Vacation Rentals by Owner

The ultimate place to unplug from everyday and enjoy waves and wildlife

Guest: Annette (Denver, CO)
Date of Stay: 03/24/12 Review Submitted: 04/30/12

We had a fabulous visit!!! Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful home with us. The sound of the waves...priceless! The photos of your house on the website do not express what a fabulous place it is. It was great for out two families. The kids loved the bunk beds (ages 5,5,7 & 8). They collected baby hermit crabs on the beach, played in the pool, walked on the beach at night to see the land crabs scamper around. Monkeys and lizards were great for the kids. We walked down to the more calm beach for swimming, but the beach right out front was great for exploring. The tide pools just to the left of the property had all sorts of little things for the kids to see (parents too). The beach was great!! Scarlet macaws were everywhere. We were visited by white faced and spider monkeys..even a couple of howler monkeys visited. We did have Lady make all of our dinners. Delicious!!! Even the kiddos who can sometimes be picky eaters ate everything. Thank you sooooo much. It was a lovely visit and all went off perfectly. Pura vida

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

The ultimate place to unplug from everyday and enjoy waves and wildlife

Guest: Annette (Denver, CO)
Date of Stay: 03/24/12 Review Submitted: 04/30/12

We had a fabulous visit!!! Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful home with us. The sound of the waves...priceless! The photos of your house on the website do not express what a fabulous place it is. It was great for out two families. The kids loved the bunk beds (ages 5,5,7 & 8). They collected baby hermit crabs on the beach, played in the pool, walked on the beach at night to see the land crabs scamper around. Monkeys and lizards were great for the kids. We walked down to the more calm beach for swimming, but the beach right out front was great for exploring. The tide pools just to the left of the property had all sorts of little things for the kids to see (parents too). The beach was great!! Scarlet macaws were everywhere. We were visited by white faced and spider monkeys..even a couple of howler monkeys visited. We did have Lady make all of our dinners. Delicious!!! Even the kiddos who can sometimes be picky eaters ate everything. Thank you sooooo much. It was a lovely visit and all went off perfectly. Pura vida

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

Thank you--what an amazing house!

Guest: John (Ventura, CA)
Date of Stay: 02/04/12 Review Submitted: 04/18/12

Our stay at the Casa La Vida es Una Ola house was a wonderful family vacation! Myself, my wife, our two friends and all our kids (ages 4, 5, 7 &10) will remember and talk about forever. The home is newer, very large and comfortable. It is situated on the beach in the middle of a rain forest! We watched scarlet macaws, morpho butterflies and monkeys right from the house from every room. We enjoyed all the wildlife from the fireflies to our daily visit from Mr. Lizard, the kids favorite! All of the services were great! The caretakers cooked for us and made our stay at the house very enjoyable. They were attentive to our needs and very pleasant to be around. Also the property managers checked in with us upon our arrival and the owner was so nice and couldn’t have been more thorough in preparing us for our trip and the many things the house has. The solitude that the property delivers creates a very relaxing experience which we really appreciated. I rent houses for family vacations all the time and this, start to finish, was perfect. It was a great experience and we look forward to going back many more times! Thank you for opening your home to us.

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

A wonderful stay at Cabo Matapalo

Guest: LD (New Jersey)
Date of Stay: 01/29/12 Review Submitted: 02/19/12

The location of this house was just perfect and the grounds were kept in such pristine shape. We loved wildlife-watching-walks in the neighborhood, treks up to Lapa Rias Rainforest Lodge, time on the beach, and one of our favorite adventures was heading up to the waterfall for a cool dip. In all, we saw howler moneys, spider monkeys, toucans, scarlett mackaws, some agoutis and a few things we still don't have names for... though the fauna guide in the house book was very helpful and we used the pool multiple times everyday. We took advantage of getting help in shopping for our meals before arriving and having deliciously cooked evening meals. We benefited from the remoteness of the Cabo but stayed in touch with our offices and the outside world with a surprisingly reliable wifi system. We had near perfect weather in late January, with sunny, rainless days and cool mornings and evenings. In spite of the variety of animal life and some stunning butterflies and hummingbirds, but we did not experience once mosquito. The whole experience was a delight for all three generations of our family.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, families with young children, tourists without a car, romantic getaway.

