Reviews for Las Terrenas Vacation Rental - VRBO 347229 - 2 BR Dominican Republic Villa, Private Swimming Pool

"Just what we were looking for"

Guest Ron
Date of stay 03/02/13
Review Submitted 03/19/13

We were looking for a Caribbean vacation to celebrate our 30th anniversary and wanted to experience natural beaches without the stacked condos and resorts. We wanted a good location with privacy and something that we could cook a few meals in. After seeing the pictures and reading the reviews of what Casa Pura Vida offered, it sounded perfect. After spending 9 nights there, we can say it was exactly what we were looking for and more. We loved the fact that you can walk to the beach, town and plenty of restuarants to choose from. After a couple days of settling in we felt perfectly safe walking at night. Susan delivered on everything as the web site is listed and provided tips on the area. Frito, the property manager and local expert can answer your questions and help with scheduling any activities or adventures. We rented a vehicle for the week but really did not use it since there are so many things walking distance. Next time we will shuttle from the airport and rent a quad (atv) or motorcycle for the days we want to adventure out more. Our favorite activites were, El Limon, taking photos and snorkeling at Bonita, beach walking, Sunday (family day) at Luis-Coson.This was our first International trip and we enjoyed every minute of it.Thanks Susan and Frito for everything! Hope to see you soon, Ron & Kathy GA-USA

Owner response: I'm so happy I was able to meet Ron and Kathy as they're just a delightful couple! They took advantage of everything Las Terrenas and the Samana Peninsula has to offer and also appreciated the excellent location and amenities of Casa Pura Vida- They are already talking about returning next year and I can't wait to see them again!

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Awesome for the whole family...

Guest Elly S.
Date of stay 02/08/13
Review Submitted 04/18/13

The title really says it all. Our stay at Casa Pura Vida was flippin' fantastic! We had private (and i mean PRIVATE) pool and our young children (ages 3 &4) loved it! We enjoyed time outside in the garden area during the day and felt completely safe there...what more could we ask for? very little but if something does come to mind you just yell...."susaaaan" and there it'll be! Nothing but good reviews and vibes from this place and owner.

Owner response: I absolutely loved getting to know Elly, her husband Eli and their super-cute boys!! They came all the way from Alaska and were so appreciative of the house, pool and gardens- I hope they return! :)

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Perfect spot

Guest thymetraveller
Date of stay 01/12/13
Review Submitted 02/14/13

I would easily recommend this location to anyone. What you see is what you get, the photos don't lie. We loved the extremely private pool area. Here are a few comments about the house that would improve the experience - first, there is inadequate lighting in the eating area, in the evening - if you don't go out to eat- the table is dark. Bounce lighting off the ceiling would be helpful. While the sofa and chairs are nice, they are not comfortable for long term reading. Some of the fans are quite noisy on full speed. Everything else is top notch. The first evening was strange, as the quiet of the day was replaced by barking dogs and small animals and birds of the tropics that call to each other much of the night. You get used to it. The heavy rain on the tin roof was incredible the first time, it reminded me of the rains in South Africa, quite spectacular. Before we left home, we had enough information sent to us to understand all our options, and make some plans for the vacation. Las Terrenas is small and friendly. I was surprised at the number of excellent restaurants. And I really mean excellent, not just fairly good. Nothing is more than a fifteen minute walk away. We found that not renting a car was perfect for us. The town has a few offices that offer plenty of day and half-day trips, and they will pick you up at your location. In terms of languages, it's Spanish, French, and then English. The French from France have adopted Las Terrenas, so there is a real French bakery with real baguettes, and French restaurants. There are also Italian, Russian, North American and of course local restaurants. The Pizza is the best I've ever had. Stay away from hamburger joints, they just don't have it right yet. If you don't want to eat out all the time, there are a few excellent supermarkets. We also found a few specialty shops with many food items you'd get at home. But this is a vacation, so try the local stuff. It's worth it. If you want to see more than the first few blocks of the town, keep walking. Get off the main streets and wander into the less frantic areas. The place has a lot of character. The further you go from the tourist area of town, the poorer it gets, but there are no beggars or people sleeping in the streets. Susan is a delight to have as a neighbor. She is helpful, loves to chat, and knows all the ins and outs of the place. A very special woman. Forget hotels, nothing beats a private hideaway.

Recommended for: Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway.

