Vacation Of A Lifetime

Guest: Steve & Dawn Pelletier (13 Graystone Road in Gray, ME 04039-7517)
Date of Stay: 01/27/12 Review Submitted: 02/09/12

My wife and I were invited to join long time, dear friends at this previously unknown and unheard of vacation location. It was the vacation of a lifetime for us. The accomodations were simply wonderful. The location of this home provides views and sunsets you can only dream of. During the week, we were treated to appearences from howler monkeys, tucans, parakeets, doves, iguanas, and very large frogs. The privacy and quiet relaxation at this vacation home are just what we needed to unwind from the hectic pace of life in USA. We especially loved the "privacy" of the pool for night swimming under the stars (no neighbors at all).The home has everything you could need. Our guest room twin beds were converted a king sized bed for us, prior to arrival. Our evenings spent BBQing on the tiled, open air patio, discussing the day's adventures, were just so relaxing. We can't say enough about the help and guidance that we received from Denise & Eduardo. Any minor issues that we encountered were quickly addressed by them. Denise set us up with some adventures of a lifetime, as well as directing us to "Cliff's" for a great lunch, cocktails, and free beach access. This part of Costa Rica offers a lot to do and see; all within day trips. If we ever return, we'll skip the 3.5 - 4 hr drive from Alajuelita and fly into either Quepos or Palmar Sur. The only drawback for us was that the road in and up the mountain to the house needs some work and re-grading for sure. You must rent a 4X4 to get to the house. Hang on for the ride and enjoy the thrills! Brush up on your Spanish, book a vacation week here, and make the trip.

Owner response: So glad you enjoyed the house! Aren't Denise and Eduardo great? We feel so lucky to have them taking care of the house and our guests. Thanks, Karen

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers.

Great house in the south pacific

Guest: Scott & Melissa (Michigan, USA)
Date of Stay: 01/13/12 Review Submitted: 01/26/12

This is a great house at a really reasonable price in the best part of Costa Rica. I highly recommend staying here. The property managers, Denise and Eduardo, are extremely accommodating and readily available to help you should you need it. We will be back.

Owner response:Thanks so much for the kind words, Scott. We're glad you returned and hope you will return again.

Recommended for:

Casa Mono Titi is "THE BEST"

Guest: David & Vikki M (Rogers, AR - USA)
Date of Stay: 05/07/11 Review Submitted: 06/26/11

We have stayed twice so far and have already made reservations to go back to Costa Rica and we would not think of staying anywhere else but Casa Mono Titi – WE LOVE IT!! It is in a fantastic setting – beautiful - quiet – private. Wildlife abounds, but you have to be observant – not all are easily visible. The house has everything you need. All you need to bring is your luggage and some groceries. With 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms there is lots of space. It has a GREAT patio. We just love having all of our meals out of doors. The pool is fantastic. Everything you need is there. Now this is just the house. There are local markets, shops & check out the farmers market on Saturday mornings in Uvita. On our last trip we made the journey to the Boruca Indian reservation, which is less than 1 hour from the house. Denise & Edurado, the property managers, are fantastic they will go out of their way to make sure everything is to your liking. The owners Mario & Karen are also great people to work with. We can’t say enough good things about Casa Mono Titi – Hey we just planned to stay there for the 3rd time!

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, adventure seekers, age 55+.

Great Views! Excellent Privacy!

Guest: Rick & Cindy (Alberta)
Date of Stay: 02/04/11 Review Submitted: 02/21/11

My Husband and I stayed from February 4th to 17th, 2011. We do not recommend the drive from San Jose', as it is very long, and traffic is slow, better off to fly Sansa Air which only takes a 1/2 hour and rent your vehicle in Palmur Sur or Uvita. We enjoyed the stay mostly, as it is a very nice home, and the privacy is wonderful, pool was very refreshing. As the previous review, we did not see any Toucans, Monkeys or much of anything, for exceptions of geckos(they were also in our bedroom, they somehow crawl through the slats in the ceiling), a snake, large frogs that love to poop in the pool, and two scorpions, which gave me the heebee jeebees! Oh and don't forget the Iguana's that liked to climb the dirt mountain adjecent to the property. The drive to the home is on a very strong incline, and very rocky, you must have a 4x4 and a good fitting bra! It rained one evening which soured two trees down the mountain into the retaining wall which scared us emmensely. Our air conditioner quit in the bedroom one week into our holiday, my husband had to rig up a red neck way of keeping it cooling as it was very hot, and it wasn't repaired when we left. We also ran out of propane (on our second meal) for the BBQ 1/3 way cooking our meal, which was not pleasant, as we ended up heating the house up even more. I would suggest to the owner to have the knives sharpened, and have frying pans on hand that aren't warped, and also new sink plugs, as we washed dishes, the sinks never held water. We only eaten out a few times, and the local restaurants have wonderful food! The property managers were good, understanding and willing to accommodate. Do need internet and local telephone, would make the stay that much easier. We mostly used skype to keep in contact with our families. Would we stay again?? Probably not.... as it is a little pricy for the ammenities you receive. There are other rentals in the area that are much more reasonable and more perks. We do plan to return to Costa Rica next year!!!