BEST PLACE IN MATAPALO

Guest: CW (Hermosa Beach, CA USA)
Date of Stay: 11/18/11 Review Submitted: 12/03/11

We had the pleasure of staying here for 3 days in Nov 2011. The house is very spacious and absolutely beautiful. Since it is newly built, it has all the modern amenities you would need but wouldnt expect for being in the middle of the jungle and surfers paradise. Olman and Lady, the caretakers, were fantastic and Lara the owner goes beyond the call of duty to make your trip remarkable. Highlg highly recommended.

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

Returning Renters - Stoked Again!

Guest: Kathy & Sheldon (Santa Barbara)
Date of Stay: 08/07/11 Review Submitted: 08/22/11

Our first visit to Casa la Vida es una Ola was in December 2010. We loved it so much that we went back with more friends in August of 2011. We were just as pleased as we were the first time; in fact, I think it just keeps getting better! This time we had the care taker cook for us. That was an incredible decision! She cooked the most amazing, creative, healthy, yummy food. We love coming to this area because we have every type of surfer in our family and the various beaches at Matapalo offer a great wave for everyone. In between sessions of surfing, Casa la Vida es ulna Ola offers a comfortable, relaxing, and quiet place to rejuvenate for the next surf outing. We also did the tree repelling, which I would recommend to everyone. It was awesome! We also went ziplining. It was a lot of fun, but a bit of a drive. We were a little worried about going to Matapalo during the "rainy season." It was awesome! Every day was sunny. A few afternoons/evening we had very exciting downpours and incredible lightening shows. It was absolutely magical. We plan to return again. This place stays with you. Stay here. You, too, will be coming back to this magical home and area!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Perfect Spot

Guest: Kathy & Sheldon (Santa Barbara)
Date of Stay: 06/20/11 Review Submitted: 06/20/11

This home is absolutely perfect. The friendly caretakers make you feel very welcomed. When we walked in, there were fresh flowers on the tables and in the bathrooms. The towels were sculptured into swans. The home is an architectural wonder and is furnished beautifully. The home has all the amenities you need and is very spacious and clean. This home has the perfect location, right on the beach, great tide pooling and a good beach for walking. When surf, this is the spot. Daily visits from Toucans, monkeys, Crested Guans and more in the banana trees right off the backside porch. Scarlet macaws flying in pairs overhead. A sloth lumbering slowly from tree to tree was often seen. With this ambience, the comfortable rocker chairs, the pool, you almost don’t want to leave this home. However, this perfect spot is just minutes walking to a couple other wonderful beaches and killer waterfall hikes. We had such an incredible time in December of 2010 that we are headed back again in August of 2011. I can’t imagine staying any place else; this truly is the spot in Matapalo. Casa la Vida es Una Ola offers it all and elegantly...in the middle of a rainforest! Lara is as helpful as can be. Take her advice, it is good and helpful. Come enjoy this incredible experience, you won't be disappointed!

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

Pretty Special!!!

Guest: Lisa (Innerkip, Ontario, Canada)
Date of Stay: 02/26/11 Review Submitted: 04/04/11

This house was more than accomodating for our party of 6 than I could have ever imagined! I have been to Costa Rica 4 times and my most memorable stay was at this location. When we arrived all I could hear was the scarlett macaws squacking...the surf....and all the interesting jungle sounds. The house was beautiful, clean, and the view was undescribable. Theres so much to do and at the same time so little to do. Truly relaxing and exciting. Oman and his family cooked us a great meal one night and we also bought some mahi mahi off one of the locals that was soooo good when we grilled it on the bq. The kitchen is well equipped with all the comforts of home as well as a bq on the deck for grilling. We were able to buy burgers, steaks and chicken at the supermarket in Jiminez along with fresh fruits and veggies. Great supermarket and we didnt need to crave anything from home. Wildlife at the house was amazing. Lots of monkeys, birds, crabs, skinks, lizards, and iguanas and thankfully no snakes were seen till we got to the airport where we seen a baby flur de lance. (spell check ha ha) Although its a bit of a trip to get there i would truly recommend this house if you are planning to enjoy the Osa. Ive also been to Carate on a different vacation but truly enjoyed the whole atmosphere of the Matapalo community more. The locals are very friendly and always have a smile for you as you pass them on the road (well if thats what you wanna call it...ha ha...very interesting road) while hiking....and check out their fishing skills at backwash in the afternoon ...quite amazing. I felt right at home there. It also made me feel like I was experiencing the real culture of Costa Rica. Thanks to Lara...you gave me lots of tips and information before we left that made our trip pretty much hassle free. I hope to visit again soon! Thanks again!

