Reviews for Manuel Antonio Vacation Rental - VRBO 203417ha - 2 BR Manuel Antonio Area Villa 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.

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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.

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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!

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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.

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Best view in all of 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.

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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.

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Paradise

Guest Jennifer B.
Date of stay 07/29/11
Review Submitted 08/16/11

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 accommodations 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 accommodating. 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 and whale sightings. Amy also helped to arrange a surprise birthday dinner for us with Ernesto - who treated us to a tasty gourmet dinner of Red Snapper 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 accommodating, and the coordination with Tracy was seamless. THANK YOU!!

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

Owner response: Hello Jen and Rick, Thank you for your wonderful review. The staff here at Casa Gema de Bali thoroughly enjoyed having you as our guests. We hope to see you here again soon. Pura Vida, Tracy and Michael

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"The house exceeded our expectations!"

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"The house exceeded our expectations!"

Guest Jonathan and Rebecca
Date of stay 04/06/11
Review Submitted 04/12/11

My wife and I and our two daughters just returned from our trip to Costa Rica and Casa Gema de Bali. The house exceeded our expectations - it was comfortable and immaculate and had all the necessary (plus a few extra) amenities for our weeklong stay. Tulemar & Buena Vista, is a great alternative to a hotel. With 4 pools, a private beach, a shuttle to take you up and down the steep hills, room service in the form of delivery from the nearby restaurant Victoria's and last but certainly not least, daily maid service, the house has it all. The private beach is a fantastic soft sand beach. We spent hours swimming, kayaking and playing in the waves. David, the beach attendant is very helpful and super nice and Javier, the bartender at beach bar offers great drinks. The pools were wonderful and always open. Because of its location at the top of the hill, the views from the large and well furnished deck are expansive and gorgeous and the walk to town is short and easy. On the other hand the walk from the beach to the house is steep. Thank heavens for the shuttle. Even better, rent a car, there is parking immediately adjacent to the front door of the house and down at the beach. Also driving in Manuel antonio is fun and easy allows you quick access to all of the many local restaurants and beaches. Alternatively, there are plenty of taxis to take you around town. With regard to the monkeys, they never made it to our deck but we saw them on our neighbors deck and throughout Tulemar. We also saw more monkeys and sloths on the main road then we did in Manuel antonio National Park. The animals are everywhere but not always where you hope or expect them to be. Finally, a word about amy, the concierge provided by Tracy (the owner). Amy is the main reason the rental exceeded our expectations. We booked everything through amy (Zip lining, whitewater rafting, surf school, sail and snorkel, private chef, spa services, restaurant recommendations and reservations and transportation to and from the airport) and everything went smoothly. Upon our arrival, she was at house to help check us in and get us acclimated. She stocked our kitchen with our requested staples and provided a wake up call on the mornings we needed to get going. Finally, the activities were all safe and age appropriate and she always answered her phone. Amy was better then any concierge we have ever had access to in our privileged lives. Bottom line is we would go back again in a heartbeat.

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"Casa Gema de Bali is amazing"

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"Casa Gema de Bali is amazing"

Guest Laura
Date of stay 03/31/11
Review Submitted 04/12/11

We just returned from a week at Casa Gema de Bali with our two kids, ages 10 & 7. We had a wonderful stay and amy, the concierge, arranged all of our transportation & activities and made everything work like clockwork. Everything you read in the description of the villa and property is true. The villa is high up on the hill, which gives it the most amazing views over the ocean and a lovely vantage point for sunset. The walk to and from the beach is steep but do-able, even with kids, and the community shuttle will pick you up and drive you any time if you don't want to walk. The open space at the top is lovely and comfortable and feels spacious... we spent most of the time we were at the villa sitting on the comfy chairs on the terrace admiring the view. The bedrooms are comfortable and the outdoor showers are really a treat. Daily maid service keeps everything impeccably clean. We saw more wildlife at the villa and on the property than we did on a guided tour of Manuel antonio. Monkeys came and visited the terrace daily. Don't miss the North Trail hike (on the way down to the beach), as you will find squirrel monkeys, capuchin monkeys and probably a sloth or two in the trees, along with picturesque views of the beach. The private beach is perfect. The waves are just the right size for boogie boarding in the morning, and it is safe for swimming. The staff there takes great care of you and seem to genuinely enjoy their jobs. Because the villa is so near the top of the hill, it is an easy walk to many restaurants and stores, ATM, etc. Amy will make recommendations based on your tastes. Also, consider hiring a private chef after a long day of activities. They come prepare the meal right in the well-appointed kitchen, for not much more than what you would spend at a nice restaurant and you get to enjoy more time in the lovely villa. Tracy makes the reservation process very easy. Everything was exactly as promised. Dear Laura, We are very happy that you enjoyed staying at our beloved Gema de Bali, and that all of your needs were met. Pura Vida! Tracy and Michael

