Enchanting Villa W/Large Pool, Great Views, & Total Privacy

• Worth Every Penny!

  Worth Every Penny!

  • Guest Jewels
  • Date of stay 02/10/11
  • Review Submitted 02/20/11
  We recently spent the last four days of a two week vacation at this beautiful home. My brother said it all shortly after we arrived: "This must be how movie stars vacation!". The house had spectacular views of the mountains, and we were able to watch both the sunrises and the sunsets from the extensive patios. The pool and hottub were both very clean and perfectly situated with gorgeous landscaping nearby. The pool was a good size, which surprised me as mini pools seem to be common in Costa Rica. We felt very safe at this house, and appreciated having Elias available to help us out if we had any questions or needed anything. We had planned on a couple of excursions while in Atenas, but cancelled them as we didn't want to miss a day of hanging out at home! We did however make it to Zoo Ave, which was about a half hour drive from the house. It was very reasonably priced ($15 per adult) and we saw all sorts of animals that we probably would never spot in the wild. If you go, save room for some treats at the end...they have a wonderful assortment of pastries near the exit! We also made it to the Atenas market Friday morning, where we were able to buy all sorts of fresh vegetables and cheese. Unlike other markets we visited during our vacation, the prices were all posted. This was a great advantage to us as we had been charged what we call the 'gringo price' instead of the 'tico price' elsewhere. We were able to buy anything else we needed at two nearby grocery stores. The house is a perfect layout for socializing while in the main house, but also allows for people to escape to their own quarters. The kitchen is an entertainer's dream, with a large island where people can sit and talk to the cook. It seems like a lot of thought has gone into accomodating visitors, such as excellent speakers with an aux jack for mp3 players, a wide variety of reading material and a collection of brochures and menus from nearby attractions and restaurants. When we were first considering renting this property, we were a bit concerned about the distance to the coast. However, the luxuriousness of this property makes the hour drive well worth it, and the half hour drive to the airport is a godsend if you have an early morning flight out. It is also in a very central location if you plan to visit Arenal Volcano and also go south towards Manuel Antonio Park. Thanks Joe and Nancy for making this such an inviting and breathtaking retreat!

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

  Owner response: Thanks Julie.... It was lovely to have you as a guest... Please come back when you can.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 6/6

• Perfect place!

  Perfect place!

  • Guest Lisa O.
  • Date of stay 04/27/13
  • Review Submitted 05/19/13
  We read the reviews carefully before deciding to rent this house. So many reviews were glowing! After having rented the property for two weeks, we too are glowing. We all loved the place. Week one was spent with son and girlfriend, week two with daughter and boyfriend. The house is perfect for two couples. The kitchen is well equipped. We made surprisingly good meals on the outdoor grill. The local supermarket (Co-op) has an especially good butcher selling marinated chicken and beef, great for kebabs. Atenas is a nice town that has everything you may need. And the house? It deserves every star.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

• A dream villa! A wonderful vacation!

  A dream villa! A wonderful vacation!

  • Guest Cat H.
  • Date of stay 04/17/13
  • Review Submitted 04/29/13
  In case you don't have much time, let me just make this easy: book this villa . . . immediately!! I have never been anywhere as wonderful/beautiful/easy as this villa in Atenas. The pictures certainly prepare you for an amazing place (and as other reviewers have mentioned - the real thing is even better than the photos!). The layout takes full advantage of every view while remaining extremely private. The pool is huge and irresistible, the rooms are spacious, and the kitchen is a cook's dream! So much thought has gone into making this villa an oasis. There are umbrellas outside of each building and hats in the main sleeping house (so you can get some share, while sleeping in the sun!). It's just perfect! The best part of this vacation though, is that every little thing I was worried about was a non-issue. The cab ride in was easy (we took one of the red airport cabs and it was between 24,000 and 30,000 colones). I had also read not to be concerned if a driver needs to stop for directions. Ours did once we got to Atenas and then quickly got us to the Villa. Another concern I had was the walk into Atenas. It is all downhill and pretty easy and a cab back is cheap and the way to go! And every cabbie knew where Villa Picaflora was! On our last morning, Elias called us a cab for the drive back to the airport, which was another concern taken care of. The takeaway? No worries the entire trip! It was beautiful, the people we met in town were so nice and patient with my limited Spanish, and the Farmer's Market on Fridays was so awesome! This was truly the perfect way to experience Costa Rica for the first time. Thank you, Joe and Nancy, for creating such an amazing vacation spot! We can't wait to go back!! Cat & Micah

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

• Beautiful house

  Beautiful house

  • Guest Ashley
  • Date of stay 04/10/13
  • Review Submitted 04/21/13
  This house is beautiful and it is as described in photos and description. The layout of the house is nice especially when traveling with two couples. The house is in a gated community and their is a gate on the house as well, we felt very secure. Elias the caretaker doesn't speak any English but with our little Spanish and Google translator we were able to communicate. We hired his wife to make us dinner one night and it was fantastic Costa Rican food. Atenas is a very nice town. The only downside of this house is the distance to tourist sites. The closest place in Jaco which is about an hour. Everything else is 2-3 hours one way. Needless to say we drove quite a bit. We had two days at the house as relaxing days, we played in the pool and hot tub which was very nice. The view is beautiful but not as green as I had expected because we came in the dry season. We had a Capuchin monkey grace us with his presence one day.

