house, amazing experience

  Amazing house, amazing experience

  • Guest NYC visitors
  • Date of stay 01/10/10
  • Review Submitted 08/11/10
  We came for a low-key experience in a simple, but beautiful part of the world, and this is what we got. The house is so fantastic, with it's spread-out layout, expansive views, the infinity pool, and the surprise visit from monkeys on several occasions. I would absolutely come back, but maybe not in January, as it is very windy, and there are only screens, no glass to block out sound and wind. Expect insect visits, a scorpion or two, but it's totally part of the adventure. The surrounding beaches are awesome, the food and drinks inexpensive, and you always have the option of getting a cook to make your meals while you're there. this is not for those seeking all-amenity luxury, but you're not "roughing it" either. Loved Casa Tranquila, and can't wait to go back!

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

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 4/5

• • Guest Mike Zinsmeister
  • Date of stay 02/08/10
  • Review Submitted 02/08/10
  This was our 3rd trip to Nicaragua, and by far, our favorite. At the end of a long trip with our two small children and grandpa, (two flights, and a 2.5 hour drive from Managua, culiminating in some adventurous 4x4 roads) we were rewarded by an absolutely lovely stay at Casa Tranquila. The adventure in getting there; the sights, sounds and smells, and the shift in perspective from our everyday life are part of the fun and reward for us. It's why we go to Nicaragua, and not a more polished and predictable destination. If you can identify with that, then this may be the vacation for you... A few highlights... Gabby acts as a concierge of sorts, assisting with trip planning, logistics, food shopping, and leads you to the home. She's a wonderful person, speaks fluent English and Spanish, and has excellent perspective and contacts to arrange anything from fishing to day trips. Don't underestimate her value! The rest of the employees at Tranquila and Balcones Majagual are likewise impressive. Eager to assist in any way, they keep an eye out for you to ensure that your trip is safe and pleasurable. We opted to employ a cook/nanny for the week to assist us, and the extra set of eyes and hands was key! Meals were very good, and we enjoyed some much appreciated time to relax. The house is stunning. The layout of 4 different 'pods', which are all connected by rock work, and surround a private pool and shaded sitting areas overlooking the ocean, are perfect for a large family, or group of friends. We had privacy and space, yet the open concept of the design and construction allows you to blend in with your surroundings, enjoying the breeze, sunsets, and wildlife. The beach is within walking distance, but based on the location high on the hill, we typically drove down. The result is a magnificently private beach, with close walking access around a rock point, to Playa Maderas, one of the best surf breaks in Central America. If you want to stay in the middle of town for late nights and rowdy fun at the bars, this might not be your best bet. If you're happy to spend 20 minutes driving into SJDS for an evening or two, but are generally excited to enjoy a peaceful and beautiful setting, focused on surf and relaxation, then I would encourage you to think hard about Casa Tranquila. It's a wonderful find.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 10/10

• got me thinking of investing in a place like this.....

  Guest comment entered by owner

  got me thinking of investing in a place like this.....

  • Guest Jorge Callejas
  • Date of stay 12/29/09
  • Review Submitted 01/12/10
  I just wanted to wright to say thanks for renting us such a beautiful house. I've lived in Nicargua and visited a lot but have never experience Nicaragua like I did for those days at Balcones de Majagual. We had a great time! I would definitely like to rent it again in the future. It even got me thinking of investing in a place like this.....

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 8/8

• Guest comment entered by owner

  • Guest CoffeeHunters
  • Date of stay 12/12/09
  • Review Submitted 12/12/09
  We stayed 6 nights at Casa Tranquila in September with our adult son and his girlfriend, Molly. The house is beautifully situated for sharing the common areas (kitchen, living, dining and pool) while the master suite and guest rooms are each in separate buildings insuring that everyone has ample space and privacy. This trip was Molly’s first time out of the country and her wish was to see the monkeys. On our first morning at Casa Tranquila we woke to the sound of the howler monkeys in the tree just outside our bedrooms! There were 6 monkeys, two which were small babies. It was just beginning to get light and the sunrise was fantastic. Molly was thrilled and our week vacationing together began in a very memorable way.We shopped in the local market and grocery store in order to allow us to cook in the beautiful kitchen for most of our meals. For a few special nights out we dined in San Juan Del Sur and experienced wonderful fare at very reasonable prices. After experiencing the zip line, surfing, swimming and ATV rentals we came home to relax and enjoy our private infinity pool overlooking the jungle and surf of the beach below. Truly a paradise.Vacationing in Nicaragua is not for everyone……..which is why it holds such charm for us. We love the tropical beauty, remoteness, privacy, nature, beaches and culture. Balcones de Majagual meets all our needs and expectations for tropical luxury experience along with the realities of living in a developing country. Be prepared for rough dirt roads, limited road signage, everything happening at a slower pace, and keeping a sense of humor if things don’t go as you expect and you will enjoy all this area has to offer.

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

• • Guest Anonymous
  • Date of stay 12/06/09
  • Review Submitted 12/06/09
  Casa Tranquila is a hidden jewel. Secluded and serene, it is the perfect getaway from the daily grind, yet has all the amenities to keep you comfortable and connected to civilization. A stunning view of the ocean and short ride to the beach make this home a spectacular spot for a vacation, not to mention a staff that will bend over backwards to ensure a remarkable experience.

  Owner response: Please invite your friends to share our little corner of paradise. We love guests like you!

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

Our concierge will make your stay special.
High season $250/night; $1,600/week; $3,499/month for 6 guests.
Low season $199/night; $1300/week; $2,999/month for 6 guests.
Holiday rates $379/night sleeps 8+ with 5 night minimum
+$50 per night adds on-site casita to sleep additional guests.
Twice weekly maid service included.

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