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the pictures don't lie

Guest Todd C.
Date of stay 03/28/11
Review Submitted 04/05/11

We stayed here with our 4 children, ages 8 to 15. What a wonderful spot! The unit is as pretty as the pictures, as are the views. Everything is in great condition, beds and linens are very comfortable, pools a short walk, beach a bit longer (and steeper) walk. Groceries and restaurants are all an easy walk. Amy (concierge) is also invaluable -- a great help in planning outings and organizing activities and generally making your trip go smoothly. We'd come back in a heartbeat.

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

Owner response: Hello Todd, We are happy that your lovely family enjoyed vacationing at Casa Gema de Bali. Amy, Michael and I hope to see you back soon! Pura Vida!

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"This vacation rental and location has it all !!!

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"This vacation rental and location has it all !!!

Guest Charles
Date of stay 03/09/11
Review Submitted 04/12/11

We just returned from Costa Rica and one of the best vacations we have ever taken and Casa Gema de Bali and its staff are big reason why: In a nutshell: 1) Renting the unit was very easy working through Tracy. She is organized, prompt, and communicates very clearly how the rental process works. Not always the case when renting from an owner. 2) Physical facilities: Both the Casa and Tulemar Gardens were top-notch. Very clean, well kept and with a great staff who was always very helpful. We never had a problem getting the shuttle to the beach (like some reviews I had read before I came). Casa Gema de Bali was perfectly located to have beautiful views, walk to the beach and walk to some of the local restaurants nearby for dinner. The view from the unit was unbeatable. When we would return from a tour with people from other hotels, they would often get out of the transport van to take pictures of the water as we were being dropped off. Everything in the unit was very tastefully decorated and layout (living up/bedrooms down) works out really well. The private beach and pools at Tulemar really make it a much better option then many of the local hotels which are land-locked or on the public beach. 3) Wildlife: We saw a ton of wildlife all over Costa Rica but nowhere as much as we did right outside on the balcony and within Tulemar. Monkeys on the balcony almost every morning (howlers, squirrel and whiteface), lizards, birds etc. My children won't stop talking about them. 4) Amy the personal concierge. Amy checked us in and out. Helped us to arrange all of our activities, providing some really valuable insight to the differences between tours and would check in with us on a regular basis to make sure everything was ok and to see if the were other things we needed or wanted to do. She was indispensible and was the big surprise hit of the rental. If anyone is looking for this type of help, I would strongly recommend you contact her directly at [--] or [--]. In the past we've had a lot of "cookie cutter" concierge experiences, Amy was so much better then any we have ever used. We have young children and amy was terrific in helping us set up age appropriate activities and with the right timing on when to do them. 5) Cafe Milagro was great. We ate dinner their 3x. Can walk to it.

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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 10/06/10

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".

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Awesome Stay

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

We stayed for 5 nights. Family of 5 (including 2 tennagers). We loved everything. Best features - deck with views of the Pacific, open air showers, nightly sunsets, private beach with free kayaks and boogie boards, monkey visits, tucans, walkable to excellent restaurants. Great kitchen. This is one of the nicest places we have stayed. Costa Rica is fantastic - just go.

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

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Paradise in Comfort

Guest OttawaJoe
Date of stay 05/15/10
Review Submitted 05/31/10

Just got back from a week in May at this Casa...it was amazing...I took my 3 boys...and we all enjoyed it...the location was ideal- close to many good restaurants...the pools on the property were great, as was the secluded beach- which the facility offered free shuttles to & from. (which is great to know, as it is a steep trek- especially on the way back). The condo itself was ideal...5 star...very comfortable & luxurious...outdoor shower was cool...balcony view awesome- monkeys every morning on our balcony...great view...can't say enough good things about the condo. Tracy was very helpful in setting up excursions & making recommendations...her maid & conceirge were also very nice and accomodating as well. Very much recommend this place to everyone!

