Vacation Rentals by Owner

Highly Recommend

Guest: peanie (Superior, WI)
Date of Stay: 03/24/12 Review Submitted: 05/05/12

My family of four (Children 9 & 7) rented this property for 1 week. We had a wonderful, relaxing week at this beautiful house. The owners Ken & Kim are exceptionally hospitable. They went out of there way to make our vacation special. I agree with all the excellent reviews on this property but wanted to add what makes this property special. I really liked Maria the house keeper who is kind and respectful. We enjoyed our dishes and laundry washed daily. It was nice to leave vacation with a suitcase full of clean clothes. Jose the ground keeper was also delightful to have around!! He took us on the Island tour but made it special by taking us fishing for my son's birthday in the Mangroves. The house has everything you need on your vacation. It is in a good location with a nice beach just down the hill. The house is big we only used a portion of it. Definitely get a massage at the house! My massage was cheap and excellent!! I would highly recommend this vacation rental!! I also highly recommend a trip to Costa Rica! We had a wonderful time and hope to return next year!!

Recommended for:Families with young children

Cold in NY

Guest: Cold in NY (New paltz,ny)
Date of Stay: 02/18/12 Review Submitted: 03/07/12

This was our second stay at Casa Pura Paz. We spent 2 weeks with our 2 eight year olds. This year was even better than last. There are so many things that make this place special: the view, the kindness of the owners and staff, the gorgeous rainforest that surronds you, the private beach that is just a few minutes walk away, and the animals that are EVERYWHERE! I could go on and on about this magical place! We are already planning our trip there in 2013! Don't pass this one up!

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

This Must Be Just Like Living in Paradise

Guest: MORTS (Georgia USA)
Date of Stay: 01/15/12 Review Submitted: 02/29/12

Our vacation at Casa Pur Paz was absolutely amazing. We arrived in the evening after dark and instantly fell in love with the house. The next morning the view took our breath away. And then came the monkeys with babies, every day, much to our delight. They'll come several times a day if you have enough bananas. We were traveling with four kids ages 2-9 and found our hosts to be incredibly accommodating. When we were concerned about the safety of the deck for our little ones, they put up an extra barrier. We felt very secure the entire time. But even though the house is very private and secluded it's not far from all of the best gathering spots stretching from Quepos to Manuel Antonio. The bedrooms were cool, dark and peaceful for sleeping while the main living area was open, light and airy. The deck is like an extension of the living area with lovely hammocks (we never wanted to leave). Well we actually did leave the hammocks to repeatedly relax in the refreshing swimming pool. And when we did decide to venture out we discovered amazing hikes through the rainforest on our way to the most amazing private beach. If you stay here, you MUST have Chef Ray come one night to make sushi, it is truly a memorable experience. We can't say enough about how helpful the hosts and staff are. Want to see a sloth? Jose will locate one and climb a tree to point it out. Want to go zip-lining? They'll call and make the reservation. Want to know the best restaurants? They have all the info. Want a Costa Rican breakfast? Maria will make it for you. (And she will do the dishes.) Want a relaxing massage? You don't even have to leave the house. Want a sitter for your kids so you can have a date night? They have someone for that too. Want the best priced alcohol in the area? Crack open the bottle of your choice at the stocked bar in the living area. Some of the people in our party had visited Manuel Antonio a couple of years ago and had a disappointing time. This trip was so much better, largely because of the comfortable house and "local expert" staff and hosts. You can do it all right here.

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

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:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, romantic getaway.

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

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

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

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

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

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:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

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

Magic

Guest: Mike (Puyallup Washingon)
Date of Stay: 01/05/11 Review Submitted: 01/24/11

