Vacation Rentals by Owner

Charming a-Frame Bungalow in the Jungle [#292915] | View Property

Manuel Antonio
Bungalow, 1 Bedroom + Convertible bed(s), 1 Bath (Sleeps 2-6)
$300-$700/2 wks - $600-$1100/mo
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Traveler Reviews (13)

• VRBO 292915

  VRBO 292915

  • Guest John and Marcia
  • Date of stay 03/01/13
  • Review Submitted 04/04/13
  Comfortable and convenient to the pool, bus, quepos, etc. lack of A/C was not a problem for the most part. Ventilation was not a problem for sleeping. We were thrilled with the up close experiences with the birds, sloths, and monkeys. Last day we were visited by the titi monos in our cashew trees, all over the roof and everywhere. You must learn to live with the Tico hot water heaters, but it was not an issue with us. Plenty of personal attention from the owners whenever needed. Lance and Letty went above and beyond. Thank you Lance and Letty John and Marcia

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

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

• A month of total serenity!

  A month of total serenity!

  • Guest Doug
  • Date of stay 01/03/13
  • Review Submitted 03/03/13
  After spending a week in San Jose we were very excited to fly down to Quepos. Upon arriving at the airport, Letty was there to meet us and drive us to the condo, where she gave us a quick tour and then offered to drive us into town to stock up on groceries, which we did. Our first impression of Letty is that she is well educated and had an abundance of information to offer, from pamphlets left in the condo to places to eat. The condo in our mind was everything we needed, we are in our late 40's and have travelled extensively. Our criteria for renting this was the laid back atmosphere and far enough away from any commercialism. We found it very peaceful and quiet, the only sounds were from the wildlife which was wonderful. There is a pool in the complex which is great in the afternoon's when it can become quite hot and sticky. Even though it can become quite hot we were always comfortable in the bungalow as it was protected from direct sun which along with the fans kept it very comfortable. We were within walking distance to the town of Quepos and a short bus ride to Manuel Antonio Park. This is not a five star property but if you are looking for value for money and an intimate setting with tons of wildlife, this is the place. We did not end up cooking in the kitchen very much, mostly breakfast, but the large fridge is definitely essential. During the month that we were there we saw more wildlife while sitting on the upper deck than we saw during our hikes through Manuel Antonio Park. We loved spending time in the screened porch, reading, sketching and generally unwinding. The washing machine is wonderful and knowing it was there really helped us pack lightly as we could 'wash and wear'. We would definitely recommend this wonderful place, we hope to return. Lance and Letty were phenomenal!

  Recommended for: Adventure seekers, romantic getaway.

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

• Charming A- Frame Bungalow In the Jungle

  Charming A- Frame Bungalow In the Jungle

  • Guest US Traveler
  • Date of stay 12/22/12
  • Review Submitted 01/14/13
  Our party of 3 adults stayed in the bungalow for nine nights out of our required 14, by our choice as we visited the volcano for two nights before getting to the bungalow. The owners were prompt at meeting us at the agreed destination. We thought the bungalow somewhat appeared as the pictures on the web site, but felt it was quite dark and somewhat dreary inside. We didn't really look forward to getting back to the bungalow from an outing. Maybe if there had been more seating inside, it would have made a difference. Only a futon in the living room, a very simple futon on the porch, a concrete dining nook on the porch and 4 straight back wicker chairs. Nothing to really make you feel comfortable. The property seemed pretty clean, with the exception of a dishwasher and some other things pushed under the stairway for storage. The bathroom was quite nicely tiled. The shower had some what of a strange hot water set up. Kind of like camping. Turn on the hot water, turn off the hot water, lather , turn the water back on to rinse, otherwise you run out of hot water. That wasn't really a problem for us, the problem was, most of the time there was no water pressure. Just a dribble of water. We were only able to take four showers between the three of us for our entire stay. The bed upstairs was comfortable and the third adult said the futon in the living room was comfortable as well. We ran out of propane for cooking after boiling about 3 cups of water. After two phone call messages and one e mail to the owners....and two days, a propane tank was finally delivered. Great places to eat and buy groceries close by. We were leaving a couple of days early, and the owner was persistant about when we would be leaving so she could get the place cleaned for the next tennant. We told her we would try to be gone by noon....she informed us that the cleaning lady would be there at 12:30 pm if we were there or not. I found that to be irritating, especially as we had a whole extra day if we wanted it. She had already re rented the bungalow on our time. I guess money is the bottom line. I guess for the money it is not a horrible deal. It's probably okay for someone who is on the go a lot and not wanting some relaxing time in the bungalow. I have mixed feelings about recommending the property. I would not stay there again. We didn't have a very enjoyable experience with all that happened and with the feeling that we were being pushed out the day we left.

