Look over the Pacific ocean and jungle while enjoying your meals or coffee
Location: San Juan Del Sur, Nicaragua, Central America (Walk to Surf Break at Playa Maderas and Family Beaches.)
Accommodations: House, 2 Bedrooms + Convertible bed(s), 2.25 Baths (Sleeps 4-5)
Keywords: Custom villa
Looking for something a little different? Something a little exotic, a little adventurous, but still with that certain amount of luxury? Welcome to Casa Selva, The Jungle House.
Set in the progressive, boutique community of Balcones de Majagual, Casa Selva is open air design and living at it’s finest. Located 12km from the lovely town of San Juan del Sur, Casa Selva was designed by the renowned architect Matthew Faulkner (Morgan’s Rock Eco-Lodge) and represents some of the most luxurious, progressively ecologically friendly accommodations in San juan del Sur. This private villa is perched on a ridge overlooking the Pacific Ocean, allowing for both stunning water and jungle views . Enjoy daily visits from the communities local troop of friendly howler monkeys, and in the winter months watch humpback whale breaching from the front deck as they are arriving in the warm waters of the Nicaraguan Pacific to nurse their young.. Being nestled in one of Central America’s largest private wildlife corridors, sightings of sloths, parakeets, iguanas, margays and hummingbirds are common occurrences for guests at Casa Selva.
Casa Selva is more than a rental unit, it is in fact, us, the owners, part time home. As a result, we ensure it is always well stocked and maintained, and lacks that cold, rental space feeling. Above all, Casa Selva is our home, and we are delighted to share it with you in our absence.
Casa Selva is a 2 bedroom, 2 1/4 bathroom home boosting high ceilings, cool polished concrete floors, and a state of the art screen system that allows for fresh air to flow through the home constantly. Both large bedrooms contain beautiful stone, en-suite bathrooms, large storage spaces, and views of either the ocean or jungle. In keeping with our eco-consciousness, the piping hot water in both bathrooms is heated by the sun with our solar hot water system. Both bedrooms rooms are well appointed with fine linens, pillows and comfortable beds.
Attention to detail such as large Japanese style sliding doors, unique wood work (all obtained from hurricane felled trees and sustainable timber) stone accents, professional photography and decor give the home a serene and peaceful feel, perfect for relaxation, honeymoons, or a place to rest after a long day of surfing. Casa Selva provides you with the essential modern conveniences such Wi-fi available in the home and on the grounds, flat screen tv, dvd, video library and comfortable furniture from Simplemente Maderas. Boundaries between indoors and outdoors blend when sliding walls in the living room open to a large patio with ocean and jungle views.
A comfortable work space with desk is provided for your use, making working from the home easy and stress free. Our brand new battery-backup system provides silent power for the house even during Nicaragua's frequent, brief power outages, allowing you to work uninterrupted during these times.
As devoted foodies, the we make sure the kitchen is stocked with everything one would need to make a gourmet meal. Gas range, pots, pans, hand mixer, magic bullet, spices, large bowls, and dishes and cutlery for eight people. A coffee maker, french press, stove top espresso maker and coffee grinder allow you to enjoy your cup of world class Nicaraguan coffee whatever way you prefer. A traditional north american style propane BBQ is available for your use, as well as all the necessary BBQ equipment.
Located just outside the home is the incredible 15 meter infinity pool boasting views of the jungle and ocean. The perfect place to watch the sunset over the pacific in the cool, comfortable pool waters. Chairs are provided for your use, and this is an excellent spot to simply relax, read a book, and just be.
Casa Selva is located either a short 15 minute walk or short 5 minute drive down the private road to some of the finest beaches in southern Nicaragua, Playa Maderas, Playa Majagual and Playones. There are surf board rentals, and a small selection of cafes to make your day at the beach both comfortable and enjoyable.
An English and Spanish speaking “meet and greet” is included in the cost of rental. Our host can help you arrange a variety of activities in the area including zip ling, horse back riding, boat cruises, surf lessons, professional onsite massages, and spanish lessons. This home also enjoys the benefits of secure private parking and 24 hour security in a locked, gated community. Maid and pool service is included, laundry service on request.