There were 6 of us staying at Casa Pura Paz. The ages ranged from late 70's, late 60's and finally the 40's. People were coming and going at all times in our party. We all came with the woes of the world, but left with peace. Our son asked his beloved to marry him on the private beach. My nephew who had been in Iraq, was able to finally to make decisions that had plagued him for months,and finally my husband and I after 31years of marrige fell in love all over again. We came to consider everyone there part of our family. We had stayed almost three weeks and tears came when we hugged Kim and Ken goodbye. The house, property and stafff were so helpful to us. I did not worry about a thing. The very best news is that we will now be planning a wedding party at Casa Pura Paz. I researched properties for over a year and this was beyond my expectations. We lacked for nothing while we were there. Ken and Kim helped us with everything. I can only say that there is not enough room on the page to state the experiences we had. The house is like a much needed tonic in this hectic life. We could actually just sit and be still. My memories of Casa Pura Paz will be with me always. I can say that I would recommend this property for any age. It was a 10 our of 10. Again, I say with the most heartfelt thanks to my friends, Kim, Ken, Maria, Jose, and Tony........You will be in my prayers.

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

David

Guest: David (Denver)
Date of Stay: 12/18/10 Review Submitted: 01/07/11

Our family had a vacation that exceeded our high expectations. Ken and Kim were lovely hosts who helped us plan wonderful get aways! We had a chef come in most evenings to prepare a beautiful dinner and enjoyed on property massages! We have been fortunate to visit many lovely properties with our girls but this vacation was unquestionably our favorite! We hope to return! Thanks again to Ken, Kim, Jose and Maria!

Recommended for:

Beyond our expectations.

Guest: Just the 7 of us. (Duluth, MN)
Date of Stay: 12/10/10 Review Submitted: 12/14/10

If you are considering renting this house, do not hesitate. The house is spacious and well decorated. It is also clean and very well maintained. Right down to the towels, everything about this home is quality. We have rented several houses in Costa Rica on previous trips and this house definitely ranks number one. First of all, you won't want to leave the deck. The view is intoxicating. But go to the beach. No where else can you enjoy a private beach like this. We were there with our five children and it was so relaxing to have the beach to ourselves. And the monkeys...we will treasure our memories with the capuchin and titi monkeys. Our children are already calling our stay at Casa Pura Paz the trip of a lifetime. Thank you so much Ken and Kim for making our stay both relaxing and reviving!

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

Excellent choice, we will definitely come back here!

Guest: Anu and Vijay (Austin, TX)
Date of Stay: 11/26/10 Review Submitted: 12/27/10

We had the most relaxing and enjoyable vacation at Casa Pura Paz. This property has everything - breathtaking views, extremely hospitable hosts, great value for the money and did we say breathtaking views? Our 3 year old still talks about the monkeys almost every day. Jose was a great guide and we really enjoyed his boat ride and trek to a secluded beach. Ken and Kim were really great about helping us get around. We will definitely come back.

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

Magnificent, Awesome, Incredible, Beautiful, Lush, Perfection!!!

Guest: Jim (Clermont, Fl.)
Date of Stay: 10/25/10 Review Submitted: 10/31/10

I spent 3 days with my girlfriend staying at Kim and Ken's incredible home in M.A. This home and property are paradise, heaven on earth. Very upscale but still comfrotable and very open and spacious. Incredible views from all rooms. Great convenient location to restaurants, shops, etc but located in a serene, quiet rainforest. Kim and Ken took care of everything as far as itinerary goes. They booked rafting, zipline, private massage at the home, and private dinner with Chef Rey. They hit a homerun with everything. Massage was incredible and much needed after rafting. The rafting co (rafiki) was the BEST and La Selvita canopy was great too. Chef Rey cooks up an awesome Sushi as well as Chicken. Can't say enough about Ken and Kim and their lovely home. I am a dog trainer so I also loved seeing their dogs each day. If not into dogs, they keep them separate but if you are a dog lover and missing your hounds, it is awesome therapy to play with their friendly boxers. Thanks ken and Kim.....we hope to be back maybe with a group of friends and family. We will remember this trip for our lifetime. To those looking at places to stay.......PICK THIS ONE. One last note....the MA BA shower is unreal......dang I miss it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Owner response:We had a great experience with this young couple and their engergy was incredible. We enjoyed the many things they were able to do in such a short time. We really enjoy the wide range of personalities and ages that are able to stay at our home. Some prefer to stay a longer time and space things out to really savor the expericence, but if you don't, then go for the gusto like Jim and Kelly. Costa Rica and Casa Pura Paz offers a lot of beautiful opportunities for everyone.It can be peace and quiet or some fast paced adventure. Your choice. Come down to our place in paradise and enjoy it all. Ken and Kim

