Vacation Rentals by Owner

Tropical Bali Design, Views, Beach, Pool, Monkeys, Toucans, Heaven [#382388] | View Property

San Juan Del Sur
3 Bedrooms, 2.5 Baths, Sleeps 2-10, choice of beds, hammocks, rocking chairs
$170/nt US Dollars
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Traveler Reviews (23)

• Heaven in the Hills

  Heaven in the Hills

  • Guest Heather C.
  • Date of stay 04/01/13
  • Review Submitted 04/15/13
  I cried when my husband and I had to leave Casa Roja. We had such an incredible week at this amazing property. The pictures are 100% accurate and the property was exactly as described. Fred provided spot-on directions from Managua to his property and the drive while harrowing at times, was fairly easy. Upon entering the gate and driving up to the property, a sense of calm washed over us. The lust tropical vegetation was very welcoming, as were Toby and Indy, Fred's dogs. Luis, was very helpful and showed us around the property. Our stay at Casa Roja could not have been any more relaxing. My husband fell in love with the hammocks in the tree house and I enjoyed many hours sitting and reading in the hammock swing. The temperature was near 100 degrees during our stay, making the private pool an inviting place to cool off. We were surprised and pleased with the depth of the pool, as it allowed us to stand up to our necks in the cool water. In fact, we even took to reading in the pool. And Luis made sure the pool was skimmed each morning before our morning dip. We slept in the lower bedroom, leaving the doors open during the night to take advantage of the wonderful cool breezes. The bed was very comfortable and it was a pleasant surprise to come home one afternoon to have fresh linens and towels. The shower always had plently of hot water, although luke warm was all that was needed. The kitchen was well stocked with the necessary equipment to make simple meals. The gas grill was great and we used it often. The pups were quick to show up during meal times, but they never begged, just sat patiently until we of course gave them a bite. While we didn't get to see any monkeys, we did hear them in the mornings and evenings. We did see lots of lizards and many species of birds, two of which came each evening to pick out bugs from the pool. This is an amazing property and I'd highly reccommend it to everyone. The view of the mountains and the ocean are breath-taking. We are alreaday planning our return trip! Thank you Fred for sharing your amazing property with us. And please thank Luis for eveything he did to make our stay fantastic.

  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: 1/1

• Paradise Found: Viva la Casa Roja!

  Paradise Found: Viva la Casa Roja!

  • Guest Your 2 Favorite Seattle Gringas
  • Date of stay 02/25/13
  • Review Submitted 03/23/13
  We recently returned from a two-week stay at Casa Roja. Have traveled the world in search of adventure and surf, our first visit to Nicaragua didn’t disappoint. Fred’s home is an ideal launching pad for a Nicaraguan getaway. We carefully reviewed the many VRBO listings for SJDS before choosing Casa Roja and remain very pleased with our choice. True to the listing, Casa Roja is not your typical rental property, within a day or so it felt like home. All modern conveniences are thoughtfully provided. (Be sure to note that not all accommodations in SJDS provide hot water!) The grounds and pool are meticulously attended to. I can't think of one detail overlooked. The house and bedroom casitas stay a comfortable temperature. We used the ceiling fan a few evenings and that was more due to being sunburned. While home, most of our time was spent on the patio. As promised, the home’s views are breathtaking. On clear days, it seemed an Ironman’s swim to Costa Rica. When windier, you could see feisty ocean whitecaps. The stars magically and endlessly lit up at night. The home’s pool got used a lot, providing an perfect end to a day of exploring and refreshing motivation after early morning hikes. We came to Nicaragua to surf and explore, to relax and recharge. For us, this was a perfect location, a quick 10 minute drive to town and safely private. Fred helped connect us with rental car arrangements. Several of the beautiful south beaches are a short car ride away. Loved Playa Hermosa and Playa Coco. We enjoyed meals at home using veggies and freshly made corn tortillas from the central market, to-die-for breads and cinnamon rolls from the local bakery, and fresh catch from the the fishermen. We hired a private panga boat for surfing, and also took a drive into Masaya and Granada, with a stop off to the active volcano. From the first email exchange, we found Fred to be sincere and helpful with a wonderful sense of humor. Meeting in person, he was an affable host and charming storyteller. Quick responses to questions were always received. For us, the heart of Casa Roja was its loyal caretaker(s) Luis & his lovable canine companions, Indie & Toby. Luis’s laugh happy spirit is infectious and the pride he takes in overseeing Casa Roja is evident. Perfectly behaved, Indie and Toby quickly became part of our clan. We felt so well cared for by Fred and his Casa Roja family that we have already made plans to return later in the year. Quite simply, it really is heaven

