Reviews for La Fortuna Vacation Rental - VRBO 323570 - 2 BR Alajuela Villa in Costa Rica, Private Villa in Horse Ranch Outside of La Fortuna

Amazing Place to Visit

Guest Allison H.
Date of stay 03/23/13
Review Submitted 04/09/13

This was our family's second visit to the Ranch. We didn't think we could top last year but with Estaban's assistance it was another amazing visit. This property is about so much more than the villa which is wonderful. Staying on the ranch is about experiencing Costa Rica with people who live there and love it! Esteban arranged everything for us. We were picked up at the airport and transported to the ranch. Our driver even stopped at a grocery store on the way! Our rental car was delivered to the villa and it was a very relaxing transaction. This year our adventures included a horseback ride (best horses I have ever ridden), river rafting, a visit to a special private frog farm and an ATV adventure to a local hot springs. Our bi-lingual guide Jonathon was like family by the end of the week and we enjoyed his company very much. Our three children (11 year old triplets) love the freedom and fun that staying on the ranch offers them. The villa is very comfortable and beautiful. Very nice to return to after a day of adventuring. The pool is large and very nice. If you want to experience something very special and unique in Costa Rica this wonderful place is where you need to be. I wish we could give it a 10 star rating. Thanks for everything Esteban! We will return soon.

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

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

“Pure Pura Vida!”

Guest Mike
Date of stay 03/20/13
Review Submitted 03/29/13

Luck was on our side when we found Esteban’s property. The ranch – WOW!!!! The home we stayed in was spacious and luxurious. Decorated throughout with beautiful art, furniture was authentic Costa Rican, beautiful flower arrangements throughout, spacious bathroom with a sunken tub surrounded by windows, a large bedroom with a comfy bed and the kitchen had everything you could possibly need including the daily cleaning service. The ranch is so peaceful; we enjoyed the view watching the horses while swinging in the hammock. The maintenance of this property is unbelievable - the grounds were immaculate, the flowers beautiful, the stables extremely clean and the pool sparkled in the sun along with the Jacuzzi! Jonathan (our private tour guide) took us out for a ride on the ATV’s through the mountains which showed us overwhelming views. We had a few pit stops – one to swim in a river to cool down and then ending the night to relax in the beautiful hot springs which was a fantastic experience. The best part of our stay was the hot air balloon ride that we took on our 5th wedding anniversary. We were very nervous but Esteban was an awesome operator/owner that went out of his way to make us feel safe. Unfortunately for us there was only a 3 night opening at the Ranch during our 2 weeks in Costa Rica. Esteban was a blessing as he went above and beyond reserving all of our other accommodations and booking our rental vehicle. He truely made our vacation extremely exceptional sending us on some great adventures, not touristy at all and sending us to locations that were completely gorgeous. If we could say anything about Esteban, he is an honest, trustworthy person who really cares about others. He is for sure a great ambassador for Costa Rica. We have stayed in many 5 star hotels and this is more than a 5 star in our opinion!!! We will definitely stay here again!!! Thank you Esteban, Monica and staff for the wonderful experience.

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

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

Exceeded High Expectations

Guest Family of Four
Date of stay 02/14/13
Review Submitted 02/26/13

This wonderful property exceeded our expectations and very likely spoiled me for any other vacation home. The other five star reviews are all accurate and express the loveliness of this farm far better than I can, so I will just add a few highlights for us: - So very private. We stayed in the villa that is a bit further away from the pool. It was like being in our own little world. Not worrying about disturbing others, and not being disturbed, was simply wonderful. - Great attention to detail. Everything about the property was lovely, from the furnishings to the fresh flowers to the sheets to the dishes in the kitchen. And the daily cleaning service was unexpected but very welcome. It's evident that Esteban and his family take great pride in this property. - Services/activities available, but no pressure. We're pretty independent, never go on organized tours, and have always researched and booked activities on our own in the past. We did go horseback riding at the farm, and I would highly recommend this. It was us (two parents, two children, 8 and 11) and two guides. My daughter and I have some riding experience, my husband and son had none. We were all on great horses, and the ride was incredible. Not to be missed. We also visited hot springs, went on a marvelous hikes (including over hanging bridges), and did a canopy tour (ziplining) on our own. Whatever your preference, you cannot go wrong. - Arrangements we did make through Esteban went so smoothly. He arranged our travel from the airport, and for our rental car to meet us at the property the following morning. For some reason I had great anxiety over this in advance of our trip, but everything went so smoothly and I'm so glad I trusted him. The driver who met us at the airport (Norman) was great, and his van was new and clean. We felt very much in good hands. And our car arrived promptly the following morning, just as promised. Again these are details, but all of these details combined to make a wonderful trip. Very much recommend this property!!

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

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

True Flavor of Costa Rica !

Guest Jeff
Date of stay 02/13/13
Review Submitted 03/05/13

The villa was very comfortable for my family of 5. It was impeccably clean. The spacious kitchen and large bathrooms sure beat a hotel room. It had a safe secluded feel. Relaxing on the porch listening to the birds and taking in the view was a real treat. The farm is centrally located to local attactions and town. But the best part was the owner Esteban. His expert local knowledge was priceless! We showed up with a general idea of things we wanted to do and see. He was able to take those ideas and add several suggestions to customize our experience. In no time he had us set up with the best outfitters in the area. He even programed my GPS every morning for our daily adventure. With Esteban's guidance we were truely immersed into the Costa Rican culture. Our boys (ages 13 to 17) aren't sure which they liked best the long atv ride through rivers and over hilltops to a hot spring or the Class V raft trip! My wife and I though the hiking was tremendous with turquoise blue waterfalls and unusual wildlife. We felt that we were in good hands at all times. We loved our stay and highly recommend the rental unit!

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

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

Wonderful experience

Guest Ken
Date of stay 02/06/13
Review Submitted 02/20/13

Our stay at Estabon's horse ranch villa was wonderful. The house is beautiful & the staff were very friendly and accommodating. Estabon & his wife were great hosts. Estabon was very helpful in providing advice & arrangements for sight-seeing and excursions. Their dachshund (whom we re-named La Hermosa) was our special guest a couple of evenings; she was also a delight. We could not have asked for a better experience. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay and wish to return again.

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, pet owners, sightseeing.

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

Great memories and a perfect host!!

Guest Ron and Sue
Date of stay 02/01/13
Review Submitted 02/20/13

My wife and I stayed in the Heliconia Villa for 5 nights. It was a memorable stay. We travel a lot, and I have to say that Centaura Farm is one of the nicest places we have ever stayed. The kitchen in the Villa was incredibly well stocked, and we had daily maid service. There was a swimming pool and hot tub very nearby. Esteban really was the perfect host. He was always available to offer suggestions for activities, and he was incredibly attentive to our needs in every way. Esteban suggested a local hot springs and a restaurant, which were both great. We used to have our own horses, and so it was a lot of fun to go to the stables every day to say hello to Esteban's friendly and healthy horses. Jonathan took us out for a 3 hour private ride, and it really was a highlight of our vacation in Costa Rica. Every day, we relaxed on the porch looking at the beautiful vistas while Esteban's horses grazed in our backyard. I would highly recommend Centaura to anyone who wants a really special place to stay. Costa Rica is a wonderful country with so many things to do and places to visit. All of the nice things that the other reviewers have said about Esteban and Centaura Farm are all really true. Treat yourself.

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, sightseeing.

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

Home away from home!

Guest Wayne & Melanie
Date of stay 01/18/13
Review Submitted 02/13/13

This is the second year we've stayed at Esteban's horse ranch in Platanar. It's just such a wonderfully quiet and relaxing place. It has all of the comforts of being at home except it is in the beautiful country of Costa Rica. The villa is great, but what's even better is that Esteban will help you plan activities according to your likes. Last year we went horse back riding and took a trip on the hot air balloon which was AMAZING!!!!!! This year we went on an ATV tour which showed us some breathtaking views and then we ended the day at a very private hot springs. Esteban also sent us on some great road trips that were off the beaten path, not touristy at all and of course absolutely beautiful. I'm sure when we return we will make this one of our stops!

