Reviews for Flamingo Beach Vacation Rental - VRBO 305804 - 3 BR Guanacaste Townhome in Costa Rica, Ocean View-Upscale Home in Exclusive Gated Community

Fantastic Stay!

Guest Costa Rica
Date of stay 03/14/13
Review Submitted 04/05/13

My family and I stayed in this beautiful Villa and absolutely loved it! It had all the comforts of home and lots of space for our family of five. The Villa itself has beautiful 180 degree ocean views making the two balconies great places for a morning coffee or sunset cocktail. The infinity pool is located at the top of the hill of the complex and offers an even more spectacular view of the ocean and setting sun. Two beautiful beaches are located within walking distance and Flamingo beach is a short 5-10 minute drive. The owners, Mark and Susan were very pleasant to deal with and the Special Places staff were very attentive and helpful in the booking of some of the tours we enjoyed. In summary, from the online pictures my expecatations going in were high; those expectations were exceeded. Great place to stay. Thanks Mark and Susan -

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

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Great Condo!

Guest DC
Date of stay 03/03/13
Review Submitted 04/10/13

This was our first time in Costa Rica...we rented Mark and Susan's condo for a week...it was great! It had everything we needed...walking distance to two nice beaches ...we spent a number of afternoons at the infinity pool watching great sunsets! What a view from there! Mark and Susan were both great to work with and Special Places provided good service as well...would definitely recommend their condo to others!

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

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Amazing!

Guest Maureen
Date of stay 02/23/13
Review Submitted 03/02/13

My husband and I rented this condo with another couple and we all absolutely loved everything about it. As I have family in Costa Rica I have rented numerous times and this condo tops my list for being my most favourite! The condo is beautifully decorated, well maintained and you can tell that the owners take pride in their vacation home. The view from the pool was simply amazing! The complex itself was very safe and the other guests were extremely friendly. We loved the area as it is slightly away from the more developed areas which is what we were all looking for. The beach is extremely close and beautiful. We will definitely be renting the condo again in the future and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a relaxing vacation! From all of us we would like to thank the owners for allowing us to share in their vacation home and making our trip so fantastic!

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Stunning!

Guest Patrick H.
Date of stay 01/12/13
Review Submitted 01/29/13

We loved our stay - this house is gorgeous, much more than I had expected. Area is a bit strange, all dirt roads and very dusty and bumpy. Beach is amazing and the view from the pool at sunset is breath taking. We love Costa Rica!

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

Owner response: Thanks, Patrick for the your comments on our house. Yes, Costa Rica can be a little bumpy and dusty in the dry season, the good news is it's only 1 1/2 miles from the paved road, well worth it!

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Beautiful Condo and great area

Guest Sara
Date of stay 11/03/12
Review Submitted 11/13/12

This condo is very spacious, clean, and beautifully decorated. It had plenty of room for our four adult party. The balcony was nice to sit on in the mornings to watch the birds (including some that landed right on the railing). The pool was magnificent and we were the only ones to use it each day. The views are breathtaking and we felt very safe at all times. The area is great with friendly people. We had some amazing meals at Lola's Norte, the Shack, Maxwells, and our favorite Sol y Mar (ate there 3 times...the grilled mahi is delicious). We loved the fresh fruit stand nearby as well. There were lots of monkeys right across the road as well as beautiful beaches within walking distance. We rented a boogie board one day which was fun. We also drove to the Cortez waterfall and hiked through Rincon de la Viaje....amazing! We would love to rent this condo again...or even move to this area if possible. The owner was wonderful in getting everything set up and we just had a wonderful time. I would not hesitate recommending this place in the least. Be sure to rent a 4X4 though :)

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

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Adventure and Romance

Guest lorip
Date of stay 02/11/12
Review Submitted 02/20/12

We recently returned from Villas Catalina and can't wait to for our next trip. The home and view is BEAUTIFUL! Very comfortable and accommodating with all the amenities. Mark was extremely helpful sending all the directions and suggestions, as was Greg and Jimmy. Had a great time at the Shack and La Perla! Took a wonderful sailing and snorkeling excursion on the Hibiscus, with the sunset ending the adventure. Hoping to return someday! Would recommend this property to those just wishing to relax, or the adventurous. Thanks again...

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

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Excellent Vacation!!

Guest Ignacio
Date of stay 12/26/11
Review Submitted 01/03/12

Huge nice House! Nice view of the ocean, good security, amazing pool, the house got everything youll need, The owners are good people to make business with, just steps away from some nices beaches, highly recomended!

