Reviews for Malpais Vacation Rental - VRBO 322363ha - 1 BR Malpais Area Cabin in Costa Rica, A Cozy Romantic Tree House with Pool & Only 3 Min. Walk to Beach!

Awesome adventure!

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Awesome adventure!

Guest Alli N.
Date of stay 10/11/12
Review Submitted 11/18/12

Submitted: Oct 22, 2012 We loved the tree house! It has hot water AND WIFI, two things you wont find in most homes in Costa Rica. The owner did a good job of constructing it and maintaining the true "tree house" feel. The back porch is great, we sat out there for hours at a time. The owner was very friendly and allowed us to use the pool whenever we wanted. The only negative thing I can say is if you are a light sleeper bring ear plugs, the monkeys make alot of noise at night (but that should be expected I guess!) We will return next time we visit the Mal Pais area :)

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Awesome adventure!

Guest Lisa R.
Date of stay 10/11/12
Review Submitted 10/22/12

We loved the tree house! It has hot water AND WIFI, two things you wont find in most homes in Costa Rica. The owner did a good job of constructing it and maintaining the true "tree house" feel. The back porch is great, we sat out there for hours at a time. The owner was very friendly and allowed us to use the pool whenever we wanted. The only negative thing I can say is if you are a light sleeper bring ear plugs, the monkeys make alot of noise at night (but that should be expected I guess!) We will return next time we visit the Mal Pais area :)

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The name Playa Selva "Beach Jungle" hits the spot.

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The name Playa Selva "Beach Jungle" hits the spot.

Guest Travis B.
Date of stay 03/25/12
Review Submitted 11/18/12

Submitted: 4/2/12 Rated: 5/5 What a great adventure. This was exactly what we expected and hoped for. Kurt and Tiffany are great hostess. We had a family of about 30 Howler Monkies in our tree and around every morning. I recommend this place for someone looking for adventure and enjoys getting out and and exploring during the day. Having some sort of vehicle is ideal because it is a little way to the "X" where most of the town and amenities are. Quads where $75 a day and a Little 4X4 Susuki Sidekick was $85 in Mal Pais. By Travisab from 33388 on 4/2/2012 for a stay in 3/2012 What I liked best about this accommodation: The adventure Additional details about me: My age: 25-34 I Recommend This For: "Absolutely, I would recommend this accommodation to my best friend!"

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The name Playa Selva "Beach Jungle" hits the spot.

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The name Playa Selva "Beach Jungle" hits the spot.

Guest Travis B.
Date of stay 03/25/12
Review Submitted 11/18/12

What a great adventure. This was exactly what we expected and hoped for. Kurt and Tiffany are great hostess. We had a family of about 30 Howler Monkies in our tree and around every morning. I recommend this place for someone looking for adventure and enjoys getting out and and exploring during the day. Having some sort of vehicle is ideal because it is a little way to the "X" where most of the town and amenities are. Quads where $75 a day and a Little 4X4 Susuki Sidekick was $85 in Mal Pais. By Travisab from 33388 on 4/2/2012 for a stay in 3/2012 What I liked best about this accommodation: The adventure Additional details about me: My age: 25-34 I Recommend This For: "Absolutely, I would recommend this accommodation to my best friend!"

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

Great Tree House!

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Great Tree House!

Guest Jean Z.
Date of stay 03/04/12
Review Submitted 11/18/12

The treehouse is amazing. On our arrival Tiffany had decorated the tree house and the bed with beautiful flowers which made us feel so welcome! It is very comfortable and has everything you need to have a relaxing vacation. The howler monkeys come through the trees very near the deck and the birds are beautiful, a real Costa Rica experience. The pool is constructed with natural stone and feels like a jungle pool. There is a path to the beach right across the road for a 5 minute walk to a paradise where were often the only ones on the beach. Tiffany and Kurt assure that you have a great stay and if you have a chance, go sailing with them--it is so much fun! The nearest ATM is a 45 minute walk on a dusty dirt road but you will also find a well stocked grocery store and a wondrous bakery that becomes addicting. You call always call a taxi which only runs about $3 each way. There is a very good restaurant and a mini market about a 10 minute walk away too. While we were there we experienced a lot of noise from construction of a new house on the property. Kurt arranged for us to use the pool at a very nearby resort to be away from the noise. The house is almost finished so it shouldn't be an issue for future stays. Despite the construction noise it was a very special and wonderful experience, one we will always remember! Recommended for: Adventure Seekers