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

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

Tico hospitality

Guest Bill76
Date of stay 01/13/13
Review Submitted 02/12/13

What a great stay at Estebans ranch. The Villas were perfect for two couples...Plush bedrooms on either side of the kitchen, entertainment Villa in the middle. Could not ask for a better set up. Wake up in the AM to Toucans...walk out the door and pick fresh grapefruit for breakfast. Daily maid service...we felt like royalty. The horse and ATV adventures were a great Tico experience. Jonathan was a great guide with a wonderful personal connection that could only be called tico "Pura Vida". Esteban was there for all questions and arraigned awesome local activities. If you are looking for a "Tico" experience, I would highly recommend staying at Estebans Ranch.

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

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

Beautiful and peaceful...the perfect getaway!

Guest Relaxed
Date of stay 01/08/13
Review Submitted 01/24/13

My family (me, wife and two daughters 8 and 16) stayed at Esteban and Monica's villa for 5 days. Our time there was wonderful and exceeded our expectations. We arrived with no schedule and were simply looking for a place to unwind and relax and we could not have picked a better place. We stayed in the newer villa which sits on a hill over looking the Platanar Volcano. The villa is very nice with comfortable and modern amenities. The kitchen is well stocked with dishes and cooking utensils and nice appliances. We especially loved the views from our bedroom in the morning. We were able to pick delicious grapefruit, star fruit, oranges and other fruits from the trees just outside our door. The location is great. Very secluded and quiet. The tourist town of La Fortuna and Volcan Arenal are an easy 20-30 minutes drive. There is also a nice grocery store 10 minutes away. My oldest daughter is an equine enthusiast and loved to walk down to the stables and spend time getting acquainted with the horses. We had an incredible time riding horses through pineapple plantations and sugar cane fields as well as through streams and rivers. Our guide, Jonathan was great. He was very knowledgeable of the area and made the experience very enjoyable. I had never been on a horse prior to this trip but Jonathan paired me with a great horse and within minutes I felt confident and comfortable. Esteban was also super helpful before and during our trip. He was always quick to respond to my emails and went above and beyond. If you are renting a vehicle have Esteban make the arrangements for you (he will save you money). We would highly recommend this property. Pura Vida!

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

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

Exceeded all expectations!!!!

Guest Angie
Date of stay 01/08/13
Review Submitted 01/24/13

Where to begin....there are simply so many good things to say about this property, location, and the owner and his family. We are a family of 4, my husband and I and two boys, ages 11 and 3. We noticed right away upon arrival that the pictures do not do this property and location justice. This is a well-built, clean, modern, spacious, private, and attractive house. The views off the open-air kitchen and balcony include horses and a water buffalo, Tonka, at pasture. On the horizon, we saw mountains and a volcano. Not to mention all the tropical plants and trees. To us, it was truly a paradise. My kids fell in love with the farm dachsund, Jitana, who made it a point to greet us on our first night. Both bedrooms have ceiling fans and air conditioning, although I never felt the need to use the air, the weather was always so breezy and pleasant. Two nice ladies cleaned the house every day for us as well, so everything stayed very clean. The pool was clean and the temperature was right and it was only steps from our front door. We went swimming at least once a day. The kids loved it! We also did almost every other imaginable thing. We went horseback riding through villages and pastures, crossed rivers and rode through sugar cane fields, up and down mountains and on dirt roads. We visited the Venado caves. We rode ATV's to the thermal hot springs. We visited La Paz Waterfall gardens which is a combo zoo and nature preserve with three breathtaking waterfalls. My husband and my older son went rapelling and zip-lining. Aside from the rapelling, all of this was done with my 3 year old. The best part is that Esteban arranged all of it. All we had to do is tell him what we wanted to do and he told us where to go and that was it. All of these activities were top-notch experiences. I have no hesitation saying this as we went horseback riding in another part of Costa Rica after our stay here and I can say, without a doubt, that Esteban's horses are THE BEST!!! We never had a problem asking Esteban for anything. Our guide, Jonathan, was also wonderful. He was friendly and informative. Ready to provide us with information and answer any questions we had and I had a lot. This experience exceeded all of our expectations. No hotel or manager-run property can beat staying here. It is obvious in every way that the owners care about this place and the people that stay here. We felt so well taken care of. Would I stay here again? In a heartbeat (and hopefully soon)!!!

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

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

Exceeded all expectations!!!!

Guest Angie
Date of stay 01/08/13
Review Submitted 01/24/13

Where to begin....there are simply so many good things to say about this property, location, and the owner, Esteban, and his family. We are a family of 4, my husband and I and two boys, ages 11 and 3. We noticed right away upon arrival that the pictures do not do this property and location justice. This is a well-built, clean, modern, spacious, private, and attractive house. The views off the open-air kitchen and balcony include horses and a water buffalo, Tonka, at pasture. On the horizon, we saw mountains and a volcano. Not to mention all the tropical plants and trees. To us, it was truly a paradise. My kids fell in love with the farm dachsund, Jitana, who made it a point to greet us on our first night. Both bedrooms have ceiling fans and air conditioning, although I never felt the need to use the air, the weather was always so breezy and pleasant. Two nice ladies cleaned the house every day for us as well, so everything stayed very clean. The pool was clean and the temperature was right and it was only steps from our front door. We went swimming at least once a day. The kids loved it! We also did almost every other imaginable thing. We went horseback riding through villages and pastures, crossed rivers and rode through sugar cane fields, up and down mountains and on dirt roads. We visited the Venado caves. We rode ATV's to the thermal hot springs. We visited La Paz Waterfall gardens which is a combo zoo and nature preserve with three breathtaking waterfalls. My husband and my older son went rapelling and zip-lining. Aside from the rapelling, all of this was done with my 3 year old. The best part is that Esteban arranged all of it. All we had to do is tell him what we wanted to do and he told us where to go and that was it. All of these activities were top-notch experiences. I have no hesitation saying this as we went horseback riding in another part of Costa Rica after our stay here and I can say, without a doubt, that Esteban's horses are THE BEST!!! We never had a problem asking Esteban for anything. Our guide, Jonathan, was also wonderful. He was friendly and informative. Ready to provide us with information and answer any questions we had and I had a lot! This experience exceeded all of our expectations. No hotel or manager-run property can beat staying here. It is obvious in every way that the owners care about this place and the people that stay here. We felt so well taken care of. Would I stay here again? In a heartbeat (and hopefully soon)!!

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

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

You are in good hands

Guest Luli
Date of stay 01/03/13
Review Submitted 01/23/13

We traveled in costa rica for a month with 3 kids ages 2,6,10 Befor coming we got recommendations from friend about the place. I called Esteban to make a reservation and found myself talking to him for an hour getting tips on how to build the right trip for us, other houses and hotels, car rental etc. When we got there he recommended activities and places that are a little off the tourist grid like local hot springs which were great. We got a chance to stay in both of his rental houses. Everything on that farm is well kept in the houses (kitchen, bathrooms, bedsheets) and outside (horses, pool). Everybody was very welcoming and helpful. And a last word about the guide that esteban set us for the river tour. Roger was so knowledgeable. He sets an atmosphere of quiet trust. The kids loved him right away. Hope to come back one day

Recommended for: Age 55+, families with young children, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

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

A little disappointing

Guest Jennifer S.
Date of stay 12/23/12
Review Submitted 12/28/12

We arrived to an perfectly beautiful house. The owners very friendly and there to meet us. It wasn't long before we realized we had no hot water at the sink and the fridge didn't work. We pointed this out to Esteban who stated that he would watch the fridge and if (since it was the holiday) it wasn't working he would bring the one up from the stable. Well we never saw him again, the fridge wasn't fixed and the replacement never arrived. We had a fantastic day riding on Christmas day, the best riding tour ever! Our guides Johnathan and Antoni but we arrived back at the villa to a rotten chicken that was to be our dinner and had to go out at 6 in the evening to a store for another. Estebans lack of concern did not go unnoticed.

