Vacation Rentals by Owner

Once in a lifetime vacation

Guest: Sue (Renan, VA)
Date of Stay: 04/21/12 Review Submitted: 05/10/12

My stay at Cima Estelar was fantastic. The property is breathtakingly beautiful, the photos just cannot do it justice. The house is stocked with everything you need, just stop by the grocery store and fruit stand in town and you are set. I hired Alan as my guide, interpreter, and driver, but in the end he became a friend. We had a great time driving all around and learning about Costa Rica. I saw all the attractions on my list and then some. We dined at a variety of local restaurants and the food was wonderful. Skeeter and Alan were quick to tend to every wish or need. They even took me to a mall to purchase jeans for a cool rainy day. They will tailor your trip to your taste and it will be uniquely yours. No strict schedule, no tour bus full of people. Just what you want to do, when you want to do it. I would highly recommend this property. It is centrally located, the views are spectacular, both day and night, and it was very clean and well maintained. It is a great place for the "adventure" vacation or to just get away and relax.

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

great time upcountry

Guest: Kate (Homer Alaska)
Date of Stay: 02/01/12 Review Submitted: 02/18/12

You can see the city lights from your house on the mountain,but you are not there. a verygood thing for us. The view of the country side is stunning. You are in a very private paridise. Roads are narrow and challenging-we were not used to people,cars,cows all in the road on every curve, but we got pretty used to the road between griffo alto and Puriscal, your market town. Great, genuine people around town. They were very gracious,we wish we had learned a little more Spanish. so we could have had better conversations. The hilton--it is not- A great, real in country experience.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+.

The best view in all of Costa Rica

Guest: Karen (Ontario Canada)
Date of Stay: 01/15/12 Review Submitted: 02/03/12

We arrived 12 hours late and on a different airline and yet Alan was there to pick us up at 1:00 am. This place has to have the best view in all of Costa Rica. We constantly commented how beautiful the scenery was. The home was spotless, exactly as pictured and it was everything we hoped it would be. Alan and Skeeter were the best hosts. There is wifi in the home and whenever we needed anything I would email Alan and within minutes he would respond. I strongly suggest that other visitors have Alan drive you where ever you want to go. He was more than just a good driver. He was our tour guide, interpreter and someone we could trust. Skeeter was away the first part of the week, but when he returned we became instant friends. Yes the place is incredible, the view to die for, but in all honesty it was Alan and Skeeter that made our week so special. We will never forget them. This rental property is a must for anyone looking for memorable vacation in Costa Rica. We will be back!

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

Cima Estelar is worth a six star review!

Guest: Scott & Julie (Michigan)
Date of Stay: 12/23/11 Review Submitted: 01/16/12

My girlfriend and I called Cima Estelar our home for nearly two weeks over Christmas and NYE. The house was absolutely perfect with solitude, breathtaking views, and of course our favorite, Thor & Cyclops (The two most loving dogs that live on the property). Alan and Skeeter provided us with a plethora of advice for excursions we should do during our first time in Costa Rica. From Volcan Poas to Balde Hot Springs and tours of Vegas de Santiago Cigar Factory, every day was more amazing than the last. It is a must to dine at La Galera & El Diamante, supplying the best chicharrones & fried chicken, respectively. I could go on for hours in this review without a single bad thing to say about Cima Estelar. I highly, highly recommend this getaway to anyone considering vacationing in Costa Rica.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

A customer from another property

Guest: Portlanddon (Portland, Oregon)
Date of Stay: 12/15/11 Review Submitted: 01/01/12

Although my wife and I did not stay in the beautiful vacation bungalow listed here, we did have the pleasure of staying at a nearby property that Skeeter arranged for us to lease. I wish Skeeter would let me give my name and email address in this testimonial because it might serve as a small repayment for all he has done to make our stay as convenient and comfortable as possible. Besides answering tons of questions about what to expect before we arrived, he and his son Alan have been there for us at every turn since our arrival helping to make the transition work out smoothly. More than that, they have become valued friends. Doing business in a foreign country with people you meet online can be very unnerving. We feel very fortunate with our experience with Skeeter and Alan and know you will be just as satisfied.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, sightseeing.