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

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Great Location; Great Value

Guest Larry & Amy
Date of stay 11/20/11
Review Submitted 12/10/11

This property was as wonderful as described and depicted in the advertisements. The owner and the on-site management company was informed and responsive in every way, especially Gregory, who checked on our auto reservations, helped set us up with tours and any other service requested. Prior to our arrival, Mark, the owner, contacted us several times and sent us both general information on the Gold Cost and the property; after we returned home, he personally telephoned us to get our opinions on everything. To reach the property one should fly into Liberia and rent a vehical to take a drive of slightly over an hour. The property itself was completely safe, impeccably clean, very comfortable, and well-maintained. My wife, a chef, used the kitchen to prepare ceviche and other local-style meals; all appliances worked well, including the large TV. ESPN is available in both Spanish and English for the sports fan. The furnishings were above average and comfy. Our single plumbing issue was addressed within minutes. Maid service was provided twice during our one-week stay, and was done with artistic flair in terms of arranging towels and bedding...a nice touch. Situated on a west-facing hillside above the jungle tree line, we experienced spectacular sunsets from the master and living room windows, as well as from the hilltop infinity and jetted dipping pools. We could walk to a very clean (Blue Flag) and largely people-free Playa Penca in 5 minutes or less. Beautiful birds abound and will wake you up in the morning so you won't have to miss any of the local ambience. Regarding nearby services, there is a bank about 5-10 minutes away by car; and it is about 10-12 minutes to Flamingo with a number of restaurants. The restaurant at the Sugar Beach hotel (about 10 minutes by car in the other direction) became one of our favorites. Closer, we also enjoyed the newly re-opened Shack, en route from Flamingo, but nearby. There are also a number of Mom-and Pop cafes/pubs within a five to ten minute walk. Atmosphere is often decidely local and informal, and the food simple but good...what Costa Rica is all about. Mark's map (sent via email ahead of time) depicts them and where they are. We would highly recommend this property to friends and relatives as a clean and safe place to stay while visiting Costa Rica's gold coast, and would be inclined to stay there again on a return visit.

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, families with young children, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

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PARADISE FOUND!

Guest Bob and Jolene
Date of stay 06/25/11
Review Submitted 07/31/11

This is a great place to stay! The townhouse is truly beautiful! Very spacious with designer décor throughout, a fully equipped kitchen and the view from the upstairs balcony, which overlooks the Pacific Ocean and Catalina Islands, is breathtaking. We often saw and heard Howler monkeys and a variety of beautiful birds. One of my favorites is the Magpie-Jay. Every morning while sitting on the balcony admiring the view, we’d place bread crumbs on the railing and watch them retrieve each one right in front of us. The infinity pool is a short walk up the hill at a higher elevation. The views from the pool, in any direction, were incredible. This is a gated, very secure and well-managed community with a guard at the gate 24/7. We loved the location, which is surrounded by some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. We were usually the only ones on the beach. We visited Playa Penca, Playa Prieta, Playa Danta and our favorite - - Sugar Beach. Mark and Susan’s tip sheet “Costa Rica Travel Information,” which provided information on car rental, things to bring, grocery stores, restaurants, beaches, directions from the Liberia Airport and contact numbers was a huge help. The townhouse is managed by Special Places, which is located in Flamingo/Potrero. They were wonderful. They have a large array of services, which include a variety of day tours. A binder containing all of their services is located in the townhouse. Our wonderful tour guide, Alec, took us on the Buena Vista Adventure tour. We had a great time, which included a water slide through the jungle, horseback riding, hot springs & spa and, of course, a zip line canopy tour! We’re already planning on going back next year. We can’t wait! Pura Vida!

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

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Home away from home!

Guest Christina
Date of stay 06/04/11
Review Submitted 06/16/11

Our week stay at this wonderful townhouse was absolutely amazing!! The photos of the townhouse do not do it justice one bit. My parents and I felt right at home. The beach is just a short walk from the townhouse, it’s very secluded and not nearly as busy as the beach in Playa Flamingo. During our stay we enjoyed delicious meals at some of the local restaurants, our favorites were- Sugar Beach Hotel, Mar y Sol, The Shack and Marie’s. Mark was very helpful and provided us with a map of some local restaurants/bars and grocery story. Special Places, the concierge service, were also very helpful. They showed us to our townhouse when we first arrived and booked our snorkeling and sailing expedition with the Lazy Lizard, which was so much fun. The townhouse provided us with amazing views of the ocean, our fair share of bird watching and beautiful sounds of the howler monkeys. We hope to return to this amazing townhome and country in the future!