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

Tim, Susan and friends.

Guest: Tim,Susan and friends. (Leavenworth, WA)
Date of Stay: 02/04/11 Review Submitted: 02/19/11

This was our 4th trip to Costa Rica and I have to say without a doubt that this was one of the most beautiful places that we have stayed! After a long day of traveling and driving down the most precarious road we were having some doubts, but finally we came to this beautiful oasis and it was so worth the drive! This is definately the nicest house in the area with the best view of and access to the beach. We enjoyed the amenities and did not feel like we were "off the grid". We loved the howler monkeys in the mornings (who needs an alarm clock?) and saw many macaws, an anteater, so many other varieties of wildlife. The night skies were amazing without the city lights to obstruct the view and the sound of the waves at night lulled us to sleep. We went on several different day trips including a drive to Luna Lodge in Carate (you definately need a 4 wheel drive vehicle for this road) and ate at Martinas a couple of nights (highly recommended). The caretakers were available without being too present. One of the best features of the house is the dipping pool! With the hot humid days it felt so good to cool off in the pool and relax out on the deck. Really there was not one negative thing about this property and we hope to return some day! Pura Vida!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Fun in the Sun!

Guest: KC and Rhonda (Santa Barbara, CA, USA)
Date of Stay: 12/15/10 Review Submitted: 06/07/11

Wow, what an incredible home to spend a birthday week in! The pool was great for kids and parents to cool off in. Tidepooling at the end of the walkway was always interesting. Animals peaking out from every tree branch surrounding us including monkeys, sloths, birds of every color, and more. The home was perfect for cooking family meals nightly, BBQ put out some great dinners! Relaxing mornings on the rockers on the deck overlooking the waves with a book and a cup of coffee! Beaches with little to no one around to surf, swim, and relax. Long walks at sunset and sunrise enjoying the gorgeous Matapalo coastline. Martinas serves up some delicious food for lunch and dinner, with a fun Friday afternoon locals market to purchase fun memorabilia. Hikes just down the road up to waterfalls cascading down were great photo oppportunities and fun excursions for our families. All our needs were met by both the owner and the caretaker of the property. Thanks for the fantastic memories!

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

Not for the faint of heart!!

Guest: Liz (Santa Barbara)
Date of Stay: 09/01/10 Review Submitted: 01/30/11

The house and setting of Casa la vida es una Ola is truly lovely, however, we found the house to be much closer to a camping experience than the photos let on. The house is completely open air, so we had bats, birds, bugs, geckos, you name it constantly over head and under foot. If you want lights on after sunset (which is early on the equator) this issue intensifies greatly. The Matapalo area is also extremely seasonal, a fact the site does not mention at all. None of the activities or resources listed were open when we went during September and October. So unless you only want to surf, alone, pick another time of year to visit. We loved the area beaches, especially Pan Dulce, but we found the travel times noted on this site to be very underestimated. Nothing is a "5 minute walk", except the beach directly in front of the house. We also found most local trails and waterfalls to be inaccessible when we were there in September. Overall the place is lovely, but be sure to know what to expect and go in the dry season. Also...I would not recommend children under 5.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers

Wonderful place for family adventure!

Guest: Three Generations (Fairport, NY)
Date of Stay: 07/04/10 Review Submitted: 08/03/10

We loved our stay in Matapalo. The house is beautiful, the woodwork is gorgeous, and the kids loved the whole experience. The house and grounds are beautifully maintained! We saw every animal advertised, including a sloth!During the rainy season, plan for rain - you may have to modify your plans. It's all part of the adventure. Zip-cording was great; lots of surprises, including tucans! Families with teens, tweens, and even grandparents will love the experiences.

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

Amazing property!

Guest: Osa lover (Santa Barbara)
Date of Stay: 05/29/10 Review Submitted: 07/20/10

We had the most wonderful vacation in Costa Rica! The property is absolutely beautiful and perfectly situated on the beach. A true jungle paradise!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Definitely paradise in an amazing location.