Owner response:Sorry about the problems you had during your stay at our house. Denise said that Eduardo did refill or replace the tank the next day. The air conditioner is fixed; sorry someone couldn't get to to sooner. At least you had the second bedroom to sleep in. I have spent mostly summer time (July/August) down in the house; perhaps that's why there were not toucans or monkeys, but that would surprise me. The toucans sit in the tree right outside the master bedroom window most mornings and afternoons. The monkeys wander through the trees behind the lemon tree. When one jumps from tree to tree, you can see a branch moving up and down. Then you have to scan the trees for them. They don't hang out, but wander up and down as they forage. There are lots of geckos, both inside and out. Once, one crawled into my purse and I found it when I arrived in Uvita. I'm not sure which of us was more startled! I've never seen a snake on the property though I'm sure they've been there when I was. After all, it is jungle. My husband saw a scorpion once, but I haven't. Again, I'm sorry you had problems.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers.

Great View, Nice Accommodations, Maybe A Gamble

Guest: WhiteNosedCoati (Hamilton, Montana, USA)
Date of Stay: 04/12/09 Review Submitted: 01/19/11

I stayed for 3 nights during the middle of April, right before the rainy season started. The view of the ocean was spectacular; the property was well maintained and landscaped; the location was very private; the pool was clean; the AC was cold; and the house was comfortable, clean, and decorated very nicely. Unlike other reviewers, I did not see any exotic birds or monkeys at the house, but I did find a giant frog in the pool, and I almost hit a coati on the drive away from the home. Lack of animals was not a disappointment because the house is very close to the Hacienda Baru National Wildlife Refuge where they offer Canopy Tours. Other recommendations I would make while visiting this vacation rental is to visit Exotica Restaurant in Ojochal (some of the best food I've EVER tasted, and two 4-course meals plus drinks for under $100 US dollars), visit Playa de Ventanas (Beach of Windows, so named for the holes in the rocks), and the snorkel tour of Cano Island (Requires a short drive to Drake Bay). Denise and Eduardo (managers/caretakers) were very amicable, they helped us find plenty of activities to do on very short notice, and I feel we owe a large part of our great experiences in the area to them. ProTip: If you plan to come around rainy season, don't make reservations for activities beforehand; make reservations on the day of, or the day before, according to the weather forecast. The only downside to our stay was the water supply went out for two of the three days during our stay. We couldn't flush the toilet (stinky!), take a shower, or use the kitchen sink, and it pretty much ruined our experience of the vacation rental. Compounding the problem is the fact that there is no phone or internet at the home (only a pay-phone a few miles down the road). Eduardo and Denise let my wife use one of their showers during check-out, but the owners made no attempt at to placate us, and therefore I was disgruntled at paying full price for the rental. The road to the home is quite steep. A 4x4 vehicle is absolutely necessary and my guess is it would be impossible to drive during muddy conditions. All in all, this place was quite spectacular, but due to my unfortunate experience I would not stay again.

Owner response:I am sorry that your experience of Costa Rica was marred by the lack of water at our house. However, this is the first time I learned of it and it has been almost two years since your stay. You were there in April of 2009 and it is January of 2011. We have made partial refunds to guests even before they return home if we are aware of a problem. I wish you had contacted us after your stay. We have only been renting since 2009 and have booked four returning parties this year. One couple changed their vacation dates from the spring to the fall so that they could return to our house.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, adventure seekers, girls getaway, families with young children.

