Vacation Rentals by Owner

Beachfront Villa on Magnificent Deserted Beach. Private Lap Pool [#349139] | View Property

Playa Bandera
Estate, 3 Bedrooms + Convertible bed(s), 3 Baths (Sleeps 8-10)
$320 - $400/nt US Dollars
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Traveler Reviews (19)

• incredibly peaceful and authentic...

  incredibly peaceful and authentic...

  • Guest Edward S.
  • Date of stay 03/29/13
  • Review Submitted 04/14/13
  The house was absolutely perfect. The beach was quite busy over Easter weekend with campers in the park but not intrusive. After that, you could walk for miles (literally) and see no one... Surfing was amazing and the waves were just the right size - proper "boogie boards" are provided and made for great fun in the surf. The house was "as billed" and the caretakers were delightful. It was most likely the warmest time of year and it took time to get used to not having air conditioning, but after a few days ac would have seemed intrusive to the airiness of the house. All in all, it was the perfect escape from everything.

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• An Amazing Week!

  An Amazing Week!

  • Guest Susan P.
  • Date of stay 03/22/13
  • Review Submitted 04/21/13
  We spent a delightful week at La Fiaca in late March 2013. It was a wonderful way to experience Costa Rica and our family of five had a terrific time. If we have an opportunity to frequent to Costa Rica again, we will definitely plan on returning to this very special place. The owners were extremely helpful in helping us plan our trip and their website gave us all of the hints we needed to use their home as a base for exploring the nearby countryside. Santiago (the caretaker) and his family were also wonderful and greeted us with fresh coconuts on the beach when we arrived. The kids loved to play with their dogs and were fascinated with the chickens. As we were leaving for the airport, we noticed that the tire on our vehicle was going flat. Santiago and his family once again stepped in and changed the tire for us. Clearly above and beyond in terms of taking care of us during our visit. The house and the grounds are even lovelier than the pictures depict. The house had everything we needed as the owners had clearly thought of their house guests’ every need. It is truly both a “home” and a “resort”. The pool was great for relaxing and the beach was simply spectacular. The waves were even gentle enough during our stay to allow the kids to boogie board. On a busy day, you might see twenty people at the beach if you really looked hard in both directions. And the sunsets were spectacular – just as advertised. We have many special memories of our week in Costa Rica and our stay at La Fiaca was a big part what made our experience so enjoyable. It is a truly unique and wonderful place. Enjoy your visit!

  Owner response: We are so very pleased that you enjoyed your stay with us. We hope you have a chance to return to Costa Rica very soon, and look forward to welcoming you.

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• You will not be dissapppointed.

  You will not be dissapppointed.

  • Guest tyler L.
  • Date of stay 03/04/13
  • Review Submitted 03/25/13
  This home away from home is immaculate. From the pool to the grounds and beach front. Our family had great stay with everything we needed and everything worked and was like new and clean. The location is perfect for privacy and then a short drive away to other adventures Costa Rica has to offer.

  Owner response: We're delighted you had a great stay, and found everything to your liking. We look forward to welcoming you soon again. Thank you so much for taking the time to share your thoughts on your stay with other potential guests.

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• Nearing Perfection!

  Nearing Perfection!

  • Guest Allan
  • Date of stay 02/18/13
  • Review Submitted 02/28/13
  We have stayed at La Fiaca on several occasions. It is hard to beat miles of nearly deserted beaches and postcard sunsets. Imagine a Four Seasons humongous suite, pool and grounds and subtract the obsequious staff and annoyance of other guests - that is La Fiaca. Added while I was there last week was higher- speed broadband and a flat screen TV with Roku for Netflix and other video offerings Veterans of La Fiaca may not see this as an improvement, but there is no requirement that it be turned on. What it does mean is that high speed Internet access allows one to prolong their stay in paradise.

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

  Owner response: We thank you for taking the time to review your most recent stay at Villa La Fiaca. We appreciate your feedback. We're glad you noticed the recent enhancements to your experience here at our beachfront home, and that you liked them. We are always trying to improve things and make our guests' stay even more pleasant. We look forward to welcoming you back very soon.

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• Amazing Place

  Amazing Place

  • Guest Stig L.
  • Date of stay 01/26/13
  • Review Submitted 02/08/13
  The house was amazing as well as the location. We have stayed at a few different houses and this one was the best by far. We came down with 3 kids and the number of hours spent by the pool and beach were uncountable. The caretaker at the property was very helpful and made for a great experience. Only issue we had was actually finding the house, even though the directions were very well laid out we kept missing the gravel road turn off! Would definitely recommend this house to anyone looking for a Costa Rican experience.