  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: 5/5

• Casa Roja Rocks!!

  Casa Roja Rocks!!

  • Guest Courtney
  • Date of stay 12/26/12
  • Review Submitted 01/04/13
  I visited Casa Roja with 7 of my friends for a quick getaway and it couldn't have been a more perfect vacation. We were so pleased with the location of the house - about 10 minutes from town and 10 minutes from awesome beaches. The area is very drive-able and easy to navigate. Although there were 8 of us, we were never cramped and really enjoyed the openness of the main house and porch/dining area. The property has incredible views, very private sleeping quarters and is a great place for a large group to relax and party! The bathrooms were very clean and are all-tile with modern fixtures. The main house has the kitchen, living room, a bathroom and an office (which is very comfortable to work in) and can double as a bedroom. One person in our party We loved the "Swiss Family Robinson" style hammock house and spent a ton of time relaxing (and even sleeping) there. Luis (the property manager) takes excellent care of the property and was very helpful. He gave us directions to the beaches and even drew us a map! Fred (the owner) helped us to plan our entire stay and made everything SUPER easy. He worked very closely with us to arrange a fishing trip (which was a highlight of the trip), to schedule a cook (who made the most delicious food) and to make sure that the house was set up with the correct number of beds to accommodate our group. To say that Fred went to extra lengths to make our stay perfect is an understatement. He totally hooked us up from rental cars to having the fridge stocked with beer and food prior to our arrival. Fred was so easy to get and stay in touch with which made planning the trip to Nicaragua (a place nobody in our group had ever been) very comforting and easy. Nicaragua is beautiful, the beaches are awesome, and the people are friendly. The experience we had was far from tourist-y and felt very authentic. I would 100% go back to Nicaragua and Casa Roja. You won't want to leave.

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

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

• We're coming back!

  We're coming back!

  • Guest Jay
  • Date of stay 12/11/12
  • Review Submitted 01/13/13
  We recently returned from spending two weeks at Casa Roja and we will certainly return. I could write a short novel on how exceptional this experience was, but you should just go and find out yourself. Simply put, this property is amazing. The house has everything you need and is comfortable even with a big group. The view of the ocean is incredible, as there is nothing else in the viewscape!! There are two great surfspots about 10+ minutes away, so you only need to go to town for food. Fred and Luis (the groundskeeper) were exceptional and made this trip a breeze. I give the whole team my highest rating!! Thanks Fred and Luis!!! See you again soon.... J

  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: 2/2

• Anything one can dream of

  Anything one can dream of

  • Guest Luisella
  • Date of stay 12/03/12
  • Review Submitted 01/04/13
  Casa Roja, nestled on top of a hill but so close to the water that you almost can touch it, is the sort of place one dreams about while stuck in the midst of urban daily life,only...it is real and for us to enjoy. imagine a beautiful, comfortable home, tastefully decorated with treasures from all over the world, hammocks, gorgeous tropical flowers, stunning views, howler monkeys visiting and two sweet-as-pie resident dogs, Toby and Indie, more than happy to keep you company......that is exactly what you can expect to find. Then, when you are ready to leave this slice of heaven because you realized you are not dreaming, several beaches are within a short driving distance, Playa del Coco being one of our favorites. The best way to experience the beaches is to try a different one each day, so renting a vehicle really helps. Fred, our gracious host, arranged that for us on the spot and thanks to his very helpful collaborators, Maria and Wilfredo, we had our freedom to come and go as we pleased. Much cheaper than using a rental company and no hassle at all, by the way. If you have a penchant for cooking, the house has everything one may need to prepare a gourmet meal, but we are lazy and ate out a lot...Colibri was our favorite restaurant, a must try for its eclectic menu and quality. Gato Nero is another recommended stop for delicious smoothies and a taste of what's going on in town. Any questions at all about life as an expat, things to do do, the best rum for your cocktails? Fred is an endless source of wisdom peppered with good humor and happy to help. Last but not least, a note of gratitude for Luis, the house caretaker, who lives on the property and keeps it pristine. The only thing I didn't like about Casa Roja is that I couldn't move right in!