Blew Us Away

Guest: Dana's Husband (Wilmington NC)
Date of Stay: 10/25/11 Review Submitted: 11/12/11

My wife Dana and I wanted to take a vacation but had no real direction. Bike trips in Ireland, Greek Isles, Maccu Pichu.... our internet browser was on overdrive (but our budget was not!!). We live in a tourist town, right on the beach in NC so we wanted something different. We didn't know the language, were reluctant to rent a car and wanted to stay off the beaten path. Dana found Cima Estelar on VRBO and from the reviews we knew this was the right place. But we had no idea just how perfectly Cima Estelar would fit our expectations. The drive up the mountains from the airport was a fast 45 minutes as we soaked up every sight and town along the way. As we made our way through the gate and climbed the manicured grounds past Skeeter (John) and Alan's homes the steep grade only increased our anticipation as their very friendly Doberman (Thor) raced ahead. Near the very top of their private mountain we were introduced to Cima Estelar. It is avery modern and clean "cabin" with 270 degree views of three valleys, the Gulf of Nicoya and, in the distance, the Pacific Ocean. Directly below us were fields with distant cattle and horses grazing. To the north pretty much the entire Central Valley was arrayed, including the airport we had recently departed. Toucans flew across the valley beneath our front porch and perched beside the house. Our breath was collectively taken away.'' The interior was modern with all appliances and wrapped in windows. No shades were necessary because there are no neighbors! The shower pics do not do it justice. You will get wrinkled. We hired Alan to be our guide/translator and our trips to the valley towns, Arenal volcano, beach cookout with monkeys!, local trips into Santiaga de Puriscal, local breakfasts (Gallo Typical) and meeting some of their great neighbors ... the days just melted away. Make sure you keep a few days to do nothing as you really are on top of the world with complete privacy. The selfish side of me wanted to skip this review and keep Cima Estelar a relative secret! But John and Alan deserve a booked schedule because this place truly is special. They are perfect hosts with the proper balance of attention and just plain old leaving us alone! We are really looking forward to a return trip and cannot reccommend this place any higher! Do it!

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

My absolute favorite place we stayed in Costa Rica!

Guest: laurenb (Pittsburgh PA)
Date of Stay: 08/03/11 Review Submitted: 09/04/11

However many nights you are thinking of staying, double it! We spent three weeks in Costa Rica for our honeymoon and this was our second stop. We spent three nights here and my biggest regret is not staying longer! All of the other places we stayed paled in comparison in so many ways. The pictures here do not do the house or the views justice! The house was clean and very well maintained. The property is absolutely beautiful and this house is at the top, so it is very private. Booking with Alan was really straightforward and simple. Once we got there we found Alan and Skeeter to be gracious, helpful, knowledgeable, accommodating, and just plain fun to be around (they are also willing to let you be completely on your own if that is what you want). Even the dogs on the property (Thor and Cyclopes) were awesome! They also have a larger house on the property if this all sounds great but you need more space. In planning my trip to Costa Rica I thought that if I were to stay in places in various regions it would be easier to get to things that were geographically closer. I was mostly wrong. We stayed in La Fortuna, Samara, and near Parrita. We were interested in exploring Arenal, Manuel Antonio, Guanacaste, Monteverde, Puntarenas and doing/seeing zipling, beaches, horseback riding, national parks, volcanoes. If we had stayed here longer we would have been within a 2-3 hour drive (which is how long it took us anyway, even if it looked closer on a map) from most of what we wanted to do/see, with the exception of Guanacaste (It would have probably been difficult to get to the Caribbean coast or the southern Pacific region from here as well). Anyway, I would highly recommend this house/property for a large portion of your trip. It was our favorite place we stayed and Alan and Skeeter were our best hosts! Hands down!

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.

Honeymooners

Guest: Beth (Colorado)
Date of Stay: 06/12/11 Review Submitted: 06/23/11

My husband and I spent four days and nights in beautiful Puriscal with Alan during the last days of our honeymoon. I couldn't have been more relaxing. The views of the mountains during the day were to die for and at the the views of San Jose's lights were mesmerizing. Alan was a top notch host. He was always available to run us places (we didn't have a car) and made us feel very much at home. Overall, an amazing trip that I would recommend to anyone!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Rock solid construction shrugged-off recent tremblor effortlessly

Guest: Diane S. (Augusta, Georgia, USA)
Date of Stay: 05/12/11 Review Submitted: 05/23/11

A superb choice for a first stop on anyone's Costa Rican itinerary. Breath-taking beauty in all directions. Alan is knowledgeable and helpful. He provides two extremely well-trained, friendly dogs for your companionship if you like, and, at no surcharge, furnished a serious earthquake for entertainment. We returned to spend our last night on his mountain-top also, and will definitely be back again. Truly a special place.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Wonderful week at the GLASS HOUSE!!!