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Great Tree House

Guest Adventure Seeker
Date of stay 03/04/12
Review Submitted 04/06/12

The treehouse is amazing. On our arrival Tiffany had decorated the tree house and the bed with beautiful flowers which made us feel so welcome! It is very comfortable and has everything you need to have a relaxing vacation. The howler monkeys come through the trees very near the deck and the birds are beautiful, a real Costa Rica experience. The pool is constructed with natural stone and feels like a jungle pool. There is a path to the beach right across the road for a 5 minute walk to a paradise where were often the only ones on the beach. Tiffany and Kurt and Lynn assure that you have a great stay and if you have a chance, go sailing with them--it is so much fun! The nearest ATM is a 45 minute walk on a dusty dirt road but you will also find a well stocked grocery store and a wondrous bakery that becomes addicting. You call always call a taxi which only runs about $3 each way. There is a very good restaurant and a mini market about a 10 minute walk away too. While we were there we experienced a lot of noise from construction of a new house on the property. Kurt arranged for us to use the pool at a very nearby resort to be away from the noise. The house is almost finished so it shouldn't be an issue for future stays. Despite the construction noise it was a very special and wonderful experience, one we will always remember!

Recommended for: Adventure seekers

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

Incredible!

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Incredible!

Guest Whitney & Mark
Date of stay 11/05/11
Review Submitted 11/18/12

Tiffany and Kurt are wonderful! And the treehouse is more than you can imagine. Clean, roomy, natural - truly a unique experience. There are wonderful little touches everywhere from incense, coffee, to water all around the treehouse. My husband and I had plenty of room and enjoyed the walk to the beach and town. The monkeys were spectacular, loved having coffee on the deck in the mornings! We would recommend having transportation (bike, four wheeler, car) because this is a nice, quiet distance away from town. We felt very safe the entire stay and sincerely enjoyed our nights here. We'd recommend it, no question!

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Incredible!

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Incredible!

Guest Whitney & Mark
Date of stay 11/05/11
Review Submitted 02/05/12

Tiffany and Kurt are wonderful! And the treehouse is more than you can imagine. Clean, roomy, natural - truly a unique experience. There are wonderful little touches everywhere from incense, coffee, to water all around the treehouse. My husband and I had plenty of room and enjoyed the walk to the beach and town. The monkeys were spectacular, loved having coffee on the deck in the mornings! We would recommend having transportation (bike, four wheeler, car) because this is a nice, quiet distance away from town. We felt very safe the entire stay and sincerely enjoyed our nights here. We'd recommend it, no question!

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

Best Place to Stay in Costa Rica

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Best Place to Stay in Costa Rica

Guest Katie
Date of stay 03/17/11
Review Submitted 03/30/11

Guest: Katie (Iowa) Review Submitted: March 22, 2011 Date of Stay: March 2011 Rating:5 out of 5 I fell in love with the tree house!!! Everything about it was amazing; the lush scenery, the relaxing pool, the private path to a beautiful secluded beach, the surrounding restaurants and sites....Tiff and Kurt were very hospitable. They do a great job of making you feel welcomed. I would recommend this place to anyone! It was such a fun stay! Recommended for: Age 55+, Pet-friendly, Adventure Seekers, Girls Getaway, Tourists without a Car, Sightseeing, Families with Teenagers, Romantic Getaway

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

Best Place to Stay in Costa Rica

Guest Katie
Date of stay 03/17/11
Review Submitted 03/22/11

I fell in love with the tree house!!! Everything about it was amazing; the lush scenery, the relaxing pool, the private path to a beautiful secluded beach, the surrounding restaurants and sites....Tiff and Kurt were very hospitable. They do a great job of making you feel welcomed. I would recommend this place to anyone! It was such a fun stay!