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

• Thanksgiving Paradise

  Thanksgiving Paradise

  • Guest MarieF
  • Date of stay 11/17/12
  • Review Submitted 02/13/13
  The place was gorgeous as you can tell by the pictures. The monkeys can be heard every morning which is a very cool way to wake up. The pool was great, even though it was a little chilly I braved it. The set up of the cabanas was perfect- I only wish I could have convinced the rest of my family to come along. Fred was helpful and friendly. You'll need a car to get anywhere. I saw a recent Living Social deal to a hotel in the area and thought why would any one stay at a hotel when they could stay here? I've got flight alerts set up so I can come back as often as possible. Staying here is a no-brainer

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

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

• So....Relaxing.....

  So....Relaxing.....

  • Guest Tigress
  • Date of stay 11/08/12
  • Review Submitted 11/30/12
  This is the second time that I have visited Fred's lovely home. This second trip was over the Labor Day weekend, and for a well needed break, but of course not long enough. I wished that I could have stayed longer to enjoy the lovely views, pool, and hammock that kept calling to me. I found Fred's place to be so enjoyable, comfortable and relaxing. The room I stayed in overlooked the valley and the beautiful landscape grounds. All was clean, comfortable, and plenty of hot water. The valley and ocean views are breathtaking and the evening skies absolutely amazing!! I think I counted three falling stars this trip, and I hope my wishes come true. The lovely hummingbirds were all over the flowers. As you can probably tell I love nature, and Fred's home offers plenty of it. The beaches and town are not far and within driving distance. Fred is the most accommodating host, and very knowledgeable about the area and things to do. Plus he makes the best rum and cokes. He made arrangements getting me to San Juan and personally drove me back to catch my flight in Managua. My trip though short was very enjoyable, and I look forward to my next trip.

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

  Owner response: Thank you SO much for your comments. I knew I make excellent rum and cokes and we did see the shooting stars together but when I hear your enthusiasm I'm glad to know that you feel the same way I do about my little piece of Paradise. See you again. I need a days notice to buy more rum! Fred

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

• Stand up guy!!!

  Stand up guy!!!

  • Guest Bclip
  • Date of stay 10/28/12
  • Review Submitted 10/28/12
  Me and some friends were booked to go stay at Fred's place for November, but my best friends father got sick and our plans had to change. We had payed a full deposit and Fred was super understanding and kind about everything and gave 100% of the money back. He is super helpful and personable and will go to any lengths to give you information you need and help you will all logistics. Based on the kindness and understanding he has shown me, I highly recommend dealing with him...a very good person with a great heart. Hope to visit this beautiful place in the future.

  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: Hi Brittany - thanks so much for your generous words. I try to be understanding and in your circumstances it was impossible not to be. I hope life gets brighter and I can't wait to meet you when all of you want to come down and relax - all the best, Fred

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

• Never thought it would be so Wonderful!

  Guest comment entered by owner

  Never thought it would be so Wonderful!

  • Guest Rebecca, Erin, Andrew, Anna, Rob, Cory, Dan, Brett
  • Date of stay 10/08/12
  • Review Submitted 10/25/12
  Forgot! Meant to give it 5 stars! Sorry Fred

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

• Never thought it would be so wonderful!

  Guest comment entered by owner

  Never thought it would be so wonderful!

