'Snowbird' Special Country Villa 3brs/ 3 1/2 Baths $75 Per Night
- Minimum stay:2 nights
- Internet:Yes
- Pets allowed:No
- Wheel chair accessible:Yes
After an exhaustive search of the Costa Rican countryside I selected this location to build a home uniquely situated near some of the country's best parks. The house is located in the small town of Navarro, which is about 2 miles off the main highway and sits about 100 feet off the road. The location is very quiet,nestled between an orange grove and pasture land with several coffee farms nearby.
Temperatures are very comfortable, with averages in the low 70s year-round. The house and location are perfectly situated for bird and other nature lovers in search of hiking, butterflies, trees and flowers. There's little to no traffic noise and the typical nighttime sounds are birds like the Tropical Screech Owl, Common Parauque or Blue-crowned Motmot.
As a retired person, I find Costa Rica a perfect escape from the cold of North American winters and this location is ideal to experience what it would be like to retire in this beautiful region.
I hired local construction workers and furnished the house with custom-made furniture from
Sarchí, the woodworking capital of the country, and realized my vision for a custom-built home. The look and feel is very relaxed and welcoming with an abundance of natural woodworking. Each bed is fitted with Queen-sized mattresses with trundle beds underneath for children or young adults.
The front porch is sizeable, measuring 10 feet by 30 feet and is large enough for dining outdoors. The balcony is similarly sized and enclosed in wrought-iron - a perfect viewing spot for viewing the surrounding mountain ranges and an ideal perch to enjoy a glass of wine and watch the sunset.
The property measures about a half an acre and was formerly a working farm. Native trees remain with many orange, lemon, banana, fig and 'Flames of the Forest' as well as a variety of other trees and flowers, that attracts an abundance of birds,and butterflies.
In addition to a fully appointed kitchen, there is a washing machine.
Keywords: House,Birds,Butterflies, Coffee Farms
Property Type
- 2 story
- House
Accommodation Type
- Vacation Rental
Meals
- Guests Provide Their Own Meals
Suitability
- Pets Not Allowed
- Non Smoking Only
- Long-Term Renters Welcome
- Minimum Age Limit For Renters
- Wheelchair Accessible
- Children Welcome
Bedrooms
- 3 Bedrooms, Sleeps 9, Beds for 6-9
- Bedroom 1
- Bedroom 2
- Bedroom 3
- Convertible bed(s)
Bathrooms
- 3.0 Bathrooms, 1 Half Bathrooms
- Bathroom 1
- Bathroom 2
- Bathroom 3
Kitchen & Dining
- Kitchen
- Dishes & Utensils
- Cooking Utensils
- Coffee Maker
- Toaster
- Refrigerator
- Microwave
Amenities
- Washing Machine
- Linens Provided
- Towels Provided
- Parking Off Street
- Covered Parking
Entertainment
- CD Player
Communications
Outdoor Features
Theme
- Romantic
- Family
- Away From It All
- Tourist Attractions
Location & View
- Mountain View
Activities
- Cinemas
- Restaurants
- Sight Seeing
- Shopping
- Wildlife Viewing
- Fitness Center
- Kayaking
- Hiking
- Rafting
- Swimming
- Cycling
- Fishing
- Mountain Biking
Reviews
Write a review-
Fabulous base in Costa Rica
Fabulous base in Costa Rica
- Guest Melissa Hamilton
- Date of stay 03/12/13
- Review Submitted 03/21/13
The house (and its lovely garden) are a very short drive from San Jose, and it was a perfect base for us to start our Costa Rican holiday. It is ideally situated for people interested in birdwatching - Tapanti National Park, Guayabo Naitonal Monument, El Copal Biological Reserve, Vulcan Irazu and Lankester Gardens are all able to be done as day trips. That is, if you can tear yourself away from the feeders at the house, with so many wonderful birds. Heriberto is very friendly and helpful, and his wife Anna Maria makes amazing empenadas. We would go back tomorrow!Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0
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Great place to stay with a family
Great place to stay with a family
- Guest Nathan
- Date of stay 03/01/13
- Review Submitted 03/06/13
This was a great place to stay! Definitely the best VRBO place we've ever stayed in. Close to Orosi, Cartago, Paraiso, Turrialba. The house was FULLY furnished, the kitchen well equipped, the bedrooms clean and comfortable. Probably the best part of the whole experience was the wonderful caretaker who stops in to check on you, but is not obtrusive at all. We were a family of 6 all traveling together - grandparents, parents and kids - and we all loved this place. Great birds to watch early in the morning from the upstairs porch.Recommended for: Age 55+, families with young children, sightseeing.
Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0
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great experience
great experience
- Guest Gerry
- Date of stay 02/04/13
- Review Submitted 03/05/13
Our experience staying at "Los Motmotes" was great and we definitely plan to go back. The house is very clean and accommodating. There is ample living space and the scenery is spectacular. The view from the patio of the mountains and the many colorful birds that visit the feeders made "hanging around the house" feel like a day in paradise! Dave, the owner, was more than helpful and made us feel very welcome. At the house he has provided his guests with helpful information about the many places you might want to visit and the numerous colorful birds to be seen during your stay. Heriberto, the caretaker, is always available and will help you with anything you need. He and his wife Ana Maria are the greatest! Nearby there are good restaurants and convenient shopping for supplies. Lunch at Sanchiri, with its spectacular view of the Orosi valley and delicious food is definitely worth a visit! One caveat is that if you have never driven in Costa Rica, you should be prepared to keep your eyes to the road and drive defensively. And plan your trip. The roads are poorly marked and can be dangerous. A good suggestion would be to take a taxi from the airport to Cartago and rent a car there so you can avoid driving near San Jose. Cartago is just a short drive from the house.Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, families with young children, girls getaway, sightseeing.
Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1
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Paradise
Paradise
- Guest Jonathan
- Date of stay 07/11/12
- Review Submitted 09/01/12
Driving through busy Cartago, and just 10 minutes from a Wal-Mart, I wasn't sure what to expect. When I drove up the steep driveway to the Villa, I was amazed by the stunning beauty and incredible view. Every night, I'd make plans to get up early and leave to go sightseeing. I'd wake up with the sun each morning, invigorated and ready to go. Then, I would sip my coffee and end up staring for hours at the gorgeous vistas and watching the birds feast on tropical fruits. While the area has lots of interesting and beautiful places to visit, it will be hard to beat the views right from the balcony. Do, by all means, visit the Orosi Valley...just save some time to relax at home in the Villa.Recommended for: Adventure seekers, romantic getaway, families with young children, sightseeing.
Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0
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Great Location, beautiful view
Great Location, beautiful view
- Guest Lora
- Date of stay 08/18/12
- Review Submitted 08/28/12
We stayed for 7 nights as a base camp for our field research. We were very comforatable with 5 adults and two children (1 and 3 yrs old). The view from the balcony is amazing, Heriberto and Ana Maria (cartakers) are very helpful. This was my first time booking through VRBO and I was a little nervous about sending a check and trusting there would be a house for me when I arrived, espeically traveling with young children. However, the continuous contact with David over email made it easy to trust that it would all work out and it did.Recommended for: Romantic getaway, families with young children, sightseeing.
Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0
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Costa Rican Stay
Costa Rican Stay
- Guest John & Marilyn
- Date of stay 01/30/12
- Review Submitted 02/18/12
We spent one week (1st week of February) at this house which was very comfortable and well appointed. The owner did an outstanding job of ensuring our stay was perfect - excellent directions to the house, rental car information, care taker information and even a phone call our first night to ensure that we arrived safely. Pictures can never do justice to the beautiful views of the mountains, wildlife, and flowers. The caretakers, Heriberto and Ana Maria were wonderful. Ana Maria who is an excellent cook was very gracious with sharing her homemade empanadas and tortillas - they were delicious. The Orosi Valley is a wonderful place to explore - many things to keep you busy if you choose. A visit to the Lankester Gardens was a must for us - absolutely gorgeous!!! The owner has prepared an excellent reference book for visitors which offers suggestions on local restaurants, shopping, and activities. We would highly recommend this property.Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, romantic getaway, girls getaway, sightseeing.
Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1
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Magnificent home with unbelievable view and weather!
Magnificent home with unbelievable view and weather!
