Reviews for Manuel Antonio Vacation Rental - VRBO 200131 - 2 BR Manuel Antonio Area Condo in Costa Rica, Tulemar-Buenavista-Huge Ocean Views-Location, Private Beach-Monkeys!!!

Casa Gema De Bali

Guest Snooz12
Date of stay 02/25/13
Review Submitted 03/17/13

I stayed at Casa Gema de Bali in late February of 2013. Casa Gema de Bali is located in a gated community with a 24 hour doorman and security. The house has 2 stories. The main level has a kitchen, living room, and a huge porch outside with 360 degrees view of the ocean. The porch is furnished with very comfortable chairs,jacuzzi, and multiple ceiling fans. The rooms are located downstairs, with 2 queen beds in each room so total of 8 people can comfortably sleep there. Each room has it's own TV, bath, and shower. The shower area is open to the outside and you can enjoy the ocean while showering. The house comes with linens and towels. Fresh towels are also provided daily. The house is cleaned daily. There is private beach for Tulemar.There is a shuttle service to and from the beach but the walk is also very pleasant. At the beach they provide you with chairs, towels, and umbrellas. In addition, there is a full bar and cafe at the beach. The community has 2 infinity pools which comes with towels, full bar, and a cafe. The staff who work at Tulemar are very nice and attentive. The house itself is only a 10 min cab ride away from the Manuel Antonio National park and there are many good restaurants within the walking distance. Overall, I had a great time at Casa Gema de Bali. I would definitely recommend this place to my friends and family. You should go there if you are looking to enjoy a luxury vacation in a great location. I am definitely planning to revisit Casa Gema de Bali. Everything was perfect in this house.

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

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Casa Gema de Bali Surpassed All Expectations!

Guest Tara C.
Date of stay 02/01/13
Review Submitted 02/05/13

Our family stayed at Casa Gema de Bali in Manuel Antonio last week and it was outstanding! Our love of the beach has led us to explore many vacation spots in the States, the Caribbean and Mexico and this Casa is now our favorite. Gema de Bali has a gorgeous design, stunning views and all of the comforts of home. I explored many hotels and rental options in Manuel Antonio before finding this one. Tracy, the owner was very helpful and responsive in all of our communications. Buena Vista Villas (the gated resort community where the Casa is located)is one of the few properties in the Manuel Antonio area that has beach access and because of the way the property is situated, the beach is very private. My husband, 2 children (ages 13 and 16) and I used the kayaks and snorkeling equipment available on the beach for guests to borrow. The tropical fish were abundant and beautiful! There are lots of great restaurant options within walking distance of the Casa and more just short and inexpensive taxi ride away.I am highly recommending Manuel Antonio and Casa Gema de Bali to all of my friends and family considering a trip to Costa Rica. It is a great destination for relaxing, wildlife sightings, experiencing rain forest and some of the best white sand beaches in the country.

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

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Great stay at Gema de Bali

Guest Matt
Date of stay 11/21/12
Review Submitted 11/29/12

Just returned from a fantastic 4 days at Gema de Bali with family. Great views, very well appointed, excellent beach and pools. Thanks, Tracy, Amy, and Susan! Much appreciated! Matt Chelsea, Quebec

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

Owner response: Con gusto Matt! Always a pleasure to have guests from Canada! Hope to have you return soon. Saludos!

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My best vacation in Costa rica at casa de Bali

Guest Debbie
Date of stay 10/14/12
Review Submitted 11/25/12

Date of visit, October, 2012. My husband and I spent a lovely week at Casa Gema de Bali. We found the casa to be very beautiful and comfortable. We called it our Tropical Palace! We felt that our view of the ocean must be one of the best in all of Manuel Antonio. It was a relaxing treat to walk or take the free van to the Tulemar beach (private beach in the gated community) everyday and swim in the warm waters. We also loved the location because it was within minutes to numerous restaurants. We believe that we could not have selected a better location and villa. If we return to Manuel Antonio, we will definitely hope to stay at Casa Gema de Bali again.

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

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My best vacation in Costa rica at casa de Bali

Guest Debbie
Date of stay 10/14/12
Review Submitted 11/25/12

Date of visit, October, 2012. My husband and I spent a lovely week at Casa Gema de Bali. We found the casa to be very beautiful and comfortable. We called it our Tropical Palace! We felt that our view of the ocean must be one of the best in all of Manuel Antonio. It was a relaxing treat to walk or take the free van to the Tulemar beach (private beach in the gated community) everyday and swim in the warm waters. We also loved the location because it was within minutes to numerous restaurants. We believe that we could not have selected a better location and villa. If we return to Manuel Antonio, we will definitely hope to stay at Casa Gema de Bali again.

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

Owner response: Thank you Despina for your kind words. Amy, Michael and I are very happy that you and your husband enjoyed Casa Gema de Bali and were able to have the relaxing vacation you were hoping for. Saludos!

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We miss it already!!!