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

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 5/5

The Best of Mal Pais

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The Best of Mal Pais

Guest Annie
Date of stay 03/03/11
Review Submitted 03/30/11

"The best of Mal Pais" Submitted by: Annie (NYC) Review Submitted: March 8, 2011 Date of Stay: March 2011 Rating: 5 out of 5 I can honestly say that I was almost sadder to leave Playa Selva, than Costa Rica. The tree house was beautifully designed and built by one of the owners, who, I might add are kind, fun and very hospitable hosts. I was lucky enough to take advantage of one of their sailboat tours on my last day in Mal Pais--which was filled with beautiful weather and winds, a great crew and a mother-baby whale sighting! After talking with friends, I am certain that Playa Selva really gives you an experience unmatched to other places in Mal Pais and Santa Teresa. You get privacy, security, beautiful surroundings, great accommodations, comfortable lodging and easy access to beautiful beaches, great local restaurants and other hidden gems. I will absolutely be back! Recommended for: Adventure Seekers, Girls Getaway, Tourists without a Car, Sightseeing, Romantic Getaway

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The best of Mal Pais

Guest Annie
Date of stay 03/03/11
Review Submitted 03/08/11

I can honestly say that I was almost sadder to leave Playa Selva, than Costa Rica. The tree house was beautifully designed and built by one of the owners, who, I might add are kind, fun and very hospitable hosts. I was lucky enough to take advantage of one of their sailboat tours on my last day in Mal Pais--which was filled with beautiful weather and winds, a great crew and a mother-baby whale sighting! After talking with friends, I am certain that Playa Selva really gives you an experience unmatched to other places in Mal Pais and Santa Teresa. You get privacy, security, beautiful surroundings, great accommodations, comfortable lodging and easy access to beautiful beaches, great local restaurants and other hidden gems. I will absolutely be back!

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

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 5/6

Quirky, Eclectic & Awesome!

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Quirky, Eclectic & Awesome!

Guest Joel (Brooklyn)
Date of stay 01/21/11
Review Submitted 02/05/12

My Fiancee surprised me with a 3 hour tour on Kurt & Tiffany's sailboat, and over the course of the trip, they mentioned how they built a one-of-a-kind tree-house on their property and rent it to vacationers. We absolutely love unique experiences (I mean, how often can you say you've spent the night in a treehouse??) and the treehouse sounded too good to be true. While they wanted us to check the treehouse out beforehand to make sure it was up our alley, we could tell the place would be perfect for us...especially after listening to Kurt passionately describe how he designed and fabricated the fully electric/plumbed, hand-made living space. We arrived a few days later and were absolutely blown away. We've never seen anything like it: think Swiss Family Robinson meets Manhattan's West Village meets a Rube Goldberg machine. Lush, tropical plants surrounding a cozy, studio-sized apartment nestled within a massive tree 15 feet above the ground. The craftsmanship of the house is stunning, and the setting is spectacular. The furnishings and fixtures within are handmade with such beauty and precision, I began to feel bad about myself. At night, we'd dim the lamps and light candles they'd left for us and sit on the porch over a glass of rum. Sleeping was really comfortable...the ocean breeze would drift through the screened in house keeping the place at a nice temperature. And most mornings involved monkeys and red squirrels scooting around the trees, with birds of all sorts perched on the porch railing. I guess if you're looking for the typical hotel experience with a bar, A/C, tv and concierge, this ain't for you. We came to Mal Pais from NYC to get away from the bustle and the treehouse was absolutely perfect for us. If you're at all intrigued by creative living spaces with depth and character, you'll love it. Kurt and Tiffany are extra friendly and welcoming, and made us feel at home...in a tree.