- Guest Paula
- Date of stay 09/08/11
- Review Submitted 09/19/11
Words and pictures cannot describe the beauty of this home! My boyfriend and I stayed here for three nights and were astounded at the view and the friendliness of the caretaker, his wife and the local taxi driver Cristian. This home was way too much space for the two us - three huge bedrooms, a kitchen stocked with every imaginable dish/tool. Nights on the terrace looking out at the mountains were a once in a lifetime experience for us. Cristian drove us up to the volcano - amazing! There is a nearby Walmart that has a good selection of food - my advice is buy food, cook it and take it out to the terrace! The layout of this home is brilliant - so much space and exceptionally clean. The owner went out of his way to ensure our stay was going well. The horses next door love heart of palms. It was an absolutely wonderful experience...and I've stayed at a LOT of vrbo homes in my time. Thanks, Dave!Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, sightseeing.
Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 3/3
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Beautiful home with serene and breathtaking views A great value!
Beautiful home with serene and breathtaking views A great value!
- Guest Three Sisters
- Date of stay 08/19/11
- Review Submitted 08/27/11
My two sisters and I rented this house for our yearly girls getaway. It's a beautiful home, extremely well kept and the views of the mountains and surroundings are exceptional. The house was ideal for us, with 3 comfortable bedrooms all with their own baths, a large well stocked kitchen that was a pleasure to cook in and even a selection of CD's to listen to and games to play. The best part is the second floor balcony facing the mountains, we sat out there for many hours and meals just watching the birds and butterflies. Dave was incrediblely helpful to me in planning this trip through a number of e-mails. He even found us a driver, since we were not planning to rent a car. Cristian ( the driver , a relative of Heriberto the grounds keeper) was wonderful. We used him most days. he was very pleasant, reliable, and very helpful. Although he spoke no English one of my of my sister's was able to communicate with him using her high school Spanish . I believe she even taught him a little English. The suggestions Dave gave me and those he left in a book at the house for sightseeing and restaurants were all great. We enjoyed visting Irazu Volcano and Tapanti National Park Heriberto was very helpful and Ana( his wife) was gracious and kept bringing us food. We're considering coming back for our trip next year. I would highly recommend this house to anyone wanting to stay in the Central Valley.Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, families with teenagers, girls getaway, sightseeing.
Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 3/3
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Immaculate home in a beautiful location
Immaculate home in a beautiful location
- Guest TravelingFamily
- Date of stay 08/11/11
- Review Submitted 08/22/11
The house is lovely and well-kept, with gorgeous views of the green hills around. We enjoyed watching a variety of tropical birds from the terrace each morning. Shops and services are within easy reach, and one of the extra benefits is the detailed directions the owner provides for driving in the area. One of our favorite nearby attractions was "Cafe Cristina," a working organic coffee farm which offers guided tours (by reservation only). Our guide had a deep knowledge of organic farming as well as a wealth of information about the native birds, butterflies, and plants of the region.Recommended for: Adventure seekers, romantic getaway, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, sightseeing.
Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 4/4
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Great Memories
Great Memories
- Guest Anne_HAC97836
- Date of stay 05/31/11
- Review Submitted 06/12/11
Sitting at the kitchen table with a cup of Café Christina coffee and watching Heriberto coming up the hill with a towel wrapped platter of Ana Maria’s warm empanadas—priceless. While filling up on empanadas, fruit, and coffee, we discussed plans for the day. There is plenty to do in the area. Café Christina was one of the highlights of our visit. Ernesto is knowledgeable and amusing—a great combination. The Lankester gardens are beautiful. There are volcanoes, national parks, shopping in Cartago, and good restaurants with great views. But every day has to allow time for just being at home—exploring Dave’s beautifully landscaped grounds, trying to identify the multitude of birds that visit the feeders, and enjoying the view. And Rosita, the horse next door, appreciates an occasional banana. A glass of wine while watching the ever-changing mood of the mountains is a perfect finish to the day. The modern house is beautifully maintained, comfortable, and well equipped. Caretakers Heriberto and Ana Maria live right next door and are friendly and helpful—and Ana Maria makes excellent empanadas and tortillas. Don’t forget to print out Dave’s directions. I forgot, and with the coordinates our GPS could pinpoint the location, but didn’t have a clue where the roads were that would take us there. A friendly neighbor called Heriberto (who doesn’t speak English), got directions, and led us to the house. So even getting lost left us with a good feeling about the area and its people.Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, romantic getaway, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, sightseeing.
Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 3/3
Rates
| Dates | Nightly | Wknd Night | Weekend | Weekly | Monthly * | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base Rate 2 night min stay |
$75 | |||||
Additional information about rental rates
Personal check, Money Order, PayPal. There will be an additional fee of $10 if using PayPal.
Additional Fees and Taxes:
There is a $35 cleaning fee.
A deposit of $250 to confirm the reservation. Non-refundable if reservation is cancelled within seven days of arrival. Returned within 10 days of departure, minus any damages.
Rates are for two (2) people. There is a $5 per night fee for each additional person.
Before paying contact the owner to confirm payment details.
Call the owner directly to confirm reservation details and pay with an approved method (credit card, check, or bank transfer), to protect your payment up to $1,000.
Owner info
Year Purchased: 2009
About the owner: About the owners: We, Dave and Nancie Wolfe, recently completed construction of the house. Dave fell in love with Costa Rica after his first visit in 1999 and spent several other trips looking for the ideal place to build a home. Once he visited Navarro he knew he had found the perfect spot.
Why the Owner Chose Orosi:
Why visit Orosi? The Orosi Valley is a landscape of topical hues. The rainforest of Tapanti and the Alto Cedral Cloud Forest paint a background of various shades of green, teeming with wildlife. Located south of Cartago, the Orosi Valley is a true jewel. Famous for its beautiful views, colonial churches, coffee farms, white water rivers, hot springs and Lake Cachí. Horse back riding, hiking, water rafting, and other interesting activities to keep active during the day. We will provide you with places to visit or consult a good guide book such as Lonely Planet. Orosi Valley Self Guided Tours The Orosi Valley and surrounding areas have many different tours, which can take up to a week to see all of the local attractions. Birders and hikers will enjoy a visit to Tapanti National Park and the Irazu volcano. The Guayabo Monument, just outside of Turrialba, is a well-preserved native village. The famous Lankaster Garden is just minutes from the house and is the orchid research center of the University of Costa Rica.. Not to be missed is Finca Christina, about 25 minutes from the house and just outside of the town of Paraiso. This is an organic, shade-grown coffee farm that is owned by two Americans. They give guided tours and you learn the production process for coffee. The farm is also home to over 300 species of birds. If their son Ernesto is available he may be able to help you identify the various resident birds. There is a fee for the tours. Coffee is also available for purchase. The small town of Orosi is home to a colonial church and in Ujarrás there is the vestige of a church built by the Spaniards around 1693. Cartago, the first capital, is home to the famous Basilica. The faithful believe that the water there has curative powers. In August, more than a million pilgrims gather there to pray to the Black Virgin (La Negrita).
The Unique Benefits at this House:
Tranquility of living in the country yet within 20 minutes to shopping, banks, medical facilities, restaurants. Very close to two national parks. Birds and butterflies are easy to locate.
Contact us
- Primary: (215) 248-2462 (Pennsylvania, USA)
- Secondary: (267) 939-1430 (Pennsylvania, USA)
- Click Here to see All My Rental Listings
Photos
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PATIO AND BALCONY FACING WEST
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DINING ROOM AND FULLY EQUIPPED KITCHEN
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VIEW OF FAMILY ROOM FROM THE BALCONY
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BALCONY WITH OUTDOOR DINING AND RELAXATION
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VIEW OF THE CARPORT FROM THE DRIVEWAY
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MOUNTAIN VIEW FROM THE BALCONY
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BLUE-CROWNED MOTMOT FEEDING ON BANANAS
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RABO DE GATO (CAT'S TAIL) ATTRACTS HUMMINGBIRDS AND BUTTERFLIES
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WATCH THE SUNSET AND ENJOY A GLASS OF WINE ON THE BALCONY
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QUEEN BED WITH TRUNDLE BELOW
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SECOND FLOOR LIVING AREA
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WIDE STAIRS TO SECOND FLOOR
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SQUEEZE A GLASS OF JUICE IN SEASON OR ENJOY BANANAS
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VIEW OF DRIVEWAY FROM THE BALCONY
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GINGER HELICONIA ATTRACTS SEVERAL SPECIES OF HUMMINGBIRDS
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RUFOUS-TAILED HUMMINGBIRDS ARE COMMON VISITORS
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Date last modified - Friday, February 08, 2013