Guest Gebruiker
Date of stay 08/28/12
Review Submitted 09/07/12

My wife and I have just returned from our honeymoon in Costa Rica, where we stayed in the beautiful Casa Gema de Bali. Tracy has done a tremendous job making this home a perfect tropical getaway. The location was perfect, with easy access to local restaurants (definitely go to Victorias and Agua Azul), grocery store, and a (free) one minute shuttle ride to the private beach! While I was there I asked around a bit about the prices of the other villas and casas and confirmed that Tracy has truly priced the rental of her home at one of the greatest deals in the area for the value! My advice is to book Casa Gema de Bali... you will not regret it!

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

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All my daughter says is "I want to go back"!

Guest Charles K.
Date of stay 06/15/12
Review Submitted 06/26/12

Sometimes you have to take a leap of faith. We had never been to Costa Rica and originally we were working a Costa Rican travel agent. By chance, I came across Casa Gema De Bali on Tripadvisor, read the reviews and decided this was the place for us. We spent 6/15/12-6/23/12 at this wonderful villa. I travelled with my wife and two daughters ages 19 and 24. The casa is even more beautiful than the pictures. The location is probably the best in Tulemar. The casa is located near the top of Tulemar which makes for spectacular views from the decks. We also had the advantage of being near the main road so it was easy to walk to restaurants. Amy, our concierge, was wonderful and booked most of our tours prior to our arrival. When we had a tour scheduled, Amy would call us in the morning to make sure we were up and tell us what we needed to bring. My family enjoyed the family pool and the beach. We saw more wildlife at Tulemar than we did at Manuel Antonio Park. We saw squirrel monkeys, white faced monkeys, howler monkeys, iguanas, lizards, bats and many varieties of birds. You can make a call to the main office to have a shuttle take you to anywhere on the property. There are many wonderful restaurants within walking distance. Our favorites were Cafe Milagro and Aqua Azul. We kept busy by taking a tour of Manuel Antonio Park with Johan, zip-lining, ATV tour, fishing and a catamaran cruise. We relaxed at the villa which has a jacuzzi on the top deck and views I will never forget. I enjoyed the outdoor shower with the waterfall shower head. I was able to stay connected to work and family with the wifi and free calls to the US. The weather was hot, sunny with periods of rain. We have travelled extensively and we all agree that this was one of our most enjoyable vacations. Thank you Tracey, Amy and the entire staff at Tulemar.

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

Owner response: Hola Chuck, It always puts a huge smile on our face when we read reviews such as yours. We are thrilled that you all enjoyed yourselves so much! We hope that you will come back for a repeat of what you say is one of the best vacations! Saludos! Tracy

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Most beautiful house with the best view in Costa Rica!

Guest Jared H.
Date of stay 05/25/12
Review Submitted 06/02/12

I recently stayed for 5-6 days at this house in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica and am speechless at how beautiful it was. Photos do not to justice to the amazing sunsets you can view from the jacuzzi on the balcony. The house itself is flawless with the best showers I've ever had the pleasure to use. Besides the incredible house location and gorgeous view, it is located in a great little town in Costa Rica that has endless activities to keep you busy and a private beach if you just want to relax. There is certainly something for everyone - surfing, hiking, nature walks, sport fishing, kayaking, snorkeling, horseback riding - the list goes on. The concierge, Amy, is incredibly attentive as is the house owner, Tracy. I would recommend a stay here to anyone looking to enjoy everything Costa Rica has to offer.

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

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Group of 8 singles had a great adventure trip

Guest Cindy
Date of stay 05/06/12
Review Submitted 05/16/12

A group of 8 single professionals in their 30s reserved Casa Gema de Bali and loved it. I would consider it an adventure trip as we did surfing lessons, zip lining, and white water rafting around Manuel Antonio. We also did a guided tour at the National Park--it had great beaches. We thought the villa was amazing. Breath-taking views. We spent almost every single evening out on the covered porch/balcony where there is a large table, comfy chairs and a private hot tub. The beds are comfy. The showers are amazing. It was super nice to have a washer and dryer. Having the pools as an option was nice as well--especially for later in the day. The private beach is nice, but we recommend checking out the public beach--a cheap taxi ride down the hill. You can rent chairs from "Mary" for $5 a piece and there are restaurants and shops across the street. People on the beach will let you borrow their phones to call the taxi service or you can have your concierge arrange pickup at a certain time. Bring lots $1, $5, and $10 bills for tips. There is a convenient ATM across the street but it only gives $20 bills and everyone gives change back in the local currency. I would highly recommend Gema Casa de Bali if you are staying in Manuel Antonio--I've already sent the link to many people I know. Pura Vida.

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

Owner response: This group was a pleasure to have as guests at Gema de Bali. They made the most of their vacation, enjoying everything that Manuel Antonio has to offer. We are happy that they enjoyed our balcony as much as we do! Pura Vida indeed!

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Paradise by the sea

Guest Stephen D.
Date of stay 01/15/12
Review Submitted 05/10/12

Casa de Gema de Bali is a one of a kind experience. First of all there is the lushious panoramic view: from the rain forest to the Pacific. The trees are teaming with exotic birds and occasionally the white faced and endangered squirrel monkey. The house is open and inviting. With two floors it is spacious and well lit. I especially enjoyed the semi open air showers. While remaining private, they offer a great view of the Pacific and rainforest and a rain shower head. Tracy was amazing. She kept in touch and offered a number of day trips in the rain forest. Tulemar its own private beach. We had a blast body surfing and even kayaked out to a snorkeling area. There is a flock of pelicans who fish for lunch in the surf.

