Can't Wait to Return!

Guest: Steve and Karen (Denver, CO)
Date of Stay: 01/05/12 Review Submitted: 02/03/12

Our 8 day stay at Colina Paula was one of our best vacations ever! This was our fourth trip to CR and we are sold on Atenas. The weather was perfect, not to hot during the day and cool at night for great sleeping. The panoramic views from the house are incredible with a view of the Poas Volcano. We spent hours lounging by the pool, laying in the hammocks and just relaxing. The landscaping is incredibly beautiful from the moment you enter the property and creates a very private and peaceful setting. The home is located close to Atenas making it easy for shopping and necessities. We had no trouble catching a cab to and from town. The central location also makes it easy to take side trips to various points of interest. We took a wonderful day trip to La Paz Waterfalls Gardens to see Toucans, Butterflies, Humming Birds and the beautiful waterfalls and gardens. We look forward to another stay at Colina Paula in the near future! We would highly recommend this property to our friends.

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A slice of paradise!

Guest: Diane Westerfield (Houston, TX)
Date of Stay: 07/15/11 Review Submitted: 07/26/11

We just came back from a wonderful 10 days in Costa Rica. Colina Paula is even more beautiful than the pictures here. The landscaping is just gorgeous and the house was clean and had everything we needed. The layout is very open and showcases the beautiful views outside. We all loved lounging on the many hammocks placed around the wraparound porch. Tonia gave us all the info we needed before our trip. The house was our home base for the 10 days we were there and was perfect for day trips. We stayed 2 nights in La Fortuna, which was about a 2 1/2 - 3 hour drive from Atenas. The rest of our day trips were never more than 1 1/2 hours away. We went to Poas, La Paz Waterfalls, San Jose, La Fortuna (Arenal Nat'l Park, Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge & ziplinning with Sky Trek), Grecia/Sarchi/Zarcero and Cartago/Orosi Valley/Tipanti Nat'l Park - Poas and La Paz Waterfalls were our favorite. At the end of each day trip, we all looked forward to coming home and relaxing in the pool or hammocks. For dinner, we mostly ate at Guanacaste, which was within walking distance from the house. This was the most relaxing international trip we'd taken to date and Colina Paula was the main reason. We highly recommend this house!!

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, pet owners, adventure seekers, girls getaway, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers.

What a wonderful place for a family vacation

Guest: Mike H (Colorado, USA)
Date of Stay: 05/29/11 Review Submitted: 07/08/11

We had the privilege to spend a full month at this wonderful property. It was a pleasure to deal with the owner's from the very beginning. They are honest, forthright and responsive. The property is in a wonderful location. Pictures really cannot do it justice. There just is something to waking up and seeing a volcano in the distance, while the hummingbirds come zooming by, and having a cup of great Costa Rica coffee. The nature sounds, particularly at night, must be experienced to truly appreciate. The town of Atenas was pleasant, one of our children even got involved in helping teach English at the local school. We loved going to the market to get the freshest possible fruits and vegetables. After a few trips you even develop your favorite food vendors. The home was well equipped (even water toys for the children) and the grounds beautiful. The caretakers were very nice, and for a very reasonable rate we were able to hire the wife once a week for cleaning and laundry work. And Atlas the dog, who is allowed to stay with you if you would like him to, is a lot of fun to have at the house. The property is so centrally located that trips to the major attractions can be done in a day. The closest Pacific beach is less than an hour away. We would highly recommend this property to anyone considering a stay in Costa Rica. It has certainly encouraged our family to look at potentially moving to Costa Rica long term. The favorite places we visited were Manuel Antonio, the Nicoya Penninsula (take the ferry from Puntarenas) and La Fortuna (yes, we were lucky and saw Arenal volcano almost all day long). Unfortunately our adventure is now over, but we are certain you would enjoy yours if you rent this property.

Owner response:Dear Mike and Family: Thank you for your wonderful feedback. It always feels very good to hear that clients are happy with our place. We worked hard on it and we are happy to share with everyone. Atlas has been missing for a week. He ran off during bad lightning and he has not returned. We have handed our fliers and even a reward for his return. We are all very upset and the only thing we can now only do is pray for his return. Stay in touch with us. Tonia

Recommended for:Sightseeing, adventure seekers, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers.