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

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A Hidden Jewel in Guanacaste

Guest Fred
Date of stay 04/20/11
Review Submitted 04/27/11

I stayed at this townhouse 3 nights. The location is fantastic and the view of the ocean from the infinity pool is simply breathtaking. The house is beautiful, and the 24hr gated security is a definite plus. The place was spotless and the convenience of a fully equipped kitchen was a big money-saver, but at the same time there are many nice restaurants nearby. La Penca beach is at walking distance from the house, and the other beaches are just a few minutes drive. I recommend Playa Conchal and Playa Blanca, both white sand beaches. Mark, the owner, was extremely helpful and the local property managers are very nice. I simply had the best time there. Thanks!

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

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Absolutely Breathtaking!

Guest Nancy
Date of stay 03/19/11
Review Submitted 03/29/11

We spent our spring break in this beautiful and well appointed home in Costa Rica. The photos are great, but don't even do it justice. Even more impressive in person. The view from the infinity pool overlooks the Pacific ocean, a beautiful bay, trees, exotic birds and an occasional sailboat. We felt like we were in paradise at this pool. It had lots of privacy and often we were the only ones using it. Also a nice spot for shade near the pool. The teenage boys could easily walk to the beach just across the road. Lots of wonderful restaurants nearby - fresh seafood and fresh mangoes, papayas, plantains everywhere we went. We went on relaxing sunset sail with snorkeling, deep sea fishing, zip lining, tubing down a river/gorge, and did a little local shopping in nearby Tamarindo. The owner was extremely helpful in making recommendations, providing all the maps, local grocery stories, restaurants, etc. we needed. Also - a wonderful bonus was the concierge that goes with this property from Special Places in Costa Rica. Just call them and they can make recommendations and set up all your activities. There was a 'human error' issue with the safe which involved me locking my purse inside without a code -- we called and they were out to save me PRONTO. Extremely upscape and very well maintained property. My son is already asking when we can go back!

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

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At Home in Paradise

Guest Loretta
Date of stay 01/15/11
Review Submitted 02/02/11

We just returned from a relaxing week at this lovely townhome in Potrero, Costa Rica. We felt very lucky to have found such a spacious and comfortable place to base our beach adventures from. Mark and Susan were very helpful in sending us information about the drive and location as well as recommendations that all panned out, so we felt safe and comfortable from the start. The beach communities are filled with good restaurants and it is easy to get around, both up and down the coast. Playa Prieta was our favorite beach and an easy walk across the street from the townhouse. You just can't beat the location - ocean view, great beach, beautiful birds, friendly people, this place has it all. We've told all our friends about it and hope to return again and again.

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

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Great Place to Stay

Guest jbmccoy
Date of stay 07/10/10
Review Submitted 10/12/10

Our family stayed at this beautiful townhome in July. We loved it and would recommend it to anyone. Upon checking in, someone from the management company showed us the way to the townhome by having us follow him while he pointed out grocery and restaurant locations along the way. Flamingo/Potrero is a quiet area and the local people were friendly and easy going. The home is fully stocked and has everything you need. It’s very bright, clean, and beautiful. Mark and Susan are very helpful and just a phone call away if you need anything. The views from the pool deck were amazing. When we were there, the weather was great. We would come back “home” in the evenings, sit on the balcony and listen to the ocean waves, monkeys howling and playing in the trees, and watch the colorful birds. There was a place to rent kayaks right along the path to the beach. Witches Rock Canopy Tours was an easy drive and was so much fun. Ziplining next to a waterfall, a family of wild monkeys, and through mountains with ocean views. The office has an interesting wall of pictures of celebrites ziplining there. Several good restaurants are also within the area. The management company also set us up for a private fishing trip on the last day. This is truly a relaxing vacation spot, but the management company has plenty of activities to choose from as well.

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

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Simply Stunning

Guest Bella
Date of stay 05/29/10
Review Submitted 09/01/10

My stay at Villa Catalina was outstanding. This area of Costa Rica is the perfect place to vacation if rest, relaxation and quiet time are what you seek. For those with a romantic side, this place could not be more perfect to spend time with that someone special. This town home is perfectly situated close to the beach, very beautiful, comfortably furnished and secure. The grounds are meticulously landscaped and attended to very well. The bedrooms are spacious and nicely decorated. The upper patio is a great place to enjoy a morning cup of coffee while watching all the colorful bird activity or in the evening while sipping a cocktail as the peaceful rain sets in for a bit. The split level of this home makes it nice for those who travel with friends or family. The beach access is a real plus because you can walk to and from with ease. Black and brilliant sand sparkle on the secluded shoreline of the beach and the ocean water is simply dazzling. There are many great restaurants in the area and shopping is a short car ride away. I was so happy with my stay in 2009 that I returned to this town home in June, 2010.