Guest: JeffB. (San Diego)
Date of Stay: 05/13/10 Review Submitted: 10/13/10

My girlfriend and I had wanted to visit the Osa Peninsula for many years and we finally decided it was time. After looking at a few rental homes in the area the decision was easy that this would be the perfect vacation home for us. Upon arriving we were not disappointed. The location cannot be beat. A huge lot surrounds the home offering peace and privacy. The interior is comfortably furnished and has everything needed. The sound of the ocean is always present from every room. One afternoon was spent driving up to the La Luna Lodge for lunch. The following day we headed north once again for a hike through the Corcovado National Park. A variety of animals were seen while hiking. Nights were spent watching the stars which seemed to explode from the sky. Lightning bugs, bats and frogs all made their way through the home at one time or another to our delight. The dip pool was perfect and we appreciated the privacy. We never really had any contact with the caretakers, but actually that is what we preferred. The first morning introduced us to nature's alarm clock: the howler monkey. The last night we decided to have dinner at Lapa Rios near the vacation home. We were a bit shocked by the cost of the meal. $150+ for two. Save your money and have a romantic dinner at the house. This is a really awesome rental home in one of the most beautiful locations on earth. I've stayed in vacation homes throughout the Caribbean, Mexico and Central America and this has by far been my favorite. Thanks to Lara and her family for sharing. We will be back. Jeff & Holly....

Recommended for:Adventure seekers

What a gem!

Guest: Reid Drew (Portland, OR)
Date of Stay: 03/20/10 Review Submitted: 04/29/10

We spent a week at this beautiful home over spring break. The location, the home itself and the property were all amazing. The weather is really hot and humind this time of year, so the plunge pool was key for our kids. The Ocean for swimming and beginning surfing is just down the road and an easy walk for all. The wildlife in the yard was incredible! You really don't have to leave to see quite a show of birds and animals. I can't imagine anyone who would not love the experience! By the way, our kids are 8 and 10. They were great ages for this area of Costa Rica. It would not be as relaxing for parents with kids under 5.

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

Don't Tell Anybody

Guest: boardbreakers (United States)
Date of Stay: 03/01/10 Review Submitted: 03/28/10

We all had a big birthday this year. There were 4 of us. We decided to escape everything that resembled responsibility. (family, work, pets, band etc) I have experienced Cabo Matatapalo with the family as well. Having this house was the best thing we could have done. I could write volumes why everybody should check this place out but you won't get it until you do. It's really magical. We stayed a week and there is plenty to do. I will go back again to visit the piece of my soul that I left there. Things you must do: Get in the water! Do nature hikes. Get Andy next door if you want a guide. Spend a day with Crocodile DunDaily if you can on the boat. Hit Martina's on Friday night and hang with the jungle folk. Buy something that somebody made. Drink a lot. The house is big, clean and beautiful and you wouldn't want to stay anywhere else. Go while it's still off the beaten path.

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

Guest: Heather, Jordan & boys (Santa Barbara, CA )
Date of Stay: 02/25/10 Review Submitted: 02/25/10

Cabo Matapalo is an amazing experience. Remote, beautiful, a treat for the senses; 1000 shades of rain forest green, wildlife abundant, world class surf. This specific home will make your stay complete! Pictures do not accurately show the beauty of this property. The house itself is lovingly constructed of amazing wood from various native species. The design and layout flow perfectly and make you feel as though you are part of the rain forest, while enjoying every comfort of home. For example, the beds are so comfortable! You will love having the dipping pool day and night. The large tub in the master suite was an unexpected surprise. During our stay we utilized the personal chef services available (too good for words) and we also cooked some meals ourselves. The kitchen is very well equipped with quality oven/stove and large refrigerator/freezer. Don't forget the caretakers; this part of the stay is very important when you are in a remote location. They are very friendly and helpful, fluent in both English and Spanish. There are 3 kinds of monkeys regularly swinging through the property; Scarlet Macaws, lizards, frogs, toucans, butterflies, etc at home, within your sight. There is world class surf directly in the backyard. If the waves are pumping and you are looking for a swimming beach, no problem, just take a walk (a worthy adventure on its own, with all the flora and fauna to observe) to the neighboring beaches. This will truly be one of the most amazing experiences of your life; whether with friends, as a couple, or family (we brought our 2 young boys)!!!

Recommended for:

Guest: Dave & Lyn - Montreal Canada
Date of Stay: 02/03/10 Review Submitted: 05/12/10

What a great place! Ticos are always smiling, lapas are beautiful, cara blanca are full of enegry, OSA is the place to enjoy and let the day go by................

Recommended for:

Guest: Christine H. (USA)
Date of Stay: 02/01/10 Review Submitted: 02/01/10

Dreams to Reality. This place was the tropical paradise getaway we were all looking for. The house is exquisite and you can tell it was built with loving care from the ground up. There was no detail overlooked... no comfort that has been forgotten. All of this just steps away from the warm, gorgeous ocean and waves... with monkey's and macaw's serenading you??? We are planning our next trip now because life's too short to not return to one of the most magical places I have ever been!!