Recommended for: Adventure seekers

Owner response: Jennifer, I am not the kind of person who gives excuses and I take full responsibility for whatever happens in our property. However, I do not think your review is entirely fair. Regarding the hot water in the kitchen, when you arrived we were changing the water heater and It took no longer than 30 minutes after your arrival to replace it and have it in working order. We are proud (my wife and I) to run a very neat operation and we try to take care of every detail as good as we can. All our previous reviews are a clear sign of that. Regarding the refrigerator, you checked into our property on Dec 23 and on Dec 24 we heard about the problems with the refrigerator. I immediately went to your villa, disconnected it, worked with the settings and asked you to watch it until the next morning (Dec 25). Christmas morning it was determined the refrigerator was broken and I told you I would look for a solution including either trying to locate a new one on Christmas day or getting another one from the farm. I made my best effort to locate a new refrigerator going to several towns but unfortunately most stores were closed. Unfortunately, the other refrigerator at the farm was not available. You are correct that I failed to advise you of the situation and I apologize for the inconvenience and frustration this caused you. What I do not find fair is you talking about my lack of concern. Above and beyond the house rental, I spent a great deal of time before your arrival helping you out on activities, reservations and logistics. In addition I provided you with my personal GPS since the car rental company you chose to use failed to give you one. We also helped you with a transfer for your boys to get to La Fortuna on a prebooked adventure at 6:45 AM as well as another transfer for the boys at 5:30 AM for a prebooked rafting trip (for free, no charge) because you did not want to get up that early. Yes I failed on bringing or replacing your refrigerator on Dec 25th (Christmas day) but I do not understand why you generalize and talk about my total lack of concern. It is not fair. It is indeed a beautiful property, our people do magnificent work cleaning the villa every day for you, the grounds are manicured, the best of bedding, towels, etc; but your comments make it look like what appears to be beautiful (first impression) soon turns into a headache and that is not true. We love what we do and we care! Esteban Elizondo Owner

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/2

Beautiful Home and Location/ Wonderful Host

Guest Terri
Date of stay 12/19/12
Review Submitted 02/26/13

I have so much to say about our wonderful experience, it is hard to know where to start. Esteban was wonderful and helpful from the first conversation I had with him on the phone. From our first discussion until the last email after our stay he was always very quick to respond. Esteban not only provided a beautiful home for our family for 5 nights, but he also arranged our transfer from the airport and our rental car drop off at the house get w/ a GPS. There are many excursions you can do with Esteban and never have to leave his farm. Our family rode his horses and did an ATV tour. Jonathon was our guide for the horses and ATV, and wonderful. He took great care in our safety and wanting us to have a great time. Just to give you an idea of how much Esteban cares about your stay. The day we rode the horses my oldest daughter did not have such a good time because her horse was being lazy and didn't really want to walk, much less run. Esteban was informed and the next morning Jonathon was at our door and asked if we would like to go riding again at no additional charge and my husband and girls did. During our ATVing my machine started malfunctioning. Jonathon made a phone call and in 15 mins Esteban was there with a new machine. I really recommend the ATV tour. The views are amazing and your destination is to the hot springs for you to stay as long as you'd like. The other tour we took was water rafting and Esteban made those arrangements for us and programmed our GPS to get there. We stayed in the house that was made up of 3 buildings. The main house (kit, liv/din, 1/2 bath) in the middle, the bedroom houses on either side of the main. So parents if you have older children and want your privacy as a couple this is the place for you. You'll have housekeeping everyday, they will even do your laundry. I'd like to note to anyone wanting to come to Costa Rica, if you freak out over ants, bugs, lizards, lots of things in nature Costa Rica is not the place for you. Our first night ants decided to lay their larva under a dresser it was a huge headache, ants where everywhere. This of course is no fault of Esteban, but these things do happen here. On the day we left Esteban took the time, about 20-30 mins to program our GPS and get us to our next location. Because I was having some worries about our next home he was very quick to offer any help, if we needed it. You "WILL NOT REGRET" your stay here. The biggest plus for our family was Esteban!! PROFESSIONALISM!!!

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

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

Amazing host, accommodations and activities!

Guest CCB
Date of stay 12/05/12
Review Submitted 12/13/12

We stayed at the other villa which is 3 separate buildings (Villa Frutales- 2 bedrooms and main living area) on the farm. It was amazing views, clean, safe, and comfortable. Esteban arranged private tours with his guides that made the trip even more memorable. We did a day of horseback riding riding with 3 guides on private property with river crossings, views of sugar canes and pineapple plantations, hills, and cow pastures. The horses were very easy to ride for beginners like us and Juan Carlos, our guide gave us a great crash course on horses and proper riding. Esteban also sent 2 of his guides with us caving. He arranged white water rafting. And he personally took us on a crazy adventurous ATV tour on his property where you get absolutely muddy and dirty. We got to jump into a river and end the day at a beautiful and empty hot springs. To top it off, we ended our trip with a hot air balloon ride which was absolutely amazing with the "best pilot in 16 countries," our host Esteban. We had an incredible time and will highly recommend the farm and Centaura tours. We can't wait to return and have Esteban plan a more adventurous vacation for next time.

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

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

Over The Top Riding Experience!

Guest whitebearcottage
Date of stay 11/30/12
Review Submitted 12/08/12

WOW! What can I say after an experience like our stay at this place. I read all the other reviews and they are 100% true. This was our 1st trip to Costa Rica and thanks to Esteban and his wonderful staff it was a trip we will never forget! Esteban interviews you to find out what your interest are and then plans a trip that is tailored to you. Just put yourself in his hands give him a call and let him make all the arrangements and suggestions. We drove ourselves from the coast and he even planned our rout and itinerary for our trip back to San Jose. The road from the cloud forest to Sarci is the drive of a lifetime. The church in Zarcero with its topiary gardens was otherworldly. I could go on and on.. Thanks Esteban! Next time will be a longer stay for sure. You are an ambassador for Costa Rica!

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

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

Bob and Jan - the Gypsies

Guest Hikers
Date of stay 11/28/12
Review Submitted 12/07/12

We were so pleased with the villa and with our host, Esteban. One of our goals was to relax and there is not a more perfect place to do so. It was a short drive to Fortuna and Arenal Volcano. We enjoyed Ecotermales - hot springs - in very beautiful surroundings and also a traditional meal at La Choza de Laurel. The highlight of the week would have to be the Hot Air Balloon ride with Esteban, our pilot! It was wonderful and amazing to see Costa Rica from the sky. The landing in the farmer's field, along with meeting the farmer's family added to a wonderful experience. The Termales Del Bosque was another fantastic hot springs. Our afternoon horse back ride couldn't have been more fun, with our 3 guides. The local La Hacienda was a great restaurant. We would not have found all these places without the help of our host, Esteban. The property was exactly as described and pictured, very clean with daily housekeeping. There is a wonderful swimming pool just a few steps from the villa, and we enjoyed it when the sun came out. We highly recommend this property!

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

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

Great stay at the Ranch!!

Guest GV
Date of stay 11/20/12
Review Submitted 12/06/12

We had a wonderful stay at Esteban's ranch. In fact the moment we got there we immediately regretted we were only staying two nights!! Esteban was there to welcome us and is very friendly and speaks perfect English. He allows you to roam free on his spectacular ranch, pet his horses, eat grapefruits off the trees and plenty more!! The place was neat and tidy and Esteban was very good to provide feedback about places to go and things to do. His ranch is a little bit of a drive from the volcano and more in the country but that was what we loved about it. Very private and quiet and peaceful. Any place you want to visit or see will be less than half an hour. I also recommend taking Esteban up on his horse tour as its quite a thrill to gallop with him and his horses and get a tour of his spectacular ranch!! Highly recommended!

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

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

Wonderful property!!