Owner response: Thank you, David, for our 22nd 5-star review! We actually improved the lighting and added more cushions to the living area right after you left- Hope to see you again next year!

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Loved Casa Pura Vida -- You can't miss!

Guest Jerry L.
Date of stay 12/08/12
Review Submitted 01/27/13

We always prefer renting a nice house or cottage vs. any kind of large hotel or all-inclusive vacation, and Las Terrenas was the perfect getaway from a chilly Colorado winter! Casa Pura Vida was roomy with everything we need for the 2 of us, including fresh water, Internet access and a TV, which we never turned on! Owners Steve & Susan directed us to the best beaches, restaurants and "happy hours" around the town! I liked having a grill to cook up some fresh fish that you can buy every day on the beach from the local fishermen. And the pool was so relaxing in the heat of the day when you just wanted to lay about, read and then cool off. The 2 bedrooms would make this a good choice for a family with one or 2 children as well. If you're a single traveler or a couple, ask owner Susan about her new Terrace apartment on the property. It has its own pool and is very private. The easy walking access to the main town, the delicious French bakery and of course the beach and the seaside "Mojitos" cuban bar and restaurant make this the perfect choice for anyone looking to relax yet have plenty of choices to do some day trips or a few adventures. We were very lucky to have a week of beautiful weather even though we visited just before the high season started around Dec. 15. We had a few cooling morning rains that just led into great sunny afternoons and warm evenings! We like to explore new places, but Las Terrenas is high on our list for a return trip!

Owner response: Jerry has perfectly captured the appeal and advantages of Casa Pura Vida and his review shows why Casa Pura Vida is the MOST consistently booked private villa in Las Terrenas! I hope they stay with us again soon!

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Perfect Spot for Honeymoon - Adventures and Relaxation!

Guest Lindsey
Date of stay 07/09/12
Review Submitted 08/08/12

My husband and I had a FABULOUS time in Las Terrenas! Although it took a couple of days to adjust (friendly bugs and lizards in the house, friendly guys on motos offering rides, morose kids trying to sell trinkets at every restaurant), we are SO glad we decided to rent this wonderful villa for our honeymoon. The villa is easy walking distance from beachside bars, delicious restaurants, and taxi stands. It's also truly simple to jump on the back of a moto and say "Lindo" - you are at the grocery store in no time! The owners were so helpful in planning the trip by setting us up with their folks in DR and we went on several great excursions: Cascada Limon, coffee plantations, national park. We cooked in the house for breakfast when we weren't at the French bakery and we loved hanging out by the pool with our honeymoon cocktail: Brugal Blanco, mango juice, and Sprite. By the second week of our stay at Casa Pura Vida, we were already talking about a return trip with friends. Our advice would be to embrace the "adventurous" part of the stay and cherish the relaxation that you have in this private, beautiful villa. We can't wait to come back!

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

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Perfect vacation

Guest Becky L.
Date of stay 06/12/12
Review Submitted 06/28/12

Casa Pura Vida was our home away from home. Susan greeted us like long lost friends,and showed us around her tropical getaway. The home has two beautifully decorated bedrooms, a well appointed kitchen and of course your own private pool. The house is only a 3 minute walk from a dozen yummy restaurants, and beautiful beach. The beach has calm, turquoise water and is ideal for swimming. There are beach bars close as well. The sky terrace was being finished and looked like a romantic honeymoon suite. We can't wait to return, to our new home away from home. Becky Cheff

Owner response: Thank you, Becky--- I hope you and your family can stay with us again SOON! :)

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A peaceful oasis, perfect for small families.