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

Waterfront/Jungle Mansion Getaway

Guest: Jamie and Jodie (Cape Coral, FL)
Date of Stay: 08/21/10 Review Submitted: 10/22/10

Where to start? The small plane ride from San Jose to Quepos was the start of a fantastic trip. The pictures on the web site do no justice to the actual home in person that sits in the mountain overlooking the Pacific Ocean with a jungle in between. We were greeted the very first morning with white faced monkeys walking along the deck railings, who ate bananas right from our hands. We were entertained by these monkeys on a daily basis. In addition, we saw titi and holler monkeys. We were amazed to see the gorgeous colors of the toucans as they ate from a papaya tree just feet away from us, again while sitting on the deck. Look to the right and there is a sloth, to the left a falcon, then all of the sudden a flock of toucans are sitting in a dead tree top. We loved to sit in the pool that has a waterfall with an Imperial (Costa Rican beer)watching the butterfly garden and hummingbirds and an occasional Jesus Christ lizard - named that because it walks on water. The landscaping around the house is really like living in a paradise. Makes you want to live there forever. If you love hiking and the beach, then you have the best of both worlds and you have two beaches to choose from. You can snorkel and boogie board if you choose. Jose can take you fishing and Maria will take care of your household needs and can make breakfast for you if you would like. Ken and Kim are excellent hosts and can recommend what to do while in town. We went ziplining which was amazing and another highlight for us was the two hour Pacific Ocean tour on jetskis - wow! If you are a walker, there are some cool beaches and restaurants to go to within a mile or two. The location is perfect and we highly recommend this waterfront/jungle mansion to everyone we talk to. Thanks to Ken and Kim for a great vacation. See you next year!

Owner response:What great guests they were. We enjoy our home thru the pleasure the guests get from staying here. There is so much to do right on the property that many feel like they don't want to leave the house. What a wonderful experience we have with many of our guests. They feel like family and many have said that the home itself is so comfortable and family oriented that they fee like they are at home. Please come visit us. See for yourselves.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway, tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

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:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

The best house ever!!!

Guest: Anne (London, United Kingdom)
Date of Stay: 04/11/10 Review Submitted: 04/20/10

This house is absolutely perfect, the pictures really do not do justice, it is huge and has everything you can ask for, fully equipped kitchen, washer and dryer, even a pool table, ping pong and a jacuzzi. There is a grocery store 5 minutes from the house, you can find everything there, we had a baby and no problem. Nested right in the middle of the jungle, on our first day we saw sloths, toucans and monkeys come on the balcony, tropical flowers are all around. The view is awesome from everywhere, you can even take a bath with a view. The pool is perfect to refresh after a hot day or a 5 minutes walk takes you to a private beach, there is nobody, great if you have kids, ours loved it! Ken and Kim are great hosts, they organized zip lining and mangrove tours for us, pick-up at the house, nothing to worry about, this is what you want when you are on vacation. Ken advised us a beach to go to for sunset and it was gorgeous, a two minutes ride from the house! The house is sparkling clean when you come back from a day filled with activities thanks to Maria, she cooked us breakfast twice and it was delicious, fresh fruits are the best there! Jose is great, helped us spot wildlife, took us to a private island, body boarded with our son, teached us about local plants...perfect! We used the chef one night, the sushis were excellent, never had sushis with plantains before but it rocks! I would definitely recommend this place to anyone, it is better that you can even imagine. Thanks Ken and Kim, Maria and Jose for the lovely stay!

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

Guest: Evan Thomas (Culver, Oregon)
Date of Stay: 03/13/10 Review Submitted: 03/13/10

We spent 10 days in February of 2010 at Casa Pura Paz with our children and grand children. Everything written in the other comments is true. The house and location were both unbelievable. The four deck areas gave us a chance to spread out for quiet time. The kitchen-living-main deck areas were lots of room for our large group. We had monkeys close to or on the house almost every morning. There are lots of birds and great hiking close by. The nearly private beach was spectacular. Maria's breakfasts were a work of art. The two story atrium shower in the main floor bathroom was just like being in your own private outdoor grotto. Ken and Kim were very helpful, arranging several tours and making the whole experience something we will all remember for year to come.