Please don’t hesitate to ask us for tips about the town and surrounding area. We are happy to provide you with our list of favorites, be it activities or restaurants.
A four wheel drive vehicle high clearance vehicle is strongly recommended for accessing not only Casa Selva, but the majority of the beaches north and south of San Juan del Sur. We are located 12km from town on country dirt roads, and seeing as though the house is perched on a hill from the main road a 4 x 4 vehicle will make your stay not only easier, but more fun as you enjoy these beautiful country roads. Let us help you arrange a vehicle in town with one of our contacts at a discounted rate!
Vacation Rental Features
- Amenities
- Washer : Overnight washing available with maids at additional cost
- Dryer : Drying service available with maids at additional cost
- Linens Provided : Bed sheets, pillows and pillow cases, bath and kitchen towels are provided for your uses
- Off Street Parking : Parking for two vehicle is located on the gravel road in front of the house. 24 hour security on site.
- Beds
- King Bed
- Queen Bed
- Twin/Single Bed (3) : Two currently converted into a king
- Entertainment
- TV (No Cable/Satellite)
- DVD
- Video Library : Video rental in San Juan del Sur. Casa Selva has a DVD player and 26" LCD TV monitor. Small collection of movies on site.
- CD Player
- Stereo System
- Shared Pool : Pool across the driveway and within close walking distance for guests only.
- Kitchen
- Full Kitchen : Full kitchen with service for 4 and cookware. Refrigerator, with backup battery power for times when the Nicaraguan power grid is shut down.
- Cooking Utensils Provided : Full setup of cookware, plates, glassware, utensils, toaster oven, blender, coffee pot, french press, grill basket
- Refrigerator
- Catering Available : Catering and room service available from local restaurants via motorcycle delivery. Ask for help to call in your order.
- Outdoor Features
- Gas/Electric BBQ Grill : Propane BBQ on patio overlooking ocean
- Deck/Patio : Large patio with custom table and benches that seats eight .
- View/Location
- Ocean View : Enjoy watching the sunset over the Pacific from our elevated view in an eco haven. Walk down to the beach from this home situated on a ridge between Playa Maderas and Playa Majagual.
- Communications
- Cell Phone : A cell phone is provided for your use. Minutes to be purchased by guests.
- WiFi (Wireless Internet)
- Other Amenities
- reverse osmosis drinking water, solar heated hot water in showers and kitchen, hotel style safe in bedroom, yoga mats, pools chairs, herb garden, landscaped property, private parking space, 24 hours on site staff and security guard,
- Suitability
- No Pets Allowed
- Kid Friendly
- Smoking Not Allowed
- Activities
- Shopping
- Kayaking
- Boating
- Swimming
- Surfing
- Biking
- Mountain Biking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Fishing
- Shelling
- Hiking
- Restaurants
- Other Activities
- Watch turtles laying eggs on your beach from July till December. Whale and porpoise watching is a must! Daily visit from monkeys and birds, and if you are really lucky, a sloth!
Rate Details (In US Dollars)
Green season $130/night, $775/week (six nights) or $2100/month
High season $160/night, $950/week or $3000/month
Christmas week, New Year's week and Easter week $250/night
3.5% fee is added to credit card and paypal charges
MINIMUM THREE NIGHT RENTAL
Let us introduce our concierge to help make your stay special.
***Rent 6 nights and receive the 7th free!***
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.
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Credit Cards Accepted:
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Owner's Profile
Owner Description
Year Purchased: 2010
On one of our many jaunts around the world, we got a little tired of all the tourists in Costa Rica. So we decided to head up to Nicaragua, with no plans, no expectations, and no reservations. From the first moment we crossed the border into Nicaragua, we knew we found something special. Nicaragua is the kind of place where you can still have a little bit of an adventure, but enjoy world class surfing, excellent eating, and untamed wilderness. It's that little bit of adventure we all crave that is missing in so many of todays "Top Destinations" . We feel so lucky to be the owners of a home as beautiful as Casa Selva, and when we aren't there enjoying it ourself (we occasionally work, and are somewhat professional travellers) we are thrilled to be able to share our slice of paradise with you! Come to Nicaragua, it's one of the most beautiful places we've found!