Guest Tessa
Date of stay 12/19/11
Review Submitted 01/06/12

We recently got back from a wonderful nearly two-week stay at Casa Pura Vida and are still smiling! What a perfect rental villa it was for us! The location is outstanding. A short walk to the gorgeous beach, good restaurants, and shops. Yet, when you are at the house, you are in a serene oasis. Time at home was just as enjoyable as being on the beach. Our two-year-old son loved the garden. He would grab my hand and say, "Mama, garden!" which meant it was time for our regular tour of the garden, stopping to identify all the colors of the flowers, hide underneath the elephant-ear-sized leaves, and look up at the swifts in the sky. Our 12-year-old, with autism, loved the swimming pool, and spent many hours happily splashing about, while we barbecued fresh fish and drank Chilean wine. Neither of our sons is particularly happy in hotel rooms, and this vacation house allowed them the space to be themselves. The house was clean and comfortable, with cable TV and Wifi. This is the Third World, and problems may arise, but Susan has a great team assembled to help. Handyman Frito was very helpful and friendly, yet respectful of our privacy. I enjoyed practising my French with him. As a Haitian, he speaks French with an imperfect accent, like me, so I wasn't intimidated. He also speaks English and Spanish, of course, as does the helpful house manager, Miguel. Only two suggestions to make the house more enjoyable: washer/dryer, and more hooks to hang up towels, etc. Las Terrenas can seem a bit intimidating at first - a bustling little town with crazy drivers. But once you get to know how things work, it's a fun place to be. You can hop on the back of a "motoconcho," or motorbike, and be whisked off to the grocery store or anywhere, for the equivalent of about 75 cents. Way easier than trying to drive yourself. The people are beautiful and friendly. Although locals are pretty poor here, you won't be hustled and hassled. We were very taken with the Dominican Republic, and are already planning a return visit. Our time at Casa Pura Vida was fabulous! Gracias!

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

Owner response: I am so glad I was in Las Terrenas at the same time and got to meet this beautiful family! They really got to know Las Terrenas and appreciated everything our house and garden have to offer-- These lovely people are what make owning a rental property such a pleasure-- Thank you!!!

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

Wonderful vacation!

Guest Theresa F.
Date of stay 06/29/11
Review Submitted 08/01/11

Hi Susan...we’re back from Las Terrenas and thank you for a wonderful stay – we had a great time (despite the rain on several days) but just loved the house, the pool, and of course the beach (we decided the beach by the house was our favorite of all the others we visited)!! Everyone was lovely and very attentive to anything we may have needed….and all around just had the most relaxing, wonderful vacation! Once again, thanks for the effortless experience. The team you had on the ground assisting us was great and we loved everything about our stay.

Owner response: Due to her demanding job, Theresa had specifically requested a RELAXING, no-hassle vacation and I'm so happy our staff at Casa Pura Vida were able to provide it! And here's another vote for "best beach"...just 300 steps from our villa-- Thanks, Theresa!

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"¡Viva La Terrena!"

Guest Jeanine E.
Date of stay 04/01/11
Review Submitted 04/22/11

Dear Susan, It's been already a week since we got back from our trip. We had the most wonderful time in Las Terrenas. We enjoyed your comfortable and clean house and the swimming pool very much. Your lush garden gives your property a feeling of paradise. We walked a lot throughout the town and each time we discovered something new. Miguel, Maruscha, Rosa, and Po are great people that we hope to meet again. Miguel was always reliable and helped us with every issue we had with the house. Playa Popy is amazingly beautiful and we couldn't stop appreciating how beautiful it was each time we walked by it. The restaurants all over the town offer great food and the croissants at El Barrio Latino are especially good. We also asked Rosa to make the national dish, sancocho, and it was another great experience. We even got to visit Rosa's home in Los Puentes and had a wonderful time with her family. My husband and I are happy that our children, ages 10 and 12, got to see this wonderful location and meet wonderful people in the Dominican Republic. Our vacation was so powerful that we are already talking about going back. Thank you Susan for sharing your Casa Pura Vida! P.S. :I listened to your piece of advice and had Valeria do highlights on my hair; she did a great job and she's such a kind lady. Jeanine

Recommended for: Families with young children

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It’s Not a 5-Star. This Casa is So Much Better !