Recommended for:

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 03/04/10 Review Submitted: 03/04/10

We recently spent a week at Casa Pura Paz and would highly recommend the property! We had a group of 5 adults and two little kids (ages 2 and 2 1/2)! It is a great house for families! The house is very large, and the bedrooms are spaced out, so we all had privacy when we wanted! Our little ones loved the pool and the Pre-Columbian Turtle Traps down at the beach offered a perfect place for them to splash around! The owners were very nice and accommodating! Ken even put up lattice along the deck rails so our little ones would be safe. The home is in a PERFECT location and is very safe! It is on the same road as several hotels, so there are many restaurants and amenities close by. It is a very quick trip down into town for groceries and supplies! If you plan to visit definitely plan to have Maria cook breakfast for you a couple mornings! And enjoy at least one evening of Sushi with Chef Rey!!! We had a great vacation in Quepos and cannot say enough wonderful things about Casa Pura Paz!

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 01/10/10 Review Submitted: 01/10/10

Casa Pura Paz far exceeded our hopes and expectations and created a once in a lifetime family vacation! It is a beautiful house and the location surrounded by jungle with ocean views was just fabulous. Although our family enjoyed the canopy zipline and a day of sailfishing, we could have been happy just staying for the week at the house and going to the 2 private beaches that you can easily get to. From the moment we arrived, Jose’, the gardener-caretaker-helper, was there to assist us. He took us on a tour of the house, on walks showing us how to see the sloths up in the trees and pointed out birds we wouldn’t have even noticed. One mama sloth and her baby regularly hung out in a tree right off the deck of the house! We even decided not to go into the park with a guide because it was all right off our decks.Jose’ introduced us to the many fragrant flowers around the house and his ever-smiling presence was one of the joys of our stay. He is a man of great integrity. One of our kids foolishly left a backpack filled with valuables on a trail in the jungle and Jose’ went on a mission to find it - searching all over Manuel Antonio. He did, and won our hearts! Later, we had him take us and his sweet family on a tour of the mangrove where he lives and to a beautiful beach for boogie boarding and “futbol” (soccer) with our boys. That will always be a special memory as we shared food and a fun time together. We had Chef Rey make and serve us sushi one night at the house and our kids thought that that was very special since it was so private (and delicious!)The vegetation around Pura Paz was absolutely incredible! I have never seen such diversity and beauty. What an amazing and creative God we have!!! Our very, very favorite part of our trip, though, were the monkeys that visited each day. While we never saw the howler monkeys, we certainly heard them. A red squirrel monkey visited once, and every day there was a troop of probably 30-40 capuchin monkeys that would pass by and over the house. Many would venture onto the top decks and circular stairs connecting them. It was delightful to watch their antics and we were held captive by their silly poses and expressions. What fun!!! And, where else?Kim and Ken are great hosts, eager to help if needed. It was a dream come true for our family…. Oh, how we wish we could have stayed a month!!! (or more!)

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Guest: Chris201 (Orlando, FL)
Date of Stay: 12/22/09 Review Submitted: 12/22/09

Wow! Where to begin?...Ok...We'll start with the pix! THEY DO NOT DO THE PROPERTY JUSTICE! This is definitely an instance in which the pix dont paint the picture lol! Casa Pura Paz is so rich and vibrant! We booked the property from 12/13-12/16 of 2009. There were seven people in my party, two couples and 3 singles. We all stayed in plush comfort. The main floor is an open air room so virtually all the windows and doors can open up to let in the outside air, oh so Brilliant! You can actually open up the doors on every floor to let the outside in! OMG! The shower on the main floor is amazing too! Its an open shower with ceilings that go all the way up to the upper deck with natural lighting! There is a recesed areah on both sides of the shower once you are in it and you turn around; to the left are beach towels, and to the right are all your normal towels, hand towels, wash cloths...haha! Wow! The Mansion is truly sureal! And the view....look, this is the kinda stuff you see in music videos, only its not a video, and you get to live it for however long you book your stay! The house is so amazing that you go to Costa Rica with the intent to do all sorts of things, but ultimately end up staying in the house because its so brilliant and peacful, magnificent and comfortable! Ken and Kim have the property gaurded ever night to create maximum security, they are on call themselves whenever you need them, Maria takes care of all the maid services and makes phenomenal breakfast if you opt to have here do so, and Jose takes care of the grounds and is the coolest most humble guy you could ever meet! Casa Pura Paz is the House of Pure Peace! Pura Vida!