  • Guest Rebecca, Erin, Andrew, Anna, Rob, Cory, Dan, Brett
  • Date of stay 10/08/12
  • Review Submitted 10/25/12
  Hey Fred, We all just wanted to send you an email sincerely thanking you for giving us a home in Nicaragua for 2 weeks. Your home is absolutely beautiful and all of our jaws dropped upon arriving. We loved looking thru all of your books and the picture albums beneath the coffee table were my personal favorite :)! Looks like we have traveled to a lot of the same places. Both Maria and Luis were so helpful during the whole trip and the dogs... We all fell so in love with the dogs and we can't stop talking about how much we miss them and our long walks together around the property!!! We got to visit Ometepe for 3 days and stayed in a hostel and hiked up the volcano Maderas. We visited playa Maderas, playa Remanso, playa Hermosa, playa Yankee and playa Coco as well as 3 days in San Juan del Sur. We ate amazing food and drank more than our fair share of Flor De Can and Tona (on one occasion sold the Pali completely out of Tona)! We had hammock slumber parties in the hammock tree fort and spent nights dancing in town. Even with a little rain here and there we all had the times of our lives and we have Maria, Luis and yourself to thank for that. I hope all is well and that you have a pleasant return to Casa Roja. Please give lots of love to Luis and to the dogs from all of us. Many many thanks!!!

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

• See you next year!!

  See you next year!!

  • Guest Winnie
  • Date of stay 08/13/12
  • Review Submitted 10/02/12
  Sorry it has taken me so long to convey to you my deepest appreciation for allowing me to rent your lovely home. We all enjoyed San Juan Del Sur. Whenever I'm having a rough day I take out my pictures and retreat to my special place. Bruce and I would like to come again and stay 2 weeks instead of one. I have never been so relaxed and care free. Next time I will only bring a carry on! Maria, Denny and Luiz were phenomenal. We were sorry that we could not TIP Denny on the back end all we had were 50.00 bills. I know I actually brought money home. Which is a first! We really feel sorry about that because we three believe in showing our appreciation. Maybe next visit we can have dinner and a little rum together. Take Care and be safe in your travels.

  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: 2/2

• Lovely home surrounded by nature and beautiful ocean views!

  Lovely home surrounded by nature and beautiful ocean views!

  • Guest Llaza
  • Date of stay 07/01/12
  • Review Submitted 08/18/12
  I spent the month of July with my family in Casa Roja. My husband came down for the first week and then I stayed the remainder of the month with my 8 and 10 year old boys. We were looking for a safe, relaxing and beautiful place to spend our time and wanted to be able to relax and read in hammocks or go off to see something new. Casa Roja was the perfect balance of relaxation and fun. We spent many days walking, reading and swimming but also fit in excursions to Ometepe Island, Granada, a bit of kayaking, swimming in the ocean, a zip-line tour and a night trip to La Flor where we saw Olive Ridley turtles nesting. My boys are obsessed with baseball and even had the opportunity to play some baseball in the stadium outside of San Juan del Sur. They made friends with local kids. Highlights for me were the animals we saw around the place; howler monkeys, a white-faced capuchin, two sloths (one literally on the property next to the house), blue morpho butterflies and mot mot birds! Our visit to La Flor Sea Turtle Reserve (about an hour away) and watching sea turtles lay eggs was a first for my sons who thought it was AMAZING! It is definitely worth the trip out in the middle of the night if you are around during nesting season. Nearly every morning or afternoon we headed out for our daily walk with our binoculars in hopes of seeing something new. We fell in love with the three dogs who live at the house. They spent hours out walking with us and playing with my boys. All in all it was a perfect vacation and I am already making plans to return next summer. I was ambivalent about renting a car but was so happy to have the 4X4 I rented for the month. I was surprised to find the house to be so remote. It is on a dirt road that continues long past the Casa Roja but there is only one other house up the hill and behind the property. That said, the walks were fantastic and Luis, the grounds keeper ,was extremely attentive, accommodating and kind. I speak Spanish and really enjoyed chatting with him. Having him around made us feel completely safe after my husband returned home. I highly recommend the Casa Roja for travelers looking for a combination of nature, comfort, privacy and independence. It is a lovely home, surrounded by rainforest with a fantastic view of the Pacific Ocean. If you are looking for a resort vacation, look elsewhere!