Recommended for: Romantic getaway

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The best!

Guest Fred & Amy
Date of stay 02/27/10
Review Submitted 06/03/10

A very special place. The beaches, the pool up high with the view, the many beautiful birds. The gated community made us feel very well taken care of. The place its self is fabulous!

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

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My 12th trip to Costa Rica, and I LOVED THIS PLACE

Guest Uncle Phil
Date of stay 12/19/09
Review Submitted 07/27/10

This very comfortably furnished townhome near Portrero is just enough off the beaten path for visitors to experience the "real" Costa Rica, and, at the same time have a great and secure base for their activities. Close by are magnificent beaches, deep sea fishing, four-wheel offroading, and one of the best zipline canopy tours in the whole country. I loved having my cup of Costa Rican coffee out on the veranda each morning while looking at the tiny islands that dot the horizon of the blue Pacific. Talk about relaxing! Beautiful Playa Flamingo with it's fine dining and old world charm is visible just 5 miles to the south. There are plenty of funky-cool beach restaurants and bars to enjoy casual dining and an awesome sunset along the way. The view from the infinity pool at the top of the townhome complex is breathtaking, and I recommend it highly for sunbathing, afternoon cocktails, and especially, evening stargazing. I'd also suggest stocking up on groceries and supplies at AutoMercado, an upscale, modern supermarket with locations nearby in Playa Coco (north) and Playa Tamarindo (south). Mark and Susan worked with me on my dates and rates, and they have a wealth of knowledge about fun activities and dining in the area. Their location is "muy hermosa y tranquillo" and is an easy drive of a little more than an hour from the airport in Liberia (LIR). I hope to return there soon. Pura Vida!

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

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Paradise in November...Fantastic Romantic Getaway.....we never wanted to leave!!!

Guest Bill & Joy
Date of stay 11/07/09
Review Submitted 07/28/10

Amazing property! Fantastic location! Walking distance to a beautiful secluded beach....Pure Heaven!! The accommodations are extremely beautiful, comfortable, spacious and clean. 24 hour security with a secured gate. Conveniently located to all area beaches, attractions and shopping. The local restaurants are great and the locals are extremely friendly and are always eager to meet your every need. The owners are very pleasant and a delight to work with as are the Property managers....they are just a phone call away and are quick to resolve any concerns that you may have. The views from every window and the private patio give you a full view of the ocean with a breathtaking backdrop of fauna!! Truly a one of a kind location!! If you love gorgeous sunrises, sunsets, secluded beaches, poolside barbecues, then this is the place for you! Great activities all around you at this centrally located haven including, ocean kayaking, fishing, snorkeling, hiking, zip lines and nature trails. We highly recommend this property for both couples and family's...something for everyone! The owners are easy to contact and eager to make you a deal!!

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

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Vacation Rentals by Owner

Ocean View-Upscale Home in Exclusive Gated Community [#305804] | View Property

Traveler Reviews (18)

Fantastic Stay!

Fantastic Stay!

Great Condo!

Great Condo!

Amazing!

Amazing!

Stunning!

Stunning!

Beautiful Condo and great area

Beautiful Condo and great area

Adventure and Romance

Adventure and Romance

Excellent Vacation!!

Excellent Vacation!!

Great Location; Great Value

Great Location; Great Value

PARADISE FOUND!

PARADISE FOUND!

Home away from home!

Home away from home!

A Hidden Jewel in Guanacaste

A Hidden Jewel in Guanacaste

Absolutely Breathtaking!

Absolutely Breathtaking!

At Home in Paradise

At Home in Paradise

Great Place to Stay

Great Place to Stay

Simply Stunning

Simply Stunning

The best!

The best!

My 12th trip to Costa Rica, and I LOVED THIS PLACE

My 12th trip to Costa Rica, and I LOVED THIS PLACE

Paradise in November...Fantastic Romantic Getaway.....we never wanted to leave!!!

Paradise in November...Fantastic Romantic Getaway.....we never wanted to leave!!!