  Owner response: We are so glad you enjoyed your stay, and enjoyed our beautiful home. Directions in Costa Rica can be a challenge, since there are no addresses, and everything is done by landmark, ie. "turn right at the fire station". That's one reason we recommend a GPS so highly. That can save a lot of aggravation.

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• Outstanding, unique and glorious

  Outstanding, unique and glorious

  • Guest alison j.
  • Date of stay 01/17/13
  • Review Submitted 02/05/13
  Villa La Fiaca is a very special place, and the owners have thought of everything. I had high expectations and they were exceeded by the reality. Even the wonderful pictures on the website can’t do justice to the place itself. We found the house roomy, airy and very comfortable. (I was glad to be in natural breezes and ceiling fans when needed rather than the harsh contrasts of A/C in hot weather.) Also gracious, nicely furnished and superbly well-appointed. Private, self-contained and spotlessly clean, with everything you could possibly wish for. As an older building and estate lovingly restored & enhanced, it has a grace and style no modern structure could offer. The gourmet kitchen is great. We spent 9 delightful days here as a family of five with older and younger adults celebrating a special birthday and we felt totally at home, and by the time we left there were still more things we would like to have done. I would absolutely recommend it for anyone thinking of finding that special place to spend a week or two in Costa Rica. The amenities and the location let you choose your own balance of relaxing and adventures. Really I can’t imagine anywhere nicer. My family were thrilled with our time there and we enjoyed ourselves so much. Caretakers Santiago and Rosa made us extremely welcome. Santiago takes fantastic care of the house and grounds, and Rosa also cooked a couple of meals for us which were absolutely delicious. One thing that really helped to make this an outstanding experience was the great thought and care put into all the information by the owners. They have provided everything you need to know to have great adventures locally, eat out well, and generally explore all the pleasures of this part of Costa Rica. Unlike Quepos and Jaco, nearby Parrita is quite untouched by tourism - a delightful local town. The location of the villa a few miles outside Parrita was a perfect combination of quiet getaway plus convenience to the coast road a few minutes away for adventures. The lovely ocean beach right out the back garden along with the sparkling pool gave us all the water experiences we could wish for. It felt great to come back from a trip and cool off in the pool. Favorite memories: Being in the warm Pacific waves at dawn and sunset; shelling on the quiet beach; cold drinks by the pool; walking barefoot thru the garden to spend a spell reading and dozing in the hammocks... falling asleep to the sound of the surf

  Owner response: We were so pleased that your family enjoyed your stay, and we appreciate your kind words so very much. We are glad that all the research and the materials we have put together to assist guests in enjoying their stay with us have been helpful. We love having guests such as yourselves, and hope that we can welcome you back very soon.

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• Playa Bandera

  Playa Bandera

  • Guest jhj
  • Date of stay 01/07/13
  • Review Submitted 02/17/13
  We thoroughly enjoyed our stay. The home Was the best rental we have ever stayed in. Playa Bandera was beautiful and appointed like the owner lived there. It was steps away from a fantastic beach and ocean. The outside space and pool was wonderful as well. We cannot wait to return and stay longer. It was secluded, yet was accessible to town.

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

  Owner response: We are delighted you enjoyed your stay and look forward to welcoming back very soon. Pura Vida!

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• Great Time at a wonderful place.

  Great Time at a wonderful place.