Paradise

Guest: Debra (Apex, NC, USA)
Date of Stay: 12/22/10 Review Submitted: 01/11/11

This was our fourth visit to Costa Rica, third visit to Ojochal, and our second stay at this wonderful house. Our time at the house couldn't have been any better. We were awakened by the serenade of the early morning rush hour of the toucans, monkeys, parrots, and Macaws in the jungle, mesmerized by the view of the ocean and Cano Island throughout the day, dazzled by the evening movement of the parrots, toucans, and monkeys, and captivated by the daily evening sunset. What more can anyone ask!!!!! A stay at this home is never long enough, and after only one week back in the States we are already planning our next trip to this property. You can determine the vacation style you want either touring the area by visiting the Osa Pennisula, Boruca Village, Cano Island or just lounge by the pool and feast at all the area restaurants. The property managers, Denise and Eduardo, can help you with any reservations or tours you need to book. There is entertainment for all ages and a wonderful vacation to be experienced. We hope all renters have as great a vacation as we did. ENJOY!! Robert, Debra, Tyler, and Wesley

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers.

WOW! Wildlife and exotic birds while enjoying the 5* comfort of a gorgeous home

Guest: Helen (Kingsville, MD, USA)
Date of Stay: 07/10/10 Review Submitted: 07/30/10

This was beyond my expectations of a vacation home. The location is fantastic with incredible views of the Osa Peninsula. I love the hideaway appeal of the home, knowing that you are living surrounded by nature but convenient enough to drive to the local markets for provisions and then have every amenity available in the house, from a well equipped kitchen to spacious bedrooms and bathrooms. We enjoyed seeing Squirrel Monkeys, Chestnut Mandibled Toucans, Fiery Billed Aracai Toucans, Golden Hooded Tanagers, Meally Parrotts, Blue-Gray Tanagers, Laughing Falcons, Purple Crowned Fairy Hummingbirds (along with many other types of hummingbirds) all from the comfort of an outside rocking chair while sipping locally grown coffee! Truly a paradise. The local beaches with the wonderful surf are quiet and easily accessible and coming home to then dip into the pool was an added treat. Many thanks for opening your home and sharing it with others.

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

Wonderful Trip

Guest: Debra (Apex, NC, USA)
Date of Stay: 12/20/09 Review Submitted: 07/09/10

This was our third trip to Costa Rica and the Osa area and we had a wonderful time at your lovely home. Everything was great and the photos represent the house well. We particularly loved the view, the pool, and all the wildlife in the valley. We hope to return this year and will definitely book this house. Edwardo and Denise were great and we used them for booking our day trips. None of us wanted to leave and can't wait to return. You will not be disappointed to rent this home.

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WOW!! -- Casa Puntadas

Guest: David & Vikki M (Rogers, AR - USA)
Date of Stay: 05/07/10 Review Submitted: 06/19/10

Just wanted to tell you what a wonderful time we had in Costa Rica - and YOUR house ----- WOW... Perfect - we absolutely loved your Costa Rica Home. Sometimes you don't know what you are getting just from pictures, but your home was all it appeared to be in the pictures and so much more. It is so peaceful and relaxing. We spent a lot of time there and by the pool. It's such a nice place you kind of hate to leave when you are there. The plants and the animals were fantastic. We were able to see toucans, parrots, parakeets, iguanas, and even had a huge toad that liked to share the swimming pool with us!! It was beautiful!! And all we needed to do was buy food. The house was well stocked with everything we needed. Denise & Eduardo were great and had a lot of good information. They were very helpful and able to answer all our questions. They made us feel at home from the moment we arrived! We will definitely be using them to make arrangements for us next year! Yes. We are coming back next year! One week was not enough and there is so much more we want to see. Hopefully, your home will be available at the time we want to come. We cannot imagine staying anywhere else! Thanks again and we hope to be speaking with you in the future!

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, adventure seekers.

Secluded Hideway

Guest: TammyC (Littleton, Colorado)
Date of Stay: 04/26/10 Review Submitted: 06/13/10

We stayed at this home for almost a week and had the most wonderful time! The pool and views are terrific without a neighbor in sight. The listing and pictures are completely accurate and the requirement for a 4WD vehicle is correct as you will not make it up the road to the house without one. The home is clean and comfortable while the outdoor space is incredible with a covered patio with fans to enjoy being outdoors when the storms come in. We loved waking to the toucans outside of the master bedroom window each morning and saw lots of wildlife around the house to include green parrots, white-faced monkeys, a resident coati, and many miscellaneous birds and butterflies. Karin was terrific to deal with and Denise and Eduardo, the caretakers, are a wealth of knowledge and are happy to assist in any way. We would definitely recommend the horseback ride to Nauyaca Falls and the ziplining tour in Hacienda Baru. Citrus and Exotica are completely delicious dining options and there is a little fish market (stand) at LaMacha, just outside of Dominical, with freshly caught Mahi and Shrimp (great and inexpensive!) if you want to take advantage of the grill at the house. We would recommend this house for the seclusion and value.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, age 55+, families with teenagers.