An Amazing place

Guest: Lew & Jane (Salt Lake City)
Date of Stay: 12/02/11 Review Submitted: 01/14/12

We arrived very late, in fact around midnight due to an unexpected delay. We called Roxanna and she cheerfully met us in Parasio and we followed her to the house. This was our first of five nights at this amazing place. The house is truely even better than the photos. We woke to the sounds of birds and locals picking coffee at the estate. This first morning gave us our first view of the magical view of the Orosi valley, the beautiful coffee estate and all the flowers that are around the house and property. We had breakfast on the back deck planning our first of five days at this location. We stayed at three different houses during our 10 days in CR. This was our favorite and it far exceeded our expectations. The kitchen is very well equiped and the bed in the master bedroom very comfortable. The house has a washer and dryer which is a very nice touch when you are staying for an extended period. We even made a fire in the fire place one night and sipped our wine while planning our adventures. This location is a great base for a wide array of destinations and activities. We explored volcanoes, local farm towns the Carribbean coast and many great sights from here. We really appreciated the attention to detail and the many extras that were provided. The wireless internet worked very well and the water from the tap is very good. This house and location really gives you a chance to experience the real Costa Rica with some of the best valleys, weather and the friendly "happy" locals. We highly recommend this house to all our family, friends and anyone who cants to have a very pleasureable vavation location. Enjoy..we hope to return soon!

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

Thoroughly enjoyable

Guest: Jerry (Michigan)
Date of Stay: 08/27/11 Review Submitted: 09/10/11

Just returned from 2 weeks at Santa Lucia. I was a little concerned when we drove to the house from the airport. Some of the properties on the road looked less than desirable. We were pleasantly surprised when we drove through the gate onto the property. The house is beautiful inside and out. The pictures don't do justice to the place. I would not recommend this place for people with physical disabilities as there are 5 or 6 steps to get into the house, one step inside the house, and a few steps to get to the pool/patio. Roxanna was very helpful, both in getting us to the house and answering our questions. We had our caretakers make dinner one night. What a treat! The meal was plentiful and typical Costa Rican food. The kitchen is well stocked and very clean. We did have meals there a few times. There are plenty of linens and towels and the washer and dryer are a great help. Internet service was very reliable. The house is not air conditioned but that was not a problem. We always had a nice breeze. The pool is not heated, but not terribly cold. Very refreshing. That being said, we're used to Lake Michigan. Be sure to visit Sanchuri restaurant on the way to the valley and La Casona del Cafetal in Cachi. The menu at La Casona is all in Spanish but our English speaking waiter was a great help. There are three volcanoes within easy driving distance, but Arenal is about a four hour drive. We stayed in Fortuna for two days to save a lot of driving. The only reason I did not give 5 stars is that it's quite a drive from the beaches in Costa Rica, but there is plenty to see and do in the San Jose area. The valley is breathtaking. Tip: If you rent a car, a GPS in a must in Costa Rica. To get to the house, put Picacho Restaurant in your GPS and that will get you to the unpaved road that you take to get to the house.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers.

Most beautiful and comfortable accommodation of our 14 day vacation.

Guest: Andy & Roberta (PEI, Canada)
Date of Stay: 06/26/11 Review Submitted: 07/18/11

We were so excited when this property was available on the dates we needed! The description and pictures were so incredible. When were arrived we were absolutely thrilled when the reality was even more stunning then the pictures.The view is spectacular! The house is so welcoming and comfortable as are Roxanna and Jose and Anna.We were wishing that we had allotted more time to this area. We used our GPS and the directions given us by Doug and had no trouble finding it. We set our Gps to find the Picacho restaurant which it did. The road into the estate is a little bit rough but had no trouble on it and I believe they were doing some work on it as well. There were lots of birds on the property for me to enjoy and they even had a feeder with Bananas which attracted severel species. Our first morning we hired a birding guide to take us to Tapanti which is about 30 min or so away. Beautiful drive,trails and river. We ate at Kiri lodge for lunch which was delicious. Anna and Jose delivered supper to our table that evening which was sooooo good. Lovely to have a home cooked meal after a day trekking. We were only sorry we didn't have any Spanish to thank them properly. Our second day we travelled to Turrialba to join a white water rafting tour. So much fun! It was on the Pacuare river class 3/4 rapids. Just the excitement we were looking for and actually less scary then I thought it would be. It was our first time trying this. Costa Rica Adventures was very professional. Lots of fun,gorgeous scenery,delicious lunch and great guides. We cooked a couple of meals while there and found everything we needed to do so. Groceries are easily found in town.We arrived on Sunday so sadly missed market day.The appliances are top notch and being able to do our laundry before moving on was so helpful. Loved the veranda with it's shiny wood floor and potted plants. Even having a TV was nice and the furniture very comfy and homey. Everything about this place was perfect! We will definitely be in touch if we come to this area again. Thanks so much for a wonderful experience.