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

  Owner response: Leslie - thanks so much for your kind words - this is what I expect when I give you a free month at my house - just kidding folks!!!!! I should write a review myself about how much i enjoyed having the whole brood here. You made me feel like part of the family and by spending a bunch of time with you, I began to have a renewed love affair with my house. I felt like I was on vacation with a group of friends and really enjoyed hanging out with the kids. I hope they can show some of their friends how "real" baseball players, play.......now their vocabulary in spanish includes key baseball terms I'll never know. But really, while i often leave guests to themselves, being with your whole group or smaller group opened my eyes to the nature all around me. Seeing the sloth was amazing and knowing that your husband made it to Yankee Beach on foot and back was heroic. Now, when people ask if the beach is within walking distance, I can always say "Absolutely!". There are other beautiful walks that do not bring about near cardiac arrest! Lastly, while you admit to it's remoteness (10-15 minutes to town), I can't tell if that was a advantage or not. But based on your relief when you came back from San JUan and saw the kids leap into the pool, I would say it's a compliment. Tonight its quiet and just me and the dogs. Luis is on vacation, getting ready for the next rowdy bunch in a week. The sky was clear last night as i tried to explain the whole cosmic scheme to the nearby caretaker. He didn't care about the incredible sight of billions of stars - to him, it's been part of his life for 78 years. Isn't he lucky! See you next year!!

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

• Most Amazing Property and Trip!

  Most Amazing Property and Trip!

  • Guest katie
  • Date of stay 05/12/12
  • Review Submitted 06/15/12
  We recently stayed at Casa Roja for two weeks in May with a group of 12! It was the BEST rental choice that we could have made! We were immediately welcomed at the gate by the dogs and felt at home right away. Casa Roja slept all of us very comfortably and the layout of the house is ideal. The house was clean and wonderfully maintained. We made full use of the kitchen and especially the pool! The breeze blowing through was amazing and the views are unparallelled! Casa Roja was a major factor in why we fell in love with Nicaragua! We are already discussing future trips and can't wait to get back. I would absolutely recommend Casa Roja to friends and family who were planning a trip to Nicaragua. The owner was more than helpful and willing to answer all of our (many) questions and came to hang out with us a few nights. Thank you Fred for allowing us to stay in such an amazing place! We are so excited to return!! Thank you!!

  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: 7/7

• Great getaway house, very relaxing!!

  Great getaway house, very relaxing!!

  • Guest Josue_fly
  • Date of stay 04/24/12
  • Review Submitted 04/30/12
  was here with friends for a few days in the sun and to get away from the world, the house is perfect for that....we all fell in love with Casa Roja. Owner wasnt around but Luis (the caretaker) was very helpful and nice at all times. We never had any issues with the house. We went to San Juan at night to party and felt very safe going and coming back in the middle of the night, but honestly there is no need to leave the house ....you have everything there, bring groceries and you are set!! THANK YOU, THANK YOU THANK YOU for the great experience at CASA ROJA=)

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

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

• Our wonderful stay at Casa Roja

  Our wonderful stay at Casa Roja

  • Guest Karla
  • Date of stay 03/22/12
  • Review Submitted 03/31/12
  We recently stayed at Fred's beautiful rental home, Casa Roja, in San Juan del Sur. Right away we felt welcomed and "at home" in this beautiful enchanting bungalow home. Casa Roja is comfy and inviting with authentic Nicaraguen rockers and hammocks in the back patio. The bedrooms and bathrooms were spacious and clean. In the mornings we were entertained watching the guinea hens wonder through the gardens. We spent our days at the beautiful and relaxing nearby beaches, then back to Casa Roja for a quick dip in the pool. In the evenings we looked forward to eating delicious food at the many great restaurants in town. Before bed we enjoyed gazing at the starlite evening sky on the patio while playing guitar for fun. Luis, the care taker, took good care of us during our stay, as well as the loving and gentle dogs, Toby and Indie---always felt safe. We had a great time at Casa Roja, my only regret was we didn't stay long enough--- next time. Thank you Fred! Look forward to our next stay at Casa Roja.