Guest Craig & Heather
Date of stay 03/17/11
Review Submitted 03/28/11

Heather and I had the pleasure of staying at Casa Pura Vida from March 17th, 2011 until March 26th (sadly still 2011 and not some other year, say 2015). We arrived in Samana on March 15th but had to stay at a 5-star all inclusive resort for a couple of days since some other couple got to CPV first (grrrrr). Believe me, resort living got really boring after about 4 hours. While we are both extremely proficient at just chilling by the pool or on the beach with tropical cocktails or Presidentes, Heather and I love to get out and meet the locals and see what life is all about when we travel to different places. So to make getting around the Samana peninsula a little easier we had Miguel (Susan & Steve’s property manager) meet us at El Catey airport with a 4WD vehicle… and showed us the way to Casa Pura Vida. The house and grounds were exactly as photographed and described. The house is spacious, simple, clean, and very tastefully decorated. We immediately felt at home. We made dinner reservations for Los Pinos (just around the corner from CPV). The sequence of events over the next few days, went something like this: Wake up when it pleases us. Have coffee at (or in) the pool. Read a bit by the pool. Go to the beach out in front of CPV. Go to Mojitos (bar/restaurant at ‘our’ beach) for lunch. Wander in to town. Stop by Dan’s. Presidente’s. Back to CPV and read by the pool. Cocktails. Back to the beach. Either Bar-B-Q, cook, or go out for dinner. Back to CPV. Play cards or backgammon. Sleep, Rinse, Repeat. I know, it’s a tough life. No matter where you go in this world there is always someone who sticks in your mind as “the character”. Las Terrenas is no exception. Frito, the Casa Pura Vida property manager, is a kind, hard working, fun-loving, “jack of all trades.” We got to know him quite well as there were a couple of small issues that needed his expert attention while we were there. It really was a pleasure helping him solve the problems (which I am certain he could have accomplished on his own). It is easy to see why Susan and Steve keep him around. On our last day, after a morning at ‘our’ beach and lunch at Mojitos, Miguel came by and dragged us into the 4WD kicking and screaming. He then had the nerve to drive us back to the airport and leave us there with our suitcases and a few souvenirs. Oh well, there’s always next year. Susan and Steve, thanks for some wonderful memories.

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

Owner response: What a great review from some wonderful guests, although the headline actually said: "It's Not a 5-star RESORT.." I love the fact that Craig and Heather preferred our house to the big all-inclusive resort ("boring after 4 hours"!) They are true "travelers', not just "tourists"...they also brought school supplies for a local children's library! I loved their daily "routine" using the villa's perfect location and they also took advantage of the way our friends in Las Terrenas become YOUR friends -- Everyone looks forward to seeing Heather and Craig again next year! :)

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A little gem!

Guest P 'n P
Date of stay 03/01/11
Review Submitted 03/29/11

For those who have had their fill of resorts, Casa Pura Vida offers the perfect alternative. A pretty little house far enough from the main street to buffer the noise, but close enough to be at the beach and a host of restaurants in 3 or 4 minutes. CVP is clean and comfortable. The lushly landscaped backyard and pool is a very private oasis where one can unwind with good selection of books from the shelf, and a perfect place to stretch on a yoga mat thoughtfully provided. Susan has assembled a good team to care for her property. Miguel, Maruscha and Frito are friendly, fun people and if there should be a problem, it is dealt with immediately. Mohito's on the beach is definately the place for lunch.....and Big Dan's for the coldest Presidente and ice cream bars. We would definately come back to CVP. Thank you, Susan for sharing your piece of paradise!

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

Owner response: I'm particularly pleased with this outstanding review from Paul and Pat because, as owners themselves of two gorgeous rental properties in Canada, they have very high standards! They were a couple of our favorite guests because they sent newsy emails about their stay and Paul, a talented handyman, even fixed a small problem with the refrigerator! Thank you Paul and Pat!

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

undiscovered gem

Guest meltdown
Date of stay 01/03/11
Review Submitted 01/17/11

my husband, 3 year old son, and myself wanted an off the beaten path vaca and that's exactly what we got. las terrenas is gorgeous, remote, and unique. the house itself was comfortable and the set up nice. the pool and the grounds are beautiful as well. it's perfectly located. you're close to everything including the magnificient beach! miguel and marushka (the caretakers) are fantastic. they gave us a lot of helpful info and were there if we needed anything. did i mention that passionfruit are growing like crazy all over las terrenas? those things are $4 a piece in the US! truly paradise.do yourself a favor, buy some rum, fresh mint, pick some passionfruits and make passionfruit mojitos! truly paradise. you won't be disappointed!

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

Owner response: For some reason, Casa Pura Vida manages to attract the most wonderful guests ....like Michelle and her family! She shared many pictures of the beach and our property, including Miguel climbing up a coconut tree to cut them fresh coconuts! I hope to visit Michelle's gourmet dessert shop in New Orleans and actually meet her some day!

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Perfect in every way!