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

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Paradise

Guest Jennifer B.
Date of stay 07/29/11
Review Submitted 08/09/11

Thank you Tracy for welcoming us into your home. This was our first trip to Costa Rica and I can say with certainty that we picked a wonderful spot. Everything about our vacation was smooth and organized, thanks to both you and Amy, the fantastic concierge. We were whisked away upon arrival to San Jose and treated to a lovely ride with Ariel our driver. We even stopped and had lunch near the 'crocodile bridge' - our first encounter with the wildlife in CR. The Casa is beautiful and the pictures provide only a sample of the luxurious accomodations and view. We enjoyed fantastic sunsets, comfy beds, and refreshing outdoor showers. In the evening after the daily rain, we would relax in the outdoor hot tub with a glass of wine - and were treated to a friendly monkey visitor more than once. The staff at Tulemar was also fantastic, the shuttles were timely and we often spent days at the beach. The Casa is well within walking distance to the front of Tulemar, allowing us a short stroll for our morning coffee at Cafe Milagro - fantastic! We also had dinner at L'Avion, Aqua Azur, and SalsiPuedas, meeting many friendly people along the way. As previously mentioned, Amy the concierge was wonderfully accomodating. She arranged for several excursions prior to our arrival based on our preferences. Our favorite was a day trip to Isle de Cano, a short ride by car, and then a longer boat ride to the biological preserve where we enjoyed fantastic snorkeling. Amy also helped to arrange a suprise birthday dinner for us with Ernesto - who treated us to a tasty gourmet dinner of RedSnapper and other traditional favorites. I would absolutely recommend your Casa for couple, families, relaxation or adventure...there is something for everyone, the people are friendly and accomodating, and the coordination with Tracy was seamless. THANK YOU!!

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

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Amazing Vacation! Beautiful Home!

Guest Julie b.
Date of stay 07/22/11
Review Submitted 08/04/11

Words can not describe the amazing time we had at Casa Gema de Bali. The house is beautiful and clean. Probably one of main things that sets this house apart from the rest is its location! It is close to everything! We could walk to restaurants, beach, pool, and grocery store...and still view the ocean and monkeys from our deck. It was the best! The concierge, Amy, made our vacation complete. She scheduled rafting, ziplining, massages, park tour, surf lessons, and a chef. We just told her the activities we wanted to do and she scheduled them with the best guides (she knows them all:) and arranged all activity transportation, which arrived at our door at the appointed times. Our only hope is to be able to return to this paradise again SOON!!My husband and I traveled with 5 kids (ages 16-24). Sometimes kids that age are hard to please. My kids were in absolute awe the entire time and never complained once about anything!

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

Owner response: Dear Julie, Thank you for your review,and for choosing Casa Gema de Bali. We are happy that your entire family loved staying in our casa, and even more so that you would like to return SOON! Hasta luego, Tracy and Michael

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Jungle Paradise

Guest Jodi
Date of stay 05/10/11
Review Submitted 05/30/11

There is just nothing quite like waking up to the sounds of the jungle! This was a wonderful adventure for our family. The condo was beautiful, clean and secure. I would say it's situated on one of the best lots in the development. The view was phenomenal and it was easy to walk to restaurants, bars and the grocery. Staff was so helpful and kind. We really enjoyed our stay.

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

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Adventure seekers

Guest beckham
Date of stay 12/12/10
Review Submitted 01/07/11

Our first trip to Costa Rica was extra special due to the first class villa and service that we received while we were here! You can see that the place is spectacular and the pictures on this sight do not exagerate. The view from every room in the villa is breathtaking. We are a family of four, two adults a 21 year old son and 18 year old daughter. Tracy and amy worked with us when my husband had a glitch in the states with his passport and we had to travel without him while he was rerouted to the nearest passport office!! The transportation from the San Jose airport was clear and professional and got us to the villa safely after an emotionally draining day. Amy greeted us (as well as the fantastic private chef Chelsea...highly recommend!) with news about my husband's progress as well as an amended schedule for the week! (He arrived the next night with amy's help) Oh, did I mention a chilled glass of wine too!?! Amy was a fanrastic conceirge, private five star hotel service. She booked all of our excursions and they were spot on. She was there whenever we needed anything. The staff at the villas were fantastic. We loved the guys at the beach...David, Javier and Roberto (Mikyll) They were so friendly and helpful, pointing out wildlife and always willing to accomodate. The first day there we had a monkey show from our balcony! The next day we saw a sloth in a tree at the beach as well as spider monkeys stealing fruit from Javier at the bar. We were not sure about transportation as we are suburbanites used to having a car. You can walk to the bank, grocery as well as many good restaurants and our fave..Cafe Milagro..The office will call you a cab to anywhere else and they are reliable and inexpensive. The excursions all pick you up at your hotel/ villa. So we did fine without a car.. This was a truly delightful vacation. Thanks to Tracy and amy for your hospitality. We highly recomend this place!!!

