Private Location Great Views of the Jungle Canopy and Ocean Beyond-Walk to Beach

• The Perfect Getaway!

  The Perfect Getaway!

  • Guest Brittany M.
  • Date of stay 01/05/13
  • Review Submitted 01/23/13
  Our stay here was absolutely lovely! The house is right in the middle of the jungle which makes you feel like you're in a tropical paradise. The views are stunningly beautiful and the house itself is very nice. The location is great because you're tucked away in the jungle, which gives you a great sense of privacy. At the same time, you're minutes away from the beach, as well as the town, so you don't have to go out of your way to get anywhere. There's a great kitchen area that was a lot of fun to cook in and the wrap around balcony is incredible! I think the balcony and views were two of our most favorite things about staying here. We saw so many colorful birds and butterflies outside in the front yard which was awesome. We even saw a sloth down the road on one of our walks to a nearby waterfall. There's a tent platform on the property that you can camp out in which was really cool and there's a downstairs room with two beds that makes it really easy to travel with friends and family. It was so nice to be able to just walk outside and have so many great trails for walking and hiking. It was also nice to be conveniently near the beach and all of the town's restaurants and stores. This was honestly the best vacation I have ever had. Costa Rica is a beautiful place and this house was the perfect home during our stay. If I ever get another chance to visit Costa Rica, I will definitely choose to stay at this wonderful vacation rental again. Pura Vida! :)

  Owner response: Thank you Brittany! I love sharing my Costa Rica home with people such as yourself who really appreciate the many wonderful aspects of this house and location. Kathleen

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• Purrrfect:)

  Purrrfect:)

  • Guest Forrest C.
  • Date of stay 12/19/12
  • Review Submitted 06/07/13
  This is one amazing place to stay. The house is beautiful and very comfortable. The most surprising part about this place is the view. There is a wide open jungle view that is breathtaking. You can hear howler monkeys faintly in the distance and also see some amazing exotic birds. We were very excited to spot a toucan the very first day we arrived. I would highly recommend this place as a vacation spot

  Owner response: Thank you very much for your evaluation! Kathleen

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• Too hot, insufficient ventilation

  Too hot, insufficient ventilation

  • Guest Travis R.
  • Date of stay 03/24/13
  • Review Submitted 04/03/13
  This is a tough place to review for me. My family and I came intending to stay for a week, but left after one miserable night. I had inquired about the temperatures there, and was assured that it was high enough in the mountains that it was plenty cool at night even without air conditioning. This made sense, so I accepted those assurances. When we arrived, it was hotter than usual (~7 degrees hotter than average) and inside the house was quite hot. I wasn't worried though, as I assumed it would cool down overnight. But even with all the windows and doors open and the fans on it was still over 85 degrees in the house by 2 in the morning according to our thermometer. My wife got sick from the heat and our baby cried throughout the night. We left the next morning and spent the day searching for different rental house. Eventually we found one on the beach that had air conditioning in one room and much better ventilation throughout the house, and had a much better experience. I informed Kathleen that we had vacated the house, but she was unable to find someone else to rent the house. She offered a token refund of one night's fees, so we are out almost the full charge on this property that was unusable due to the heat. Outside of the heat - the property seemed very nice. The downstairs room is separate from the upstairs quarters, which could be a little awkward depending on your needs. There were lots of orange trees around to pick from (though our kids were a bit nervous about the very large spiders camped out all over!) and the views are quite nice. Kathleen has told me that nobody has complained of the heat before - so perhaps we just had bad luck with the weather. I'd bet at 10 degrees cooler we would have had a fine time here. But with external temperatures around 95 this house was brutally hot and completely unlivable.