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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"Wonderful Casa, Lovely Location, Top Notch Servic

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"Wonderful Casa, Lovely Location, Top Notch Servic

Guest Mary-Jo Caldwell
Date of stay 04/25/10
Review Submitted 05/19/10

"Wonderful Casa, Lovely Location, Top Notch Service" Three girlfriends and I stayed at the Casa to celebrate my 50th b-day. The vacation was all I had hoped it would be, and more. Reconnecting with girlfriends was the highlight of our trip, and we couldn't have asked for a nicer place in which to do it. The Casa is beautiful, the views spectacular, the beach is lovely, and the grounds have lots of monkeys and sloths and iguanas and lizards and crabs. Be sure to walk the north beach and south beach trails. Very pretty, and the south beach trail often had a sloth nearby. We walked to restaurants (be sure to have an expresso milk shake at Cafe Milagro), and having the grocery a short walk away was great. Tracy was a tour guide extraordinaire - she provided recommendations as to which tour companies to use, and set them all up for us, often at the last minute due to our indecision. She was also very helpful re places to eat, how much taxi should cost, etc. She really wanted to be sure we had everything we needed, and genuinely wanted to help us in any way possible. Osvaldo and Margorie kept the house spotless and in working order, and Osvaldo even helped us on the phone with our spotty spanish. We had Ernesto come in to make us dinner one night - delicious! After experiencing the semi-outdoor shower at the casa, I'm having one built at home! We had a wonderful time, and the casa and Tracy were a big part of what made it so special. Only thing we didn't like was having to leave.

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Wonderful stay at Casa Gema de Bali.

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Wonderful stay at Casa Gema de Bali.

Guest By Mark from Ridgefield, CT
Date of stay 04/16/10
Review Submitted 04/28/10

We had a wonderful stay at Casa Gema de Bali. The villa sits at the very top of this closed gate community. This location is important as it allows for unobstructed views of the incredibly scenic area. A wide panorama of the Pacific and mountains provided hours of relaxation. "Monkey Palooza", as my young boys called it, happened nearly every morning. Through the trees came a band of monkeys, sometimes bouncing across our deck. The monkeys will literally be several feet away - just an amazing sight to see for a New Englander. The villa itself is wonderful. It is beautifully appointed, warm and inviting. It really is even nicer than the great pictures we saw online. The main highlight of the community is the private beach. Great waves, incredible views, clean, private and, best of all, full service. Chairs, umbrellas, boogie boards, etc. are all provided free of charge. And a "Tiki bar" serves refreshments, cocktails and lunch under the shade of trees - while looking at the ocean. The owner of Casa Gemma de Bali is very nice and trustworthy. She was very helpful and accomodating. She had suggestions for other parts of our journey, made sure we had everything we needed, and was always willing to help/answer questions. We would connect with her by phone and email. The folks she employs to care for the Casa and be available locally if needed were great. Overall, we just had a great experience. The villa was perfect and the views were unmatched.

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"great family vacation"

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"great family vacation"

Guest D. Bergman
Date of stay 04/06/10
Review Submitted 05/19/10

"great family vacation" 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.

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Amazing!!!

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Amazing!!!

Guest Gina Anderson
Date of stay 04/01/10
Review Submitted 04/28/10

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!

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"Casa Gema de Bali"

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"Casa Gema de Bali"

Guest Betty Andrikopoulos
Date of stay 03/18/10
Review Submitted 05/19/10

"Casa Gema de Bali" 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.

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

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Everything We Expected and More

Guest Traveller with kids
Date of stay 02/15/10
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!

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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Our Own Piece of Heaven, Indeed!

Guest Mariah2010
Date of stay 01/15/10
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!

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

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

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

Casa Gema de Bali

Guest Annie from Denver
Date of stay 12/05/09
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.

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

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.

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

Casa Gema de Bali is Pure Bliss

Guest Kevin - Me Gusta la Pura Vida
Date of stay 11/16/09
Review Submitted 11/29/09

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! Kevin

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

Owner response: Hello Kevin, Thank you for your very kind words regarding our home. We are very happy that we were able to share it with you and your friends. Your offer to share your experience with others is especially appreciated. Pura Vida! Saludos, Tracy and Michael

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

Excellent stay and Casa Gema de Bali

Guest creepo63
Date of stay 10/03/09
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!!

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

Owner response: These guests visited Casa Gema de Bali during the rainy season and reported that they had beautiful weather throughout their stay.

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

It was perfect.

Guest Melissa H.
Date of stay 04/06/09
Review Submitted 05/06/09

* 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!! Melissa

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

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

Really Enjoyed this Vacation!

Guest Thomako
Date of stay 04/01/09
Review Submitted 09/28/09

A group of friends spend a fun week at Casa Gema de Bali. Between the exclusive beach, the pools and the walkable bars and restaurants, we all had one of the best vacations ever. We loved Casa Gema de Bali! It was clean, new, and very beautiful, both with its designer furnishings and its unbelievable ocean and jungle views. We hope to be able to come back because we are not sure we can beat this vacation.