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Guest: Jason60 (San Diego, CA)
Date of Stay: 12/17/09 Review Submitted: 12/17/09

We had a group of 6 people stay here Thanksgiving week 2009. It was an amazing house in an amazing place! Monkeys skipping across the deck almost daily...sloths in the trees keeping us company...the rooftop hot tub during the infrequent rain showers is a must...hike to the beach is just short enough to not be inconvenient and just long enough to convince yourself you are getting some exercise. Hard to go wrong if you decide to stay at this place!

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Guest: Chad & Paula (Clio, MI, USA)
Date of Stay: 12/14/09 Review Submitted: 12/14/09

This place was better than we ever imagined!!! We stayed here for a weekend in October and had the most amazing time. The house is beautiful and so nice you never have to leave. The wildlife came right to the back patio, the private beach was the best beach we went to in all of Costa Rica, and Ken & Kim are so hospitable. They did everything they could to make it a perfect getaway. We would recommend it to anyone and everyone!

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Guest: Dean, Pauline, Mo, Kellie & James (Ottawa, Canada)
Date of Stay: 12/07/09 Review Submitted: 12/07/09

We reserved "Pura Paz" in order to celebrate two 50th birthdays. We made the booking with Ken and Kim in April for a November holiday, having researched hundreds of properties in Costa Rica. It was an absolutely wonderful home in a fantastic setting. Many days of the 12 that we stayed at Pura Paz we didn't even leave the property because everything that you could ask for is right there - the beaches, the pool, the owners, the staff, the amenities of the home itself were all great. A couple trips to town for the best fish you've ever eaten and something to wash it down with were all that we really needed. On the other hand, we toured Manuel Antonio Park twice (5 minutes away), went zip-lining, scuba diving, white water rafting and toured a spice farm all within 30 minutes of the house. There are also many good restaurants and other services/tours that Ken and Kim are only too happy to help you out with. We enjoyed Spa Uno, Unique Tours, MarTec Fish Market and lookup Henry Pizarro for the best tour of MA Park. From the ~3000 square feet of decks on 4 levels, we saw three types of monkeys, sloths, lizards, dozens of types of birds. The views from the decks all seemed different but each was fabulous. Three of the decks are covered, so offered outdoor living even when it rained. We loved the hammocks, the hot-tub and the outdoor kitchen. The grounds are spectacular and the walkable beaches deserted on some days! It is quite a hike to the beach for youngsters and oldsters! The house itself is an amazing mix of luxury and comfort - it felt like OUR home after 10 minutes. We felt spoiled but never out of place! We highly recommend Pura Paz for just that, Pure Peace!

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Guest: Jen & Ty (St Petersburg, FL)
Date of Stay: 10/05/09 Review Submitted: 10/05/09

We stayed a week in June at Casa Pura Paz and we couldn't have had a better time. The house was incredible. Kim and Ken were gracious hosts who went out of thier to make us feel comfortable. Ken hooked us us with fresh red snapper and tuna that we ate all week. We brought my mother-in-law with us so that she could look after our 11 month old while we explored the area. The house turned out to be great for our small child. Staircases closed off and the balconeys safe. Another highlight was the sushi chef that we hired for dinner one night. What a meal. Overall, one of the best managed homes that we've stayed in. Thanks to Kim and Ken for making our vacation so much fun.

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Guest: Jerry & Jennifer Hrycyszyn (Newton Mass)
Date of Stay: 09/22/09 Review Submitted: 09/22/09

We recently traveled to Costa Rica and stayed at Ken and Kim's mansion by the sea. It was everything we expected and more. The house was comfortable, conveniently located, and private. Our hosts made sure that we had just what we needed and were available to answer our questions or help us navigate the area. When traveling to Costa Rica we recommend staying at this wonderful home. It really was the high point of our trip!