Saludos,
Joel and Laura Johnson
Casa Selva owners and lovers!
Toronto, Canada
Why the Owner Chose San Juan Del Sur
After traveling the world (and we mean world, Asia, Africa, Europe South and Central America) over the past ten year, our minds kept returning to the little town of San Juan del Sur in Nicaragua. We first visited in 2008 during what was supposed to be a trip to Costa Rica. After tiring very quickly of the tourists and the gringo trial, we crossed the border into With some of the most consistent surf in Central America, beautiful landscapes, great seafood and gorgeous beaches, we knew in our hearts this was the place for us. The town of San Juan del Sur has everything you need from restaurants, spas, great pubs and bars, groceries, and excellent coffee. Even with Costa Rica to the south, Nicaragua manages to maintain that sense of adventure and untouched beauty lost in so many over touristed places in the world. It's a little piece of paradise. We look forward to the day that we are able to call Nicaragua our home, but for now we are happy sharing this little gem with you.
The Unique Benefits of this House
One of the best parts of staying at Casa Selva is the quiet that allows you to enjoy the sounds of the jungle. On days when the breezes are gentle you can hear the ocean crashing. Every day you can sit and enjoy your morning coffee with the parakeets singing and the Mono Congo monkey's hanging in the trees around the house. Fall asleep to the sound of crickets singing outside the house. Unlike many of the homes in and around San Juan Del Sur, Casa Selva is unique in its setting. Perched on a ridge, the home is located in a private boutique community, containing 11 homes on roughly 100 acres stretching from the jungle to the ocean. There is enough space between homes to enjoy complete privacy without feeling alone or isolated. The lack of light pollution allows you to swim in the pool on clear nights by moonlight, something not to be missed. We provide 24 hour on site security, maid service and management without being intrusive.
We are an ecologic conscious community. What does this mean? We do not believe in spraying heavy pesticides like local hotels do to control bugs, what this does mean is you may encounter a few critters in and around the house, but we are not poisoning the food chain from the bottom up. All of our actions have far reaching consequences, and we want monkeys and parrots to visit the home. We heat our water with solar heat (and there is no lack of that!) and all our furniture and wood in the home is reclaimed fallen hardwoods, ethically sourced in north east Nicaragua.
Property Photos
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- Look over the Pacific ocean and jungle while enjoying your meals or coffee - San Juan Del Sur Ocean View Vacation Home
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- Sliding Japanese style doors and stunning furniture from reclaimed hardwood - San Juan Del Sur Ocean View Vacation Home
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- 1800sq foot home set on ridge with ocean and jungle views - San Juan Del Sur Ocean View Vacation Home
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- Large, comfortable bedrooms, all with ensuite bathrooms
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- Open concept living, each room flows into the next
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- Huge infinity pool overlooking the jungle and pacific ocean.
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- Sunst after a surf on Playa Maderas
Traveler Reviews (19)
Wonderful !!!!
Guest: Maria Camila
(Honduras)
Date of Stay: 04/17/11
Review Submitted: 01/16/12
We stay in Casa selva the last year during spring break. The house in the photo wasn't available so they rent us another one just like Casa selva. Everything was amazing! The views, the house, the staff. We have 2 kids and they had a great time. The beach is 2 minutes down the road by car, and you can walk to another 2 beaches near by, all of them wonderful white sand and clear blue ocean. The house is very beautiful and comfy, we had ocean breeze all the time, so although the house doesn't have air conditioning is really fresh. We can not wait to come back there. I'm sorry it took so much time to writte this review !!!!!
Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, adventure seekers, girls getaway, families with young children, families with teenagers.
Perfect getaway!
Guest: David L.
