A Birthday to Remember!

Guest: lv2travel (St Louis, Missouri, USA)
Date of Stay: 11/10/11 Review Submitted: 01/09/12

Ken and Kim, We're happy to post a review. I want to share with you in advance...if you have any concerns, please let me know... We had the pleasure of staying at Casa Pura Paz in mid-November. After spending a few wonderful days in Dominical, it was a pleasure to experience the wildlife, nature and privacy that Casa Pura Paz offers while also providing easy access to many restaurants. Our stay was on the main level of the house, and was as fantastic as the pictures depict. We were welcomed by Capuchin and Titi monkeys on their daily feeding run, and each day brought a wealth of wildlife enjoyed from the comfort of the leather rockers on the deck...toucans, sloths, monkeys. A daily visit from Tony, host Ken and Kim's Tico dog, was welcomed as we are both dog lovers. Ken and Kim are on the upper level of the home, but there is no intrusion of privacy as they have a separate entry and driveway. Indeed, they were on hand whenever needed and contributed to a wonderful eventful day we won't soon forget. My wife's birthday occurred while we were there...a day that began with a rainforest zip line/rappell, continued with a private masseuse providing a rooftop deck massage, and ended with a chef-prepared meal in the kitchen. Ken and Kim arranged all...we just had to be there. Perfect! We highly recommend Casa Pura Paz for a fantastic Costa Rican experience!

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

wonderful family vacation

Guest: Dave and Cyndy (Virginia)
Date of Stay: 12/18/11 Review Submitted: 12/31/11

We had a truly superb family vacation (4 generations) together at Casa Pura Paz. The grandchildren (ages 6, 3 and 1) loved the small pool on the deck and delighted in the monkeys and other wild visitors. Ken and Kim, the owners, were the perfect hosts, giving us good guidance on what to do and see -- available whenever we needed them, but giving us our space the rest of the time. Also the full staff (especially Jose and Maria) took wonderful care of us, cleaned meticulously (including the dishes), and provided further advice and tips, especially to identify the wildlife. Owners and staff were very accommodating to all our needs, and put up well with the kinds of demands that young children can put on a house. Above all, the house and site are truly magnificent. By far the best wildlife viewing of the whole trip took place right from the main deck of the house, morning, afternoon and evening. A sloth took up station right in front of the deck (about 20 yards out) twice, for about 24 hours each time. Howler monkeys regularly travel past on a route a bit further out. Squirrel monkeys and capuchin monkeys appear on the deck. We saw toucans 4 separate times, and they lingered for our photos. Red-rumpted tanagers, and lots of other birds and animals showed up as well. We give this place our wholehearted endorsement. It's especially suited for a family gathering. Tip: Espadilla Norte beach, easily reached by 4-wheel drive (and also walkable from the house, but that's a bit more challenging), was by far our favorite.

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

INCREDIABLY AMAZIING! BEST VACATION EVER!

Guest: W & S (Texas)
Date of Stay: 09/22/11 Review Submitted: 09/30/11

As you sip your mourning cofffee looking out from the balcony, listening to the waves crash against the shore, and see monkeys and birds pass by, you realize that you're in paradise. The feeling of inner peace and tranquility overcomes you as you marvel at creation. We were there for five days and loved every minute of being there in that amazing house. The owners and the employees were very kind and helpful. If you want to go to Manuel Antonio this is the place to stay! Why? Because of the privacy, space, and the comfort and ease of staying there. This by far is the best value. This is the second time we have stayed there and we can't wait to go for a third.

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

An Unforgettable Experience!!

Guest: Ron & Donna (Farmington, MO)
Date of Stay: 08/04/11 Review Submitted: 08/18/11

We couldn't have dreamed this wonderful place! From the spectacular views of the ocean and rainforest, to the sights of beautiful birds of all kinds, toucans, sloths and monkeys in the trees, the best word to describe it is overwhelming---in the best possible way. Then you add the warm hospitality of Ken and Kim, and you have the perfect getaway. I couldn't understand the last review, she can't be talking about the same place! But I learned as a travel agent for many years, that some people just cannot be pleased. But if you love the beauty of nature, seeing animals you never thought you'd see in their own home, love watching the sun come up over mountains and hit gorgeous blue water, and warm hosts who provide a beautiful, sparkling clean sanctuary, then this is the place for you!

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

This house is MISREPRESENTED!