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

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Casa Gema de Bali is Incredible

Guest Teri & Bob
Date of stay 09/12/10
Review Submitted 10/09/10

We spent our honeymoon at Casa Gema de Bali and it was the most incredible trip we have ever taken. The casa was the best at the resort, best location, best view, best everything. It was luxurious and had all the comforts of home while still possessing the beautiful and unique flavor the Costa Rican rainforest. Tracy was a superb hostess and made all the arrangements we needed to make the trip all we wanted it to be. The area is breathtaking, the people wonderful, and the activities great. The beach, the pools and the easy access to town and great restaurants made this a great location to visit. While every day was full of activities or enjoying the pools or beach, sitting on the veranda with coffee every morning watching the beautiful birds, tucans, and of course the monkeys was the highlight!

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

Owner response: Dear Teri and Bob, Michael and I thank you for choosing our casa to celebrate your new lives together. We are very happy that we were able to fulfill a dream for the two of you. It will be wonderful to have you come back to celebrate an anniversary some day soon! Best of wishes. Tracy and Michael

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Casa Gema de Bali in Buena Vista

Guest Debbie
Date of stay 08/26/10
Review Submitted 09/30/10

Four very good friends were fortunate enough to spend 8 wonderful nights at Casa Gema de Bali in August. We had stayed at another Buena Vista "casa" two years ago and had an unforgettable time and so we decided to return to this piece of heaven in Manuel Antonio. We did some research and were surprised when we found that we could stay in Casa Gema de Bali within Buena Vista for much less. We hoped that we would not be disappointed, but as soon as we entered Casa Gema de Bali, we knew that we had hit the jack-pot. We were blown away by this luxurious experience! The endless ocean and dramatic mountain views from every room were beyond description. The villa was beautifully decorated and very, very clean. We were so comfortable that our favorite thing was coming back "home" in the afternoon to lounge around the villa and take in the beautiful views with a good glass of wine. The owners Tracey and Michael have added items beyond and above what the other villas/casas have to make sure that guests feel very pampered and well taken care of (much appreciated; thank you for the lighted make-up mirror for one!). We loved being on the top of the hill because it was easy to reach the road in the evening to go to dinner without working up a sweat. All in all, our vacation at Casa Gema de Bali could not have been better. We know where we will be staying when we return yet again to "heaven".

Owner response: Hola Debbie, Thank you for your kind words about our beloved Casa Gema de Bali. Michael and I are happy that we were able to contribute towards your memorable vacation. Till your next visit....Pura Vida! Tracy and Michael

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Awesome Stay

Guest BobbyGriff
Date of stay 08/21/10
Review Submitted 08/30/10

We had an awesome time. The weather was great - rained after 4 on a couple days - and on our last full day we were visited by a group of capuchin monkeys who hung out on the deck for a while. We loved the private beach and we all enjoyed great boggie boarding in some pretty good size waves. The condo was beautiful. Lots of room for the 5 of us. Great kitchen and we loved the deck and the views of the ocean and the nightly cocktails and sunsets were spectacular. Costa Rica is amazing. Don't even hesitate - go !

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

Owner response: Thank you Bobby for choosing to stay at Casa Gema de Bali. Hope to have you and your family again! Saludos, Tracy and Michael

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Casa Gema de Bali

Guest BettyVI
Date of stay 04/02/10
Review Submitted 04/28/10

My husband, 2 children (ages 8 & 10) & I spent a week at this fabulous property. We all loved it! The villa is very tastefully decorated & has a large balcony which has an unbeatable view of the pacific coastline. We saw more wildlife on the property than we did in the national park (we saw monkeys from the villa every morning & sloths on our way down to the beach). We spent hours boogie boarding at the private beach, which provides chairs, towel service, boogie boards & kayaks at no charge. The beach & pools have restauarants (great ceviche & margaritas). There are countless restaurants located within a 5 minute walk. We did not rent a car & never needed one. Tracy was a wonderful concierge & arranged multiple activities for us. The house staff was also very helpful & pleasant. We have already highly recommend this property & location to our friends.

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

Owner response: Hola Betty, Thank you very much for your review, and for your recommendations to your friends. It was a pleasure having you and your family at our home. Saludos, Tracy and Michael

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Amazing!!!

Guest TravelbugVA
Date of stay 03/28/10
Review Submitted 04/04/10

Casa Gema de Bali is a destination in itself! As we walked through the front door we were instantly immersed in the lush vegetation and beautiful views. The staff were there to greet us with a welcome smile and a tour of the house and grounds, answering any questions we had. Tracy, the owner, has done a wonderful job of anticipating her guests needs/wants and far exceeds all expectations in making your vacation what you could only hope it would be. The house is beautiful! It is filled with all of the comforts of home, plus also provides the luxuries of a fine hotel...daily maid service, outdoor rain shower and the jacuzzi on the terrace were just some of my favorites. We loved Tulemar beach and the variety of pools on the property. The poolside bar and food service is excellent. You can also enjoy lunch at the beach as there is a small outdoor restaurant there as well. Casa Gema de Bali is in a perfect location, walking distance to many excellent restaurants, a grocery store and an ATM. If you want to forgo walking, taxis are readily available and very reasonable. What I Liked Best: beautiful views off the terrace, comfortable amenities inside the house, the beach, monkey visits, so many delicious restaurants What I Liked Least: having to leave! I would return to Manuel Antonio and Casa Gema de Bali again and again!