Owner response:Our dreams did become reality and that is powerful! Thank you and we hope to see you back again. Thank you!!

Recommended for:

Guest: Sharon & Desi (Las Vegas, Nevada)
Date of Stay: 01/22/10 Review Submitted: 01/22/10

This home is spectacular, easily the nicest house in Matapalo. It has an excellant design and comfortable furnishings. The downstairs bedroom and bath are separate from the rest of the house, affording the utmost in privacy. We are going back as soon as we can.

Recommended for:

Guest: Pete & Becki
Date of Stay: 01/16/10 Review Submitted: 05/12/10

This has been such a magical place to be in and this couldn't have come at a better time for us. Hearing the ocean in our bedroom at night, listening to the sounds of birds and monkeys - and the views of the trees and water - have simply wonderful. What a great job you have done designing your home. We loved the pool and veranda. You were right about this place being the best place to be with yourself. Thank you for this wonderful experience. My total admiration for CREATING YOUR VISION! -Love Becki

Recommended for:

Slice of HEAVEN!!!

Guest: Christine H. (USA)
Date of Stay: 01/15/10 Review Submitted: 02/01/10

This is one of the most magical places I have ever been and I cannot wait to return! The house is beautiful - island chic at its comfortable best. With the ocean just steps away, every day was spent in a dream state. I didn't want to leave. We're already planning our next girls trip back to this oasis of rejuvenation. Can't wait!!!

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

Guest: g b (santa ynez, ca)
Date of Stay: 01/12/10 Review Submitted: 01/12/10

After decades of traveling, many rental homes and everything from 5-star resorts to tents, this property was the ultimate. Built to perfection, catering to complete comfort, meets all your needs. Very clean, home and grounds. Treat your senses - the views are spectacular, monkeys and Macaws serenade, bananas off the trees, swim in the warmest of waters with private beaches at the door-step. Walk in any direction for an adventure or sprawl on the veranda and let life come to you. Climb to the waterfalls, walk thru the jungle to the cantina for Friday night with the locals, check out the few but delicious restaurants, or hunker down and never leave the property. It was all magical, can't wait to go back.

Recommended for:

Guest: Rebecca and Jeff
Date of Stay: 01/11/10 Review Submitted: 01/10/10

THIS WAS SUBMITTED BY OWNER AND WAS COPIED FROM HOMEAWAY 5 STARS A SECRET PARADISE AND HOME, BEST TRIP EVER!!! I am at a loss of words on what experience my husband and I had a this specular home and the property it is situated on. We were there for 10 days and we didn't even need to leave the property. The house was built with love and perfection. The way it is set up it is great for hanging out or you can go into which ever of the unique 3 bedrooms and take a nap while others can be taking a dip in the pool, sit on the comfortable rocking chairs on the large deck, play games in the living room, cook an great meal in the kitchen or just stroll around! The animals were everywhere and it was like a movie. There were tons of macaws and they were funny and would play with you by throwing the shells of the nuts they ate at you and I swear they were laughing at us! The monkeys came everyday to play. The morpho butterflies and all different species of birds were everywhere! This is the most bio diverse place in the world. We have traveled a lot and this takes the cake! The caretakers took care of all our needs. And Friday night at Martina's was a blast! We felt like we were teenagers again dancing away into the night. All the locals we so nice. Matapalo Beach and the other beaches in Matapalo were 86 degrees! The surf was incredible! And most of the time there was no one on the beach or in the water and we were the only ones. It was so romantic! I can go on and on! We are already planing our next trip! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you! Pura Vida....our hearts are in Matapalo! Recommended for: All ages, Adventure Seekers, Girls Getaway, Tourists without a Car, Sightseeing, Families with Teenagers, Families with Young Children, Romantic Getaway

Recommended for:

Guest: Elaine29 (Phila., PA)
Date of Stay: 01/04/10 Review Submitted: 01/04/10

My first visit to Costa Rica was great! Staying at "Casa la Vida es Una Ola" was very comfortable. The house is beautifully designed and right on the ocean. What views! My favorite thing was sitting on the porch in the rocking chair for hours enjoying the flora, wildlife & ocean.....very relaxing. Great accomodations! Can't wait to return!