Guest: kathy zaun (williamsburg, virginia)
Date of Stay: 07/22/11 Review Submitted: 08/08/11

My husband and I and our four sons just got back from staying at this house (it is a house, definitely not a mansion). We would like future travelers to make sure they understand exactly what they are getting. 1. Ken and Kim live on the top floor of the house. 2. There is not air conditioning in every room of the house - only in the bedrooms. We were informed when we got there that if we left the a/c on when we left, we would be charged $50/day. 3. There are lists of rules hanging in the house. For example, no beach towels are allowed at the beach. Instead, you have to take wraps. Which is fine. However, we got the distinct feeling that Kim and Ken were trying to watch every move we made. If we were caught doing something wrong, another rule list would appear or notes would be left. 4. The part of the house shown in the video is nowhere where you will be staying. That is Ken and Kim's floor. In fact, there are three floors of housing. Theirs is on top. The next level has two bedrooms, small family area, kitchen, etc. The third level is in no way attached to the other two floors. One of our sons had to use his own key and had to sleep down there away from everyone. 5. The house is not at all comfortable. While decorated appropriately, the couch and chairs in the family area are outdoor types of chairs....thus very thin cushions with a very hard surface. The outside chair cushions looked like they were about 15 years old, as did the chairs. The chairs were so uncomfortable. You felt like you were leaning forward every time you sat down. 6. There was no hot tub available. They had to move the hot tub down a floor when they added on to the house. It is now covered with plastic and we were told that "No one uses it anyway". We would have. We were looking forward to that. 7. We felt like we were nickled and dimed by Ken and Kim, especially Kim. Housekeeper Maria's breakfast (eggs, bacon, rice, fruit, pancakes) was good but $72 for 6 people for that? And we paid Ken and Kim, not Maria. House staffer Jose - great, kind, wonderful man. We felt that Ken and Kim talked us into the highly reviewed "mangrove tour". For $400, (again, we pay Ken and Kim....and by the way, a person with a degree in Costa Rica makes about $400/month), Jose took us in a boat to a "private" primitive island where the water had riptides and we were served a scary lunch. Wonder who got all that money??

Owner response:HELLO ALL YOU WRITERS OUT THERE. This guest is a writer by profession. READERS PLEASE USE DISCERNMENT!!! Most things you have read are not true!!!! She and her husband stated before they departed that they really enjoyed the house and their trip and would like to come back sometime without their children. She stated that she was really going to miss the view from the house and would like to come back just to spend time writing. The only complaint was they did not enjoy the mangrove tour. This apparently is her first attempt at Fiction!!! IF you read the previous 28 reviews you will see that each is recorded as a 5 star rating and all are similar positive reviews. Strange!!! This one is 2 stars and all negative comments. Well, it was somewhat cloudy at night at this time of year. To prevent similar frustration as indicated by this guest. We recommend these travel guidelines: 1. If you book your flight to San Jose, California instead of San Jose, Costa Rica—We are not responsible !!! 2. If you “miss” your connecting flight to San Jose and want a discount or refund on your first nights stay here and free sports equipment—We are not responsible!!! 3. If your children are bored on any tours and want a discount for that—We are not responsible. 4. If you cannot afford to take a vacation, without getting a discount on everything—We are not responsible!!! 5. If your children call you by your first name and tell you to shut up---We are not responsible!! 6. If you are miserable where you are now, You will probably be miserable here- We are not responsible !!! 7. One thing we are RESPONSIBLE for is that we will provide you with a beautiful, clean, safe and secure home that you will enjoy. We will also be honest and provide you with accurate information so you can make good intelligent decisions that make or break a great vacation. That is our responsibility and we take pride in doing it well!!

Recommended for:

Truly Great, Multi-Generational, Vacation! When can we go back?

Guest: Esther (Boxford)
Date of Stay: 06/18/11 Review Submitted: 06/27/11

We just returned from this great vacation home and really want to recommend it to families looking for a relaxing but exciting trip. Our family consisted of my parents (in their 60s) my husband and I (in our 30s) and our two daughters (4 and 7). We all had a blast and we all got to do the things we loved. We did not rent a car and this worked out fine. Each day we explored a new beach in the morning either by foot or by cab, came home for an afternoon lunch and rest and then set out to the private beach down the hill from the house for the afternoon followed by dinner out (by cab) or dinner in (by chef). It was truly perfect. And when we just felt like sitting and having a drink, we threw our girls into the pool and did just that. Easy! I can't say enough about how kind the staff was, Maria and Jose are two truly special employees who go out of their way to make your time there easy and carefree. One of our favorite days was taking a tour out to a beach by Jose's house through the mangroves on his boat. It was magical and remote and not like any other 'typical' tour we've ever taken. We also hired Maria to make us breakfasts on some mornings and Chef Rey to cook dinners a few of the nights. The food was amazing and local! Chef Rey taught our girls to love fish - without ketchup!! And when it was all done the dishes were done and the kitchen sparkled and all I had to do was sit in the chair and look at the ocean. Perfect! If you go to Pura Paz pack some good walking shoes, a few bathing suits, and a beach cover-up and leave everything else at home. You won't need it or want it, it's just that easy and laid back. We were there in mid-June, and felt that the weather was exactly right. Sunny and hot all morning and then, thankfully!, a cloud cover generally rolled in by 1 or 2 and kept us shaded. An evening shower or thunderstorm was never a big deal because we were generally eating dinner by then and welcomed the cooler air. Great trip and great people. Thanks Kim and Ken and Maria and Jose and Rey!! We miss all of you and hope to be back some day.