Guest: Michael & Barbara (Texas)
Date of Stay: 04/20/11 Review Submitted: 04/29/11

The location, property appearance, amenities, and cleanliness were excellent! After being there and seeing it in person, pictures don't capture the beauty of this property and the area. I highly encourage anyone going, to engage Alan to be their driver/guide. He is knowledgeable, speaks fluent Spanish, does a great job of driving and negotiating traffic, and gives excellent suggestions for the first time visitor. Manuel Antonio Beach Area, LaPaz Waterfall Gardens and Volcan Poas National Park are must sees for the first time visitors. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND thisVRBO and look forward to returning soon!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

The McConnells

Guest: The McConnells (Clarkesville,Georgia)
Date of Stay: 04/04/11 Review Submitted: 04/18/11

WOW! This was our vacation of a lifetime.The views were better than I could imagine!Alan was so helpful.We decided to use him as a guide and I can"t say enough good things about his knowledge of the country,his friendliness,and his expert driveing! Alan was willing to take us anywhere we wanted to go,and introduced us to many things we would have missed on our own.The house was very clean and had the most fantastic views that pictures cannot do it justice.The grounds are very beautifully landscaped and I would definitely recommend this rental,but you may want to plan for more than one week!There is so much you can do or just sit outside looking at the mountains,toucans, and hummingbirds you won't want to leave.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Paradise

Guest: Lizz 1 (NJ)
Date of Stay: 03/01/11 Review Submitted: 03/09/11

My stay at Cima Estelar was outstanding. The accommodations were exceptional and the views were breath taking. If you were not a believer in God before you arrived, you will be by the time you leave. Only God is capable of creating these kind of views of nature. I left a part of my heart at Cima Estelar. Skeeter and Alan are truly "the salt of the earth." The world would be a much better place if we had more people like them every where. I highly recommend staying at Cima Estelar and I definitely plan on returning and will share this experience with my friends and relatives.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Essential Stay for anyone visiting Costa Rica!

Guest: Lisa (Toronto)
Date of Stay: 02/16/11 Review Submitted: 02/18/11

This property is absolutely breathtaking and exquisitely well maintained. My friend and I traveled to San Jose from Toronto and since it was our first time in Central America, we were so relieved and happy to have Alan pick us up from the airport and take us to our stay at the Twilight Bunker. The home is clean, modern and spacious with a full kitchen and everything you could possibly need. The photos on the website do not do this place justice, the views from the house are amazing, you wake up to incredible views of the entire countryside, you can even see the ocean! Alan was a fantastic tour guide, patient and kind, answering all our questions and offering great advice. He took us anywhere we wanted to go and even offered great suggestions we could not have come up with on our own. He took us to white water rafting, Arenal Volcano and hotsprings, local restaurants and even karaeoke! We only stayed two nights there before heading out to the coast, but wish we could have stayed a whole week... and were even a little sad to leave. Highly recommended.

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

It Just Keeps Getting Better!

Guest: Andy and Caroline (Enid, Ok)
Date of Stay: 01/31/11 Review Submitted: 02/15/11

We returned to Cimaestaler for the second time January 31-February 6, 2011. Having been there during the wet season in August we wanted to see if we would enjoy the dry season as much. Yes We Did! The mountaintop view was even more spectacular in the dry season. We experienced Manual Antonio and the beautiful waters of the Pacific Ocean...watch out for those monkeys and bring your sunscreen! We also rafted the Toro River and had the thrill of a lifetime. Once again, Alan was the perfect tour guide. He keeps in mind our budget but makes sure we have a great time. He and Skeeter both go above and beyond to make the time at Cimaestalar perfect. For a chance to experience the most for your time in Costa Rica this place you need to be is here on the mountaintop. Solo Bueno! Andy and Caroline