  • Guest Mike
  • Date of stay 06/20/12
  • Review Submitted 07/09/12
  We stayed at this wonderful property for 10 days in June 2012 and it was great! The property is located on a remote beach. The remote location was not an issue for our party because we had a vehicle and our travels to Playa Heradura, Jaco, Quepos, Carara, Manuel Antonio, and Dominical were not a problem. Speaking of the beach, the water is warm, the surf is huge, and it is a lot of fun. At low tide, the tidal creatures are easy to observe and marvel at. The photos of the property accurately depict the property. I think the property is actually nicer than the photos depict. The property has a website the owners maintain and it is a very helpful and valuable resource for the property and its visitors. The property is clean and well maintained. The property is also secure. These aspects are maintained by the caretakers that live on the property and are present 24/7. I happily recommend this property to my friends and family. When I return to this area of Costa Rica, I will return to this property. If there are a short coming to the property's remote location, one is the lack of any nearby restaurants. There are little places relatively close to the property, however, their menus and food quality are average. Another, short coming is the limited grocery stores in the nearby town of Parita. The closest grocery stores with pretty good selections are in Quepos, Jaco and Play Heradura. These places are a minimum of 30-40 minutes away. Things that we did involved beach activities, Frisbee golf on and around the property, canopy tours, canyoning, white water rafting, rain forest hikes, farmer's market visits, watching the monkeys in the tree near the property, and eating/drinking/hanging out at "Tortilla Flats" in Dominical. Finally, the main roads in Costa Rica have been greatly improved so that driving is very managable. However, the posted speed limits are difficult to grow accustom to. Since travelers are admonished to drive the posted speeds or receive a $600 ticket, I drove the posted speeds and did not have any speeding ticket issues. However, I was about the only person driving the posted speeds. Everyone passed me except for the ox carts, bicycles, tractors and a few motor bikes. It seems the posted speed apply to tourists. Overall, this was a great property and trip.

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

  Owner response: We are so glad you enjoyed staying at our lovely piece of paradise. Thank you also for your separate comments noting that our kitchen was the best stocked in terms of cooking equipment of any of the homes you’ve rented in 20 years. We love to hear things like that! As for location, when purchasing our home, we intentionally chose a property that was a bit off the beaten track so that we would be able to enjoy the deserted, immaculate beach and privacy we now enjoy, as compared to being located in some of the more heavily populated tourist areas. We had no interest in being located in a tourist area, and most of our guests feel the same way. We adore the local restaurants – no, they are not five star establishments, but we really don’t expect them to be. They are authentic local places with warm and wonderful owners. Some are very good. Some – not so much, but exploring and trying things out is half the fun. We’ve tried to share our experiences in the restaurant recommendations we share with our guests on our website. We also find that when we want truly fine dining, it really does not take us any longer to drive to such a place than it does in our hometown in the US. Things are kind of relative. Frankly, nearly everything in Costa Rica is “remote” in some sense. That’s why we love it, right? The country just doesn’t have the infrastructure to have everything immediately at hand, except perhaps in its larger cities, such as San Jose. As for the grocery stores, we have learned to be strategic and plan our trips. Many of our guests enjoy the grocery stores in Parrita because they prefer to experience the real Costa Rica. These stores are not stocked with many of the items preferred by North Americans, but then again, the town is not geared toward tourists, and we frankly appreciate the authenticity and are often amused by some of the items that they do stock. For instance, who would have that thought that you needed half an aisle devoted to dozens of brands of Saltine crackers (but no other varieties…)? Happily, I can report that the traffic fines appear to have been dramatically reduced recently, although this is a situation in constant flux. There are lots of challenges to the new traffic laws moving through the judicial system, and as cases get decided, the laws as they are enforced by the traffic police seem to change constantly. It’s best to make sure and get updated information upon your arrival. We hope to welcome you back soon!

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• Vacation 4/7-4/14

  Vacation 4/7-4/14

  • Guest Playa Bandera
  • Date of stay 04/07/12
  • Review Submitted 04/16/12
  Excellent property, right on the beach with lap pool right outside the door. Very relaxing!! Weather was warm so pool was used a lot!!! Great place for family vacation. Owners have made their home feel like your home away from home!!! Very comfortable home with well furnished kitchen to be able to cook meals.

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

  Owner response: We're delighted you enjoyed your time at Villa La Fiaca, and that you enjoyed your time on the beach and in the pool. I'm glad you found the house comfortable - that's what we were aiming for! As cooks ourselves, we've tried to think of everything when outfitting the kitchen. We hope you'll join us again soon.

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• Kat S.

  Kat S.

  • Guest Kat
  • Date of stay 04/01/12
  • Review Submitted 05/03/12
  I cannot picture a better piece of paradise. Villa La Fiaca was an absolute dream - hands down one of the best places I have ever stayed. Lots of privacy, space and beauty to relax. The owners have definitely put their heart and soul into this property to make it a home and that defintiely translates to any guests who stay there. Close to Jaco and Manuel Antonio, you can easily head to either town for some shopping, sight seeing or tourist attractions. However, far enough away that it is easy to escape any of the hustle, bustle and other tourists if you prefer. There's a beautiful pool for swimming or you can grab a boogie board for the ocean (it may take a few times to get the swing of it, but with the ocean right there, you'll be able to get lots of practice). I would definitely recommend this property to friends and family (and already have), as well as would stay there again. Considering what other hotels costs in the area (without the privacy or tranquility), this is definitely one of the best deals.