Guest Kathy
Date of stay 07/20/10
Review Submitted 08/19/10

I was attracted to Casa Pura Vida because of the pictures; however, the house and yard are even more beautiful than shown on the listing! I traveled alone and didn't want to stay around lots of people in a hotel, so I was happy the rate was so reasonable and I could afford a house with my very own pool. I also felt perfectly safe because of the walls. I worried a bit about not having a/c in late July, but the ceiling fans really kept the house cool. I loved making coffee and cereal in the morning and eating it outside under the kiosk. Then I'd choose a paperback from the house library and walk just a few minutes to the beach. I spent most afternoons in and beside the turquoise swimming pool which really is totally private! And then after a shower, I'd walk to one of the restaurants just around the corner (Pizza Coco and Big Dan's American Cafe were favorites.) The owner, Susan, was very helpful while I was planning the trip and sent me a guide to the area and how to travel from the airport. Todd was there to meet me and show me the house and he helped me rent a quad for a couple days. Frito takes care of the pool and yard and also couldn't have been nicer--he even climbed the coconut tree beside the house and cut me down some coconuts! I'm a teacher and this was one of my best summer vacations-- I hope to return next year to Casa Pura Vida!

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

Owner response: Todd and Frito, our property managers, also said Kathy was the "perfect guest" !! I'm so happy she had such a wonderful stay!

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 8/8

Great space!

Guest Big Dan's Cafe Americano
Date of stay 05/19/10
Review Submitted 05/19/10

I lived in this place for a year before they bought it...it's awesome and now that Susan and Steve bought it, it is 10 times better...so cute. It is absolutely within walking distance of everything you can possibly need...beaches, restaurants, shops, nightlife! I did not want to move! Big Dan

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

Owner response: Dan liked the location of Casa Pura Vida so much that he opened "Big Dan's Cafe Americano" right around the corner facing the beach! Great food and fun people. Tell Danny you're staying at CPV and he'll give you a free beer! :) Susan

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

Casa Pura Vida: a Little Slice of Paradise

Guest Michael and Nancy
Date of stay 04/12/10
Review Submitted 05/15/10

We had a wonderful month at Casa Pura Vida in Las Terrenas, but a month is still not enough to explore all that Samana and Las Terrenas has to offer. Casa Pura Vida is exactly as described and is very comfortable for up to two couples. The kitchen was fine but I would have enjoyed having a microwave now and again and a few more cabinets to store things for a month. Although there is no AC in the bedrooms, the trade winds blow and it was comfortable sleeping for the time of year we were there. Having internet and direct TV were definate plus if you plan to stay longer than a week. The mosquito netting was welcome and romantic although there really wasn't any problem with mosquitos We made use of the pool every day though there were some issues with pool maintence because of the rain. It was very nice to have. We especially enjoyed our trip to Las Haiteses National Park. It was a great value and we had an English speaking guide who was assigned just to us. It was rainy at the start of that trip, but we still had a wonderful visit. We booked the excursion through Stephanie's in town. Would have loved to have gone to Playa Rincon but they didn't have enough people to plan an excursion as high season was over. My favorite beach was Playa Coson and we ate at Luis's twice while there. Great food and friendly people. We also loved Playa Bonita..a very special place, when you go there turn right for a private wide beach. We enjoyed visiting Playa Bellinas and Playa Popi where we spent most days out on the point. There a beach places to stop for refreshments and lunch. Having transportation isn't necessary as there are plenty of places to rent motoconchos, quads, or taxis. We generally only had rain at night and only a couple of rainy days as, during the day it was mostly sunny. We enjoyed watching the kite surfers at Playa Popi and we sampled many of the restaurants and found the atmosphere at the the places like Syzors and Poca Cabana to be very special..Sandros just around the corner to the right was another favorite place. We enjoyed coffee and pastries at the French Bakery in the mornings in town (walking). We also cooked at the casa and enjoyed fresh sea food purchased from the fisherman . We were able to find Diane's for rotisserie chicken which was also delicious. We definatley would love to return to Las Terrenas.

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

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 10/11

Tropical Rest & Relaxation Haven!

Guest Cory S.
Date of stay 03/02/10
Review Submitted 03/14/10

Our week at Casa Pura Vida was marked by 4 days of rain...........not the best weather, BUT the open, spacious floor plan and covered terrace by the pool allowed us to enjoy ourselves......we watched a couple of DVD's, popped some popcorn, and still swam in the pool! We were glad to have a car and drove to Las Galeras and Samana and surrounding beaches. (We liked Playa Coson the best!) The kitchen was amply stocked with the necessary equipment to make our meals. We enjoyed getting to know Frito, who met us at arrival and whose warm and friendly personality made us feel comfortable and at home. The yard is tropical: lush and green, and we enjoyed the quiet, which contrasted the noisy, hustle and bustle of town. While we enjoyed traveling and staying around the Dominican Republic on our six week vacation, we enjoyed Las Terrenas the best.