  Owner response: We thank these clients for taking the time to review the property. The clients wrote that they needed the house for only 12 days, and did we have a lower rate to offer? We told them we rent for a two-week minimum and we do not give discounts for shorter stays. They booked. When we had an inquiry for a rental for the entire month of January we wrote the clients, told them the situation, and asked if their leaving date was still firm. This was four months before their arrival. They asked for a rate reduction. We offered them one, they accepted, and again confirmed the departure date. It was a done deal and everyone was happy – or so we thought. On the day, they seemed reluctant to leave. Check out time is 11 am, we had clients arriving the next day. We are sorry they felt pushed out, but they had agreed to leave on that date. We feel this negative review is really about money. We give all of our clients written instructions that they should call the property manager if they cannot reach us [as is the case of the propane tank]. We cannot respond to situations such as low water pressure in the shower unless someone tells us about it. We do listen to criticism: we think that our 3 padded sofas are sufficient. We have upgraded the wooden chairs to accommodate larger people. We have also installed an outdoor shower to wash off pool chlorine and beach sand, and we have put a spare propane tank in the house. We do not agree that our house is dark, dreary, and not quite clean, We are a small operation and we do our very best to accommodate our guests and to treat them with honesty and respect. We have found that almost all of our guests have been very reasonable people who get a real sense of the ‘pura vida’ while they are in Costa Rica. Recently, the migratory pattern of the local wildlife has changed and we see a lot more monkeys, toucans, and sloths than ever before. Many clients have told us the most beautiful experience of their Costa Rica trip consists of sitting on our porch or on the upper deck, watching life go by outdoors. Regarding this group, we are sorry their sense of financial injustice seems to have overwhelmed their entire Costa Rica experience. This is our bottom line: our rental unit stands as advertised and described, and priced.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/3

• A rare bargain in Manuel antonio

  A rare bargain in Manuel antonio

  • Guest James P.
  • Date of stay 07/15/12
  • Review Submitted 03/10/13
  We stayed two weeks at this condo. Letty and Lance own the unit, have lived there, and have put in those special touches like the surge protectors for the computers and the heated locked linen closet, which is far more valuable than you might imagine. Humidity can be high in Manuel Antonio, and having a secure place keep towels and other items safe and dry was an unexpected, but very valuable, amenity. Letty picked us up at the Quepos airport, and took us to the local market to pick up provisions prior to showing us the condo. If you can imagine living in a condo in the jungle, you will like it here. Be sure to bring extra headlamps or flashlights, as the power can go out with some frequency during the rainy season. Remember, too, that ants are everywhere (you're in the jungle, after all), so cleanliness in the kitchen is essential. Everything must be sealed, tightly. The petite "tico clothes washing machine" is really a hoot. It reminds me of how my grandmother washed clothes 40 years ago. It really works great. If you are looking for a four-star hotel experience, if you must have long, hot showers, and if you require a bug-free environment ... you probably should look somewhere else (and probably choose a different place to visit entirely). However, if you like the idea of camping in the jungle with many of the comforts of home (including cable tv and great internet), and you like the thought of getting a true deal in an area where bargains are few and far between, this condo is for you!

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

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

• Lovely tropical abode

  Lovely tropical abode

  • Guest Debbie
  • Date of stay 03/17/12
  • Review Submitted 05/01/12
  My husband and I very much enjoyed our stay at this lovely 2 story home. And a home it is, all the amenities that you would find in your own home such as a well stocked kitchen, comfortable furniture, attractive decorations, good wifi, and comfortable bed. Although you probably don't have howler monkeys as alarm clocks. The house was clean and the owners very helpful It is very secure. Sleeping upstairs with your view into the tropical tree tops was very special. There is no AC but the open screened layout helped. The pool area is beautiful surrounded by trees and flowers, and with a nice social atmosphere to meet your neighbours. The bus just down the hill is extremely convenient for getting around and there are many good restaurants within walking distance. Manual Antonio park and beaches are just a 15 min bus ride away. Highly recommended.