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

Quirky, Eclectic, & Awesome

Guest joel
Date of stay 01/21/11
Review Submitted 02/07/11

My Fiancee surprised me with a 3 hour tour on Kurt & Tiffany's sailboat, and over the course of the trip, they mentioned how they built a one-of-a-kind tree-house on their property and rent it to vacationers. We absolutely love unique experiences (I mean, how often can you say you've spent the night in a treehouse??) and the treehouse sounded too good to be true. While they wanted us to check the treehouse out beforehand to make sure it was up our alley, we could tell the place would be perfect for us...especially after listening to Kurt passionately describe how he designed and fabricated the fully electric/plumbed, hand-made living space. We arrived a few days later and were absolutely blown away. We've never seen anything like it: think Swiss Family Robinson meets Manhattan's West Village meets a Rube Goldberg machine. Lush, tropical plants surrounding a cozy, studio-sized apartment nestled within a massive tree 15 feet above the ground. The craftsmanship of the house is stunning, and the setting is spectacular. The furnishings and fixtures within are handmade with such beauty and precision, I began to feel bad about myself. At night, we'd dim the lamps and light candles they'd left for us and sit on the porch over a glass of rum. Sleeping was really comfortable...the ocean breeze would drift through the screened in house keeping the place at a nice temperature. And most mornings involved monkeys and red squirrels scooting around the trees, with birds of all sorts perched on the porch railing. I guess if you're looking for the typical hotel experience with a bar, A/C, tv and concierge, this ain't for you. We came to Mal Pais from NYC to get away from the bustle and the treehouse was absolutely perfect for us. If you're at all intrigued by creative living spaces with depth and character, you'll love it. Kurt and Tiffany are extra friendly and welcoming, and made us feel at home...in a tree.

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, romantic getaway.

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

Highlight of our Trip!

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Highlight of our Trip!

Guest Hunter
Date of stay 12/27/10
Review Submitted 02/18/11

Highlight of our Trip!! Guest: Hunter(Los Angeles, CA) Date of Stay: 12/27/10 Review Submitted: 02/03/11 Spending two amazing weeks traveling all around Costa Rica, I can truly say that our stay in Mal Pais at this unique Tree House put the icing on the cake. We were actually recommended it from a good friend who had stay in the tree house for a month. I'll be the first to recommend it to anyone else looking for something unique to write home about. The tree house is one of a kind. It has everything you would need in it (kitchen, bathroom, shower, hot water, coffee maker, porch with dining table,..) It was like staying in the house from Swiss Family Robinson. Everything is custom and we could definately tell that some serious love went in to designing and constructing it. There is even a framed sketch hanging on the wall that the owner drew while sitting in the tree for hours thinking about what the design should be. Amazing!! Tiffany and Kurt, the owners and builders, were awesome. I'm an architect/builder as well, so spent two hours talking to them about the tree house and some other creative projects that they have going on. Really inspiring. They invited us out on their boat for a sail and also sent us over to a friend's up the street to rent his quad for a day. Definitely felt welcomed. I just wish we had had more time to stay with them. Next time we're in Costa, we are heading straight to Mal Pais and this amazing Tree House. Recommended for: Adventure seekers, sightseeing, romantic getaway.

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 7/7

Highlight of our Trip!!