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

This was the first trip to Costa Rica for our group of 6 women (ranging in ages from 29-70). We stayed in the newer set of villas. We all had plenty of space, the beds were very comfortable, and the property was just gorgeous!! You really need to rent a car if you stay here, (just have them bring it to the house once you get there) and unless you know your way around Costa Rica you ABSOLUTELY need to hire a driver to get you to this property from the airport. Esteban was an amazing host!! We took Esteban's recommendations and did pretty much everything...hiking volcanos and waterfalls, hot air ballooning, hot springs, white water rafting, horseback riding, and zip lining. Due to our groups variety of ages and abilities, we did not all do everything, but we all enjoyed everything that we did!! One word of advice: do not overestimate your physical fitness...remember these guys are out hiking every day so a "normal" hike to them was challenging even to the younger and fitter members of our group...and be sure to bring comfortable shoes!! We had David as our tour guide for most of our adventures, and we all just adored him...he is very friendly and knowledgeable and made each of our outings exceptionally enjoyable. Top things: Arenal zip lining...fun and thrilling (but felt very safe), with great instructors. Hanging Bridges hike (also at Arenal Volcano)...stunning views, cool wildlife, great waterfalls. And we all LOVED the local hot springs by far the best...many different temp pools, and it was the least expensive, but by far the best one (and least touristy). There were only three minor issues that we ran across during our stay: 1. While we were there the washer and dryer were not available, so to get laundry done you had to tip extra to the housekeepers. 2. There is no air conditioning in the center building where the kitchen/living/dining room is. It does get very hot and stuffy especially when you are cooking at night, but if you open up the doors you will be host to a myriad of bugs. and 3. The walk to the pool/hot tub is down a VERY steep and slippery path, or a LONG walk around part of the property so they are not very convenient to these villas (versus being directly across from the single villa). None of these issues was a big deal, but just things to be aware of. We all highly recommend Esteban and this property..it was an amazing vacation and much fun was had by all!! Pura vida indeed!!

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, girls getaway, sightseeing.

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

Great place

Guest Josh
Date of stay 07/22/12
Review Submitted 07/30/12

We had a great time at the ranch. Esteban was a lot of help setting everything up for us an making sure we were taken care of, would recommend and return again.

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

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

OUTSTANDING

Guest Diana
Date of stay 07/10/12
Review Submitted 07/23/12

This villa was amazing. It was beautiful both inside and out. It was surrounded by fantastic views. The villa had top quality amenities, beds, linens, and cleaning services. Esteban was very helpful. He scheduled our rafting and canopy tours. He provided us with valuable information on where to go and what to do. The villa was centrally located near Arenal. We would definitely recommend this villa to anyone planning a trip to Costa Rica and looking to stay near the Arenal Volcano.

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

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

Highly Recommended! Beautiful property and fabulous Costa Rican hospitality!

Guest Marilyn
Date of stay 07/08/12
Review Submitted 08/26/12

My family (my husband and 2 sons ages 20 and 16) and I had an amazing introduction to Costa Rica at Centaura Farm! Esteban was so helpful and welcoming. He arranged a driver to pick us up from San Jose (what a relief after an over-night flight!), set up our rental car, and spent time with us finding out what our interests are so that he could arrange activities for us. In 3 days we packed in so many fun adventures and still managed to feel relaxed! We all loved the ATV ride through the fields to the beautiful hot springs lead by our guide Michael, and the exciting ride on Esteban's gorgeous, well-cared for horses with our guides Jonathan and Michael. (Just a little side note: I have been in a lot of barns and tack rooms, and nothing prepared me for how immaculate this barn was - wow! These animals are really well cared for!) We hiked near the volcano on the hanging bridges, sped down the side of the volcano on zip-line after zip-line, and had our fantastic guide Jonathan take us to the poisonous frog farm. After all these activities we knew we would be able to come back to our beautiful, well-appointed villa and kick back in the hammocks or swim in the pool, and enjoy the amazing view of the farm and the mountains in the background. We loved having the horses and the water buffalo close by, and the family dog Gitana was always happy to greet us! Everyone at Centaura farm was so nice and happy to help us! I cannot say enough how great it was to have Esteban help us plan our vacation before and during our visit. He was such a wonderful host! All his suggestions were right on, and he absolutely follows through on everything he says. Our only regrets were that our visit was so short and that we didn't get to meet his wife Monica and their kids! And we would have loved to have gone up in the hot air balloon - we want to return!! Hope to see you in Snowmass!

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

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

Incredible Place/Memorable Experiences

Guest Michele
Date of stay 06/30/12
Review Submitted 07/22/12

Words cannot describe what warm memories my family has of this villa and ranch. As others have said, the villa is better than the pictures capture, with high-end appointments, large bedrooms, excellent kitchen appliances, impeccable maid service and spectacular views (if you choose, there are floor to ceiling views of the volcanoes even from the huge tub in the fantastic master bath). I have stayed in many luxury villas before, and I was very happy with this villa. It is perfect for two couples or a family of five. You don't feel as if you're on a working ranch when inside either, or when swimming in the pool only steps from the villa's front door; but the ranch is absolutely beautiful in any event with beautiful plantings, palms and citrus trees, and rolling meadows. If you have kids, run, don't walk to rent this place. Our 9-year-old boys adored the stables. They were able to run around freely on the property, help feed the horses and pet the pigs. The ranch staff was fabulous with them. Esteban and Monica's fabulous son, Andres, was also a wonderful host. You could not meet a more fabulous family. I recommend that you let Esteban help with your itinerary. I'm a skeptical sort, but Esteban made excellent recommendations for activities, e.g., white water rafting and ziplining. Most importantly, he kept us out of the tourist trap operations around the Arenal Volcano and steered us toward activities that were perfect for us. Finally, you can enjoy this villa whether you ride horses or not, but I have to add that we had an amazing day of horseback riding, better than any riding I've done in the States. The horses were impeccably trained. The ride took us through rivers and forests, and we got to see sloths, birds and huge chameleons. With a guide, plus Monica and Andres to make sure our family of four was safe, we were able to gallop to our hearts content (despite this being my childrens' first riding experience). Fantastic. We'll never forget it, and the price for the riding was very reasonable. Thank you, Esteban, Monica, Andres, and your fabulous staff. We will definitely be back.

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

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

Fabulous Start to our Trip with 3 school age kids

Guest Rebecca and family
Date of stay 06/24/12
Review Submitted 07/30/12

We spent 5 days here before heading to the Pacific Coast and LOVED IT! Esteban was extremely helpful before and during our visit, the villa was perfect for our family of 5 and our adventures in the area were unforgettable. The villa is first class but also let us experience life in the wild as we cooked with geckos above our heads and watched amazing lightening storms from the hammock. The kids loved the pool, especially at night with fruit bats whirring above our heads. We went white water river rafting, swam at a waterfall, hiked near the volcano, enjoyed the town of La Fortuna and spent a day trail riding on Estaban's beautiful horses. We would definitely recommend staying here and hope to visit again someday.

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

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

A Great Place to Stay - Pura Vida!!

Guest John & Jen
Date of stay 04/28/12
Review Submitted 07/26/12

Pura vida, WoW! This place was everything we read about and more. My wife and I and our 3 young boys (ages 7, 5 and 2) stayed at Esteban and Monica’s ranch from April 28 to May 5 th , 2012. This was by far the best vacation we ever had and we all left with a lifetime of fond memories of extraordinary hospitality, spectacular accommodations, and breathtaking activities. Esteban was extremely helpful in arranging our activities. During our stay, we enjoyed hiking through the rainforest and hanging bridges, horseback riding thru rivers and sugar cane fields, bathing in volcanic hot springs, zip lining down the side of a volcano, journeying into the crater of a 700 year old dormant volcano (Rio Celeste); exploring million year old caves, and flying in a hot air balloon where we descended upon the rain forest to survey howler monkeys and ascended into the heavens to touch a cloud (an experience our 5 and 7 year old will treasure forever) A special shout out to our guide Donald who was extremely knowledgeable and amazing with our kids. Yes, we were able to do all this even with a 2 year old. Esteban arranged for one of his staff to watch our 2 year old son during some of these activities (i.e. horseback riding, zip lines and the hot air balloon ride). The villa was spectacular and perfect for a family of 5. The layout was like a garden of Eden. Our sons slept in the one bedroom and my wife and I in the other; a well equipped open kitchen and balcony overlooked a beautiful pasture where we laid on hammocks and watched the horses and water buffalo roam; we enjoyed walks down to the immaculate stables just below the villa to feed the horses and 2 pigs and swam in the pool and hot-tub right behind our villa. My 5 and 7 year old sons even befriended Esteban’s son, and they now want to learn Spanish. Our 2 year old son misses Etana, the family dog that often visited our villa. It was the perfect vacation! Muchas gracias Esteban, Monica and the wonderful staff.