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

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

• Intimate A-frame in the jungle...

  Intimate A-frame in the jungle...

  • Guest B&D
  • Date of stay 06/02/11
  • Review Submitted 06/26/11
  All we could say was "wow" when we first arrived at our place home for the 9 days. My husband and I had never been in such a lush tropical environment. The A-frame was just right for us. Everything we needed, wifi, cable TV, nice tile shower and kitchen was all there. The lanai was a beautiful and peaceful place to spend the morning with breakfast of amazing(!) fresh fruit and delicious coffee. The best part was hearing sounds of the jungle while we slept. It was very relaxing to be there. The location was just right for us, secluded yet easy to get to clubs, the beach or into Quepos. We didn't have a car but didn't feel lacking because it was so easy to catch the cheap and frequent bus service within a short walk (and cabs were reasonable). I kept thinking about how our friends back home would love to stay there. We'll definitely be back.

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

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

• My month is Costa Rica

  My month is Costa Rica

  • Guest traycegigi
  • Date of stay 05/01/11
  • Review Submitted 05/01/12
  Loved the condo. It is comfortable and airy. The condo feels likes it is in the middle of the jungle. You will hear/see monkeys and iguanas. The plant life surrounding the condo is beautiful. The owners Letty and Lance I very helpful and for a someone traveling alone its nice to know that someone is looking out for you. I plan on returning and staying in again at this condo. My experience was a good one!

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

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

• Costa Rican Treasure

  Costa Rican Treasure

  • Guest Jim
  • Date of stay 01/01/11
  • Review Submitted 06/29/11
  We stayed at this house for two months in 2011. We also stayed there in 2009. We have stayed at 5 of the other bungalows on the same grounds over the previous few years and this one gets my vote for being the best of the lot. There is a screened in porch that faces the jungle and many a morning I just sat there relaxing, watching the goings on. Almost daily, and sometimes 2 or 3 times a day monkeys would come marauding through which is always an entertaining event. We saw 4 different types of monkeys including a howler and a larger version of the white face monkeys this year. There was a sloth hanging around in January. I can’t count the species of birds we saw, including a couple of Mot Mots and Toucans, and right off your back porch. Although there is no air conditioning, the house never gets too hot, due to a nice breeze that either comes up from the ocean or down from the mountains. The house is well maintained, secure, and comfortable. There is a water filtration and purification system that saves the expense and aggravation of purchasing bottled water. There is a large pool and the grounds are well kept. The house is about a quarter of a mile off the road that goes from town to the beach, which is a big plus from a peace and quiet point of view. The beach is about a 15minute bus ride from the house and town is a 10minute ride in the opposite direction. Taxis are also in abundance. All in all this house is a reasonably priced quiet relaxing place to stay while in the Manuel Antonio-Quepos area and I would recommend it to any of my friends or family.

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

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

• Most Relaxing spot in Costa Rica!

  Most Relaxing spot in Costa Rica!

  • Guest Brian & Lauren
  • Date of stay 10/01/10
  • Review Submitted 07/14/11
  We liked this house so much, we rented for a month! Very convenient location between MA and Quepos with bus just at the end of the driveway. We mostly enjoyed the monkey's visiting the home every morning. The screened in porch is especially nice for those rainy days (we were there in October) and the pool was a plus on the very hot days. Las Palmas is one of the nicest settings in the whole area.The owners are very helpful, friendly and showed us all the "must see" spots in the area. Make sure to visit La Hacienda for a drink, it is walking distance from the house! Pura Vida