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

Great Week

Guest: Jerry (Oakton, VA)
Date of Stay: 01/21/11 Review Submitted: 02/02/11

My wife and I spent a week in the "glass house." What a treat to wake up and see a beautiful scene for miles and miles. What a priviledge to see the glorious sunsets. The location is great for touring the central valley. The house is perfect for two people. But what makes this location so special is the combination of two extraordinary people--Skeeter and Alan. The two of them introduced us to Costa Rica in a very special way that most people don't get if on a tour. Our "drivers" made our visit extremely pleasurable, educational, and unique. We will never forget Cima Estelar for we have two new friends whom we hope to see many more times.

Recommended for:Age 55+, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Amazing sanctuary on the hilltop

Guest: Lynn (Manhattan, NY, USA)
Date of Stay: 01/08/11 Review Submitted: 01/12/11

Great experience! I had a few days to kill after traveling on the Pacific coast before flying back to New York. I did not want to stay in San Jose so I found Cima Estelar. Alan and Skeeter were great. They drove me around and recommended things to do. It was so relaxing. I did not have to worry about anything (which was great because I was a little worn out worrying about all the details during the earlier part of my trip). This is definitely not your usual tourist trap. I really got to experience real local flavor and see the true beauty of the country. I was originally just looking for a place to stay. But this was so much more. Skeeter mentioned that if I want to do some the tourist stuff (ziplining, Poas volcano, Paz waterfall gardens, etc) they could make the arrangements for me and drive me there. But I was really just looking to relax. They did take me to some great authentically Costa Rican restaurants. I have say that I had one of the best night's sleep ever in the twilight bunker. It completely dark (something I never get in NYC) so, very easy to fall asleep. I was gently awoken by the sunrise as the entire room is glass. It was so beautiful. I would definitely recommend Cima Estelar to a friend.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

"The Bunker" Santiago de Puriscal, San Jose, Costa Rica

Guest: traveler (Holland, MI)
Date of Stay: 01/03/11 Review Submitted: 02/02/12

Beautiful view, and well built structure. We used it as a home base while visiting friends near-by. Quiet, clean, and a good value

Recommended for:Age 55+, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Wonderful & relaxing

Guest: Maria & Al (Oak Ridge, New Jersey)
Date of Stay: 01/03/11 Review Submitted: 01/12/11

We absolutely enjoyed our stay at Cima Estelar - the twilight bunker was beautiful - loved the wonderful views and the gorgeous weather. It is a perfect location for day trips - we were able to get to the Poas Volcano and the waterfall tours - which were amazing. We plan on returning as our visit was wonderful but too short. Anyone visiting Costa Rice should stay for at least part of their tirp at Cima Estelar. We stayed in three other areas of the country but this was by far the most fun filled and relaxing. The owners our dear friend Skeeter and Alan are so warm and accomodating - they are a great help in planning all the great things to do. Pura Vida!

Recommended for:People with disabilities, age 55+, girls getaway, tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway.

A Time To Dream

Guest: Gavin (Austin in the great state of Texas)
Date of Stay: 11/22/10 Review Submitted: 12/11/10

My two weeks at Cimastelan where varied, a time to relax and be layed back ,a time to explore and a time to investigate, a possible place to live.and a time to bond with my brother, who flew in to Costa Rica to spend a week with me. With the help of Alan and Skeeter,I accomplished all four in grand style. We enjoyed so many things, and yet had time to do nothing. The locals could not have been more friendly, the food was delightful. The whole experience was fantastic. I'm already thinking about my return to Costa Rica,and Santiago De Purical. Gavin

Recommended for:Tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Honeymoon in Paradise

Guest: Jake + Maggie (Mims, Florida USA)
Date of Stay: 11/14/10 Review Submitted: 11/28/10

A lot of wonderful qualities have already been mentioned in other reviews and we agree with them. We stayed at this property for our honeymoon and were very impressed with the beauty of the setting that had breath-taking views that seemed to change every 5 minutes. The helpful suggestions made by Alan saved us a lot of decision making and he was a perfect host. In other words, we could just relax in an ideal place with lots and lots of privacy. We didn't want to do the tourist package, so the places we chose to go were tailored to our wishes. With Alan driving and attending to details, we just thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. You feel like you're on top of the world in Twilight Bunker. We have precious and forever memories of our honeymoon in Costa Rica. Thanks to a great young man, Alan, who facilitated everything. We immediately felt a trustworthy connection with him and were not disappointed.