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, families with young children.

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

Pura Vida

Guest Nathalia and Jack
Date of stay 04/16/12
Review Submitted 05/03/12

The description and photos do not give justice to this amazing place! My husband and I and another couple came to Cost Rica for a wedding but wanted to see as much of the country as possible a few days prior to the beach wedding. After extensive searching on VRBO, I came across this listing. We actually stayed in the new villa with three separate buildings, a center living room, kitchen and dining area with two separate buildings (one on either side of main building), each a master bedroom suite. Esteban and Monica were gracious and most helpful in arranging all the adventure anyone could ask for. The horseback riding was the best ever! I have never seen such beautiful stables and amazing horses. We rode with freedom and yet with expert guidance through the acreage on La Centaura's property. My husband and I did the Rainforest rapelling (an adventure we will never forget!) while our friends went white water rafting, we all did an ATV ride to the most beautiful hot springs rarely visited by tourists due to it's secluded location. Sadly we were rained out of the rain forest trek...yes, rained out! but were able to spend the day in an ECO center with a very knowledgable guide,Donald, arranged by Esteban. We also went ziplining and were guided to restaurants and other sites in the Arenal area by our host, Esteban. The only adventure we could not squeeze in was the hot air balloon ride. Hopefully we will see Esteban in Snowmass when he comes to Colorado. We will just have to miss any volcanic sites! La Centaura was truly the highlight of our 11 day trip and the BEST that Costa Rica has to offer, in our opinion. If you are traveling to CR....do NOT miss this home or the Arenal, La Fortuna area. Oh...and after we arrived, Esteban provided us with a GPS system which is absolutly something you should not be without if you are driving!

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

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

Beautiful Private Villa With Great Views

Guest Doug H.
Date of stay 03/30/12
Review Submitted 04/14/12

As other reviews have said, the pictures do not do this place justice. Our villa consisted of three separate buildings. Two of the buildings were bedrooms with separate living areas and a bathroom. The third building was a living area with a big screen TV, stereo system, kitchen, living area, and dining area. The bedrooms are air conditioned while the living area relies on opening up the doors and windows to allow a breeze through. The kitchen is well done but has no dishwasher. Not to worry, though, because the housekeeper who cleaned each of the units daily also washed all of the dishes. This villa was very well done with high end appointments. The villa has a great view looking out on the horse ranch and the outlying hills. There are hammocks on the front porch of the two bedroom units, and we used these to lay out with the beautiful view and read a book. You will love having Esteban to help. He is very hospitable. We had no cell phone that would work in Costa Rica, so he immediately gave us a cell phone to use and told us to call him at any time. He gave us advice on activities based upon our interests, and he booked for us hot air ballooning, whitewater rafting, canyoning, and hot springs. All of his recommendations were excellent. The only downside to this villa is its distance from restaurants and activities. The restaurants in the area are largely traditional Costa Rican food very reasonably priced, and while we enjoyed doing that, we also found ourselves driving to Fortuna for other restaurant options. It took about 30 minutes to get to Fortuna, which is also where the activity companies originated from. But the plus side to this is that you get more of the Costa Rican experience, you have privacy, and you really feel like you are getting away from it all. Lastly, Esteban took care of renting our vehicle for us. He made arrangements for a transport to pick us up at the airport because we were arriving late. The next morning, Alamo was at our villa with our Toyota Rav 4. We had no GPS, so Esteban loaned us his, which was a huge help in getting around. Without a GPS, it is very difficult to get around. I read maps well, but road markings are not good and it is easy to get lost. When we left to go to Quepos, he loaned us the GPS for the rest of the trip and Alamo sent it back to Fortuna for him to pick up. I highly recommend this villa. You won't regret it!

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

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

Experience Costa Rica at it's best!

Guest Kdavis
Date of stay 03/26/12
Review Submitted 04/06/12

Our stay at Esteban & Monica's beautiful farm made for one of the best vacations we have ever had. Our family, including my mother and two daughters 8 & 11 had the most amazing 5 days at the farm. The Villas are beautiful, impeccably clean and the view is outstanding. Esteban and his entire staff were so gracious and welcoming and made sure our stay was as enjoyable as possible. He arranged all of our activities, programed our GPS each day and provided the best adventures we could have asked for. We rode ATVs to the hot springs with his wonderful guides Michael and Donald, went to the ECOglide zip line (highly recommend) and hiked at the beautiful Rio Celeste with Donald. Donald was the best guide for our famliy. He took great care of us and made sure we did and saw everything we wanted to. Including a sloth way up in the trees as we were driving 60 down the road home from our hike! We only wished that we could have had a few more days at the farm; 5 was not enough for us. We highly recommend that you stay with Esteban and Monica for a true Costa Rican experience. No need to worry about anything. They will take excellent care of you and your family and make sure your vacation is one of a life time. We hope to return again and again. Esteban-Thank you so very much for everything you did for us! We miss the farm very much and the peacefulness of Plaza Plantanar. We also miss Hetana and seeing her sweet face each day! The beach was fun but I wish we would have spent more time at the farm. We look forward to seeing you in Sept. in Snowmass! The girls say hello and muchas gracias! Pura Vida!!

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

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

Pura Vida!

Guest Maryana
Date of stay 03/23/12
Review Submitted 04/08/12

Not only was our stay on the horse ranch breathtaking and relaxing, it was a great central jumping off point for all of our adventure activities with close restaurants near by for dinner too. It is a short drive from the farm to La Fortuna (about 25mins). It was completely secluded and we felt 100% safe. Esteban was so helpful in helping us to plan our activities and excursions. We went to places that only locals knew about and that were mostly free of charge :). He also helped us before the trip (for advice and local knowledge) as well as helping us map out our route for our drive to the west coast. The grounds and villas were cleaned and maintained everyday and the property was a gem. It was a great find. We definitely will be returning to this villa next time we come to Costa Rica. It was just Pura Vida! I would recommend this villa to any families that want a safe and clean 'home base' for all of your excursions in La Fortuna and surrounding areas. It was fabulous! Thanks Esteban!

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children.

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

Pura Vida!

Guest Maryana
Date of stay 03/23/12
Review Submitted 04/08/12

Not only was our stay on the horse ranch breathtaking and relaxing, it was a great central jumping off point for all of our adventure activities with close restaurants near by for dinner too. It is a short drive from the farm to La Fortuna (about 25mins). It was completely secluded and we felt 100% safe. Esteban was so helpful in helping us to plan our activities and excursions. We went to places that only locals knew about and that were mostly free of charge :). He also helped us before the trip (for advice and local knowledge) as well as helping us map out our route for our drive to the west coast. The grounds and villas were cleaned and maintained everyday and the property was a gem. It was a great find. We definitely will be returning to this villa next time we come to Costa Rica. It was just Pura Vida! I would recommend this villa to any families that want a safe and clean 'home base' for all of your excursions in La Fortuna and surrounding areas. It was fabulous! Thanks Esteban!

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children.

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

Fantastic experience

Guest Lynn
Date of stay 03/10/12
Review Submitted 03/17/12

Our stay at this villa was perfect in every way. The villa is private, tasteful and spacious. Fresh flowers were awaiting our arrival, and maid service was provided daily. There is a pool and a hot tub for your use. The view is beautiful and relaxing. This home is just far enough away from town to allow you to relax after full days of activities. The closest town, La Fortuna, is a tourist town and not very pretty. There is no reason to stay there as you can easily drive into town or elsewhere to take advantage of the activities and sights offered in this region. I traveled with two children, ages 12 and 14, and can easily describe this as a trip of a lifetime. We all highly recommend canyoneering down a waterfall, and white water rafting. We were also fortunate to be able to ride some of the horses on the property and ride ATVs to a local hot spring. So many good memories were made, and all thanks to the charming owners. The owners asked us what we wanted to do and made all of the arrangements. He gave us a GPS to be sure we did not get lost, and visited us in the evening to be sure we had a good time and to confirm our plans for the next day. When I expressed concern about being able to drive to the airport (the roads in Costa Rica are not well marked) he arranged for a driver. Every need was anticipated and graciously met. There is no doubt that we will visit this country and this villa again - none of us wanted to leave!