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

  Owner response: We are delighted you enjoyed your stay, and were able to share our little piece of paradise. Thank you for your kind words. We're glad you enjoyed the boogie boarding too. That's one of our favorite pastimes as well! We always look forward to welcoming back wonderful guests such as yourselves.

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• Beautiful house in a beautiful place!

  Beautiful house in a beautiful place!

  • Guest Ingrid
  • Date of stay 04/01/12
  • Review Submitted 05/03/12
  We absolutely loved it here. Santi, the caretaker, and his family were very helpful. The house is stunning, well furnished, clean and comfortable. This place is worth the trip!

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

  Owner response: Thank you for taking the time to let us know about your stay. We are very pleased that you enjoyed your time at Villa La Fiaca. Please come back soon!

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• Fabulous La Fiaca

  Fabulous La Fiaca

  • Guest Mary P.
  • Date of stay 03/31/12
  • Review Submitted 04/12/12
  What a fabulous place to stay while enjoying many different special things about Costa Rica - starting with a whole fish for dinner at the nearby beach restaurant. Walking the beach, boogie boarding, swimming in the pool, and enjoying appetizers as we watched the sunset at night are fond memories. Exploring Manuel Antionio and Quepos was highlighted by a visit to the Mariposita Gallery for wood pieces, lunch at the Sunspot Grill of Makanda By The Sea, and exploring the outdoor markets. A "Spa Day" at the house was a fun experience. Visiting Los Suenos and purchasing a mask and wood piece at the Dantica Gallery in the nearby shopping center made for a fun day. The guide at Manuel Antonio Park was a must to see the wildlife. Beautiful home with all the amenities one would want.

  Owner response: We're so glad you enjoyed your stay at Villa La Fiaca, the nearby beach restaurants, time spent on the beach, and at Manuel Antonio and Quepos. The local galleries are great and we're thrilled you found some beautiful mementos to take home with you. We love the local woodworking and indigenous crafts especially. We're also delighted you enjoyed your spa day at home. It's a real treat to be able to have a massage, or manicure/pedicure outside in the open air, right there on the grounds of La Fiaca, cooled by warm ocean breezes and under the palms. What a memory for you! We look forward to welcoming you back very soon.

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• What an amazing place! La Fiaca!

  What an amazing place! La Fiaca!

  • Guest John
  • Date of stay 11/28/11
  • Review Submitted 12/13/11
  Spent a week at La Fiaca! Absolute heaven! Ocean within steps for boogie boarding, pool is super relaxing, rooms are very nice and clean and the kitchen is great. We used the cabana and BBQ every night! I highly recommend staying at La Fiaca. I've told all my friends and family that it is THE place to stay for an amazing vacation and I will be back!

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

  Owner response: Yes, the rancho and barbeque areas by the pool are one of our favorite spots, as well. Great for lingering while dinner cooks on the barbeque. Sounds as if you made some delicious meals there! Yum! We loved having you visit, and we look forward to welcoming you back to La Fiaca at the earliest opportunity.

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• Villa La Fiaca

  Villa La Fiaca

  • Guest Anonymous
  • Date of stay 05/24/11
  • Review Submitted 05/09/12
  Our stay at Villa La Fiaca was rejuvenating. The house is situated on the Pacific Ocean, surrounded by lush tropical landscape. We swam daily in the pool and the ocean which was a warm 86 degrees. Very private. This was our second trip to Costa Rica and we went with the intention of relaxing. The only sounds we heard were those of nature. The oceans is steps away and the ciccadas start singing at dusk. I suggest getting groceries on your way to the house as it is about a ten to fifteen minute drive to the main road. Once on the main road, there are lots of restaurants and markets. We enjoyed the Manuel Antonio area. Be sure to use bug spray with DEET. You will be living in your bathing suit when at the house, so don't over pack. Bring a pair of comfortable walking shoes and sandals. You won't miss having a TV, but bring your IPod loaded with music and some books. There are lots of board games to play at the house. Although this trip was just my partner and I, it would be a great location and beautiful house for a family vacation.

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

  Owner response: Thank you for taking the time to review your stay. We appreciate the feedback. We are delighted that you enjoyed your visit, and hope you'll be back to see us again very soon.