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

BEST VACATION EVER

Guest: Costa Rica Bound Again!! (Gainesville, FL)
Date of Stay: 05/22/10 Review Submitted: 04/09/11

Sorry this took so long to write, but my wife and I were just thinking about how wonderful our trip to Costa Rica was last year. We ABSOLUTELY loved Casa Pura Paz. It was something our whole family will never forget. We had 7 adults and our 2 year old son and there was PLENTY of room. The house was beautiful, the views were amazing and everyday it seemed like we saw something new. The hike to the beach is a fair jaunt, but the private beach time and pictures are worth the trip! The walks out to the points are really neat as well and the views are just breath-taking on a clear day. The Monkeys were definitely a big hit for our son, so was drinking out of a coconut, he thought that was the coolest thing ever. Maria is a delight and her breakfast is ridiculous. Jose is the Man! His trip to the secluded beach through the mangroves was probably the highlight of our trip. We swam in the ocean with monster waves right up to the shoreline, I haven't seen Nanie and GiGi have so much fun!! Ken and Kim were great hosts and really pointed us to the places to go, set up a fishing trip and directed the girls to the shopping! We all often talk about that vacation and the house had so much to do with that. We all can't wait to go back and there is no doubt where we will stay. YOU CAN NOT GO WRONG WITH THIS PLACE IT IS ABSOLUTELY PERFECT!!!!! Our trip was almost a year ago and we can remember it like it was yesterday!

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

Paradise Found!

Guest: Cold in NY (New paltz,ny)
Date of Stay: 02/19/11 Review Submitted: 03/17/11

My husband and I and our 2 seven year olds were lucky enough to stay here for 3 weeks this Feb/March. It was EVERYTHING that we could have hoped for. The home is gorgeous, our hosts Ken and Kim are as genuinely kind as they are helpful, and we absolutely loved the beauty of Manuel Antonio! The view is the perfect way to spend morning coffee or an afternoon drink, the grounds are beautiful with their flowers and butterflies, and the monkeys were there almost everyday to entertain us with their antics! My daughter even got to ride their new addition to their family, Precious, their horse. It made her trip! Maria and Elvin were always so sweet and helpful and Jose's sunny personality and friendship added something special to our trip! Look no further, this is where you need to go. We didn't only have one of the best vacations of our lives, we made friends that we will not forget. We are already planning our trip back!

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

We Did Not Want to Leave

Guest: Kristin (Phoenix, AZ 85295)
Date of Stay: 02/13/11 Review Submitted: 02/23/11

In February, my husband, 5 yr old son and another family with 5 year olds took a chance staying in this home. We can't wait to go back!! It was such a wonderful trip! This home is truly in an ideal location. We saw monkeys every day and I'm still smiling thinking about sitting in the hammock on the deck, listening to the crash of waves from the ocean, and the sounds of the howler monkeys in the trees. Our families were very comfortable in the house - and Ken, our host, was so gracious and helped arrange a fun-filled week for us including a private chef coming in to make us a delicious dinner, a private boat tour on an island that we had to ourselves for the day (thank you so much Jose), and a super fun and safe zip line tour through Canopy Tours. Manuel Antonio park is very special and is only 10 mins down the road. The walk down to the beach is only 5 mins and especially at low tide, is an amazing, mostly private experience (do check the tide charts). Traveling with kids, the play pool at the house was PERFECT! Adults could sit on the upper deck with full view of the pool and the ocean while the kids played and played. Our son is still drawing pictures of his trip and how much fun he had! A special thanks to Ken and Kim for sharing their amazing home with us. We were charmed by Costa Rica and have nothing but wonderful things to tell our friends about our trip - this house was a huge reason for that!

Recommended for:Families with teenagers, romantic getaway, pet owners, age 55+, sightseeing, families with young children.

Heaven on Earth

Guest: Ann (Margate City new Jersey)
Date of Stay: 01/31/11 Review Submitted: 02/12/11

I have been renting villas and private homes for over thirty years and I have never found one with an atmoshere that filled my every desire. The property is spectacular, the view-so great you never want to leave, but there are so many wonderful activities that Kim and Ken recommended and then so graciously arranged everything making our time so much easier. Most of these activities had transportation where you were picked up at the house and safely returned after the fun ended. Zip lining, hiking, fishing, wave runner tours, boat ride through the mangrove to a private island for the day and if you can imagine a relaxing stone massage after all your adventures, right at the house. If you like animals, this is the place for you, their dogs, if you like them around, are so much fun, especially since I was missing my animals so much. Kim has a newly, nearly, adopted horse so appropriated named Precious. Loved to feed him carrots and watch him graze on the property. Of course having a beach close by that is mostly secluded was a treat. I can go on and on and not say enough about the property I wanted to rename HEAVEN ON EARTH, I have been blessed to have stayed at Pura Paz and will forever have the greatest of memories, thank you Kim, Ken, Jose and Maria.

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