  Owner response: I was very sorry to hear that this family felt the need to vacate the house after one night due to the high temperatures in Costa Rica that week. I refunded them for the night they stayed, even though I have no control over weather in the tropics. I do everything possible to make my guests comfortable, but they had already moved out by the time I heard from them. As the guest mentions, the temperature in Dominical the night he arrived was 95 degrees, and the normal for that time of year is 88. He knew this new house had large overhead fans in every room. I'm sure it was difficult for him to know ahead of time that his wife and three young children would be very heat sensitive. I do provide full and honest descriptions of the house. I have personally stayed at Canopy Vista in all months of the year for the past 7 years and have never been uncomfortably warm there, especially with the sea breezes and screens on both sides of the house. Fans are located even on the balconies. The neighbors will concur that my home has the best ocean breezes of any at the Preserve. I have never had a guest complain about the heat or the ventilation at Canopy Vista. This family was initially given several hundred dollars worth of discounts, and I also refunded them $135 for their 1 night's stay. They did not inform me of their hot weather concern until they had already booked another place and subsequently demanded a full refund. In addition to the discounts they had already received and the refund of their first night, I offered to give them a full refund if someone else could rent the days they had reserved. I would certainly encourage any guests who come to Costa Rica during the high season to check out the temperature and humidity as part of their travel plans. Many places in Costa Rica have loud air conditions that recirculate dirty air. Those who wish to stay at Canopy Vista will be rewarded with a place where they have a unique opportunity to experience the rain forest and awaken to the sounds of exotic birds and monkeys calling from the jungle below.

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• Too good to be true!!!

  Too good to be true!!!

  • Guest isa
  • Date of stay 12/26/12
  • Review Submitted 01/07/13
  AMAZING PLACE : quiet, near to evrything (grocery and stores), incredibile view of RainForest and toucans, 360 degree view of the surrounding jungle. GO GO GO!!!!!!

  Recommended for: Adventure seekers.

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• Too nice to be true!!!!!

  Too nice to be true!!!!!

  • Guest Isabelle B.
  • Date of stay 12/26/12
  • Review Submitted 01/07/13
  This place is just AMAZING do not hesitate to go there!!! It is quiet, the house if perfect two rooms on two floors, a balcony 360 degree view of the surrounding jungle.Proximity to the the beach, grocery and stores!!!! There is also a magnificient view of the GREAT VEGETATION of the Rainforest, you will see tucans (more than the Manuel Antonio Park!!!!) and butterflies. There is also the mirador (5 minute walk from the house) that offert an incredebile point to view the sunset on the ocean. So stop reading and book this place right away:) Isabelle

  Owner response: Thank you so much for your review Isbelle! I'm staying here now with my own family for a couple of weeks, and it is easier to remember now why I invested all of my retirement money in this place. Today the kids & I went over to the reserve waterfall and took a natural shower. On the way we ran into a sloth and a block monkey-like thing & met some Canadians, Americans & Costa Ricans who are staying at another Reserve house. When I get back I'll post a movie of my son doing yoga under the waterfall next to the huge red flowers. My other son went surfing & then got $35 massage in town & walked the 15 min back to the Roca Verde Restaurant to meet up with us. Tonight I and the rest of my family all walked down to the Roca Verde Restaurant, where it is live music & party night. (Next Friday we'll go to the near by "Movies in the Jungle") Everyone is armed with flashlights & the kids can party as much as they want & then walk back home & mom doesn't have to worry about them driving. And they know they will have to be at least half-way sober to make it up the hill. This is what I call a family vacation! Kathleen

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• Exceeded our expectations - a wonderful stay

  Exceeded our expectations - a wonderful stay

  • Guest Meagan
  • Date of stay 01/10/12
  • Review Submitted 01/16/12
  Truly one of the most lovely places we have visited. We were looking for a place that would allow us to get away from crowds and tourism, yet still be able to rent a surfboard, hang out on thebeach, go out for a few nice meals, and kick back and relax. We are already looking forward to our next visit to this unpretentious, well-cared-for, bright, clean, place. It was exactly as advertised. Kathleen was super-keen to help us by giving recommendations and advice for activities and tours if we wanted it. I would without a doubt recommend it to anyone looking to get "away from it all." You will need a 4 by 4 vehicle to get up the road and to take you into the town of Dominical or any other places close by. Negotiating the rental in San Jose, making the 3.5 hour drive, and finding the house took a bit of effort, but it was without a doubt worth it for the amazing accommodations in the jungle. We will be back to this wonderful property.

  Owner response: I've enjoyed the beauty of Costa Rica for the past 6 years, and now I look forward to sharing it with travelers. Your comfort and enjoyment are my priorities! Glad to hear you'll be back.