A first visit to Central America

Guest: Koen (Zomergem/Belgium)
Date of Stay: 11/18/10 Review Submitted: 11/27/10

We stayed for 1 week in Colina Paula, and it was a trumendeous good experience. The house is located in a very nice environment with a fantastic panoramic view. Watching the sunset early in the morning or early in the evening was offering us very nice pictures. The house is very well equiped and felt like a real homeplace. It is a calm and quiet environment where you can enjoy the fauna and flora. From there it is possible to visit coffee tours, vulcano's waterfalls, but of course the house itself and its environment was a place to be. The food is good and the fruit was excellent Coming all the way from Belgium to Costa Rica not having any idea of the living standards in this country, we were very impressed. The people were kind and hospital, and those who were guiding us became friends in one week time. We would recommend the country and the house Colina Paula in particular to everybody who is searching for a nice holiday. Your Belgian Friends

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, tourists without a car, sightseeing, adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers.

Hard To Beat!!!

Guest: Rowdy (U.S.)
Date of Stay: 05/01/10 Review Submitted: 07/15/10

Colina Paula is wonderful house with beautiful cedar and teak woodwork inside and out. The kitchen is very well stocked with dishes, pots, pans, utensils and plenty of seasonings for cooking in as well as a for cooking out on gas grill on the poolside terrace. The pool area is very relaxing and surrounded with lush flowers and foliage. Many hummingbirds visit throughout the day. The weather in Atenas could not be more perfect and it is very centrally located. Very little English is spoken here so it would be a good idea to brush up on a few Spanish words and phrases if you plan on going into town much on your own. Luis, the property manager is extremely helpful and although he is a native Costa Rican he has also lived in Florida, Washington DC and Texas so he speaks English very well. He greeted us at the airport and stopped by the supermarket on the way to the house. He is a friendly well educated professional and he is willing to help with anything to make your vacation more enjoyable. Tonya has poured her heart and soul into this place and it shows everywhere you look. Her and her husband will send you a very complete information packet upon the receipt of your deposit that will have everything from important contact numbers to local restaurants including taxi and tour guide information as well as information on many nearby things to see and do while visiting Costa Rica. Their dogs, Zeus and Atlas are wonderful and we fell in love with them at first sight. If you want their company they will allow you to keep them with you at the house and if not they will stay with Marcial the care taker and his family. It was wonderful having the dogs when we would walk down to the small river at the back of the property where parrots, toucans and many other beautiful birds live. I almost hate leaving such an honest review as we would love to go back someday and I’m sure it will become increasingly difficult to find time where Colina Paula is not fully booked now that the secret is out. Thank you for sharing your wonderful home, Pam & Rowdy

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, tourists without a car, sightseeing, pet owners, adventure seekers, girls getaway, age 55+.

Very nice property - highly recommend!!

Guest: Blutch (US)
Date of Stay: 04/07/10 Review Submitted: 04/21/10

Everything is exactly as described or better. The property is an oasis of paradise within beautiful Costa Rica. We spent 10 days at Colina Paula, each morning consisted of sipping coffee on the veranda for 2 hours watching the sun rise and listening to the birds, followed by a swim in the pool as the day warmed. By lunch just enough clouds would move in to keep from getting too hot, but still hot enough to swim. As afternoon set in we had tough decisions like which hammock to nap in, followed by an outdoor dinner. It was hard somedays to leave the property, its so nice there. I'd highly recommend using their manager (Luis) to drive you around, he is very friendly, knowlegable, and speaks english well. In 10 days my family came to consider him a friend. Would be happy to correspond if you have questions.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, tourists without a car, people with disabilities, adventure seekers, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers.