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

A perfect vacation spot in the heart of Costa Rica, close to everything else

Guest: Barb (Slidell, LA)
Date of Stay: 03/07/11 Review Submitted: 03/20/11

My family and I had an amazing time in Costa Rica; this vacation rental is perfect for those who want to experience 'real' CR and not just the tourist attractions. The Orosi Valley is stunning in its beauty and natural charm. We enjoyed this part of the country over all the others we visited, such as the Arenal region and the beaches. It was easy to travel to other places we wanted to see from there. The property grounds were a splendid array of tropical colors and blooms; the Garden of Eden must have looked somewhat like it. We enjoyed waking up with the sun and looking over the valley from the porch, what a beautiful setting! Jose and Ana Maria are the nicest people as is Roxana, who was immensely helpful when she picked us up from the airport. Mr. Doug couldn't have put together a more perfect team to help out with his vacation rental. The house really felt like 'our home away from home'; very comfortable and relaxing. I loved having a washer and dryer for my family. The farmers market in Paraiso on Saturdays is a must-see. On my next visit, I'll time my arrival so I can shop for all the freshest fruits and vegetables from the region at the beginning of my stay! Our many thanks to the owners of this property for making it available to us through this website. It was a privilege to stay at such a lovely place!

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

Wonderful vacation in Orosi Valley

Guest: Kim (Eugene, Oregon USA)
Date of Stay: 02/06/11 Review Submitted: 02/15/11

We had such a wonderful vacation at Santa Lucia and highly recommend it. Everything was as we had hoped and more. It is more lovely than pictures can capture. The view of the mountains,valley, and river below are astounding. The birds, breeze, trees, flowers, and chorus of frogs are delightful. The house is extremely comfortable with huge windows to take in the surrounding beauty. The beds are wonderful, kitchen is equipped with the best of appliances, high ceilings, huge rock fireplace with lots of wood for cozy fires. Outdoors provides a number of places to rejuvenate and take in the spectacular view. These include the wrap around veranda, the gazebo nestled on the side of the mountain, and the pool area. The pool is private, clean and refreshing. We very much enjoyed our walks in the area. We took a beautiful and worthwhile hike down to the Ruins of Ujarrás. On Saturday it was wonderful to walk to the market in Paraiso. It is amazing to see all the produce and goods brought in and how many people come to shop on that day. We also found delicious ice cream and baked items! Being around the people of this area has been the highlight for us. Everyone has been very friendly and welcoming. On our many walks people have always greeted us and often made a special point to say "welcome". We have been grateful for the warmth shown to us. We don't speak Spanish, but the people were patient and through gestures and smiles communication was not an obstacle. Roxana and her husband, Carlos, greeted us at the airport and drove us to the house. Roxana was very kind and helpful throughout with any questions or assistance in translation. Ana and Jose' live next door and offer any assistance needed. They were extremely hospitable, yet offered us privacy as well. Ana is a great cook and we took advantage of her services to cook us dinner and breakfast. This was a nice feature to experience some local home cooked meals. We chose not to rent a car and utilized the recommended drivers who were wonderful. Juan drove us to Lankaster Gardens in Paraiso. We enjoyed seeing all the amazing and different vegetation there. Alex took us to Cartago to see the beautiful historic Basilica, ruins, and garden. We went to the restaurant Sanchiri where we enjoyed a delicious meal and spectacular view. We went to Cachi Dam and on to Orosi. There we attended Mass at the historic and beautiful church Iglesia de San Jose Orosi. We couldn't have asked for a more perfect vacation!

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

Tropical Resting Place

Guest: Kim (Montreal, Canada)
Date of Stay: 10/09/10 Review Submitted: 11/02/10

We are just now finishing our 2 week stay at the Finca Santa Lucia. We are very sad to be leaving. We have enjoyed it tremendously. Thank you so much for keeping such a great place. The views are phenomenal. Luckily the weather cooperated quite well; we had only two rainy days the whole two weeks. The evening showers were actually quite nice, it freshened up the air and the light shows created by lighting were nice. Well, thanks again and we hope to be able to come back he soon, to continue our exploration of Costa Rica. Cesar and Kim >

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, adventure seekers, girls getaway, age 55+.