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• Rainforest Canopy View is Spectacular

  Rainforest Canopy View is Spectacular

  • Guest Carol S.
  • Date of stay 12/08/11
  • Review Submitted 01/05/12
  The house is rightly named, "Canopy Vista", as the view of the rainforest canopy is spectacular. The patio that surrounds the upper story of the building on 3 sides allows a nearly 360 degree view of the surrounding jungle. And because the roof extends well beyond the the patio, you can see the views from a dry vantage point, even when it is raining (after all, you are in the middle of the jungle!). The wildlife that can be seen from the house will include many birds and butterflies. Our favorite view tree was a lang-lang tree. It was about 20 mtrs east of the patio, and we could see tucans and adtari plus many others. The early morning was an especially nice time to listen to the animals. We could hear all manner of birds, howler monkeys, as well as many other animals we were unable to identify. The road outside the property allows exploration of the jungle. The banana, palm, and fruit trees, plus the flowering plants plants were truly beautiful. I was continually amazed at the long lines of leaf cutter ants as they industriously took provisions back to their nests. The house is quite recently built and comfortable. The home is a great oasis from which to view the jungle. Bill

  Owner response: Bill, Glad to hear you enjoyed your stay. Come back again any time. Kathleen

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• Great vacation

  Great vacation

  • Guest Forrest C.
  • Date of stay 04/15/09
  • Review Submitted 12/30/11
  I visited the Canopy Vista when it was just a tent platform in 2008 and 2009. I really enjoyed both visits and the opportunities that the location of the vista provided. Dominical is a great town with excellent surfing beaches. The beach is only short walk downhill from the property. The beautiful views of the rainforest from the platform definitely make this an ideal vacation spot that I would recommend to anybody.

  Owner response: Thanks for your review, Forrest!

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• Beautiful Yellow Flower in the Jungle

  Beautiful Yellow Flower in the Jungle

  • Guest Carol S.
  • Date of stay 12/07/11
  • Review Submitted 12/27/11
  When I first saw the house, I said "Wow!" It is a beautiful yellow "flower" in the jungle canopy. The immense vastness of beautiful life here is incredible! I found I wanted to be on one of the patios all the time, as I wanted to hear, feel and see the beautiful life around me. Seeing the tucans on the 'Tucan Tree", seeing the many birds from every vantage point. The flowers and the birds are so incredibly colorful! It is a great, peaceful location. The bananas that grow here are the best tasting bananas! The care-taker of the property would bring us all fresh bananas we could eat. The house is the "fruit" of much thought and planing. It was great to have separate upstairs and downstairs living space. Then to top if off, there is the tent platform with a high roof over the place for a tent, with an enclosed bathroom for another living space. Come and see the beautiful living in another world for as long as you can. If you feel that you "must" leave the area, there are many excursion adventures that you can go on, including the nearby beach. There is the "mirador" (only a 5 minute walk from the house) that will allow you to experience the sounds and smells of the ocean from a 200 mtr platform. It would be great for breakfast, lunch, or as a vantage point to view the sunset on the ocean. Grateful for my experience, Carol

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• Canopy Vista- Mui Bueno!

  Canopy Vista- Mui Bueno!

  • Guest Louis H.
  • Date of stay 12/12/11
  • Review Submitted 12/27/11
  Our stay at Canopy Vista was indeed a unique and pleasant one. To begin with, the view is indeed as advertised. The cabina is not only confortable but has fantastic views out of all the windows. The setting of course is quite intimate. Proximity to the Roca Verde restaurant on the beach was either by a brisk walk down (walking back up is a challenge and not recommended for those with any physical problems) or by car. Dominical is another 15 minute hike from the beach. Very beautiful. Restaurants for tomantic dinners are everywhere. Try it and find out for yourselves. The only concerns, like anywhere, are about petty theft..... so be wise in that regard. Overall? An unforgettable experience and we will definitely make plans to come back.

  Owner response: I'm hoping a "tomantic dinner" is as great as a "romantic dinner"! Thanks for your review Louis, and the little reality checks about some of the things to be aware of in a non-US travel experience.

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Additional information about rental rates

Rates are subject to change until reservation is confirmed. Contact the owner for special seasonal discounts. Daily rates quoted are based on 4 person occupancy. $10/day/person for additional guests.