Date of Stay: 01/05/12
Review Submitted: 01/16/12
My wife and I just returned from 2 weeks in Nicaragua, 4 days of which were spent at Casa Selva. This was easily one of our most memorable experiences. Perched up on the hill overlooking the Pacific this location is tough to beat. Its close enough to San Juan Del Sur (about 30 minutes) to benefit from the restaurants and shops but far enough away that the beach just down the road is quiet, clean and spectacular. The house is exactly what we were looking for. It was spacious, clean, has a great kitchen, TV to watch movies on (no Cable), Wifi, two beautiful bedrooms and bathrooms, and its open air concept was literally a breath of fresh air (no glass windows, just screens). The mountain air rolls through day and night and is just amazing. Owner Laura was a huge help providing us with info before our arrival and putting us in touch with various options for car rental (you'll need a 4x4 to access the house). Gabby who helps manage the property in Nicaragua, met with us, showed us around San Juan Del Sur and escorted us to the house. She was just amazing. If you are looking for a beautiful spot that offers both jungle and beach combined with the frills of modern living, then Casa Selva is tough to beat. The infinite pool overlooking the Pacific isn't too shabby either. Always cleaned by the local security guys (super friendly), it makes for a nice dip after a day at the beach. Truly a unique experience my wife and I will not soon forget. Dave & Julie Montreal
Recommended for:
A visit we will remember forever. Rejuvinating and
Guest: Vicki
(-)
Date of Stay: 08/10/11
Review Submitted: 09/09/11
So glad we chose Casa Selva for the Nicaraguan portion of our trip. Located in a jungle, surrounded by howler monkeys, minutes down a four-wheel drive road to a (virtually) private surfing beach with all the comforts of home and the amenities of a five star resort. Do connect with the owners prior to arrival and take them up on their helpful advice...how to shuttle from the Costa Rica border, who to rent a 4x4 from on Sjds (though you could equally forgo the 4x4 rental and use Iskra's shuttle on the days you want to go into Sjds - this would mean you would make a 10 - 15 minute walk to the beach on foot, not a bad option for the adventurous) Gabby arranged massages for us, had someone stock our kitchen prior to our arrival, and offered someone to cook for us for $15/day (though we did not use the cook.) We felt absolutely safe and comfortable in what our kids affectionately called our 'tree house'...and the sunsets are amazing!
Recommended for:
Wonderful Adventure
Guest: Shelley P.
Date of Stay: 05/14/11
Review Submitted: 07/30/11
My adult son and I had the pleasure of living in the jungle of Nicaragua, in Casa Selva, for 7 weeks. The experience will be remembered for a lifetime. The length of the stay enabled us to make Casa Selva our home, and we became intimately familiar with life in the jungle from a place of comfort! The house is gorgeous, the pictures are 100% true. The home is spaceous, impeccably clean and well kept, and provided the conveniences of very important items like several styles of coffee pots, a well-equipped kitchen (pots and pans, dishes and small appliances), and two types of filtered water. The fridge was large enough for us to stock a weeks worth of groceries, no problem. The house is well screened (many windows) and it feels as though you are living outside ... the sounds of the jungle are with you in the comfort of your bedroom! The monkey sounds became an expected and familiar part of every morning, as did the parakeets' squabbles. The lightning and thunder events could be watched from the living room, and the sunsets were spectacular. The other conveniences were much appreciated ... back up power, WiFi, hot showers, a cool swimming pool after a hike back from the beach! The cleaning service was amazing, laundry service too. The location was isolated enough to feel apart from civilization (a welcome break, especially for two writers), but close enough to Sjds to enjoy the conveniences of grocery stores and restaurants. We rented a vehicle for the first 2 weeks, and then opted to have a driver/4x4 vehicle pick us up and drive us to town for our supplies once a week. Thank you so much, Casa Selva, for providing us an amazing home base for our jungle experience!
Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers.
Happy Honeymooners!
Guest: Kyle and Grace
(-)
Date of Stay: 07/14/11
Review Submitted: 07/20/11
My new wife and I spent our honeymoon at Casa Selva. What a great place to experience a tropical paradise. Not only was the house awesome, the location and accommodations were excellent. The security guards were very helpful and courteous. If you are coming to surf, it will be hard to find a better place to stay. Playa Madera is right down the mountain. Joel and Laura are such great people that make sure every question or concern you have is answered. Couldn't have been happy with our choice. We will be back!