Recommended for: Age 55+, romantic getaway.

Owner response: We were so happy to have Cory and Karla as our guests-- I was fortunate to meet this great couple and I'm so glad they appreciated having the large living area, especially when the rains arrived!

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 10/10

Lovely Casa Pura Vida

Guest Rob and Jantine
Date of stay 12/18/09
Review Submitted 01/20/10

We really enjoyed our stay at Casa Pura Vida, it is really a beautiful, lovely and cozy place. When we arrived, Todd was there to show us around and everywhere in the house were beautiful flowers in vases and other nice things, we were really very happy. We especially liked Frito the gardener, such a nice boy and so friendly. If we ask him anything, he smiled and said "I am here for you two, so no problem". He wanted us to have no worries about anything. He kept the swimmingpool so clean and his wife and cleaning lady, Christina is also very nice and helpfull. Casa Pura Vida is just the perfect place to stay in Las Terrenas. It's away from al the noisiness of the town, but not to far away to go there (walking). It's just a little walk to the beach with a lot of nice restaurants. The house is clean and very nice, tastefully decorated and has all the comfort you need. The garden and private pool (very well maintained) are great, so much privacy. We wanted a relaxing holiday, and that is what we got. We walked into town or the restaurants at the fishermans area or took a motoconcho. The only trip we made was to El Limon which was great to experience, especially the horse ride to get there. We would highly recomment this place. And we want to thank Susan for letting us stay in her beautiful vila and the good communication we had, while making plans for this trip.

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: 6/6

Casa Pura Vida, just perfect

Guest Rob and Jantine
Date of stay 12/18/09
Review Submitted 01/16/10

Casa Pura Vida is just the perfect place to stay in Las Terrenas. It's away from al the noisiness of the town, but not to far away to go there (walking). It's just a little walk to the beach with a lot of nice restaurants. The house is clean and very nice, tastefully decorated and has al the comfort you need. The garden and private pool (very well maintained) are great, so much privacy. We wanted a relaxing holiday, and that is what we got. We walked into town or the restaurants at the fishermans area or took a motoconcho. The only trip we made was to El Limon which was great to experience, especially the horse ride to get there. Whatever holiday you like, relaxing or active, this is the best place te be.

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

Owner response: Rob and Jantine stayed three weeks at Casa Pura Vida and I'm so glad they had such a wonderful time! They sent me an email when they first arrived to say how much they loved the flower arrangements in the house and how they appreciated our friendly and helpful gardener and housekeeper. And as they said, we really do have the BEST location in Las Terrenas!

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 20/20

las terrenas holiday

Guest tjandk
Date of stay 11/03/09
Review Submitted 12/01/09

The home is exactly as displayed. The home is very clean, plenty of room, nice kitchen area, plenty of seating if you need to remain in doors because of rain. The home was very clean and comfortable. The owner attempts to meet all your needs and has a local resident provide any assistance that a traveler may want. The home has a secure parking area inside the court yard. The swimming pool is very well maintained and it is so peaceful to sit by it away from the town proper and the normal traffic noise that so many of the resorts have on the main street. Restaurants are a short walk down the road and it is also a short walk to the main part of town. Coco Pizza is a great place to eat, five minutes walk from the home. I am sure that anyone that visits will not be disappointed by their stay in this very well maintained home.

Recommended for: Adventure seekers

Owner response: I was able to meet Tom and Kathy while they were in Las Terrenas and learned they are world travelers and have stayed at MANY hotel and private villas; so their 5 star review of our Casa Pura Vida is especially appreciated!! Susan

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

Love Casa Pura Vida!