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.

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great family vacation

Guest costaricareview
Date of stay 03/22/10
Review Submitted 04/06/10

Beautiful villa -- very comfortable beds, luxurious bathrooms, breathtaking views, daily visits from monkeys and songbirds. We enjoyed the location -- easy walk to restaurants and market, tough walk to the beach, but good exercise and nice opportunity to spot monkeys and toucans along the way. Great spot for families. We'd go back in a heartbeat.

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

Owner response: Thank you for your review of Casa Gema de Bali. We are happy that your family and you had a terrific time and enjoyed our casa and its location. It is great to be able to walk to one of the restaurants in the evening without navigating a steep hill. The 10-15 minute walk to and from our exclusive beach will get your heart rate up. Although some of our guests prefer to either take the free shuttle service or to drive themselves, many (Michael and I included) prefer to walk the paved road for both the exercise and the breathtaking scenery.

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You won't be disappointed!

Guest KM7
Date of stay 03/11/10
Review Submitted 03/27/10

My family and I had a wonderful stay at Casa Gema de Bali in March 2010. I would highly recommend this Casa to anyone! Tracy was incredibly helpful - not only did she organize our activities but also called us daily to make sure we were comfortable. Her hospitality went way above what I would expect. My favorite thing about this casa was its privacy, space and amenities of a "house,” but also the luxuries and convenience of a 5-star resort! CASA is clean, modern, tastefully decorated: -comfy beds with soft sheets and pillows -fully equipped kitchen (with ice machine which was very useful!) -outdoor rain shower (very cool) -daily maid service -washer/dryer (very useful) -all the bathroom essentials you would need -outdoor jacuzzi Convenient LOCATION: -Unbeatable Views! -Private beach, 3 pools, Hiking trails on the property -5 min walk to the grocery and a handful of restaurants in the area ACTIVITES: -River Rafting Savagre River/H2O (mellower of the two offered in MA - unbelievable views, great staff, well worth it) -Horseback Riding Valmy Farm - rode along a creek and to a waterfall (what a unique experience!) -Zip Lining (fun, fun, fun!) -Don't forget free kayaks and boogieboarding at the private beach (although you'll need to bring your own snorkel as they don't offer those anymore) RESTAURANTS: -Soda Sanchez (downtown Quepos) was by far our favorite authentic Costa Rican meal. It's small, no "atmosphere" to speak of but makes up with the fresh, tasty food. -Fri night outdoor market (downtown Quepos) for fruits and veggies - we lived on fresh fruit! -Fish stand at the indoor market (downtown Quepos next to bus station) fresh, great to grill at the casa!

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

Owner response: Owner's Response: Thank you Katie for your review, and your recommendation to other guests. Our staff enjoyed your visit very much!

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Guest Traveller with kids
Date of stay 03/05/10
Review Submitted 03/05/10

Casa Gema de Bali is an ideal place to spend your vacation. It is located in a lovely luscious community that has 4 swimming pools and a private beach. The beach had snorkeling equipment, boogie boards and kayaks, as well as lounge chairs,umbrellas and a towel service. None of the pools or the beach were ever crowded. There is a casual restaurant by the beach and a drink bar by a family pool. We were amused by a family of monkeys who regularly visited the pool in the afternoon. Occasionally we saw an iguana munching on a flower. The Casa itself is, in my opinion, the best situated house on the property. It has amazing 180 degree views of the ocean and the mountains. These views are open and totally unobstructed unlike some other properties in the community. It is extremely private and shielded from other houses. It has its own parking spot next to it, and is within an easy walking distance of town and restaurants. It was extremely pleasant to sit on the terrace in the morning and observe the monkeys and toucans. The evening offered a lovely view of the sunset that no picture can do justice to, no matter how hard we tried. The house is beautifully and comfortably furnished. Tracy was very responsive to our needs and anticipated the needs we did not even know we had before we had them. I would highly recommend this property and encourage Michael and Tracy to expand into other countries - they know how to do it right!

Owner response: Thank you so much for your kind comments regarding our casa. It is so tempting to take your advice regarding expanding, considering our strong ties to Greece! Who knows....