Recommended for:
Semana Santa Guests
Guest: Pete
(-)
Date of Stay: 04/20/11
Review Submitted: 05/28/11
Casa Selva was a spectacular get away in an absolutely beautiful part of Nicaragua. The house is at the top of a ridge overlooking the Pacific Ocean. About a mile away is a very private beach with a wonderful cabana. The beach is gorgeous and is a short walk north from Playa Medera, one of the best surfing beaches on the Nicaraguan Pacific Coast. San Juan Del Sur is a 20 minute SUV ride down the mountain and we enjoyed several dinners there. The food was outstanding and the town was very entertaining since it was spring break there and they had about 50,000 more people in town that normal. We really enjoyed the wildlife including the monkeys, birds, and iguanas.The monkeys come very close to the house and are so entertaining to watch. The roads are not good so you need a 4 wheel drive to get around. Casa Selva is in a gated community and there is security always nearby. We felt very secure and the guards were all very helpful and friendly. Great trip and we would absolutely stay at Casa Selva if we have a chance to visit Nicaragua again.
Recommended for:
melanie and randy
Guest: mel
(delta, bc, canada)
Date of Stay: 03/25/11
Review Submitted: 04/03/11
Casa Selva is a haven on the hill. The home is so beautifully designed.Cool polished cement floors,beautiful wood accents and beams and no glass windows but mesh screens with shutters all thru the house. Air conditioning is not needed as by opening all these shutters you get an amazing breeze running thru the house and enables you to hear the outdoors. And boy do you want to hear the outdoors! The birds sing to you , the howler monkeys laugh at you and the crickets just happily chirp to you. We were blessed to see families of monkeys, complete with their tiny babies travelling on their backs, two sloths (one right behind our house), parakeets, vultures,eguanas, gekos, and some really cool bugs.No scorpions or tarantulas but I know they were out there .The security guards are so nice and Gabby (the concierge) was just a phone call away (with the cell supplied at the house). We ran out of propane one night at 8:00pm and in less than half an hour Gabby had one of the guards there changing the outside tank. The pool is pristine. Watching the red glow of the sun dip below the horizon from the pool was magic. Most times we had the pool all to ourselves. Very private and a few paces from the house. One evening we even had a vulture come to the edge of the pool for a drink. It was like he was saying, "You're in my house now.." and apparently if you want to see more monkeys at dusk/dawn, just splash....they like to watch humans swim. I guess we are as unique to them as they are to us. We also rented a must needed 4x4 Jeep , rented surf boards, took lessons and headed off every day to be a local. We are a family of 4 (kids 14,16) . We must have looked the part , in our rustic jeep, boards on top, bathing suits on. We even had a surfer dude come up to us in town to ask some advice about the waves as he was new in town. We have never been so sweaty, dusty, tired (from surfing , sun) and simplistic.....and never been happier. We met some amazing people; from the couple who we rented the jeep from (the wife gave us our surfing lessons) , to Gabby and her sweet daughter who showed us what tamarands were, to a neighbour in the Balcones,( who very hospitably invited us over one night for a BBQ on their huge beautiful deck while we sipped a cold one and watched the sun set) and finally, to every face that would smile at you if you tried your spanish..no matter how bad it was. Thank you Joel and Laura for generously sharing your home with us. Melanie and Randy
Owner response:Randy and Melanie, Thank you so much for sharing your experience with us, your pictures were fantastic, and we are so genuinely happy you enjoyed our home and Nicaragua as much as we do! What really made us happy was that you were able to feel as though this was your home while you were there, and not just a place you slept. Happy Travels, and hopefully you'll return to stay with us again at Casa Selva in the near future! Joel and Laura
Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, adventure seekers, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers.
Unforgettable Vacation!!