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

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

• Wonderful Tropical Retreat

  Wonderful Tropical Retreat

  • Guest Lew and Ruth
  • Date of stay 03/01/12
  • Review Submitted 04/13/12
  We greatly enjoyed our 18-day stay at Casa Roja. The owner, Fred, picked us up at the bus stop in Rivas, helped us pick up our rental car in San Juan del Sur, and then settled us into this wonderful house. This was an excellent house for our needs. My wife and I stayed in the master bedroom with bath casita, and our 21year old son and two friends joined us during their spring break week and stayed in the two-bedroom casita with shared bath. And of course we all shared the living areas of the main house, the large terrace, the ten hammocks and pool. With a 4 -wheel drive car you can easily reach the aptly named Hermosa Beach in ten minutes and all the others along the coast as well. After a day at the beach or a night in town, the casa is a welcome retreat. Even the young adults were happy to get a break from the non-stop partying of San Juan del Sur and they loved being able to choose a different beach to surf each day. Luis, the caretaker, who lives in a separate structure on the property, was very responsive to any need or question we had. He also took meticulous care of the gardens, grounds and pool, and tended to the pets on the property (two friendly dogs and three entertaining guinea hens). In a pinch Luis was able to replace a dead car battery with a spare from the property and sent us off to the beach while he recharged our dead battery. So, thanks to Luis’ assistance, what could have been a daunting problem was solved easily without even interrupting our driving plans that day. We highly recommend Casa Roja and have fond memories of it.

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

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 4/4

• Fantastic!!!!!!!!!!

  Fantastic!!!!!!!!!!

  • Guest Farzi
  • Date of stay 02/18/12
  • Review Submitted 02/28/12
  A friend and I stayed there for 5 days and had a wonderful time, views and landscaping is breathtaking. Fred came and visited and was very helpful. Will highly recommend it to all my friends and family. Thanks so much

  Recommended for: Adventure seekers, pet owners, sightseeing.

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

• Beautiful place with fantastic view

  Beautiful place with fantastic view

  • Guest Tobias T.
  • Date of stay 01/27/12
  • Review Submitted 03/13/12
  4 of us stayed here for about a week. We had an amazing time. A week was not enough. Freds villa is beautiful. There are so many places to relax, beds, several hammocks, sunloungers and definitely no ugly plastic in sight. Its all set in a wonderful lush tropical garden with beautiful attention to detail. You hear monkeys howling up in the trees and the views across the pool are to die for. You can see the ocean with the mountains of Costa Rica in the background. Ultimate relaxation! It was always a pleasure returning there after a day on the beaches, the jungle or volcanoes. We immediately felt at home there and its has all you could possible need. Having BBQs in the evening with a cold drink and splashing in the pool was a daily highlight. Fred is also a very cool chap. Full of stories and he will give you great tips and look after you. Luis the caretaker made us feel safe and was there if we ever needed anything. i would definitely recommend to stay there. The town and several beaches are no more than 10-15mins away. I do recommend having a car otherwise its a bit of a schlepp up the hill. We had a Hilux pickup which was great as we were able to give locals a lift. I would also recommend a 4WD, you will travel much much more comfortable and quicker that way. Hopefully we will be back soon or I might just convince Fred to sell me his place.....

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

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

• Nica Oasis

  Nica Oasis

  • Guest josie
  • Date of stay 01/12/12
  • Review Submitted 01/12/12
  Absolutely stunning! This is were I hang my hammock, read several books and cool off in the pool! So serene and beautiful! The sound of the howler monkeys and kissing geckos really are icing on the cake. I have had the pleasure of staying at Fred's Casa many times and it is always the place to relax and unwind.

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

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

• Serene

  Serene

  • Guest Gar
  • Date of stay 10/17/11
  • Review Submitted 01/10/12
  I have stayed here several times for work and pleasure. Both by myself and with my family. It is unbelievably relaxing dawn to dusk. I begin my mornings with coffee in the Hammock and end it with a swim. the views are so beautiful. The sunsets breathtaking. Its a little ways out of town but not too far for daily trips to San Juan del Sur and its close to my favorite beach. Its safe, secure and well appointed with a large kitchen. The Architecture is stunning.

