Amanda

Guest: Amanda (South Dakota)
Date of Stay: 12/13/11 Review Submitted: 12/27/11

My husband and I ended up only staying here for one night! Tory the owner e-mailed us the night before we left for our trip, to tell us that their was construction going on and asked if we wanted to stay somewhere else. It was too late for us to find something. But once we got their it was AWFUl! The construction is RIGHT next door, and they started sawing and hammering at 6am. And then the house itself was filled with bugs, and my husband ended up killing a scorpion in the kitchen too! We e-mailed the owner, and requested our money back for the 2 nights we didn't stay, and she would only refund one night! The construction is not even close to being finished, so I would not recommend staying here. Its not a safe area either!

Owner response:The lot next to Gato Cansado has been under various stages of construction in 2011. I was assured it would be completed by November 2011, prior to Amanda’s stay. We stayed at Gato Cansado for the 10 days previous to their visit and experienced the construction noise. It was an inconvenience and we immediately notified them so they could seek other accommodations. We provided full disclosure as soon as we knew its status and the extent of noise. We offered to let them out of their rental contract and refund the full amount. Those chose to stay, so splitting the difference was a compromise. The construction of the house is done and the remaining activity is the woodworkers making the furniture, which should be completed in January 2012. As mentioned, we were at Gato Cansado right before their visit and the house is in excellent shape. Nosara is in the tropics and there are bugs. However, my husband and I have traveled all over the world and Nosara is far less “buggy” than many other places we visit. Simply keeping the screen door closed will prevent them from entering the house. As for the xenophobic comment about the area not being safe, the people we have met in Nosara and Costa Rica are some of the friendliest and warm-hearted in all of Central and South America. We very much enjoyed talking with the carpenters working next door and all of the locals. They are always waving and smiling at us when we go by- they even showed us around the house that was being built. We have never had any bad experiences in all of Costa Rica. It is unfortunate that this couple did not have a good time in Costa Rica and should maybe choose and alternate destination for their next vacation.

Recommended for:

Great pied-a-terre in Nosara!

Guest: Stan (Aspen)
Date of Stay: 04/19/10 Review Submitted: 05/03/11

Located on a hiltop, this one-bedroom hideaway is equiditant and a short walk from Playa Guiones and the Nosara Yoga Institute. Featuring a sparkling dipping pool and a lovely patio for breakfast and watching sunsets, the house has a washer-dryer, modern bathroom, and air conditioning if you need it. During our late April stay we found the ceiling fans to provide enough cooling. Kim, the on-site property manager, could not have been more accommodating, orienting us on the windy roads of Guiones, and assisting with a grocery store stop. While walking everywhere is a possibility, we rented a cute yellow Honda ATV, and strapped on our yoga mats for trips to the Yoga Institute and everywhere else. Renting a car is also a possibility, but bikes or a 4-wheeler seemed more fun for around town. The town has some 12-15 good restaurants, so while cooking in is a possibility, we limited that to breakfasts, and sampled the local venues for dinner. Nosara and the Guiones beach area have bumpy gravel roads, sometimes dusty, and this includes the road into the aarea from Nicoya. So we opted to fly in with Nature Air from San Jose. It was a wonderful flight with breathtaking scenery. The beach is super-clean, full of surfing activity, and backed by a 200-meter conservation area. This means that there are no beach joints for hanging out, and the bars and cafes are centered more around the adjacent village. So it has a different feel from most beaches, which have development right up to the tide line. (There are beachside hangouts on nearby Playa Pelada, if you need to experience someting less pristine.) So, all in all, we loved our time in Nosara and bid a fond farewell as we moved on to the Arenal Volcano and the interior rainforest.

Recommended for:Sightseeing, romantic getaway, age 55+, tourists without a car.

Great Vacation Spot!

Guest: emily (Carbondale)
Date of Stay: 05/22/09 Review Submitted: 03/29/11

I stayed at Gato Cansado in spring and the weather was great. We could watch the monkeys and birds right from the porch and the pool was perfect for cooling off in the afternoons. The house was perfect size with all the amenities, very clean and new feeling. Its just a short walk or bike ride to the beach and cute little town. The beaches are beautiful! Shallow water and perfect waves for learning to surf or playing in with kids. I would highly recommend Gato Cansado!

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

Cozy retreat

Guest: Julie & Ian (Glenwood Springs, CO)
Date of Stay: 03/08/11 Review Submitted: 03/24/11

Gato Cansado was a fantastic place to stay. Situated at the top of a small hill, it was close enough to walk to the beach and town, but far enough away for absolute privacy. Pool is the perfect size & temperature for a mid-day dip. Cute, cozy, every amenity you could need, and very helpful house manager. We had a great time watching the monkeys as we walked to and from the beach. Highly recommended--we can't wait to go back for a longer stay next time!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, romantic getaway, age 55+.

Private and Relaxing

Guest: Josh (Carbondale, Colorado)
Date of Stay: 04/10/10 Review Submitted: 03/18/11

The Gato Cansado is a great private little home at the end of the road with few neighbors but the Howler Monkeys and White-nosed Coati (sweet little guys who love to drink from the pool in the heat of the day) Short walk to the uncrowded beach for amazing sunsets and great surf for all levels. If the locals tell you the Rodeo and Fair is going on in the town of Nosara, do not miss it! - bull riding, great food and people.

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

Monkeys and More....

Guest: MissingGatoCansado (Durango, Colorado/USA)
Date of Stay: 06/05/10 Review Submitted: 02/22/11

A great to place to stay! Perfect size, Close enough to beach and town, far enough away for privacy. Cold pool perfect for cooling off and watching monkeys in the afternoon. Great property management! Can't wait to visit again!

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

Gato Casado is a little gem you don't want to pass up!

Guest: Sue (Druango, CO)
Date of Stay: 06/06/10 Review Submitted: 02/17/11

When my compannion and I visied Costa Rica, Gato Cansado was most definitely one of our highlights! Its privacy and calmness brought solice. The sounds of jungle creatures and the visits of the monkeys swinging above the casita brought adventure! The private pool was a refreshing treat after walking home from the beach and offered peaceful solitude at night. Moreover, the quaint one bedroom house is well kept and well-managed. I would highly recommend Gato Cansado!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, sightseeing, romantic getaway.

Second Honeymoon

Guest: Jennifer (Colorado)
Date of Stay: 08/07/10 Review Submitted: 02/16/11

A great place to relax - whether reading in the hammock, lounging in the pool and at the beach or walking in the jungle. The location is perfect. Guiones beach is a wonderful beach. Close enough to town to walk and get what you need and yet very private and quiet. The monkeys are so fun. We even enjoyed hanging out listening to the rain.

Recommended for:Sightseeing, romantic getaway.

Guest: Keith & Anna1 (Florida)
Date of Stay: 05/13/10 Review Submitted: 05/13/10

An absolute wonderful stay. We could have not asked for a better honeymoon. Great location and very private but close enough to the beach and surf. We cannot wait to come back to Nosara! Highly recommended!

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Guest: Ruth (Hampton, NH, USA)
Date of Stay: 04/13/10 Review Submitted: 04/13/10

We were totally satified, comfortable and happy during our 6 week visit to Nosara, Costa Rica. My Husband and I would go back there in a minute. We highly recommend Gato Cansado.

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