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

Incredible Experience!

Guest: Will Return! (Charlotte, NC)
Date of Stay: 09/18/10 Review Submitted: 12/08/10

My wife and I visited Costa Rica in September 2010. For anyone who is interested in being away from the tourist locations of Costa Rica, and want to be able to enjoy the beautiful countryside - I highly recommend this location. Allen could not have been a better host during our time. My wife and I decided to rent a 4x4 so we would be free to tour as we wanted. Allen was available to give us recommendations, and answer any questions we may have. When we arrived in Costa Rica, Allen met us near the house to show us how to get there, and was nice enough to go to the grocery store in town to help us get the necessary items. With a little extra driving, we were able to go to the beach, volcano, zip line and San Jose during our week in Costa Rica. Having been to the tourist parts of the country, it was very nice to retreat to the surreal views of this house for peace and privacy. We also had fun waking up every morning to eat breakfast on the patio with our three newest friends - Thore, Africa and Cyclops. All three of the dogs were happy and energetic and we definitely enjoyed spending our time with them! For anyone that is looking for a private, unbelievable view - I would highly recommend staying here.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Wonderful, quiet, and relaxing get-away!

Guest: Sean & Madison (Provo, Utah USA)
Date of Stay: 08/31/10 Review Submitted: 09/12/10

Hola from Utah! We stayed at this peaceful mountain home for two weeks, and had an amazing experience. You have an amazing view of the central valley in Costa Rica and the ocean from anywhere in the house. The house and property is very nice and well taken care of, the property has several fruit trees and many beautiful flowers and plants to enjoy! The location is great, but I would definitely recommend having Alan, one of the owners, be your own personal driver and interpreter. He knows how to get to anywhere you would like to go, and has a lot of great recommendations on places to see and good places to eat that we would never have known otherwise. It makes your vacation much more relaxing and less stressful not having to think about driving or getting lost in a foreign country, because the driving is definitely very different here! And having someone who knows the language was very helpful as well! Thank you Alan and Skeeter for a wonderful time in Costa Rica, we appreciate your willingness to answer our questions and make sure we had everything we needed! Pura Vida! Sean & Madison

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

Relax

Guest: Ken (Bristol, Connecticut)
Date of Stay: 08/21/10 Review Submitted: 09/13/10

From the first moments on site, the trials and stresses of life seemed to melt away. I found myself spending hours and hours just experiencing the magnificent views and solitude this mountaintop retreat offers. Allen is a wonderful host and made himself available to our needs at all times. While the location is off the beaten path of the tourist sect, it is of prime value to discovering the real Costa Rica, it's splendor, and the people. We used this convenient, centrally located, home position to stage our day trips out to all points within the country and we very much look forward to returning as soon as possible.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

PERFECT!

Guest: Jayna (Melbourne, FL)
Date of Stay: 08/14/10 Review Submitted: 09/13/10

I spent a week in at Cima Estelar with my Grandmother and we had the best time! First off the view is amazing, no picture does it justice. The location of Puriscal was perfect because you really get immersed in the culture as opposed to being surrounded by tourists. The accommodations were great, we were more than comfortable there and the owners, Skeeter and Alan, were extremely helpful throughout our entire stay. We opted to use Alan as our tour guide throughout the week and would greatly recommend it. Alan is fluent in Spanish and knows the best places to visit while you’re in Costa Rica and really makes sure you have the best time possible. We went zip-lining, visited volcanoes, waterfalls, cigar factories and much more. This was a GREAT vacation and I'm so happy we chose to stay at Cima Estelar. I would suggest this as a vacation spot to anyone and everyone!