Guest Alan & Gretchen
Date of stay 10/31/09
Review Submitted 11/12/09

Hi Susan, We just wanted to let you know that we had a wonderful time on our vacation. Our only complaint was that it wasn't long enough. The house was just perfect and well-situated to everything we wanted to do. Although we missed having a beer with Huff as he wasn't there the day we stopped at the Palapa Bar all the advice he gave us was great. We got to Playa Rincon, El Limon, and twice to Coson, once by car and once by quad. Faster and much more fun by quad! We had two leisurely lunches at Caffe Coson, a very pleasant find. The food takes a while, but is very much worth the wait. Our favorite swimming beach was Playa Ballenas. All in all we had a spectacular time. We kept busy and it was so nice to come home to that pool for cocktail hour every day. Thank you so much for opening your home to us and for all of your recommendations and advice. We loved Casa Pura Vida and Las Terrenas and hope to return again someday. Thank you again . Sincerely, Alan & Gretchen

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

Owner response: Thanks, Alan and Gretchen, for the great review and helpful tips! Please let us know when you're ready to return! :)Susan

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

Wonderful Stay!!

Guest Indhira
Date of stay 08/26/09
Review Submitted 09/08/09

Our stay was more than wonderful. The beach villa was everything we were hoping for- a nice place to relax away from any craziness. We wanted a romantic place, and we got it :) My husband & I enjoyed every second of being in the villa and its surroundings. The gardens were beautiful and having the private pool was a heaven- I would wake up every morning, make some coffee, and read my book by the pool. The villa was comfortable & had a nice TV. I loved the tropical decorations & the colors in the villa. I found the villa to be very well equipped with everything we needed, with the exception of a microwave. We had the opportunity to visit el Limon waterfall (with Santi) it was spectacular. The lunch was great, "pescado con coco" was delicious. We also went to cayo levantado (the fish was fresh, food was great). We went on our own, took a small fisherman's boat to there. YOu must bargain price. Best place to take this boats is on the way to las galeras and not in samana since more expensive. We also visited Playa bonita, playa las Ballenas (our favorite). we were also adventurous enough to rent a four wheeler and go to playa moron (past limon). This was insane, what roads! but it was a lot of fun. Once we got to the virgin beach of Moron, it was absolutely beautiful but the ocean was a bit rough for our taste. we just enjoyed the view, took pictures and continued to explore the area. Another very interesting experience (too bad on our last day) was to see all the fisherman's bring all the fish for the day, we saw all types of fish, including two huge marlins. They would bring from the boats and weigh them, ect. You could buy all the fresh fish before midday and cook it in the villa. Food: we had breakfast at the villa every morning, then went out for lunch or dinner. This was convenient to have a place to prepare easy meals. OUr favorite places to eat was fantastik (pollo con queso), Yuca caliente, La terrase, paco cabana we also liked cafe med (pizza,crepes & drinks), la cayuco (plenty of food), and pizza coco santi & the restaurant we ate in cayo levantado was good too. For us Baraonda (was just ok) we wanted to go to cafe atlantico but never made it. In general, our stay in las terrenas was wonderful, great location very close to the beach, we really cant complain. In comparison with an all-inclusive experience, we liked this type of vacation much more. Thank You susan for letting us stay in your beautiful villa!

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, 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: 7/7

Casa Pura Vida Las Terrenas

Guest Irishkeagan
Date of stay 07/19/09
Review Submitted 07/25/09

We were very happy with this accommodation. It has a personal and local touch about it, which mean that you feel part of the local environment rather than the foreign tourist. The description is accurate, and Steve, the expat property manager, and Ismael, the gardener, pool guy and Mr Fixit, are friendly, helpful and eager to please. It is comfortable and has everything you need. We appreciated having CNN, and European news channels (German, Dutch, Italian), and enjoyed the DVDs. We ate out most of the time, and so did not get to use the BBQ by the pool, but it was tempting. The pool is very welcome - a great way to start and finish the day. This is a house where you wander in and out, enjoying the privacy of the large garden and pool patio. Las Terrenas is developing fast and offers the mixed lifestyles of locals and expats, with everything from basic local eateries to the more sophisticated French-owned restaurants in prime locations, and even a French bakery if you really want fresh croissants for breakfast. The villa is wonderfully quiet, yet only a couple of minutes walk from the main beach road and a few more minutes to lots of action in the center. We did have a car, and found it very useful. It was not four-wheel drive, and we managed to get everywhere we wanted, but I would recommend 4WD. The local beach is beautiful, but we preferred exploring and finding even more out of the way places in this little corner of paradise. Our favorite was Playa Bonita, quite a short drive west. We also drove to the eastern tip of the peninsula to Playa Rincon, which is INCREDIBLE, but the drive was longer and tougher than expected, with some very poor stretches of road. We did a day trip to Santo Domingo - this is perfectly feasible, as there is a new highway, not yet marked on many maps, linking the peninsula with the south coast, close to the main airport (by the way, this is quicker than flying in to Puerto Plata like we did. This is not a holiday for the mass tourist kind of person, but anyone willing to adjust their tempo to local rhythms and slip into authentic tropical island life will love this. We hope to be back.