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

Owner response: Hello Thomako, Michael and I enjoyed having you and your friends as guests in our house. We also want to thank you for the photo of the Mono Titi monkey group frolicking on Casa Gema de Bali's veranda! How fun! Tracy and Michael

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

We loved our stay!

Guest Sabrina M.
Date of stay 02/28/09
Review Submitted 02/08/10

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!

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

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!

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

Gorgeous!

Guest jessiesheila
Date of stay 11/01/08
Review Submitted 11/12/08

My spouse and our two teen-aged kids just returned from a ten day stay in Casa Gema de Bali. I want to tell everyone what a great place this is! The unbelievable view to the ocean begins literally as soon as you open the door. The casa is perched on a hill and it seems like you are on top of the world. The house itself is literally gorgeous, and very well maintained and very clean. Tulemar Gardens is, from talking to expats and locals, considered the loveliest place to stay in all of Manuel Antonio and we could see why. The beach is great fun. We boogie boarded one day for three hours without realizing it (got a little sunburned, but it was well worth it!). We were all so sad to leave this piece of heaven!

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

Owner response: This family was loads of fun. Our staff became very attached to their kids and were equally sad when they left.

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

Casa Gema de Bali

Guest JetSetting
Date of stay 09/01/08
Review Submitted 09/26/08

We spent a wonderful week in this absolutely gorgeous casa. The house was even nicer than we anticipated. The view was unbelievable. We highly recommend it to anyone wanting to experience the best in Manuel Antonio. You will not want to leave!

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

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

Great Vacation Rental

Guest drew_drimal
Date of stay 08/28/08
Review Submitted 09/21/08

Just returned from Casa Gema de Bali. What a great house! Gorgeous in every way. Owner was very helpful and gave us advice as to what to do, where to go, what to eat. The casa looked like it came straight out of a high end magazine. We must have taken a hundred pictures of the casa, the view from the veranda, the beach, the grounds. Our concierge was the best. We highly recommend this casa to anyone looking for luxury and relaxation. We plan on returning next year!

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

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

Casa Gema de Bali is a real gem!

Guest Deb Lynn
Date of stay 05/24/08
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!)

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

Owner response: Hello, Deb, We are delighted that you had a great stay at Casa Gema de Bali, and that you enjoyed what many claim to be the best sunset view in all of Manuel Antonio! And yes, those delicious pina colada's at the pools are just perfect at the end of a fun-filled day, aren't they? Best, Tracy and Michael

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

Vacation Rentals by Owner

Tulemar-Buenavista-Huge Ocean Views-Location-Private Beach-Monkeys!!! [#203417ha] | View Property

Traveler Reviews (33)

Casa Gema de bali

Casa Gema de bali

Casa Gema de Bali Surpassed all Expectations!

Casa Gema de Bali Surpassed all Expectations!

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"!

Best view in all of Costa Rica!

Best view in all of Costa Rica!

Paradise by the sea

Paradise by the sea

Paradise

Paradise

"The house exceeded our expectations!"

"The house exceeded our expectations!"

"Casa Gema de Bali is amazing"

"Casa Gema de Bali is amazing"

the pictures don't lie

the pictures don't lie

"This vacation rental and location has it all !!!

"This vacation rental and location has it all !!!

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

Paradise in Comfort

Paradise in Comfort

"Wonderful Casa, Lovely Location, Top Notch Servic

"Wonderful Casa, Lovely Location, Top Notch Servic

Wonderful stay at Casa Gema de Bali.

Wonderful stay at Casa Gema de Bali.

"great family vacation"

"great family vacation"

Amazing!!!

Amazing!!!

"Casa Gema de Bali"

"Casa Gema de Bali"

You won't be disappointed!

You won't be disappointed!

Everything We Expected and More

Everything We Expected and More

Our Own Piece of Heaven, Indeed!

Our Own Piece of Heaven, Indeed!

Casa Gema de Bali

Casa Gema de Bali

Casa Gema de Bali is Pure Bliss

Casa Gema de Bali is Pure Bliss

Excellent stay and Casa Gema de Bali

Excellent stay and Casa Gema de Bali

It was perfect.

It was perfect.

Really Enjoyed this Vacation!

Really Enjoyed this Vacation!

We loved our stay!

We loved our stay!

Gorgeous!

Gorgeous!

Casa Gema de Bali

Casa Gema de Bali

Great Vacation Rental

Great Vacation Rental

Casa Gema de Bali is a real gem!

Casa Gema de Bali is a real gem!