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

Heaven on a Mountaintop

Guest: Andy and Caroline (Enid, Ok)
Date of Stay: 08/09/10 Review Submitted: 08/19/10

The week we spent at Cime Estalar was PERFECT. Seven days of Pura Vida! From the time Alan picks you up at the airport all of the details are taken care of for you. All you have to do is sit back and enjoy the time. We would highly recommend using Alan as your guide - we did every day and we are so glad we did! We zip-lined, toured the waterfalls, volcanos, and many other interesting endeavors. Because of Alan's fluency in Spanish and his knowledge of the area you are able to experience Costa Rica in a way you can't do on your own. The mountain-top house is beautiful and well maintained. The ever changing views are breathtaking. Alan and Skeeter are wonderful hosts. They are available to their guests at all times while providing total privacy too. By the end of the week we made two very good friends in Alan and Skeeter. If you choose to spend time at this spot of "Heaven on a Mountaintop" you won't be disappointed.

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

Perfect place for private romantic getaway. Awesome views. Central location.

Guest: Joshua (Austin, Texas)
Date of Stay: 08/03/10 Review Submitted: 08/09/10

This is a great place to stay. The property and house are awesome; the views from the house are amazing... it's a great place for a honey-mooning couple or even just someone who needs some time alone in peace and quiet. Additionally, the owners of the 35 acre property are originally from the United States, speak both English and Spanish fluently, and can arrange for all your travel, tourist, and personal needs to be taken care of. They can pick you up from the airport, show you the local culture and attractions, and even personally drive you around to anywhere in the country for a fraction of the cost of renting a car. In short, I highly recommend coming to stay at this place. Especially for visitors on a romantic getaway who need a good reliable guide to show them around.

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

Cima Estelar Pura Vida!

Guest: Ryan and Lacy (Florida)
Date of Stay: 07/12/10 Review Submitted: 07/18/10

We really enjoyed our stay at Cima Estelar. The house is very comfortable and the view is simply unforgettable. The entire property is beautiful and it's hard not to want to explore this garden in the clouds. The dogs are very friendly and we couldn't have felt safer with them on watch. We elected not to rent a car on this trip, but Allen was an excellent guide and very reliable driver and he made finding things to do very easy. We were looking for an authentic Costa Rican experience, preferably from the local perspective, and Allen and Skeeter certainly delivered. In the all too short week we were there, we managed to go ziplining, hiking, eat great local food (time after time), see a waterfall for the first time, eat lunch with the locals, get a massage, shop, and really learn about the culture while also having a much needed chance to kick back and relax. We never felt rushed and had a ton of options, even during the rainy season. We'd recommend this vacation house to people of all ages, especially couples looking for a romantic and unforgettable getaway. Our hosts were very hospitable and we got exactly what we were looking for out of this trip. Pura Vida!

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

A Perfect Honeymoon!

Guest: marcus (Chicago, IL)
Date of Stay: 06/15/10 Review Submitted: 07/03/10

My wife and I stayed at this house for our honeymoon and had an absolutely wonderful time. We are a young couple with little to no experience of renting a vacation home on our own, but Alan and his father made things very easy for us. The price was extraordinarily reasonable, and the location was wonderful. Away from tourist hot-spots, the house's view of both San Jose AND the Pacific ocean is breathtaking. The house is far enough off the beaten path but it is close enough to San Jose, Jaco, Volcan Poas, and other day trip locations. Alan and his father proved to be excellent hosts, helping us find our way to different day trip destinations as well as showing us the hidden gems of Costa Rica including a Cigar Factory that most tourists wouldn't find. However, we could have stayed on the property the whole trip and been completely satisfied. A masseuse was arranged for us one morning, a tour through their property's extensive garden was given, and we were given a bag full of fresh fruit straight from the branches, Alan took us into town for groceries, and we went on a tour of the cigar factory. All in all we had a wonderful time and recommend this destination for any vacationer. A few thoughts: Renting a car worked well for us, though Alan offered to drive us places. Also, Costa Rican roads are not nearly as frightening as guide books might have you believe, especially with the help and guidance of Alan and his father. We've already recommended this house to several friends and family members who are looking for a great place to stay and something different. If given the chance we would go back in an instant!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Climb the mountain, it's worth the stay!

Guest: Randy and Chelle (Royal Oak, MI USA)
Date of Stay: 06/08/10 Review Submitted: 06/13/10

Our brief stay at your place was heart warming. Our only regret was that we had so little time to share. Your place is wonderful getaway from the western world. The view from the "glass house" was magnificent. Waking at 3am to the clear view of the stars that seem so close was a beautiful experience. Having Skeeter and Alan as our host was a bonus. Spending time at your place was more like spending time with family. Very relaxing and open. Thanks so much for your spirit. We consider a vacation a success when the memory of people are as warm as the new things experienced.