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Guest Mariah2010
Date of stay 01/28/10
Review Submitted 01/28/10

My family and I stayed at Gema de Bali ? it was beyond compare. It is no exaggeration that the wildlife sightings off of the porch rival those in the national park - and the sunsets, oh my! The place itself is complete luxury, some of our happiest moments of the trip were just relaxing in its comfort. The outdoor rainshower is a must have experience! The first night that my husband sank into the super soft bed and pillows, he exclaimed ?Heaven!? and said he never wanted to leave! The location is ideal ? not only is there a private beach and beautiful swimming pools, it is within walking distance of phenomenal restaurants, good souvenir sites, and an ecological preserve (Si Como No) where you can see crocodiles, a butterfly garden, beautiful birds and vibrantly colored frogs. Of course, the private beach is just over the top ? many days we were the only ones on the entire beach. It is beautiful, nestled in a small cove with a perfect sunset view. My husband and I took a kayak around for coastal views and my brother lived on his boogie board (all free rentals). That was in between pina coladas served to us beachside of course! Tracy was incredibly helpful and checked in with us often as our own personal trip consultant. She really topped our experience off by directing us to some fabulous excursions and setting everything up for us. I couldn?t believe that she went above and beyond to make our experience so exceptional ? the house was just the beginning! There is no question that when we come back, we will definitely book Gema de Bali again. Huge bonus - the rates are absolutely incredible for the quality, luxury and unforgettable experience we had staying there ? much less than a comparable property through Buena Vista. It was, hands down, a perfect vacation. Thank you Tracy and the staff at Gema de Bali!

Owner response: Gracias Mariah. We were very excited to accommodate your family, professional wildlife photographer dad included, due to our common love of nature! Saludos, Tracy and Michael

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Guest Annie from Denver
Date of stay 01/13/10
Review Submitted 01/13/10

I recently spent a week in Manuel Antonio with my husband, our 1-year old son, and my parents. Casa Gema de Bali absolutely blew us away. It was even better than advertised. The house itself was gorgeous - well maintained, clean, comfortable, beautifully furnished, spacious, and open. Even better than the house was the view. I cannot describe in words how nice it was to wake up to that view each morning and to watch the exquisite sunsets each evening. It was so beautiful that when we returned home my parents hired an artist to paint an oil painting of the view based on a photograph we took! It was the most memorable part of a wonderful trip. The Tulemar grounds are natural and stunning. We saw more wildlife there than in Manuel Antonio park including three types of monkeys, sloths, toucans, iguanas, vultures, and countless colorful birds. The pools are lovely and at least one of the four pools has tropical drinks and food service. The private beach is unbelievably pretty, just as pretty as the beaches in Manuel Antonio park. The location was perfect. We were able to walk to the private beach, the pools, the grocery store, and plenty of restaurants and cafes. The food at the little Tapas restaurant around the corner is delicious and the espresso milkshakes at Cafe Milagro are unforgettable. We did quite a bit of exploring during our week long trip and at the end felt convinced that we were staying in the best location possible. Tracy could not have been more attentive. She helped us arrange numerous day trips including sport fishing, white water rafting, a canopy tour, and a mangrove tour. All the companies she recommended were excellent. Each picked us up at the casa in the morning and dropped us off right back at home in the afternoon. It was so easy and hassle-free. Tracy's team of housekeepers in Costa Rica are friendly and accommodating, especially Noemi. She was available whenever we needed her. I can see why Tracy trusts her to take care of this beautiful home. In summary, I highly recommend this house. It is difficult to come up with any negatives. My parents, who are out of shape Americans in their mid-60's, found the walk down to the beach rather strenuous and steep. My husband and I found it to be no trouble at all. In any case, it can be driven if desired. The house is large, but there are only two bedrooms. This was perfect for our group, but may be tricky for parties with more than two families I suppose."

Owner response: Thank you Annie. I will tell our staff about your kind words. They work very hard to make sure guests are well taken care of.

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Guest Kevin - Me Gusta la Pura Vida
Date of stay 11/24/09
Review Submitted 11/24/09

Our stay at Casa Gema de Bali, located in Buena Vista Villas & Casas in Tulemar Gardens, was absolutely amazing! The first thing you notice when you walk in through the grand entrance is the view. Words cannot describe this view, but when you sit on the balcony soaking in the lush green tropical surroundings, the rocky coves, sandy beach and ocean below, there is really no other place you'd rather be. From a look around at the other casas and villas in the community, it appears that Gema de Bali is positioned/perched for the best possible view of the ocean and coves below. Everything else about the house was perfect. If you like open air, it's perfectly designed to capitalize on cool breezes coming off the Pacific. If you get hot easily, and A/C is your preference, the house is perfectly equipped for that as well. The house is also perfectly located in the Manuel Antonio area. It is close to restaurants, great night life and is a quick drive to the national park. Access to the private beach and amenities of Tulemar Gardens is a plus as well. Finally, the price is great relative to other places in the area (and is a bargain considering how beautiful the house is), and the owner Tracy is a wonderful help! She provided some great suggestions for places to go, and has a wealth of knowledge regarding the Manuel Antonio area. My group stayed at other places in Costa Rica (La Fortuna, Monteverde and Jaco), but Gema de Bali in Manuel Antonio was by far was the best. In hind-site, I wish we would have spent more time here. I definitely hope I am able to book this spot again when we return to Costa Rica. If you have any specific questions feel free to ask Tracy for my email. I could go on and on about this place. Highly recommended!