  Recommended for: Families with teenagers, age 55+.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

• MAGIC LIVES HERE!

  MAGIC LIVES HERE!

  • Guest Claus
  • Date of stay 02/23/13
  • Review Submitted 03/10/13
  This was our second vacation to this villa and once again so memorable. I don't know of too many places on this planet where you can experience what this villa offers. If someone does, please let me know! This is a place of peace, tranquility, privacy, the constant rustle of wind in the trees, the 24 hour sounds of nature, breathtaking views, clear starry nights, clouds that hug the mountains and if you are as lucky as we were to have them roll through the villa. After the rain, dense while billowing clouds formed in the valley below. Then, as if on queue by some maestro of nature, they arose from the valley floor to be suspended momentarily as a wall of amorphous white, then rolled towards the villa engulfing everything. We could taste, smell and touch the clouds as they swirled around our bodies as if in an anointing. They came in silence and left in silence and we were left with wonder. On another day, we were visited by a family of ten white faced monkeys playfully swinging in the trees behind the back porch. Some villas are just beautiful homes. This villa is much more. It is obvious the owner cares for this home and as such you become the recipient of his balanced artful taste, attention to detail and thoughtful appointments. He is available via email for any questions. Elias, the caretaker, keeps the place spotless and the gardens gorgeous. He is a discreet and comforting presence. The distractions of the outside world are kept to a minimum, no T.V., and we thank you, wi-fi and an I Pad are provided. The electronic silence allows you to listen to the 24 hour streaming of nature. The villa and setting is a spa experience for your mind and body. The deep resonance of Balinese wind chimes play softly in the air. I leave this place always with a sense of gratitude for just being alive and so grateful for the beauty of this planet. How often do you get to say that today! It has become a place where I bring my life's treasures-my friends. In this space, the roots of friendship are deeply nourished, we appreciate how short the journey is and rejoice in the moment. This year , friends travelled half way around the world to get here. I think that's an endorsement for the magic that awaits you.

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

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 3/3

• What a fabulous setting for a fabulous vacation!

  What a fabulous setting for a fabulous vacation!

  • Guest Linda B.
  • Date of stay 01/04/13
  • Review Submitted 01/27/13
  What a fabulous setting for a fabulous vacation! Four friends spent ten days at this beautiful, spacious, and well-maintained home with spectacular panoramic views. The website and previous reviews were spot-on describing a wonderful setting that we didn’t need to leave. Elias, the caretaker, lives on the property with his family and is readily available when needed but otherwise unobtrusive. Joe, the owner, was very responsive to questions before the trip and was truly interested that we had what we needed. We were quite happy relaxing in and around the salt-water pool and hot tub on our “off” days. The variety of plants and birds is extraordinary; we saw a toucan fly by one morning and a sloth climbing along the electrical lines nearby. We opted not to rent a car to minimize the stress of the car rental and navigating the roads. Atenas is about 2 miles downhill from this Picaflora home, a nice walk during which we enjoyed more flora and fauna. There was something new to appreciate on each trip. In town, we went to the farmers’ market, bakery and supermarket to buy fresh goods to create our meals in the well-equipped kitchen. We enjoyed one delicious dinner created by Elias’ wife, Valeria. Some of our party had been to Costa Rica previously and had a short list of adventures that we wanted to do. We planned three day trips with the help of Karla and Mario at Destino Tropical, who arranged our transportation for the day trips as well as to and from the airport. By coordinating all of this by e-mail prior to our arrival, we had a hassle-free trip. This was one of our best vacations ever, and we’re already talking about when we can return to this beautiful home.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 3/3

• Pure Relaxation!

  Pure Relaxation!

  • Guest Evan
  • Date of stay 11/26/12
  • Review Submitted 12/03/12
  This was our 2nd stay at this house in the past 6 months, and we'd probably never leave here if we thought we could outrun the bill collectors back home! My biggest problem with staying at this house is that we come to Atenas with a long "to do" list, and then nothing ever gets checked off because we don't want to leave the property. The house is immaculately clean, and the attention to detail is everywhere. Remember, you are in a jungle, so there is always some critter activity. But if you're afraid of critters, then you probably shouldn't come to Costa Rica. We observed Toucans and Hummingbirds from our breakfast table every morning, and the views are panoramic. The saltwater heated pool allows you to bathe for hours without that harsh chemical feeling of our pool back home. There is also a hot tub located right outside your bedroom. Elias is the groundskeeper, and I don't think he speaks much english, so you might need to bring your google translator. He's a great guy, and should be able to figure out anything you need.He and his wife Valeria keep the place looking spectacular. In case you do leave the property, it is centrally located. Hang a right out the front gate, and you will be in central Atenas in about 5 minutes. Hang a left out the gate and you will be on the scenic road out to the new highway. It takes about 15 minutes to the highway, and then another 30 minutes and you'll be at the beach ( Playa Herradura). The kitchen is well equipped and there is also a BBQ grill, so make sure you hit the Farmer's Market on Friday morning, and get some fresh veggies and iguana meat ( it tastes like chicken) and enjoy the Pura Vida!