A truly lovely property

Guest: A veery happy couple (South MIssissippi)
Date of Stay: 08/23/10 Review Submitted: 10/07/10

Our stay at this wonderful home was the last week of August and the first week of September. From the first moment of arrival in the country until departure the trip was perfect. This home is exactly as depicted, with several very pleasant surprises (the walking staffs for example). Everything was immaculate. Anna and Jose as well as Roxanna the hostess were very helpful, and anticipated our every need. We chose not to rent a car, but rather contracted with a bilingual taxi driver to take us to all the places of interest. Sitting by the pool or on the lanai listening to the murmer of the river or watching the multitude of birds was so relaxing, and the property is nearby a number of attractions. For restaurant and attraction recommendations read the visitors' log maintained at the home. We highly recommend this.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, adventure seekers, girls getaway, age 55+, families with teenagers.

A BLESSING PLACE

Guest: Felix & Chi Chi (Tampa, Florida)
Date of Stay: 04/11/10 Review Submitted: 04/21/10

We enjoyed the villa a lot. It was just as what we expected, not just in the picture but it was really beautiful. My wife wanted everything to be perfect because this trip to Costa Rica was her first time to meet my parent and my families. I have brothers and sisters (6 families) and most of them live in Cachi. Your villa was the best place for us because it's close to where my families live and very convenient to go to the cities around it. We invited each family to come and spent their time with us in the villa. Of course all the ladies fell in love with the kitchen! The pool, the patio, and the view are fantastic, My parents and my big family got the chance to know my wife and they all love her! Every day was a perfect day in God's amazing way. Your place had been a blessing to us, so we can be a blessing to my family too. Thank you, Doug. We love the view at your place. You have a fantastic place. We recommended your place to our friends already. And we are looking forward to spend our next vacation at your place. Thank you again and may God bless you and your family. Felix & Chi Chi

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, girls getaway, age 55+, families with young children.

Family with 2 kids, 11 & 14 years

Guest: Lori & Bob (Milwaukee, WI USA)
Date of Stay: 04/03/10 Review Submitted: 04/09/10

We were so sad to leave our beautiful retreat. I had fallen in love with the pictures of the place on the internet and was not at all disappointed when we arrived. The yard was so beautiful. We loved eating and reading out there. The house was very comfortable and plenty roomy for the 4 of us. I had been a little nervous that my kids would be bored, being so far off the beaten path, but they were fine. They loved finding the resident lizards and other critters that hide on the property. We discovered that the frogs love to party in the pool at night - they were very fun to watch (bring a flashlight if you want to see them). The cable TV was a dream come true for my 14 y/o son. It was perfect for down time and kept him from missing Opening Day of baseball (something for which he is very grateful). We went rafting right in Orosi (about 20 minutes away-Figueroa Tours), which we enjoyed. I recommend it for anyone who doesn't want to go on one of the longer, wilder, more expensive rafting trips in Turrialba (but if you want a super exciting trip, it probably won't do it for you). The only downside of our trip was the difficulty navigating in Costa Rica, since it has very few road signs. We did not find the GPS from the car rental agency helpful (it confused us at least as many times as it helped us). We had most luck using a map and stopping and asking for directions frequently (this obviously works best if you speak Spanish). However, that said, the Orosi area itself was the easiest to navigate of the several areas we visited while in the country and people were always more than happy to help us. Roxana met us in Paraiso our first day and led us to the farm, which was a wonderful service for which we were very thankful.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, adventure seekers, girls getaway, families with young children, families with teenagers.

Guest: 2brits (Somerset, UK)
Date of Stay: 03/09/10 Review Submitted: 03/09/10

We certainly had a wonderful two months in Costa Rica. It culminated in our stay at the lovely Casa Santa Lucia. We absolutely loved the home (our favourite of the whole trip). We felt totally at home there and thought both the house and the setting just beautiful. The beauty and serenity kept us there for virtually the whole week. We had the occasional foray out in a taxi, but most of all we loved our time at the property, just relaxing and gazing at that view, and found it difficult to leave. More than the other places we rented, it was a home, stylishly furnished and beautifully equipped and supremely comfortable. Gifts of tropical fruit and coffee and other thoughtful touches were lovely, and much appreciated. Roxanna and Ana and Jose were lovely and there to help if we needed anything.

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