Fees:

• Property Damage Protection: $49
• Taxes Not included

Cancellation policy:

Booking Confirmation when signed and returned For (First name/Last Name) and ________________________ Plages Cotieres du Sud, S.A. corporation. 303-670-0246 Dear House Guest: Thank you for considering the choice of my home at Canopy Vista for your vacation. I am sure you will have a fabulous stay! The property is located at: Rainforest Preserve, Lot 7 Dominical, Costa Rica (complete directions will be given once payment is arranged.) Phone at the house for your use there (it must be prepaid, used only at the house, and left with the balance it started with): kept in the safe, The owner’s US Phone # is 303-670-0246 The caretaker’s phone is: 506-8986-3749 (You don’t need the 506 country code when calling within Costa Rica) Your reservation once a deposit is received is as follows: Check-in date: (month) (day), (year) after 1pm Costa Rica Time (which is US Central time) (No early check-in please) Check-out date: (month) (day), (year) by 11 am Costa Rican Time Number of adults: ___ Number of children: ____ Pets: __0__ Kathleen Chiras Plages Cotieres du Sud, S.A. corporation. 7652 Gartner Rd. Evergreen, CO 80439 Rental rate and fees are as per the attached Rental Agreement Please sign and return the attached rental agreement. Thanks, and have a great vacation! SHORT TERM RENTAL AGREEMENT This Short Term Rental Agreement (the “Agreement”) is made by and between Plages Cotieres du Sud (“Homeowner”) and (First name/Last Name) (“Guest”) as of the date last set forth on the signature page of this Agreement. For good and valuable consideration, the sufficiency of which is acknowledged, the parties hereby agree as follows: 1. Property. The property is located at: ___Lot 7 Rainforest Preserve, Dominical, Costa Rica The property is furnished and includes _Refrigerator, gas stove, dishwasher , 2 couches, end tables, dining room table and 4 chairs, outdoor table with 4 chairs, 1 queen bed upstairs, a queen and single bed downstairs, linens, towels, prepay phone located in the safe, stereo/DVD player available upon request (Feel free to bring your own DVDs/CDs), pots & pans, dinner and silverware, rice cooker, 2 microwaves, blender, juicer, griddle. 2. Rental Party: The rental party shall consist of Guest and the following persons: (First name/Last Name)—please fill in your address below. Also please indicated the names of the other people in your party, and the US citizen under which the property damage insurance will be purchased. Please have them also sign this agreement. ________________________________________________________________ Email address:_(your email address) _______________ 3. Maximum Occupancy: The maximum number of guests is limited to 4 persons. Please inform the owner if you wish to have additional guests stay for an additional fee. 4. Term of the Lease. The lease begins at __1___ p.m. on ___(month) (day), (year) (the “Check-in Date”) and ends at __11___ a.m. on ___(month) (day), (year) (the “Checkout Date”). 5. Minimum Stay: This property requires a 3 night minimum stay. Longer minimum stays may be required during holiday periods. If a rental is taken for less than 3 days, the guest will be charged the 3-night rate. 6. Rental Rules: Guest agrees to abide by the Rental Rules attached as Exhibit A at all times while at the property and shall cause all members of the rental party and anyone else Guest permits on the property to abide by the following rules at all times while at the property. 7. Access: Guest shall allow Homeowner access to the property for purposes of repair and inspection. Homeowner shall exercise this right of access in a reasonable manner.. 8. Rental Rate and Fees a. Deposit if booked within 30 days: A deposit of full amount due is due at within 30 days prior to the Check-In Date. b. Deposit to hold reservation if booked greater than 30 days: Your reservation is not confirmed until a 50% deposit is received. c. The nightly rate: The nightly rate is nonrefundable if cancelled within 30 days prior to the check-in date. If the premises appear dirty or damaged upon Check-in, Guest shall inform Homeowner immediately. Rental Rate: See Homeaway quote. 9. Reservations and Cancellations: Cancellations greater then 30 days before dates of stay will receive a refund less a 20% processing fee. Cancellations 30 days or less will not receive a refund on lodging. Any extras you may have paid for will be fully refunded. At least 50% deposit is required to secure your reservation. For peak reservations (Dec. 16-August 31) if reservation is made less than 30 days before first night of stay, 100% is required to secure your reservation. For non-peak reservations (September 1-Dec. 15), 50% is required to secure your reservation. Rates subject to change until paid in full. A small damage insurance policy is added to your total so we do not have to hold on to large deposits or your credit card. This will be purchased on your behalf once receiving your deposit and is non-refundable. 10. Insurance: Damage insurance with a premium of $49 for up to $1500 in insurance is included with your payment. You are liable for damages beyond $1500. Rates for $3,000 in property damage is also available. Renters may wish to purchase their own traveler insurance. 11. Payment: Acceptable payment method within the US is e-check (direct bank deposit) through Homeaway.com, wire transfer. Credit card or PayPal may be arranged, but transaction fees may apply. 