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• Paradise Found

  Paradise Found

  • Guest Nura
  • Date of stay 05/14/11
  • Review Submitted 06/02/11
  I've been renting houses all over Costa Rica for a year now. This is by far the most exquisitely beautiful place I've found. Laura's attention to detail is stunning and reflects in the splendor of the house. After a year in Costa Rica, this house was our last stop in an incredible journey. Seven ladies spent an incredible weekend here as virtually the only inhabitants on a deserted beach. I walked for three hours on the beach one morning and only saw 2 fisherman an hour and a half away from the house. We spent all weekend between the pool, beach and bbq. The caretakers are lovely and showered us with fresh papayas in the morning. Great for families, girls weekend and everything in between!

  Recommended for: Girls getaway

  Owner response: We're delighted you chose our home for your special celebrations and as a cap to your year in Costa Rica. We're so pleased you liked all the things we have done and put in place in our attempts to make it a welcoming slice of paradise for our guests. We hope you'll come back and stay with us when you next return to Costa Rica. Pura vida!

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• Provence Meets Tuscany in Tropical Paradise

  Provence Meets Tuscany in Tropical Paradise

  • Guest Allan
  • Date of stay 12/26/10
  • Review Submitted 05/12/11
  La Fiaca is outstanding. It is not your average rental with cheesy furniture, wheezing appliances and cheap amenities. The owners have spared no expense in bringing this house up to their standards and tastes. The interior is more akin to a tropical villa reminiscent of Provence or Tuscany (in the rare case that those properties have been properly kept up). Everything is first cabin. Imagine having a 170' of beach front to contemplate the waves from your hammock - life is good. The images in the listing are not contrived or done with special lenses and literally give you a picture of what you will get. Playa Bandera is not the center of the tourist world. The beach will not be crowded. There is likely to be excellent surf. It is a place for quiet enjoyment, great BBQ's, a super pool for laps or frolicking. My son and wife and grandkids ran every morning on the beach for 2 miles in each direction and saw only a handful of people - during the Christmas holidays.

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

  Owner response: Thank you for the kind words. We look forward to your next visit with your family. We've been accumulating a repertoire of contacts for the best attractions in the area which we're sharing with our guests, so next time you feel like emerging from the hammock, we've got you covered!

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• A slice of Costa Rican paradise!

  A slice of Costa Rican paradise!

  • Guest spagnum moss
  • Date of stay 12/26/10
  • Review Submitted 04/15/11
  The gorgeous Playa Bandera estate is only outdone by the endless beach on which it is located. The house and grounds are well appointed and immaculately kept. We look forward to coming back again soon!

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

  Owner response: Come back soon! We're so glad you enjoyed your stay!

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• Spectacular, Luxurious Getaway - Sun, Surf, Beaches, Privacy and Relaxation with ALL the Amenities!!

  Spectacular, Luxurious Getaway - Sun, Surf, Beaches, Privacy and Relaxation with ALL the Amenities!!

  • Guest Beach Lover
  • Date of stay 12/04/10
  • Review Submitted 04/05/11
  La Fiaca is one of the best finds in Costa Rica with it's comfortable and luxurious accommodations, lush and impeccably kept grounds and private pool and patio. Relaxing by the pool with a good book and a pipa fria on the elegant patio furniture with only the sounds of the ocean and tropical birds definitely makes you realize you're in paradise! The pristine, deserted beach is perfect for power walks or a leisurely beach combing outing with a freshly made smoothie in the morning and romantic stroll at sunset. Private surfing lessons and boogie boarding right in front of the villa - pura vida! We got to participate in a local tortugita (baby sea turtle) releases nearby. What an incredible experience! The locals are very friendly and welcoming and there are several local restaurants offering delicious, fresh cuisine. It's our new favorite vacation spot! We are repeat guests and are already looking forward to our next visit!!

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

  Owner response: We are so glad you enjoyed your stay, and we look forward to welcoming you back very soon!

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• Guest comment entered by owner

  • Guest Wanda
  • Date of stay 12/04/10
  • Review Submitted 04/05/11
  Wonderful, relaxing getaway with the ocean and beach so close. Very private and comfortable home with everything you could want. Enjoyed relaxing by the pool, the sounds of parrots and the daily fresh coconut drink. The little French restaurant nearby was so enjoyable! La Fiaca has everything you may need. Can't wait to come back.

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