Guest: Paulalovesparadise (-)
Date of Stay: 01/01/10 Review Submitted: 04/20/10

A Week in Paradise! Review Submitted: January 27, 2010 Date of Stay: January 2010 From the minute Tonia answered my request for info, I knew that our visit to this beautiful home just outside of Atenas was going to be a great experience. Having never been to Costa Rica, my friends and I wanted to rent a home which would allow us to be centrally located. We wanted to be able to get into town easily, enjoy a pool at the home, take day trips to volcanoes, parks, and beaches around the country, have access to someone who could escort us to the best sites, and to stay in a comfortable home. Colina Paula fit the bill perfectly. Tonia was incredibly helpful arranging for a driver to pick us up at the SanJose Airport, even suggesting to him (and to us via email) that he stop at a 'supermercado' so that we could purchase groceries and spirits before heading to her home. Arriving at Colina Paula, we found the website photos to be entirely accurate but still not able to capture the natural beauty of the tree/tropical plant/pasture-covered property. The house itself is most aptly described as classy and comfortable; the woodworking has been done by a master craftsman. Laid out for optimal views of gorgeous mountains and volcanoes in the distance and cross-breezes to enjoy in the house or on the wrap-around patio, the house is in an ideal location to enjoy cooking dinner on the huge gas grill, sipping coffee on the patio, swimming in the immaculately maintained pool steps from the house, and relaxing. Tonia's care for the house carries over to her care for her guests, having suggested and arranged for us to contact Walter, a tour van owner, to take us on incredible day trips that allowed. While we loved spending our mornings on the patio over breakfast we made in the well stocked kitchen, we were just as eager to wander into town feeling like Atenas natives, enjoy a massage on the beach, or try a challenging zipline. We sadly said goodbye but we will surely return.

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Guest: TRAVELKELLY (-)
Date of Stay: 11/01/09 Review Submitted: 04/20/10

Slip into Paradise travelkelly Boulder, Co Review Submitted: January 9, 2010 Date of Stay: December 2009 Come to Colina Paula to slip into paradise…Hummingbirds, butterflies and dragon flies flit from flower to flower in the lush gardens that completely surround the house and pool. You feel secluded, enveloped even by nature as the house has an easy open floor plan. All the many windows and French doors can be left open during the day giving you an indoor/outdoor living – unbelievably no biting bugs or flies! The master suite is gorgeous. The woodwork throughout the house is not only impressive but adds warmth. Huge tiled guest bath between the other two bdrms – kids had plenty of space. The kitchen is fully appointed – gourmet approved – with an outdoor grill that my husband wanted to take home…Our biggest problems of the days were which hammock/comfy chair on the wrap-around porch to read/doze in after hanging in the pool all morning with the kids… The town Atenas is safe and easy to drive around. We visited to the open market almost every day for fresh fruit, veggies and meat with no harassing calls to buy this or that from the vendors. The people are friendly, and happy to help convert cost into dollars if need be – very little English though, next time we need to brush up on our Spanish. But that also makes this place so special – it’s not a tourist trap. The meals are inexpensive and the locals are welcoming. Tonia has fantastic taste and has thought of everything to make this house feel like your home for a short while. From the restaurant suggestions to Walter (driver/tour guide – excellent! – La Paz!) to making sure our first supper was set up on arrival, Tonia has created a paradise that we are sure to return to year after year… Thank you Tonia and Larry – see you in 2010! Recommended for: Age 55+, Adventure Seekers, Girls Getaway, Sightseeing, Families with Teenagers, Families with Young Children, Romantic Getaway paradise' and Walter at the airport. We will surely return to paradise.

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Guest: OREGON, USA (-)
Date of Stay: 01/09/10 Review Submitted: 04/20/10

Staying at Colina Paula was entirely enchanting. We felt like we were "the rich and famous". The house was beautifully appointed, the grounds magnificent, the perfect pool, and everything you might need was right in the house! Marciel treated us like family. He brought eggs and citrus every day and he even had the patience to talk to me in Spanish. Luis was very efficient and charming. My most enjoyable moments were watching the sunrise over the mountains every morning while the birds sang and the roosters crowed. Thank you for sharing your delightful home. RATING: 5/5

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Living like the rich and famous at Colina Paula

Guest: rich and famous (Oregon, USA)
Date of Stay: 01/31/10 Review Submitted: 02/15/10

Staying at Colina Paula was entirely enchanting. We felt like we were "the rich and famous". The house was so beautifully appointed, the grounds magnificent, the perfect pool, and everything you might need was right in the house! Marciel treated us like family. He brought eggs and citrus every day and he even had the patience to talk to me in Spanish. Luis was very efficient and charming. My most enjoyable moments were watching the sunrise over the mountains every morning while the birds sang and the roosters crowed. Thank you for sharing your delightful nome

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