Casa Bella - Tranquil Jungle Retreat Steps from the Caribbean

• Jungle Haven!

  Jungle Haven!

  • Guest Corky
  • Date of stay 03/31/13
  • Review Submitted 04/20/13
  What a tremendous experience we had at Casa Bella! It far exceeded our expectations and it was as beautiful as the pictures portrayed. The grounds were splendid, lush, and wildlife abundant. There was plenty of room for everyone. We were two families (2 adults and one child each). Every day brought us a new encounter with wildlife. You truly are set back in the jungle . . . and fall to sleep each night to a cacophony of jungle sounds. Simply amazing! Fred Mines, the property manager made us feel more than welcome and took care of all our needs. He was just a phone call away and lived just minutes from Casa Bella. He is full of local knowledge and can arrange anything for you. We rented bikes for the duration of our stay and were able to cycle everywhere we wanted to go. Lots and lots of great food. The locals are friendly and interesting. It was a laid-back and warm community of all kinds of people. There was never a dull moment. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Casa Bella and in the village of Playa Chiquita. All neighbouring towns are just minutes apart Puerto Viejo, Cocles, Playa Chiquita, Punta Uva and all offer good food and wonderful sights. The beaches are absolutely beautiful where the jungle meets the water. It's a great place for families. One of our most memorable trips thus far! We can't wait to go back! Thank you, Fred, you were a wonderful host.

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

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• Pura Vida Family Vacation of a Lifetime!

  Pura Vida Family Vacation of a Lifetime!

  • Guest Mrs. Duke
  • Date of stay 09/30/12
  • Review Submitted 11/04/12
  Writing a review for this place is almost too difficult, being that they only give us to much space to do so, but I'll give it a try! My husband and I have been to this area of the world a couple times, and we wanted to bring our extended family to show off this place we may one day call home. We were looking for a place that met the needs of 8 different people so they could have trip of a lifetime. We talked to a few vacation rental places in the area, and finally settled on this little beauty, really thanks to Fred the caretaker, and let me tell you, THIS IS THE PLACE! Our family absolutely loved it. There are plenty of bathrooms and bedrooms for all personalities to have a little space, but at the same time, it allows for closeness and the amazing 'together' time we all had spending hours on the deck just talking and taking in the amazing garden that surrounds the house. The house is clean, comfy, rustic, but not too rustic so you still have hot water and a full working kitchen. The location is great for those who want to be centrally located in the area, with Puerto Viejo a few minutes away, and all the fabulous beaches all within walking distance or a quick drive. I actually told my husband that when we do move to the area, this house is what I'd like my house to be modelled after. A nice size, with an opened up living area on the top floor, a beautiful deck area that is open to from the living and kitchen area, and of course, the garden. Fred took our family on a little adventure day, and they absolutely loved him! Such a gracious and kind person, with a smile and help to offer whenever we needed it. Oh, and Fred knew that my husband (who was actualy only my boyfriend when the trip started) was going to propose and surprise me with a wedding while on the trip, and he helped my husband in so many ways with that, and we are so greatful. I suggest anyone going with a big group rent this amazing place. Your family will never ever forget their time there! When we left, and Fred was wishing us farewell, I said to him, "It's never good bye, just, see you later"...I truly hope that is the case.

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

  Owner response: I'm so happy you had a great time. And what a romantic way to spend your vacation! Congratulations to you both. I hope you are able to visit again! Pura Vida.

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• An amazing place!

  An amazing place!

  • Guest Aggie
  • Date of stay 05/17/12
  • Review Submitted 05/24/12
  An amazing house. Both the house and property were everything we where looking for, in our first day a sloth welcomed us at the entrance, we had a huge amount of different kind of animals visiting us every day. The location of the house let us have everything we wanted within walking distance and the neighborhood is very secure. We loved Fred the property manager, he is very helpful, friendly and available when you need him, nothing would be the same without him. We really recommend this place to others in order to have an amazing Caribbean experience! Thanks Fred!

  Recommended for: Romantic getaway, families with young children, girls getaway, adventure seekers, families with teenagers.

  Owner response: Greated by a sloth. What a perfect start. There is usually at least one in the yard. Hope the toucans put on a good show for you as well. Sounds like you had a wonderful time. We'd love to see any pictures that guests have taken of the yard. We didn't include many garden pics in our listing. Were you able to rent a bike and do some pedalling around? I love simply walking the beach to Punta Uva and then haveing lunch at Selvins. My idea of a perfect day! Thank you for visiting and hope you can go back down some day! And thanks to Fred yet again for seeing that guests have an unforgettable time.