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, girls getaway.

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

Exceeded all or our Expectations!

Guest tvmailhot
Date of stay 03/08/12
Review Submitted 03/25/12

I cannot say enough nice, positive and encouraging accolades when it comes to not only the villa itself but the owners Esteban and Monica. Esteban arranged for almost every detail of our visit in the La Fortuna area. From the moment I contacted Esteban to get details of his property 3 months prior until the day we left, he went above in beyond to ensure our visit was everything and more than we expected. Esteban spent almost an hour on the phone with me the very FIRST time I contacted him regarding the Centaura Farm and Villa. His view was very objective and informative allowing me to make the best decision for our family. Not only was he beneficial in recommendations for La Fortuna, he actually helped me select the second phase of our vacation on the pacific coast. Without Esteban’s advice, guidance and expertise, I would have NEVER been able to plan such an amazing trip for myself, Husband and our 7 year old daughter. Beyond initial logistical planning advice, Esteban was basically advised and planned EVERY ONE of our adventures in the La Fortuna and surrounding area. We road ATV’s to the Thermal Hot Springs with a very capable staff member of Esteban’s, Michael. Guided us to the best location for visiting a cloud forest, rain forest and canopy tours. In addition, Esteban arranged for and scheduled additional Hot Spring visits at EcoTermeles and EcoGlide Zipline for a wonderful full day of fun with our daughter. Our final day, Monica and Pedro, guided us through the lovely Costa Rican country on horseback. What an amazing way to experience such a beautiful country! We feel in love with the country and will definitely be back. Esteban - No puedo agradecerles lo suficiente por su ayuda generosa hospitalidad y paciencia como lo habíamos planeado y con experiencia de La Fortuna, Costa Rica. Gracias por lo mucho y esperamos verlos de nuevo algún día. Do NOT hesitate to book this amazing villa and experience! It will be one you will never forget and cherish for a lifetime.

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, families with young children, sightseeing.

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

Magical

Guest Katherine
Date of stay 02/26/12
Review Submitted 03/13/12

Our family can't even begin to describe the amazing experience we had here at the farm. When we first decided to come to Costa Rica we couldn't decide if we wanted to go inland at all or just do a classic beach vacation. By the end of our time at Esteban's, our son cried "I don't want to leave, I don't want to go to the beach". With 3 middle age children (8,9 and 12) we were concerned that it might be too tranquil of a setting and not enough to do. How wrong we were. We could have easily spent weeks at this place and been content and enchanted with adventures at our fingertips. Esteban and Monica run a first class operation. The home is beautiful, modern, impeccably kept and was the perfect resting spot for our family when we weren't out on an adventure. And Esteban was always willing and available to help us determine which adventures we wanted to take. We rode horses, hiked to waterfalls, went to hot springs, ziplined through the canopy top in the rain (an experience non of us will ever forget!) and enjoyed the pool in our downtime. There were so many other activities we simply didn't have time to take advantage of which is why we will definitely be back and why we will again choose this magical farm to stay!

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

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

Great place to stay in the La Fortuna area.

Guest Camille & Gina
Date of stay 01/23/12
Review Submitted 04/25/12

We had a great stay at Esteban and Monica's farm. We stayed in the new villa, which consists of 3 buildings, two of which each contain a bedroom/bathroom/sitting area/front porch and the center building contains the kitchen/dining/living area as well as a half-bath. The buidlings are very well maintained and were cleaned very well each day. We loved waking early, putting on some awesom Costa Rican cofffee and sitting looking out over the mist-filled valley, with only the sounds of the parrots in the big trees overhead and the occasional horse or rooster. We would watch the hummingbirds dart around the in the citrus trees and the rest of the lush tropical vegetation. We also enjoyed making some great meals in the well-appointed kitchen. The king bed in the master bedroom building was extremely comfortable and the bathroom had a large shower. The pool and hot tub were great, although they are a bit of a walk from the new villa or a very short drive. We did not get the chance to spend a lot of time with Monica and Esteban, but they were very helpful and friendly and seem like a great family. Esteban also helped us with some suggestion for places to go and even arranged our car rental for the entire trip. We agree with the rest of the positive reviews and only wish we could have stayed longer. Thanks again Esteban and Monica

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

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

Private, Quiet and Quality!!!!

Guest Wayne & Melanie
Date of stay 01/19/12
Review Submitted 01/31/12

If you are looking for a quiet, off the beaten path place to stay that is still close to many major attractions then look no more. My husband and I stayed here 4 nights and wished we would have booked longer. The furnishings are quality and the area is absolutely perfect. If you're looking for a non-touristy area....this is it!!!! Esteban helped us plan our activities and even loaned us his GPS and mapped out a route for a breathtaking drive one day. Make sure you do the hot air balloon ride too.....once in a lifetime experience with undescribable beauty.

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

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

An Amazing and Seamless Introduction to a Beautiful Country

Guest FlyGirl
Date of stay 01/11/12
Review Submitted 03/21/12

I would come back here in a heartbeat. We were 2 couples in our late 20's, early 30's and we had never traveled together before and the house, location and Esteban's great suggestions made for a fabulous and memorable trip. The house is just off the main road and up an unpaved rocky path. When we rolled up around midnight,Esteban, the proprietor, was waiting our arrival. We felt bad for keeping him up, but kudos for a warm welcome. The house/compound is unbelievably gorgeous. The compound we stayed at consisted of 3 very new and detached casitas with huge sliding glass patio doors perched on top of a seclude hill. There were a couple of houses in the back of the compound but the shrubbery and landscaping made me forget they existed. To the left was a master bedroom w/ a sitting room and a bathroom, the middle consisted of a kitchen/living/half bath area with cable tv, wireless internet & to the right was another bedroom with a queen and two twins and it's own bathroom w. shower (my husband and I stayed in this one). The beds were comfy and the kitchen w. new appliances had everything we needed. The only downside is the master bedroom didn't have any hot water in their bathroom and the cable/internet was out. However, the inconviences were quickly remedied. There were chests of drawers in our bedroom but a hanging closet would've been nice. Every morning I would make breakfast with the sun streaming in through the glass doors and I would have a breathtaking view of humming birds flitting around the citrus trees and the lush vegetation of the farm fields and hills in the distance. I felt so lucky to have this opportunity especially since we live in the concrete jungle of New York City. As much as we loved staying at the villa, there were places to be explored. Admittedly, before we left for Costa Rica and I was asking about an itinerary, my travelmate said, "Don't worry, Esteban knows what to do." This statement worried me, but after meeting him I knew that we were in good hands. He asked us our interests. My husband and I are adventures and our travelmates were not so much. Yet he made these awesome suggestions that pleased both our traveling styles. Through him we seamlessly arranged hot springs, hiking, horseback riding, rafting & the awe-inspiring hot air balloon ride. He even lent us a cell phone and a GPS. More importantly, he hooked us up with a great guide, Donald and recommended a fabulous restaurant whos Tres Leches Cake I still dream about.

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

Highly recommend for all who wish to experience Costa Rica charm and adventures

Guest Don
Date of stay 01/02/12
Review Submitted 01/10/12

In all honesty I think the description is understated. The villa was cleaned daily, tastefully furnished, private yet close to pool, and the morning visits from Gitana were welcomed by our 6 year old. The hosts at Centaura Farm will make sure you have a great stay and arrange for any adventure you can imagine - horseback tours, ballooning, white water rafting, canopy tours, hiking, ATV's and more. The villa by itself would be a reason to return set in the lush foliage but adding all the activities should you desire is icing on the cake! Seeing our daughter on horseback at 6 with exceptional guides taking us on a beautiful flora and fauna tour was a highlight of our trip. I have and will recommend this to others. Thank you Centaura Farm!