12. Storms: No refunds will be given for storms. Both public and private mountain roads can be curvy and steep and one-lane in some areas. Heavy rains may cause ruts or landslides. A four-wheel drive vehicle is necessary for accessing the property. We do not refund deposits or accept any liability due to road conditions. 13. Liability: Plages Cotieres du Sud shall not be liable for any damage to property or person, except for wrongful acts or negligence. Homeowner assumes no responsibility for illness or injury that may incur to pets or humans while on the premises and shall not be personally liable, for any judgment or deficiency with respect to this Rental Agreement. The parties agree to the terms of this Short Term Rental Agreement, as evidenced by the manual or electronic signatures set forth below: Homeowner [electronic or manual signature]: ¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬_KChiras__ for_________________________ Plages Cotieres du Sud Name (print) Kathleen Chiras, Officer Date: (date) ¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬______________________________ Name (print): (First name/Last Name) Date: Name of party under which damage insurance policy will be made, who also agrees to this Rental Agreement: __________________________________Date:_______________ Phone # Phone # (during stay) if available: Exhibit A RENTAL RULES 1. Smoking is allowed outside only. (Ashes and butts must be put in trash) 2. People other than those in the Guest party set forth above may not stay overnight in the property. Any other person in the property is the sole responsibility of Guest. 3. All of the units are privately owned; the owners are not responsible for any accidents, injuries or illness that occurs while on the premises or its facilities. The Homeowners are not responsible for the loss of personal belongings or valuables of the guest. By accepting this reservation, it is agreed that all guests are expressly assuming the risk of any harm arising from their use of the premises or others whom they invite to use the premise. Please keep the property and all furnishings in good order 4. Only use appliances for their intended uses 5. Pets are NOT allowed. 6. Parking: PARKING – Parking is limited to ____2___ vehicle(s). Vehicles are to be parked in front of or under the carport. Parking on the road is not permitted. Any illegally parked cars are subject to towing; applicable fines/towing fees are the sole responsibility of the vehicle owner. 7. Housekeeping: There is no daily housekeeping service. While linens and bath towels are included in the unit, daily maid service is not included in the rental rate. We suggest you bring beach towels, although one or two may be available at the house. We do not permit bath towels or linens to be taken from the units. 8. Water and Septic: The property is on a septic system, and uses stream water and a storage tank. The mineral content in the water is high, and we recommend water in town be purchased for drinking. The septic system will clog up if improper material is flushed. DO NOT FLUSH anything other than toilet paper, and we highly prefer that you put toilet paper in waste can whenever possible. No feminine products should be flushed at anytime. 9. HOA rules: In an effort to protect our 200-acre rainforest preserve, all property owners and guest abide by the same rules: No loud noises, fires, or bright lights. 10. Keeping insects at bay: Because there are many insects in the tropics, and they are attracted to food and light, we recommend that guests keep all surfaces clean. You may throw compost out into the jungle so long as you hold on to the container! Alternatively, waste food may be kept in the refrigerator until it can be taken to the dumpster at the entry to Mango Manor Road. All trash and waste must be put into plastic closed bags. At night, the best way to keep insects out of the house is to keep all doors shut, turn off outdoor lights, and keep indoor lights as low as is comfortable. Use dimmers when possible. 11. Post stay: Please leave the house in the condition you found it. Return keys to the caretakers, Edwin and Sadie Mena. A $20 tip to the caretakers is appreciated. Amenities such as meals, Spanish lessons, and guiding may be arranged with caretakers prior to arrival. Laundry service is available at a reasonable price/kilo from the caretakers. 12. Late checkout There is a $100 penalty for late checkout. If you really need an exception, talk with the caretakers to see if someone else needs to check in that day. 13. If renter and owner have mutually altered anything in this agreement, put comments here:¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬________________________________________________________________ 14. Access to community Amenities: Guests may enjoy the covered view platform with table & chairs that overlooks the ocean, located a few minutes walk from the house. They may also walk around the interior roads of the Rainforest Preserve, and access any trails not on private property. 15. Fruits within the preserve: Sometimes bananas and lemons and other tropical fruits are available. (There are lemon trees right on the property and have fruit in season). If available, ask the caretaker to show you and/or use his machete to get them for you for a small tip.

If you have any questions please contact the owner.