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• Casa Bella Visitor

  Casa Bella Visitor

  • Guest jb
  • Date of stay 04/20/12
  • Review Submitted 05/03/12
  What an incredible location. The house and property were immaculate, with an abundace of wildlife. Everything required was either within walking distance(the most in amazing beach:surfing/snorkling/swimming) or you could get on a bicycle and ride to town for an outstanding(very short distance) time of dining, relaxing, dancing,whatever........ Fred, the property manager was absolutely the most sociable,helpful,friendly,not enough words to describe. Fred met me at the airport, guided me, was just always there to help with anything. He made my whole trip with his friendship, guidance, and positive energy. He will be a friend for life Thank you Fred for everything I totally recommend this property. Without a doubt. I am going back for sure

  Recommended for: Romantic getaway, families with young children, tourists without a car, age 55+, girls getaway, adventure seekers, families with teenagers, people with disabilities, sightseeing.

  Owner response: Thank you for the lovely review Jeff. I'm so happy you had a great stay. Fred certainly is a great guy. We've left our place in capable hands for sure. Please do visit again, and tell your friends! Playa Chiquita is such a gem. I'm especially missing it today as I sit up here in the rain and cold of Western Canada. Hope you got lots of limes and starfruit from the trees! Until next time...Pura Vida

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• Exciting beautiful relaxing

  Exciting beautiful relaxing

  • Guest Kris
  • Date of stay 04/04/12
  • Review Submitted 04/20/12
  My boyfriend and I took my kids to Costa Rica from April 2nd to the 18th. We rented Casa Bella from the 4th to the 17th. We arrived in Playa Chiquita later in the evening Fred the property manager was there to meet us and was very help through out our trip. The house was exactly as advertised but the yard was even more then the pictures showed. Its quite a large lot with lots of privacy. There is only one neighbor who was very helpful but kept to themsleves unless we needed something. Casa Bella is well maintained and clean. Fred came by every few days to take any laundry we needed done and returned it the same day unless we had plans. The deck was a nice place to enjoy the view as well as the animals that came to visit. The monkeys in the morning and we even had a sloth stay with us for the last week. Even with all the privacy the house is located with in walking distance from a grocery store and many restaurants. As well as two beach accesses. The beaches are beautiful for tanning, snorkling, horse backing riding, and swimming. The restaurants we enjoyed the most were Jungle Love and Maxies. Maxies is at Manzanillo which is just a few kms up the road. Well worth the drive. Although thoses were our favorites we ate at many different places from Puerto Viejo to Manzanillo and never had a meal we didnt enjoy. Fresh fruit trucks come by on the main road a few times a day. You can hear them right from the house as they come by. Fresh fish trucks come by but we found a place in Puerto Viejo that had a good selection of fish daily. My kids are 12 and 13 and we were a little unsure about taking them to Costa Rica to stay in a rental house rather then a resort. By day three we were more then comfortable with them staying at the house well we went for lunch or to the beach if they didnt want to come. They even walked the local store a few time by themselves.There is also a lot of Tours suitalbe for small kids right to the elderly. Fred helped us book alot of our tours as well as arrange taxi's ect. He even does a few tours himself. We didnt rent a car but we did rent bikes the last week and ventured a little further. Taxi's are about $5 to Puerto Viejo which has everything from night life/shopping to banking. Most things are within walking/biking distance. I would recommed the Rafting tour its a cheap exciting way to make your way out to Playa Chiquita. Over all the trip and stay at Casa Bella was amazing! I would recommend it to everyone!!!!!

  Recommended for: Romantic getaway, families with young children, tourists without a car, age 55+, girls getaway, adventure seekers, families with teenagers, people with disabilities, sightseeing.

  Owner response: I am thrilled that you enjoyed your stay! That's great that the garden is coming in well. We spent the last month planting and I can't wait to see the results! The flora in Playa Chiquita is astonishing. Thank you for your review. It is such a pleasure to build something that others can enjoy. Wonderful to hear that you enjoy the area as much as we do. Isn't the food incredible? I agree with your restaurant choices. Maxies and Jungle Love are two of the great ones! Mmmm, I miss the fruit now. We can't get pineapple like that in Canada. Hope you can visit again. Pura Vida.

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Casa Bella - Two bedrooms (4 people) - $150/night
Casa Bella - Loft (2 people)         - $100/night
Casita Bella - 1 bedroom (2 people)  - $120/night
** 2 nights minimum
** Deposits are non-refundable
** $25 per extra person
** Monthly rates possible
** B+B and tours available

Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.