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

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

• Confortable, convenient, place to stay with a great pool

  Confortable, convenient, place to stay with a great pool

  • Guest Jodi
  • Date of stay 07/01/10
  • Review Submitted 06/29/11
  We stayed at this A-frame bungalow in July 2010. The location was great, a short walk to the bus stop, convenient to both Quepos, the park and beaches, and restaurants or you can call a taxi day or night and they come in minutes. Even the San Jose bus stops at the road entrance to the property. It was only a few minutes by bus to either town or the beaches. The view of the lush vegetatiom from the porch and deck are wonderful. There were a couple of troops of monkeys that passed over and around the cottage almost every day as well as tons of birds and other wildlife. The shared pool was big and well maintained with plenty of tables and chairs and flowers. We spent hours playing and lounging comfortably by the pool. The house was far enough from the road to be quiet but not too far to be inconvenient. The house had most of the conveniences we needed, coffee pot, functional kitchen (with beautiful blue tiles) , filtered water, dryer (washing machine is a short walk away), internet access (though a little spotty at times) a small tv with cable, and a telephone. The telephone and internet were not working when we arrived and the owners gave us their cell phone to use until it was restored. The double bed upstairs in the loft was very comforable and screened in porch was a relaxing place to sit. the loft area was big and airy. The inside lounge area is a little small, but we spent very little time in there. The bungalow comfotably sleeps 2 in the loft double bed and two on the futon in the living area. The owners left great written instructions on everything we needed. The only down side is that electricity, internet, and water can go out on occassion, but that was more due to area-wide outages during rainy season and not any thing that was wrong with the cabin. The manager on premises and the owners were very helpful when problems arose and with planning in general. The cabin is well screened on all the windows and doors but this is the rain forest and nothing can stop them all. The owners description and the photos were accurate and the property was clean and in good condition.

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

  Owner response: Thanks for the review: Just wanted to say that since July 2010 we have installed a washing machine in the house, so our clients can do laundry at home. Cheers!

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

• Great Bungalow, Perfect Location

  Great Bungalow, Perfect Location

  • Guest Lou and Kels
  • Date of stay 09/12/09
  • Review Submitted 05/14/10
  I couldn't imagine it getting any better than the bungalow at Las Palmas. The A-frame bungalow is located between the main town of Quepos and the lux beaches and stunning Nat'l Park at Manuel Antonio. Both are easliy accessible by bus (very efficient and cheap), taxi, or walking. The bungalow itself has everything you'll need, including filtered tap water which is a big plus. The pool is awesome and the owners are great. It's nestled in its own tropical paradise with a great view from the upstairs bedroom. Titi monkeys frequent the trees and occasional sloths are spotted with a good eye (we saw three during our incredible one month stay). I'll be staying here again the next time I find myself in this wonderful part of the world!

  Recommended for: Adventure seekers, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 4/4

• We loved it here

  We loved it here

  • Guest JJKendall
  • Date of stay 05/02/09
  • Review Submitted 05/08/10
  The house itself is wonderful, cool and comfortable, and is well maintained. The high speed dedicated line internet is fast. The TV is adequate, but we weren't there to watch TV! The screened porch is beautiful. It faces the jungle, and is private and quiet. (The patios on other houses face the walkway and the compound.) The monkeys come by all the time, which is really cool. The grounds and swimming pool are awesome, and the beach is just a fifteen minute bus ride away. There are expensive hotels nearby that you can visit for drinks or lunch without paying their high room rates. There are a lot of restaurants around in a variety of price ranges. The owners live nearby and are available and helpful. The property manager lives on site, and he is a wonderful help and resource person as well. It was also great not to have to buy bottled water. The owners will give you a discount if you allow them to come in to get water for themselves out of the tap at the sink, and they are reasonable about agreeing on a time to do it. This house is well worth the money. I thought it was a really good deal, and I’d go there again.

  Recommended for: Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, romantic getaway.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 4/4

• This place is a gem.

  This place is a gem.

  • Guest JB from Canada
  • Date of stay 04/01/09
  • Review Submitted 04/28/10
  This place is a gem. For being an a-frame it is roomy and it has everything you need. It is quiet and almost secluded but it is close to EVERYTHING! The pool at Las Palmas is amazing. The beach and park are easy to reach on the bus, and so is the town. For what it is and for what you get, the price is great. I loved it, and I’d stay here again, in fact I plan to.

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

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