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

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

Absolutely First Rate

Guest Daniel
Date of stay 12/22/11
Review Submitted 01/14/12

The owner has added a second villa within the past several months. It consists of three closely-grouped buildings. The central one includes a dining area, full-kitchen, and sitting area with a large-screen TV connected to SKY network. The two adjacent buildings are private air-conditioned bedrooms. Each has its own bathroom. Early risers can enjoy coffee and conversation while late risers sleep on undisturbed. There are outside verandas with great views of grazing horses, water buffalo, lush foliage, and volcanoes, both extinct and active. The villas are located on the Centaura Farm and there is a stable with excellent horses within a few minutes walk of the villas. Like other guests, we took full advantage of the horse back riding, hot air ballooning, white water rafting, ATVs, hot springs soaking, and hiking arranged by our host. While we enjoyed visiting other parts of Costa Rica, the highlight of our trip was definitely the time spent here.

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

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

PERFECTION

Guest Nancy
Date of stay 12/04/11
Review Submitted 12/27/11

WOW! This is the most peaceful and beautiful place to stay. Lush gardens with open air living. Esteban and his staff are delightful people... friendly and helpful. The accommodations were perfect! Clean and well supplied. There is not one negative word about this place. I believe it's a slice of heaven. Esteban and his staff made for an exciting adventure for me and my famiily (siblings and cousin). All of our list of activities was fulfilled - thanks to Esteban, Donald and Michael. The hot air balloon was awesome - completely breathtaking. The photos do not do this place justice.. it's a feeling you get when you're there. Safe, comfortable and like you belong. I appreciate all the details... wearing rubber boots during horseback riding and having our jeans washed afterwards was a real bonus. The fruit trees make some really great margaritas! Not only do I recommend this place, I urge you to go. You will not be disappointed, only delighted! Thanks for the great time, Esteban. Nancy

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

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

FANTASTIC!!!!!

Guest Mary Raley
Date of stay 10/09/11
Review Submitted 12/05/11

What a wonderful location! It was just far enough outside of La Fortuna to be away from all the tourists but close enough to all area attractions. The house was emaculate and beautifully decorated. (The pictures do not do this location justice.) It was so nice to leave in the morning and return to fresh towels and clean dishes when we returned. However, the most special part of this location was the kindness and attentiveness of the owners. Estabon and Monica made sure that we felt more like family than guests. We had complete freedom to roam the entire ranch. We visited the beautiful horses, picked fresh fruit directly from the many varities of trees and and even petted the resident water buffalo and pot-bellied pig. We were lucky enough to be able to take a hot-air balloon ride with Estabon. There are not enough words to describe this experience. It was, by far, our favorite part of our trip traveling around Costa Rica. It is easy to see why National Geographic named it one of the top 5 hot-air balloon experiences in the WORLD!!!! Estabon and Monica made sure that we had everything we needed and made suggestions for activities that we had not even thought of. Thier horses are amazing and there are a wide varity of horses to choose from so that the beginning rider is comfortable and the experienced rider can be challenged. This is a place that we will definitely revisit!

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

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

Amazing experience - absolutely loved it!

Guest Ilse
Date of stay 08/06/11
Review Submitted 08/23/11

Our family of 6, including 4 young adults/teenagers had an amazing time staying at Esteban’s guest villa near La Fortuna. Even before we had decided to stay at Esteban’s, he was very helpful in helping us plan our trip to Costa Rica. Esteban had a lot of really good suggestions about things to do not only in the Arenal/La Fortuna areas, but also in the Quepos area that we were planning on visiting as well. The villa is wonderful. It is peaceful, quiet and tranquil. We enjoyed the open-air kitchen and patios with hammocks overlooking beautifully landscaped grounds. Horses grazing nearby made it even more idyllic and very relaxing. The pool is just a few steps from the house and is very nice after a full day of activities. We stayed at Esteban’s villa 4 nights, but we all wished we could have stayed longer. There are so many exciting things to do that we spent our days doing things and did not have as much time just to relax on the grounds of the villa as we would have liked. I would allow more days in the area, time permitting, just because there are so many things to do. We enjoyed zip-lining, white water rafting (class 3-4 rapids, which turned out to be very challenging, but also fun), suspension bridges, hot air ballooning over the rain-forest with Esteban (experience of a lifetime!), spending a day in Rio Celeste with Donald as our guide- what a day! We learned and saw so much, thank you Donald. And thank you Esteban for suggesting and arranging all these trips for us. One thing you absolutely need in Costa Rica is a 4 wheel-drive vehicle; otherwise you will have a tough time on the roads. We normally rent a minivan for our family of 6, but glad we heeded Esteban’s advice and rented an SUV. Again, Esteban arranged for the car and we were able to get a better deal than I would have gotten on my own. When we had trouble with the rental not being ready, Esteban stepped in and helped us out. He also lent us his GPS for the time we were staying at the villa, which was extremely helpful as the roads are poorly marked. I could go on and on, but let me just summarize by saying that we really enjoyed our stay in Esteban’s villa and would highly recommend it to anyone. Thanks Esteban, I commend you on the excellent care you take of your renters and feel that we have become good friends in the short time we have known each other. PS you have a lovely family - so enjoyed meeting everyone. You made all of us feel like dear friends Thank you.

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

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

Our stay at the villa in Costa Rica

Guest Matt, Julie and kids
Date of stay 08/01/11
Review Submitted 11/14/11

My family and I stayed at Esteban and Monica's villa near LaFortuna in August 2011. We spoke to Esteban on the phone several times before finalizing our stay. He speaks excellent English and made me very comfortable with the decision to rent his villa. We stayed for three and days and were thrilled with our "find". The villa is in a very private area which we loved. We like the privacy yet at no time did we feel unsafe. It was like being at home among family. It was open air and had a great porch. We really enjoyed the hammock. The pool was nice for the kids. Our two children loved the animals (especially the water buffalo!) and we all got to explore some. Esteban was great and helped us decide which activities in the area would be worthwhile for the amount of time we had. The advice was invaluable. My daughter loves horses, so we did a personalized trail ride with Monica and Michael. We had a great time. This is by no means your traditional trail ride. The horses were good, the kids got to run them, we crossed a stream, and saw lots of terrain we would not have seen otherwise. Monica was a great guide; very informative and also just really nice to talk to. All in all, we had a great time. The villa was more than I expected and it really exceeded our expectations as did the service and friendliness of the all the staff. Esteban and Monica were wonderful and made our stay exceptional. THANKS guys!!! We loved it.

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

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

Great property, great people

Guest Experiential Learners
Date of stay 07/09/11
Review Submitted 11/11/11

WOW! What a place, what an experience. Our family of 4 with 2 "high spirited" boys aged 6 and 8 stayed for 3 nights at this comfortable well equipped, serene property. As many of the reviewers have commented the house and amenities were great. I'll also agree the location was good - near La Fortuna with much to do nearby but not near all the other tourists. The grounds were beautiful and the pool refreshing. The boys ran around the farm freely and played with puppies, fed horses and generally enjoyed the freedom of space this place offered which they don't have in suburban US. Like a lot of our great experiences through travel, our time in Costa Rica it was highlighted by meeting and getting help from special people. Esteban, his family, guides and staff are incredible ambassadors for Costa Rica, the region and for travel in general. While planning my trip I stumbled across this property VRBO and found Esteban who shared insight about his country and the places we wanted to see. Yes, he helped with the practical matters of arranging trips and transfers which probably saved us some money and definitely time. He gave us itinerary tips which allowed for all the family to have great experience. When we come back, we will try to spend more time at this property and have no reservations about recommending it to our friends. HAPPY TRAILS.

Recommended for: Families with young children

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

Villa Between the Volcanoes--Excellent Value!