Guest: jennifer
(canada)
Date of Stay: 11/12/10
Review Submitted: 03/21/11
Wow, I don't even know where to begin, what an amazing vacation! Situated in the luscious jungle amongst the curious wildlife, breathtaking sunsets, and beautiful beaches, Casa Selva is pure perfection. The house offered all that was expected but more. Being woken up by a cool fresh breeze and the smell of rich Nicaraguan coffee was the most perfect start to the day. Then choose from 3 nearby beaches each with its unique character. We rented a vintage 'Landcruiser' for the week which added nothing but adventure and a pure 'local' feel to our stay.....highly reccommended. The staff at the Balconnes were both professionnal and friendly, could not have felt more at home. When visiting the nearest town, San Juan Del Sur, make sure to hit Gato Negro, the local coffee house. They have superd homemade food and offer lots of reading material to pair with your morning java. Zip lining at 'Da flying frog' is also a must, and the perfect way to see the most beautiful, untouched scenery in the country. My boyfriend and I stayed for 1 week, but I wish it was longer, we will most definitely be making more trips back. Casa Selva...every elemnt of a perfect vacation.....couldn't have asked for more!
Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, pet owners, adventure seekers, girls getaway, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers.
Amazing honeymoon
Guest: Leanne and Jen
(Toronto, Ontario)
Date of Stay: 02/18/11
Review Submitted: 03/11/11
My wife and I just got back from staying at Casa Selva. We had such an amazing time there and fell in love with the house instantly! We've been to several all inclusives but this was the best trip by far! We rented a 4x4 to get back and forth to town-which we would recommend. San Juan is a friendly little town, full of Central American culture and even though we didn't speak a lot of Spanish we were able to get by. The sunsets were breath-taking, which we enjoyed from the beach and from the house. The howling monkeys had us up earlier in the morning which was great because we didn't want to miss anything! We did some surfing at Managua beach (first time ever), the zipline canopy tour and went for a tour with our guide Francisco to Grenada to see the active volcano (amazing!!) and to check out the local market (souveniers etc.) We also went to El Gato Negro the local coffee shop in town and picked up some coffee beans for our morning coffee. The photos of the house are accurate. It was really refreshing to feel the breeze flowing through the house and the concrete helps to keep the house cool. The guards were friendly and helpful although most of them only spoke Spanish "no problemo" we used our trusty spanish dictionary which was at the house. All-in-all the best trip ever. Very safe and a great return for your dollar! Go check it out!!
Owner response:Leanne and Jen! We are so happy to hear your first experience off a resort was so positive! We are always glad when guests step outside the comfort zone of the "all inclusive" for a little soft adventure. You were both a pleasure to assist and we hope to have you back at Casa Selva in the near future! And I promise to have a talk with our monkeys about the early wake ups, but they just don't seem to listen to my requests!
Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, adventure seekers, girls getaway, age 55+, families with teenagers.
awesome stay
Guest: dan faulkner
(toronto ontario canada)
Date of Stay: 12/06/10
Review Submitted: 02/27/11
My girlfriend and my recent stay at Casa Selva was absolutely amazing. I was so excited to take my first trip to Nicaragua and the owners answered all our questions and helped us in so many ways. This house is straight out of architectural digest with the views of the ocean from the house that are picture perfect and sunsets that are stunning. For me, one of the best parts of the stay was the proximity of the beaches and that i had a choice of 3 to go to each offering a different waters. There is a beach with waters great for swimming, another with smaller waves for fun and one with huge waves for surfing. I finally learned how to surf and boogie board. The infinity pool at Casa Salva was also a bonus, it was so nice to wake up and take a dip in the pool, relax, while watching monkeys swinging in the trees around us. And zipling in town was amazing too. We rented 2 vehicles during our stay in Nicaragua. We got ourselves a Hilux from Dollar to explore the north of the country and switched over to the landcruiser when we got to the house. These landcruisers are fantastic, not much luxury, but great fun on those dirt roads around the house. Awesome time and I can't wait to go back.
Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, adventure seekers, families with teenagers.
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Vacation Rentals by Owner Listing #219209
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