Owner response: Hello Kevin, Thank you for your outstanding review of what we, also, believe to be our unbeatable vacation home! Michael and I are happy that we were able to share Casa Gema de Bali with you. Your offer to share your experience with others is especially appreciated. Pura Vida! Tracy and Michael

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Guest creepo63
Date of stay 10/24/09
Review Submitted 10/24/09

My husband and I stayed at Casa Gema de Bali in Buena Vista Villas and Casas to celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary. This house is absolutely fantastic. The moment we walked through the door and saw the incredible panoramic view, we knew we were in paradise. The house is decorated beautifully and is so spacious. Buena Vista in Tulemar gardens is awesome. A private beach, 3 pools, a restaurant and bar...what more could you ask for? The grounds are absolutely gorgeous. There is an abundance of wildlife you can see just in Tulemar Gardens..monkeys, sloths, birds, lizards. We loved sitting on the balcony for hours and watching the birds. The owner, Tracy Hensley, was so helpful with scheduling activities, a hot stone massage and a chef to cook us a fantastic four course meal at the house on our anniversary. She even called a few times to check on us and see if we needed anything. Fantastic, personalized service. We will definitely go back to Casa Gema de Bali...absolute heaven!!

Owner response: Hello Sherri, Thank you for your kind words and review. It was a pleasure to have Pete and you celebrate this milestone in your marriage. Thank you also for sharing your photos with us! Saludos, Tracy & Michael

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Guest Craiger
Date of stay 09/19/09
Review Submitted 09/19/09

From the the moment you open the door and see the panoramic view you know you have just stepped into paradise. The views from Casa Gema de Bali are one of the best in all the Villas! One just wants to sit on the deck and watch the sunrise and sunsets never to leave. The appointment to details and luxury to make your stay so memeorable are unsupassable..Fine linens,towels, orchaids and everything to make your stay so perfect. The maid service and amenities were outstanding and one could not ask for anymore. You feel that you are being totally pampered. The beach, pools and resturant we so wonderful!! Loved every moment in this tropical paradise.. I feel the rate we were charged was lower in this casa than others and could not beleive all that we received and the attention to all our needs which were meet. Being at the top of the villas was also great since we did not have to walk be a few steps from the car park and not down long paths. We would recommend this Villa without hesitation!! Hated to leave and come back to reality!!

Owner response: Hello Mr Peura, Thank you for your review. I will let Noemi and Marjorie know about your comments regarding their outstanding service. Saludos, Tracy and Michael

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Guest Anonymous
Date of stay 09/16/09
Review Submitted 09/16/09

Thank you for providing such a beautiful home for our vacation....everything was perfect..we had a wonderful and memorable holiday... and I would definitely recommend Casa Gema de Bali to all of my friends and relatives!!

Owner response: Michael and I are very glad that Casa Gema de Bali met all of your needs. We thank you for your recommendations! Saludos, Tracy and Michael

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Guest Anonymous
Date of stay 08/22/09
Review Submitted 08/22/09

Casa Gema de Bali was heaven on earth! The house is gorgeous, the views spectacular, beautiful pools, and an incredible private beach with great service. The restaurant on the premises was wonderful and easily within walking distance are several other really great restaurants. The Casa is definitely a "gem" and I look forward to another visit.

Owner response: Thank you for your review. It was so much fun spending time with you and your lovely family. I am so happy that I was able to share our "gem" with you! Hope to see you again! Tracy

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Guest Todd and Wendy
Date of stay 06/12/09
Review Submitted 06/12/09

We had a great stay at Tracy's beautiful casa for 5 days on a week long trip in Costa Rica. We had 2 adults and 4 kids, with plenty of room to enjoy the home and pools/beach. Excellent proximity to all the local activities. It is a beautiful setting, with everything you need for all possibilities. Jerry is very helpful and his recommendations worked perfect for our family.

Owner response: Hello Todd and Wendy, Thank you for your nice review of Casa Gema de Bali. We are happy to hear that you had a great stay. Hope to have you back again! Saludos, Tracy and Michael

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Guest Melissa Hunt1
Date of stay 04/16/09
Review Submitted 04/16/09

Our family of 5 just returned from Costa Rica - we spent 3 nights in Arenal, and 7 nights at Casa GemadeBali. We cannot say enough about our vacation and our stay at the casa. It was perfect. Location, view, convenience, luxury....it had it all! I've never seen such sunsets 7 nights in a row! The beach was beautiful, as were the pools....the staff was terrific as well. We're not sure we'll ever be able to top this vacation! Hope to go back soon!!

Owner response: Hello Melissa, We are thrilled to hear that you and your family enjoyed your vacation at Casa Gema de Bali so much! Your photo of the sunset from the veranda is stunning; thank you for sending it! Saludos, Tracy and Michael

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Guest Sabrina M.
Date of stay 03/26/09
Review Submitted 03/26/09

Our family spent a wonderful week over spring break at the casa and had a fabulous time. I don't think there is another casa with a more perfect view and we toasted the sunset every night! We saw more wildlife on the grounds (2 different kinds of monkey, sloths, birds, iguanas and bats) that we saw at Manuel Antonio Park! The house itself was fabulous and offered everything that we needed. And it's a quick walk to the local market and several restaurants! We have highly recommended this casa to several of our friends and definitely plan on returning!

Owner response: Thank you Sabrina. Our favorite thing to do when staying at Casa Gema de Bali is to simply sit on our veranda and take in the breathtaking ocean sunsets with a glass of wine!