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 08/31/09 Review Submitted: 08/31/09

From Mike and Mina in Washington, DC: We stayed with my wife's family at Casa Pura Paz in late August 2009. We LOVED it. The house is beautiful. The wildlife came to us -- Capuchins, Squirrel Monkeys, Howlers, sloths (lots of active sloths), iguanas, toads, and more. The private paths and beaches provide a whole new -- and better -- Manuel Antonio experience (this is our third visit to MA). Ken and Kim were very gracious hosts and it is very convenient to have them so close to the rental property. We would highly recommend this house to families or groups.

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Guest: Greg and Michelle Bowman (NYC)
Date of Stay: 07/27/09 Review Submitted: 07/26/09

My family and I spent nearly two weeks here. We had very high expectations for our lifelong dream of Costa Rica. Every one was met. Beautiful home. Gracious hosts. Great views. Incredible wildlife. Absolutely refreshing.

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Guest: Gail W. (Woodacre, California)
Date of Stay: 05/31/09 Review Submitted: 05/31/09

Casa Pura Paz is well named. The home is lovely, comfortable and secluded, and even more beautiful than it appears in the pictures. We enjoyed our morning coffee and afternoon snacks on the deck with the monkeys and birds and butterflies. We will definitely return to this paradise.

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Guest: Ray & Darlene Henry (Fort Myers FL)
Date of Stay: 05/12/09 Review Submitted: 05/12/09

Oh, we loved this place! We were 3 couples who travel together a lot. We had an unpleasant experience in our previous vrbo rental home in Guanacaste, so we were nervous. But as soon as we arrived, we knew that we were in heaven! Ken and Kim are awesome hosts - they attended to our every need. We just loved the house - it was clean and comfortable - we couldn't stay out of the garden pool - so refreshing! The view was awesome - we took hundreds of pictures every day. We spent a glorious week here and didn't really want to go sightseeing because we thought we had everything a person could wish for right at the house! Jose and Maria made sure all was OK every day - and Maria's breakfasts were scrumptious! We enjoyed Chef Rey and his perfect dinners on two occasions. We can't say enough wonderful comments about this beautiful home in Costa Rica - the days went too fast and we enjoyed ourselves way more than we had ever dreamed possible! The pictures do not do justice to the home - it is beautiful and just perfect for a group or family. We will definite recommend this home and will stay here again!

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 05/05/09 Review Submitted: 05/05/09

Pura Paz was a great vacation house. The pictures don't lie and they don't do the house enough justice. The place is absolutely gorgeous. The wildlife was amazing. We saw monkeys and sloths almost every day. The bird watching was also great. Manuel Antonio is a wonderful area. Tons to do and see. The house was a wonderful home base for the 10 days we spent there.

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Guest: Sean 1 (-)
Date of Stay: 04/29/09 Review Submitted: 04/29/09

My wife and I spent a wonderful week here. We were greeted every morning with breathtaking views of the turquoise, emerald green waters below us. And then in just a 10 minute walk through the rain forest were enjoying the beautiful, secluded beach and Pre-Columbian turtle traps. The afternoon dip in the pool was refreshing.Cooking out as we watched the sun set over over the Pacific was incredible. And in the tranquility of the tropical night... drinking wine, looking at the stars and hearing the waves nearby was unforgettable. And after all that we saw 3 kinds of monkeys and a sloth from the deck. Couldn't have been better.

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 04/01/09 Review Submitted: 04/05/09

This is the start of our 3rd day here and we want to stay forever. This website does not do the house justice. It is amazing. You could spend your entire vacation never leaving the house and have a fabulous time. The house is huge. We have 3 couples and we each have our own floor so you have your privacy with plenty of space to be together also. We have already used the outdoor kitchen/bar for a meal followed by a dip in the pool. From the deck we have seen 2 different types of monkeys and today found a family of 5 sloths. Ken and Kim are very welcoming and make you feel at home. You will definitely not be dissapointed if you rent this house - quite the contrary you will love it.

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