Guest Hunter
Date of stay 12/27/10
Review Submitted 02/03/11

Spending two amazing weeks traveling all around Costa Rica, I can truly say that our stay in Mal Pais at this unique Tree House put the icing on the cake. We were actually recommended it from a good friend who had stay in the tree house for a month. I'll be the first to recommend it to anyone else looking for something unique to write home about. The tree house is one of a kind. It has everything you would need in it (kitchen, bathroom, shower, hot water, coffee maker, porch with dining table,..) It was like staying in the house from Swiss Family Robinson. Everything is custom and we could definately tell that some serious love went in to designing and constructing it. There is even a framed sketch hanging on the wall that the owner drew while sitting in the tree for hours thinking about what the design should be. Amazing!! Tiffany and Kurt, the owners and builders, were awesome. I'm an architect/builder as well, so spent two hours talking to them about the tree house and some other creative projects that they have going on. Really inspiring. They invited us out on their boat for a sail and also sent us over to a friend's up the street to rent his quad for a day. Definitely felt welcomed. I just wish we had had more time to stay with them. Next time we're in Costa, we are heading straight to Mal Pais and this amazing Tree House.

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

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

A Romantic Treehouse in Costa Rica!

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A Romantic Treehouse in Costa Rica!

Guest A Quinn
Date of stay 11/10/10
Review Submitted 11/18/12

Submitted: Jan 30, 2011 This place was was Awesome and was by far the highlight of my trip!! I went to Costa Rica with my girlfriend in November and visited La Fortuna (staying in the renown Tabacon resort and Hot Springs) as well as Monteverde but this beautiful tree house in the small but growing surf town of Mal Pais was the nicest, most romantic, and coolest place we stayed. It may be the coolest place I have ever stayed in on any trip! It is a real tree house but with amenities that weren't always available at some of the other places we stayed such as hot water, kitchen, bathroom with a spacious shower with a great view of the canopy around you and electricity. The owners, Kurt and Tiffany live nearby and kept the place stocked with a large jug of bottled water, coffee and cleaning supplies. They were super friendly and generous letting us use their phone when we wanted to book a horseback riding trip and gave was loads of valuable info about the area. The place was actually one of the least expensive rooms we stayed in on our trip and surprisingly for a tree house, was cleaner and with fewer bugs than some of the more expensive places. It's located a short walk from the main drag of Mal Pais but if you want a delicious meal, try walking the opposite way up the road to a place called Mary's. It was soooooo good! You climb up the tree house through the bottom using fairly easy steps. When you enter it the first thing you realize is how big and spacious it is. The large bed is in the center of the room with a mosquito net around it (which we used the first night but quickly realized to our astonishment that it was not necessary). The kitchen is part of the main room and has everything you would need including a small fridge but with all the great dining options around you may only be using this for beer. The bathroom was big clean and the water was hot with REAL hot water and not one of those crazy and dangerous shower heads that heats the water above your head with electricity (we paid more for a room elsewhere and got one of these scary showers that don't even work well). The whole house has a panoramic view of the area with screens covering the windows. With so many windows you'd think you'd feel exposed or something but with the all the leaves of the trees around and being above the ground, you light

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

A romantic treehouse in Costa Rica!

Guest aquinn
Date of stay 11/10/10
Review Submitted 01/30/11

This place was was Awesome and was by far the highlight of my trip!! I went to Costa Rica with my girlfriend in November and visited La Fortuna (staying in the renown Tabacon resort and Hot Springs) as well as Monteverde but this beautiful tree house in the small but growing surf town of Mal Pais was the nicest, most romantic, and coolest place we stayed. It may be the coolest place I have ever stayed in on any trip! It is a real tree house but with amenities that weren't always available at some of the other places we stayed such as hot water, kitchen, bathroom with a spacious shower with a great view of the canopy around you and electricity. The owners, Kurt and Tiffany live nearby and kept the place stocked with a large jug of bottled water, coffee and cleaning supplies. They were super friendly and generous letting us use their phone when we wanted to book a horseback riding trip and gave was loads of valuable info about the area. The place was actually one of the least expensive rooms we stayed in on our trip and surprisingly for a tree house, was cleaner and with fewer bugs than some of the more expensive places. It's located a short walk from the main drag of Mal Pais but if you want a delicious meal, try walking the opposite way up the road to a place called Mary's. It was soooooo good! You climb up the tree house through the bottom using fairly easy steps. When you enter it the first thing you realize is how big and spacious it is. The large bed is in the center of the room with a mosquito net around it (which we used the first night but quickly realized to our astonishment that it was not necessary). The kitchen is part of the main room and has everything you would need including a small fridge but with all the great dining options around you may only be using this for beer. The bathroom was big clean and the water was hot with REAL hot water and not one of those crazy and dangerous shower heads that heats the water above your head with electricity (we paid more for a room elsewhere and got one of these scary showers that don't even work well). The whole house has a panoramic view of the area with screens covering the windows. With so many windows you'd think you'd feel exposed or something but with the all the leaves of the trees around and being above the ground, you light a couple of candles and this tree house becomes the most private, romantic place you will ever stay! My girlfriend and I stayed here the last couple of days of our trip w