Guest Marshman
Date of stay 06/11/11
Review Submitted 07/03/11

I knew that I wanted to be near the Arenal volcano and this listing immediately grabbed my attention. The description on VRBO is 100% accurate and, if anything, understated. I found the owner to be very responsive to my inquiry. After talking with him a few times on the phone (he speaks excellent English) I decided to use the villa as the base for my first visit to Costa Rica, land of "Pura Vida". The villa is located 2 1/2 hours' drive from San Jose airport, 1387 miles from my home in Florida. Driving to the villa is a challenge, with many twisting hairpin turns. The scenery along the way is outstanding, though. Once there we realized that it was not far from La Fortuna, the base for many activities like ziplining, whitewater rafting, hanging bridges, hot springs, etc. We were happy to get the owner's guidance on how to structure our visits to nearby attractions. Four wheel drive rental vehicle is a must for this villa (ask for automatic transmission unless you really like shifting gears). The villa is in a beautiful location and has lush tropical landscaping surrounding it. The view from the veranda's rocking chairs is of the Platanar volcano. The open nature of the villa's design means you enjoy the sounds of birds and rain. For a respite from heat and humidity both bedrooms have individually-controlled AC units. The furniture and decor is functional and attractive and the maids' daily visits keep things immaculately clean. The privacy is outstanding and the villa has a feel of luxury far beyond its rental cost. The owner adds tremendous extra value by offering to book trips and to make reservations; he even was able to loan us a GPS for our rental car! Horseback riding with a guide is available for a modest fee. You can even charter a hot air balloon flight with the owner as your pilot. Shopping for groceries is convenient; local restaurants are good and offer typical Costa Rican fare. The kitchen is fully equipped so you can cook a meal or two without leaving the villa. I definitely recommend this villa for experiencing the pura vida of the real Costa Rica. Knowing a little Spanish will enhance your visit though it's not critical. Joining up with tours to Cano Negro wildlife refuge and for whitewater rafting is easy, the minivan will pick you up at the gas station 5 KM from the villa.

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

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

Our Costa Rican mountain paradise!

Guest Mary A.
Date of stay 05/21/11
Review Submitted 05/31/11

We stayed here for 3 nights on Esteban’s ranch. It was PERFECT. Esteban arranged an amazing experience (horses, Rio Celeste, Parque del Bosque hot springs, etc) with great guides (Donal was knowledgeable, engaging and an overall great travel companion and guide) and all the transportation was taken care of. Our favorites: 1) The villa. It is amazing. The pictures do not do it justice! 2) The horses and water buffalo checking us out on our outdoor kitchen patio every morning while we brewed Costa Rican coffee with the sunrise. I relax just thinking of it... 3) Aretes, the little pig on the farm. He’s fantastic! And finally, 4) The comfort and relaxation that goes with the feeling of a now family friend arranging a vacation much better than we ever could have done! Thanks Esteban! - Mary and Steve

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

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

Horse and countryside lovers

Guest J&P
Date of stay 05/06/11
Review Submitted 05/22/11

This experience was so far above expectations it's hard to describe! The bedrooms and bathrooms are top class, the kitchen has all you need for a snack or easy dinner. To wake up and make an early morning cup of tea or coffee, sit on the veranda to watch the day break, hear the birds and animals and watch the parrots or toucans fly by is just heaven. Esteban and Monica are the perfect hosts - helpful when you need it or they leave you to enjoy your privacy. There's not another tourist in sight yet it's not far to La Fortuna and other activities. There are horses for every level of rider, and the scenery around the farm is lovely. Fantastic!

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

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

Above and beyond

Guest Brian
Date of stay 04/21/11
Review Submitted 05/02/11

For our first visit to Costa Rica we didn't have any expectations. In my life I have never felt so taken care of and welcomed into a place. The guest house was beautiful and well maintained and very peaceful. Esteban and his family were more than accommodating answering any questions we had about the area and taking us on some great adventures(hot air ballooning and ATV.) Thank you Esteban and your family for a life long memory.

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

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

ABSOLUTLY PERFECT!

Guest Jason
Date of stay 03/25/11
Review Submitted 04/16/11

This trip was absolutely perfect for my family of five (children 13, 8 and 5). Let’s begin with the Location. If you want to get a real taste of authentic Costa Rica this is the place. Twenty minutes from La Fortuna but worlds away from the tourist crowds. The Villa sits up on the hill side with views of the mountains and Volcano. My children loved waking up in the morning to see the horses and water buffalo grazing outside the villa. Memories my children will never forget. The hospitality of Esteban and his staff was most gracious. He was always available to give out recommendation of places and things to see based on what we wanted for our family. For example, he informed us on all the different options for hot springs, the best zip lines, different restaurant options, horseback riding, four wheeling, frog farms, etc. Esteban, thanks for everything. We can’t wait to come back. See you soon!

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

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

Just like heaven

Guest peach
Date of stay 03/16/11
Review Submitted 04/01/11

When we saw the private villa on vrbo we thought it looked like heaven. When we got to the villa we knew it was like heaven. Our host and his family were very gracious, friendly and helpful. He hooked us up with an incredible guide who traveled with us to a private river lodge and a private cloud forest lodge. As much as we enjoyed those incredible preserves, after a couple of nights away going back to farm felt like going back home. We went to Costa Rica primarily for birding and we saw an incredible number of tropical birds right on the farm, right from the kitchen table. The villa is well appointed, comfortable and so relaxing. I would highly recommend this property to anyone, it is just as advertised.

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

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

Paradise

Guest Caroline M.
Date of stay 03/16/11
Review Submitted 03/31/11

Our family just got back from Costa Rica and we just can't say enough about this wonderful house. Imagine waking up to gorgeous horses (and a water buffalo) grazing outside your bedroom window, birds singing continuously and the nicest hosts you can meet anywhere! Esteban was invaluable when it came to helping us to create a vacation that included something for everyone in the family. The men went canyoning while we women went on the most spectacular horseback ride of our lives. I never could have imagined that horseback riding would be so free and exciting. Here in the States we are so used to the plodding, slow line of trail rides, that we can not even begin to imagine a ride that you feel as though you own the horse. Thank you Monica for a day like no other. The villa, itself, was a big surprise too. The pictures do not do this home justice. It was perfect for the five of us and gave us the peace and tranquility we didn't even know we needed. We will definitely be returning in the future!

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

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

Vacation Rentals by Owner

Private Villa in Horse Ranch Outside of La Fortuna [#323570] | View Property

Traveler Reviews (55)

Amazing Place to Visit

Amazing Place to Visit

“Pure Pura Vida!”

“Pure Pura Vida!”

Exceeded High Expectations

Exceeded High Expectations

True Flavor of Costa Rica !

True Flavor of Costa Rica !

Wonderful experience

Wonderful experience

Great memories and a perfect host!!

Great memories and a perfect host!!

Home away from home!

Home away from home!

Tico hospitality

Tico hospitality

Beautiful and peaceful...the perfect getaway!

Beautiful and peaceful...the perfect getaway!

Exceeded all expectations!!!!

Exceeded all expectations!!!!

Exceeded all expectations!!!!

Exceeded all expectations!!!!

You are in good hands

You are in good hands

A little disappointing

A little disappointing

Beautiful Home and Location/ Wonderful Host

Beautiful Home and Location/ Wonderful Host

Amazing host, accommodations and activities!

Amazing host, accommodations and activities!

Over The Top Riding Experience!

Over The Top Riding Experience!

Bob and Jan - the Gypsies

Bob and Jan - the Gypsies

Great stay at the Ranch!!

Great stay at the Ranch!!

Wonderful property!!

Wonderful property!!

Great place

Great place

OUTSTANDING

OUTSTANDING

Highly Recommended! Beautiful property and fabulous Costa Rican hospitality!

Highly Recommended! Beautiful property and fabulous Costa Rican hospitality!

Incredible Place/Memorable Experiences

Incredible Place/Memorable Experiences

Fabulous Start to our Trip with 3 school age kids

Fabulous Start to our Trip with 3 school age kids

A Great Place to Stay - Pura Vida!!

A Great Place to Stay - Pura Vida!!

Pura Vida

Pura Vida

Beautiful Private Villa With Great Views

Beautiful Private Villa With Great Views

Experience Costa Rica at it's best!

Experience Costa Rica at it's best!

Pura Vida!

Pura Vida!

Pura Vida!

Pura Vida!

Fantastic experience

Fantastic experience

Exceeded all or our Expectations!

Exceeded all or our Expectations!

Magical

Magical

Great place to stay in the La Fortuna area.

Great place to stay in the La Fortuna area.

Private, Quiet and Quality!!!!

Private, Quiet and Quality!!!!

An Amazing and Seamless Introduction to a Beautiful Country

An Amazing and Seamless Introduction to a Beautiful Country

Highly recommend for all who wish to experience Costa Rica charm and adventures

Highly recommend for all who wish to experience Costa Rica charm and adventures

Absolutely First Rate

Absolutely First Rate

PERFECTION