  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: 3/3

• Serene, stunning, and separated from the night-time noise of San Juan del Sur.

  Serene, stunning, and separated from the night-time noise of San Juan del Sur.

  • Guest Mark
  • Date of stay 02/01/11
  • Review Submitted 01/08/12
  I'll start off by prefacing that I have stayed in many houses and hotels in the San Juan del Sur area, from Coco beach in the south to Pelican Eyes in the city. Not one place I've stayed in can compare to this one in terms of tranquility, peaceful environment, and top quality views to go along with the tropical balinesian style pad. I stayed in one of the guest bedrooms next to the pool and wanted to sleep in most mornings because I didn't have to wake up for a change. Not only did I wake up around 10:30am almost every morning, but I could not even tell that my friends had already been up for hours because the main part of the house is perched above the pool and other rooms in a different part of the house. It was a great set up and I would highly recommend it for families that want privacy and quiet without having to make everyone go along with the same schedule. The landscaping is wonderful (there's even guinea hens roaming around the property) and it's true: you will see and hear howler monkeys if you stay for a few days! The main part of the house is beautifully decorated with the owner's artifacts and collections from his past travels. The kitchen is large and has plenty of room for 3-4 people making nica libre's all at once. Everything is really well designed, right down to the solar system that powers the entire house and guest quarters. We didn't have to use the back- up generator once while we were there. The beds are comfortable and each room is different so we got to divvy up the space according to how many were staying in each room. The only downside to this place is if you were not planning on renting a car. You will need a car to get to and from the beaches and town. In the end for us, getting a vehicle was a small price to pay for the absolute tranquility we experienced while staying. All in all, this is a fantastic option if you're looking for some peace and relaxation away from the noise, but with all the comforts of an off-grid eco paradise with style!

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

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

• Perfect house for a relaxed lifestyle

  Perfect house for a relaxed lifestyle

  • Guest Maria
  • Date of stay 01/31/11
  • Review Submitted 01/08/12
  I found this house to be everything I'd ever wanted from a home. The surrounding garden with papaya trees and colourful flowers make this property one of the most beautiful homes I've ever been in. The house and garden are both very well maintained and taken well care of. To sit outside by the outdoor pool with a stunning view of San Juan del Sur and the ocean in the daytime, or the star lit sky at night is truly special. The location is private and leaves room for true relaxation, while the cosy town of San Juan del Sur is just a 10min drive away. The property is also surrounded by really nice hiking and running paths into the hills and mountains, with a view of a volcano. The house is nicely built with lot of open space, a nice livingroom with a nearby open kitchen for perfect gatherings, and the master bedroom is in a private house with a beautiful designed bathroom. There are two guestrooms with private bathroom and showers, also in it's own house. All showers have warm water. Everything with this property is unique and the garden have a rancho with hammocks for relaxing. The owner is very nice and have treated the house and property with great care. I would truly recommend anyone to spend their days in Nicaragua in this house, it's a unique way to experience the country and city, and leaves room for lots of good memories.

  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: 4/4

• DO NOT STAY HERE IF YOU WANT TO HEAR/ SEE OTHER HUMANS!

  DO NOT STAY HERE IF YOU WANT TO HEAR/ SEE OTHER HUMANS!

  • Guest lthraen
  • Date of stay 10/30/10
  • Review Submitted 01/13/12
  First, I've stayed in many properties in my many years of travel and this is perfectly secluded- 10 mins outside of San Juan via paved road and away from the loud fireworks, etc of town. Exquisite property, amenities, relaxation areas, hammocks, everything you'd expect to pay two- three times as much per week. The pod design of this property is perfect for seclusion from others in your group. The pool, BBQ, and views are all anyone really needs to get away from it all yet a short distance to find great restaurants and entertainment in the town. I especially like to hear the monkeys in the morning and take a nice morning up the road. Highly recommend this property for short and long term stays.

  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