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 2/2

• Absolute Dream of a Vacation Home - Exceeded Expectations

  Absolute Dream of a Vacation Home - Exceeded Expectations

  • Guest Adnilaras
  • Date of stay 11/17/12
  • Review Submitted 11/25/12
  We were incredibly impressed by the photos of this home, but nothing prepared us for seeing it in person - it far exceeded our expectations. The house is big, beautiful, and high on a mountaintop above Atenas. The views were absolutely stunning all the way around the house, and the sunsets and sunrises were incredible. Watching lightning light up clouds orange and pink over a far off mountain at dusk was just fantastic. The gardens were lush and beautiful, delights at every turn. We saw more wildlife in our own garden than we did exploring the rainforests... toucans, monkeys, iguanas, and more! The architecture and living spaces are incredible, the kitchen wants for nothing, and National Geographic was right when they said that Atenas has the best climate in the world. It was lovely there all the time, no matter what manner of rain and clouds we experienced as we explored the many things to do within a couple of hours from the house. Elias, the caretaker, was very helpful, and his wife made us a delicious meal with veggies fresh from their garden on the hillside. There were even cows grazing on the slope just beneath the house. This place was an absolute DREAM to stay in, we didn't want to go home! The surroundings at the house were lush and luxurious and gorgeous enough that we could have happily stayed there for the entire week and not gone anywhere. But we rented a car and explored the country, driving all over to rainforests and volcanoes and waterfalls and hot springs and more. The food we encountered all over the country was delicious, including several very tasty spots in Atenas (which, it should be noted, is NOT a tourist town with lots of "things to do", just a small beautiful mountain town). The owner, Joe, was very helpful at answering all of our questions via email, and the entire rental process was easy and rewarding. If you're not sure whether or not you want to stay here... just take our advice and stay here, you won't regret it. It's AMAZING.

  Recommended for: Families with teenagers, romantic getaway, sightseeing, adventure seekers, girls getaway.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1

• Best vacation...ever!

  Best vacation...ever!

  • Guest Johnnyboy
  • Date of stay 07/09/12
  • Review Submitted 07/20/12
  My wife and I recently celebrated our 25th anniversary and chose to stay at this Pica Flora villa from July 9 - 16, 2012. I am pleased to report that our expectations were far exceeded. To describe the villa itself is beyond words. The pictures really don't do it justice. The place is unbelievable. The weather was perfect..everyday...even in mid-July.. It was nice to wake up to about 70 degrees, a cool breeze, and watch the sunrise from the kitchen window. There's a nice supply of Costa Rican coffee beans on hand, a coffee bean grinder and a nice sound system to enjoy your first cup of coffee. Even though the groundskeeper, Elias, his wife and 9 year old son live down below, we never saw or heard them, unless we needed something: so the privacy was perfect. Elias' wife prepared breakfast once and dinner once, the food was awesome and very reasonably priced. The pool, hot tub, hammocks and just the overall serenity this villa offers are breathtaking. There were many "highlights" on our trip, and just to name a few: the conversations and food at Kay's Gringo Postre, Volcano Poas, El Toledo Coffee Tour, Friday Atenas market, Zoo Ave and driving through the beautiful countryside.. A GPS is highly recommended. Arguably the best vacation we ever had!

  Recommended for: Families with teenagers, romantic getaway, sightseeing, age 55+, tourists without a car, girls getaway.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 6/6

• Costa Rica

  Costa Rica

  • Guest Robert E.
  • Date of stay 04/09/12
  • Review Submitted 05/25/12
  Joe asked me at the end of our stay to write this review and it has taken a while to write it due to other commitments. A day, however, does not go by when I do not think of Picoflouro and Costa Rica. Other reviews have all said how I feel althought words cannot express the feelings of contentment and relaxation that we felt when there. Thank you Joe for allowing us to experience a feeling that I have not felt for so many years. Bob Everett

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1

April 1 to August 22, 2012 - $1275/week
August 23 to November 15, 2012 - $900/week
November 16, 2012 to March 31, 2013 - $1500/week
April 1 to August 31, 2013 - $1350/week
A 50% non refundable deposit is required to hold the reservation.
Remaining balance, cleaning fee, and security deposit due 30 days prior to arrival
Cleaning fee: $75
Refundable security deposit: $250

Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.