Recommended for:

Guest: Margirita - New york
Date of Stay: 01/03/10 Review Submitted: 05/12/10

What a wonderful holiday in paradise at Casa la Vide es Una Ola! A glorious week with family and friends has refreshed all our senses... hearing the ocean waves 24/7, the macaws and howler monkeys, all the beauty of the jungle and the ocean were a feast for the eyes, wonderful smells of flowers, touching "sweetie", the monkey, and playing with the dolphins!!!

Recommended for:

Guest: Jill (USA, Rhode Island)
Date of Stay: 01/03/10 Review Submitted: 01/03/10

Wow! When we booked this trip we did not know the amazing adventure we were in for. It was a tropical paradise! The house was pristine with everything you could ever want and need in the middle of paradise. It was great for the whole family and we never ran out of things to do. With the beach just steps away from the front of the house, can't get any better then that! The surf was epic with 0-3 guys out at any time. We saw monkeys daily and they were so funny! There were tons of Macaws that were playing all around the house. The beds were so comfortable and did I mention the views from every room in the house? Oh, and you have to love the fresh eggs from the chicken coop! Yummy! Thank you very much and we are already booking our next trip!! Pura Vida!

Recommended for:

Paradise Found

Guest: Heather, Jordan & boys (Santa Barbara, CA )
Date of Stay: 06/20/09 Review Submitted: 02/24/10

Cabo Matapalo is an amazing experience. Remote, beautiful, a treat for the senses; 1000 shades of rain forest green, wildlife abundant, world class surf. This specific home will make your stay complete! Pictures do not accurately show the beauty of this property. The house itself is lovingly constructed of amazing wood from various native species. The design and layout flow perfectly and make you feel as though you are part of the rain forest, while enjoying every comfort of home. For example, the beds are so comfortable! You will love having the dipping pool day and night. The large tub in the master suite was an unexpected surprise. During our stay we utilized the personal chef services available (too good for words) and we also cooked some meals ourselves. The kitchen is very well equipped with quality oven/stove and large refrigerator/freezer. Don't forget the caretakers; this part of the stay is very important when you are in a remote location. They are very friendly and helpful, fluent in both English and Spanish. There are 3 kinds of monkeys regularly swinging through the property; Scarlet Macaws, lizards, frogs, toucans, butterflies, etc at home, within your sight. There is world class surf directly in the backyard. If the waves are pumping and you are looking for a swimming beach, no problem, just take a walk (a worthy adventure on its own, with all the flora and fauna to observe) to the neighboring beaches. This will truly be one of the most amazing experiences of your life; whether with friends, as a couple, or family (we brought our 2 young boys)!!!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, families with young children, tourists without a car.

A SECRET PARADISE AND HOME * BEST TRIP EVER!!

Guest: Rebecca & Jeff (Napa Valley)
Date of Stay: 06/14/09 Review Submitted: 01/06/10

I am at a loss of words on what experience my husband and I had a this specular home and the property it is situated on. We were there for 10 days and we didn't even need to leave the property. The house was built with love and perfection. The way it is set up it is great for hanging out or you can go into which ever of the unique 3 bedrooms and take a nap while others can be taking a dip in the pool, sit on the comfortable rocking chairs on the large deck, play games in the living room, cook an great meal in the kitchen or just stroll around! The animals were everywhere and it was like a movie. There were tons of macaws and they were funny and would play with you by throwing the shells of the nuts they ate at you and I swear they were laughing at us! The monkeys came everyday to play. The morpho butterflies and all different species of birds were everywhere! This is the most bio diverse place in the world. We have traveled a lot and this takes the cake! The caretakers took care of all our needs. And Friday night at Martina's was a blast! We felt like we were teenagers again dancing away into the night. All the locals we so nice. Matapalo Beach and the other beaches in Matapalo were 86 degrees! The surf was incredible! And most of the time there was no one on the beach or in the water and we were the only ones. It was so romantic! I can go on and on! We are already planing our next trip! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you! Pura Vida....our hearts are in Matapalo!

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

Alive and Relaxing

Guest: Katie R. (California)
Date of Stay: 03/21/09 Review Submitted: 04/02/10

One week is not long enough. The beauty of the jungle, beach, and the home are addicting. The house is five star quality, with luxurious sheets and fine craftmanship (plus a freezer...hello, ice cream!). The entertainment is even finer: Macaws frolicking (fighting?) in the yard, the surfers, exploring little paths on the property, fresh laid eggs, and lounging in the pool. Ahhh. Perfection.

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