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

Relaxation with Attention to Detail

Guest: Tomalka (Petoskey, Michigan)
Date of Stay: 05/04/10 Review Submitted: 05/15/10

Our intent was to relax and enjoy peace and quiet and our expectations were certainly fulfilled! Our host, Alan, was attentive without being intrusive. He was able to answer questions about the local area and provided transportation when needed. We would strongly recommend that the visitors do NOT rent their own vehicle, but pay Alan for his time and expertise. Alan is bilingual and provided great security in conversation if needed (although the Ticos were all willing to 'bridge the gap' ). The property was spectacular in both design and maintenance and was a virtual haven for birds (hummingbirds, parrots, swallows and macaws just to name a few). The views from every window were amazing in scope and definition--the hills, mountains, ocean, city lights and sky all different each day! The full-time gardener provided a tour of the property, pointing out plants, vegetables and fruit trees of all kinds. Some of the property fruit was used for breakfast and was offered to us for our personal consumption. We did day trips to a beach on the Pacific, the rain forest and a volcano---all planned by Alan. The local terrain is mountainous and does require some arduous work when walking, but the local town of Griffo Alto, within a 20 minute walk, had a wonderful restaurant (La Galera) providing true local fare (although the kitchen at Orion's Den is well-equipped and we used it for meals as well). Puriscal is a larger town and provides more options for shopping and meals and gives the visitor the opportunity to experience Costa Rican hospitality and culture--even the Costa Rican pizza was terrific. Every encounter with the local residents was postive--each person very friendly even with the language barrier. We would certainly recommend this property to friends and family and anyone who needs time away from phones and distractions. We are already planning a return trip to celebrate another anniversary.

Recommended for:Tourists without a car, romantic getaway.

Beautiful, tranquil vacation spot!

Guest: AllisonCK (Herndon, VA)
Date of Stay: 03/17/10 Review Submitted: 05/12/10

My husband and I went to Costa Rice for a 10 day vacation and stayed at Cima Estelar the whole time. The house was really clean, and we had everything we needed for a relaxing vacation. We were lucky enough to have Alan to take us around to the beach, rainforest and waterfalls. He knows his way around the entire country and was very helpful when it came to eating out, sightseeing. I fully recommend this place to anyone looking to get away.

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

BREATHTAKING

Guest: Venicia (Fort Worth)
Date of Stay: 03/17/10 Review Submitted: 04/13/10

My husband and I went to Cime Estelar in March and stayed for 7 nights. It's absolutley breathtaking - words cannot describe it. I've been letting everyone that I come in conversation with know about the place. I recommend having a tour with Alan Coleman, as it is completely necessary. He is fluent and can show you the foods you should eat (which are most memorable) and the places you should go. We were able to go to the waterfalls/rainforest (La Paz Waterfall) and the beaches taking a ferry - without Alan we may not have known of all these places. The home itself was unbelievable. Very clean, with extra sheets and blankets. If you arrive at night you'll see the city lights and when you wake up you'll be astounded by the mountaneous views. Wish I could live there.

Owner response:So glad you had a great time Venicia! I miss you all, it was a lot of fun having you both down here!!!

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

Guest: Pam Jervey (Jax, Florida)
Date of Stay: 12/01/09 Review Submitted: 12/01/09

Just arrived home from a 10 day visit to Cime Estelar. The property is spectacular and the 1BR/1+BA home we stayed in was lovely. It sits on top of a mountain with views that are to die for especially at night when the lights from the central valley light up the sky. The house itself is very modern with granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances and plenty of room for a 1BR getaway. I would go back anytime and highly recommend this property to anyone who wants to enjoy the beautiful mountains of CR.

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Guest: Andy Browne (San Ramon, Alajuela)
Date of Stay: 10/09/09 Review Submitted: 10/09/09

Alan and Skeeter... thank you for extending to us your hospitality and friendship. Our stay in your mountain top cabina was perfect and the view was absolutely breathtaking. Now just add high-speed, wireless internet and my life would be complete! Thanks again. Hasta luego.

Owner response:We now have High Speed Internet!

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