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

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

Peaceful, simple, perfect.

Guest TrishaRay
Date of stay 12/10/08
Review Submitted 12/17/08

The place is just the way it's described - it's lovely and green and the pictures are accurate - it was exactly what we wanted, a quiet and private "base of operations" to explore the country. Safe, easy walking distance to a town with lots of (good!) restaurants, wonderful beaches - yet private and not touristy. We had rented a car in Santo Domingo (the drive is no problem, but the roads in town are a challenge) but we left the car in the driveway most days. The place is easy to keep clean, and we found fresh fish and vegetables nearby. Evenings on the bamboo chairs were perfect! We wanted an "island" experience, not a resort. This fit. Most of the beaches were empty, with palm trees everywhere. We felt perfectly safe as well - and I loved the feeling of privacy at the house. I would highly recommend it. If you want air-conditioning and high-tech, this isn't for you. It's a great and simple vacation retreat - and I wouldn't change a thing.

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, 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: 14/14

Live the Pura Vida

Guest David from LA
Date of stay 11/09/08
Review Submitted 11/25/08

I stayed at Casa Pura Vida in November of 2008 and had a great time. The property features a private swimming pool, is beautifully decorated in tropical colors and is a great base to explore the wonderful Samana Penninsula. It is a short walk to a beautiful beach and the local shops where you can buy great food thanks to the French and Italian communities in Las Terrenas. Susan the owner was organized and helpful and the property managers Steve and Nancy couldn't do enough for me. They even gave me a cell phone to use while I was there and invited me out to lunch and drinks on the beach to watch the sun setting. Thanks for everything.

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

Owner response: As David wrote, we are blessed to have two local property managers (Steve and Nancy) who can handle any problems that may arise -- They are local experts on where to go and what to do and can answer all of your questions---- You can even join Steve on his daily afternoon swim and then enjoy a cold one at the Palapa Beach Bar! My husband and I are down here at Casa Pura Vida right now and if we didn't have more guests arriving soon, we wouldn't return to our cold home in the states! :)Susan

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 16/16

Vacation Rentals by Owner

Private Swimming Pool - Only 300 Yards to Beach, Walk to Town! [#347229] | View Property

Traveler Reviews (24)

"Just what we were looking for"

"Just what we were looking for"

Awesome for the whole family...

Awesome for the whole family...

Perfect spot

Perfect spot

Loved Casa Pura Vida -- You can't miss!

Loved Casa Pura Vida -- You can't miss!

Perfect Spot for Honeymoon - Adventures and Relaxation!

Perfect Spot for Honeymoon - Adventures and Relaxation!

Perfect vacation

Perfect vacation

A peaceful oasis, perfect for small families.

A peaceful oasis, perfect for small families.

Wonderful vacation!

Wonderful vacation!

"¡Viva La Terrena!"

"¡Viva La Terrena!"

It’s Not a 5-Star. This Casa is So Much Better !

It’s Not a 5-Star. This Casa is So Much Better !

A little gem!

A little gem!

undiscovered gem

undiscovered gem

Perfect in every way!

Perfect in every way!

Great space!

Great space!

Casa Pura Vida: a Little Slice of Paradise

Casa Pura Vida: a Little Slice of Paradise

Tropical Rest & Relaxation Haven!

Tropical Rest & Relaxation Haven!

Lovely Casa Pura Vida

Lovely Casa Pura Vida

Casa Pura Vida, just perfect

Casa Pura Vida, just perfect

las terrenas holiday

las terrenas holiday

Love Casa Pura Vida!

Love Casa Pura Vida!

Wonderful Stay!!

Wonderful Stay!!

Casa Pura Vida Las Terrenas

Casa Pura Vida Las Terrenas

Peaceful, simple, perfect.

Peaceful, simple, perfect.

Live the Pura Vida

Live the Pura Vida