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Guest Sharron2
Date of stay 12/14/08
Review Submitted 12/14/08

We would like to thank the owners of Casa Gema de Bali for the pleasure of staying in their lovely house. We spent several days in Arenal and then headed down (for the third consecutive year) to Manuel Antonio. This was our first time in this very well maintained and awesomely situated home. My husband and I were thrilled to see that the view from the casa as well as the "design" of the casa and the decor were indeed top notch. The three pools were a treat, and the hiking trails were awesome (we saw a huge group of white faced monkeys jumping from tree to tree). The beach was picturesque, private and relaxing. All in all, we found this vacation to be one of the most relaxing and fun in years, and we are already discussing returning to Casa Gema de Bali next year when we return to M.A.

Owner response: Thank you, Sharon. We are very pleased that your vacation was so favorable that you would like to return next year! It will be our pleasure to have you and your family as guests in our home again! Till then... Saludos, Tracy and Michael

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Guest jessiesheila
Date of stay 11/12/08
Review Submitted 11/12/08

My spouse and our two teenaged children stayed in Casa Gema de Bali for ten fun filled and luxurious days. This casa is gorgeous. The stunning view starts literally the instant you open the door. We LOVED the casa and found it to be very well maintained and very clean. Tulemar Gardens is a lovely place, and from speaking to locals and to "expats", it is considered to be the most beautiful place to stay in Manuel Antonio. We can easily see why. Also, the beach in Tulemar is a lot of fun. Our sons had a blast, as well as we. Tulemar has a restaurant where we ate our breakfasts, but we generally went to one of the several restaurants on the main road (which literally took us under five minutes to get to) every evening. We are planning to return soon, and will definitely chose Casa Gema de Bali for both its view, and its location and recommend it highly!

Owner response: Michael and I appreciate your kind words! We just returned to the U.S.A. from a visit to our lovely home ourselves, and are thrilled to hear from another visitor having enjoyed our casa and Tulemar as much as we do. Please come visit again! Tracy and Michael

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Guest Deborah Lynn
Date of stay 10/05/08
Review Submitted 10/05/08

I went to Casa Gema de Bali in May, and I had an amazing time! The casa is spectacular, the grounds of the resort are gorgeous, the beach is relaxing and fun...the views are truly unbelievable! If you go, make sure to watch the sunsets--you'll rarely have such a luxurious perch from which to enjoy the sea and sky. (Oh, and you have to have a frozen pina colada, freshly made by one of the attentive bartenders, while you're swimming in one of the perfectly secluded pools that dot the property!)

Owner response: Hello, Deb, Thanks so much for your review. We are thrilled that you enjoyed your stay, and that you were able to experience a delicious freshly made pina colada like we always do at the beach! Best, Tracy and Michael

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Guest drewdrimal
Date of stay 09/11/08
Review Submitted 09/11/08

Just returned from a five night stay in Casa Gema de Bali. This is probably the nicest vacation rental we have ever stayed at, and we have stayed in many places worldwide. The pictures on the owners' listing are true to the interior of the house, and the view is simply impossible to capture via photo. Indeed, our favorite "hang-out spot" turned out to be the one in the photos; we sat for hours staring at the birds, the ocean, the sky, not to mention the sunset (as recommended by owner we were on the veranda every day at 5:15 and luckily did not miss one gorgeous sunset)! We will be back, and recommend this great rental to anyone looking for a slice of heaven!

Owner response: Thank you very much for your kind words, Mr Drimal! We are thrilled that you enjoyed our casa as much as we do. Pura Vida! Tracy and Mihalis

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Vacation Rentals by Owner

Tulemar-Buenavista-Huge Ocean Views-Location, Private Beach-Monkeys!!! [#200131] | View Property

Traveler Reviews (36)

Casa Gema De Bali

Casa Gema De Bali

Casa Gema de Bali Surpassed All Expectations!

Casa Gema de Bali Surpassed All Expectations!

Great stay at Gema de Bali

Great stay at Gema de Bali

My best vacation in Costa rica at casa de Bali

My best vacation in Costa rica at casa de Bali

My best vacation in Costa rica at casa de Bali

My best vacation in Costa rica at casa de Bali

We miss it already!!!

We miss it already!!!

All my daughter says is "I want to go back"!

All my daughter says is "I want to go back"!

Most beautiful house with the best view in Costa Rica!

Most beautiful house with the best view in Costa Rica!

Group of 8 singles had a great adventure trip

Group of 8 singles had a great adventure trip

Paradise by the sea

Paradise by the sea

Paradise

Paradise

Amazing Vacation! Beautiful Home!

Amazing Vacation! Beautiful Home!

Jungle Paradise

Jungle Paradise

Adventure seekers

Adventure seekers

Casa Gema de Bali is Incredible

Casa Gema de Bali is Incredible

Casa Gema de Bali in Buena Vista

Casa Gema de Bali in Buena Vista

Awesome Stay

Awesome Stay

Casa Gema de Bali

Casa Gema de Bali

Amazing!!!

Amazing!!!

great family vacation

great family vacation

You won't be disappointed!

You won't be disappointed!

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