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

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

What a Blast!

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What a Blast!

Guest Sam
Date of stay 12/24/09
Review Submitted 08/11/10

We had a blast in Mal Pais. The tree house was great! And the owner's were super friendly. The listing description was accurate. The photo's accurately reflected the rental's appearance and amenities (a few more might be nice). The property was clean and well maintained. The owner's were super helpful in answering questions or concerns. I would definately recommend this property to a friend or relative. I would recommend the beach for surfing and tide pool exploring, Mary's restaurant for dinner and just enjoying a nice cup of tea out on the cute sitting area of the tree house in the morning while reading a book. We recommend it to anyone looking for a fun time with cool people in a unique environment (staying in a tree house is a kick). Can't wait to go back ! Sincerely, Sam and Anoly

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 11/12

Playa Selva Tree House

Guest Sam and Anoly
Date of stay 12/24/09
Review Submitted 04/05/10

We had a blast in Mal Pais. The tree house was great! And the owner's were super friendly. The listing description was accurate. The photo's accurately reflected the rental's appearance and amenities (a few more might be nice). The property was clean and well maintained. The owner's were super helpful in answering questions or concerns. I would definately recommend this property to a friend or relative. I would recommend the beach for surfing and tide pool exploring, Mary's restaurant for dinner and just enjoying a nice cup of tea out on the cute sitting area of the tree house in the morning while reading a book. We recommend it to anyone looking for a fun time with cool people in a unique environment (staying in a tree house is a kick). Can't wait to go back ! Sincerely, Sam and Anoly

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 9/9

Vacation Rentals by Owner

A Cozy Romantic Tree House with Pool & Only 3 Min. Walk to Beach! [#322363ha] | View Property

Traveler Reviews (20)

Awesome adventure!

Awesome adventure!

Awesome adventure!

Awesome adventure!

The name Playa Selva "Beach Jungle" hits the spot.

The name Playa Selva "Beach Jungle" hits the spot.

The name Playa Selva "Beach Jungle" hits the spot.

The name Playa Selva "Beach Jungle" hits the spot.

Great Tree House!

Great Tree House!

Great Tree House

Great Tree House

Incredible!

Incredible!

Incredible!

Incredible!

Best Place to Stay in Costa Rica

Best Place to Stay in Costa Rica

Best Place to Stay in Costa Rica

Best Place to Stay in Costa Rica

The Best of Mal Pais

The Best of Mal Pais

The best of Mal Pais

The best of Mal Pais

Quirky, Eclectic & Awesome!

Quirky, Eclectic & Awesome!

Quirky, Eclectic, & Awesome

Quirky, Eclectic, & Awesome

Highlight of our Trip!

Highlight of our Trip!

Highlight of our Trip!!

Highlight of our Trip!!

A Romantic Treehouse in Costa Rica!

A Romantic Treehouse in Costa Rica!

A romantic treehouse in Costa Rica!

A romantic treehouse in Costa Rica!

What a Blast!

What a Blast!

Playa Selva Tree House

Playa Selva Tree House