Vacation Rentals by Owner

Paradise Found! Directly on the Beach [#41631] | View Property

Manzanillo
House, 4 Bedrooms, 2 Baths (Sleeps 8)
$190/nt US Dollars
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Traveler Reviews (20)

• Great Family Vacation

  Great Family Vacation

  • Guest Staci
  • Date of stay 01/29/13
  • Review Submitted 02/08/13
  We just returned from this property and had a great time! We had nine people in our group and there was plenty of room. We were prepared for an "adventurous" vacation and that's what we got. It is beautiful and a lot to do to keep us busy every day! Our favorite part was the Jungle Tour by Tino ( a local guide) and the cooking done by the local ladies; Mama and Chena. This is not a luxurious vacation but an experience you cannot get at a "resort". You will put up with a few inconviences and bugs but you get to experience a lot more of the culture. A few tips: rent bikes use local cooks bring bug spray

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

  Owner response: Thanks Mont! Glad you had a great time. Kathy

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• party of 12

  party of 12

  • Guest joe
  • Date of stay 01/05/13
  • Review Submitted 02/03/13
  we had a large party of 12, everyone had plenty of room, no problems usin the facilities. we were all very comfortable, and really no one had a single complaint. the main front deck is were we all pretty much hung out if not out and about. we had howler monkeys, toucans and sloths right in the yard next to the house just about everyday. the home is right on a trail to explore the jungle. if ya want to seee monkeys, you will see them in abundance here. Chena the manager was great, checked in everyday, and lined us up with anything we requested. we did the dolphin tour, deep sea fishing, surf fishing, hiking, chillin on the beach. just a great time all around. we have never been disappointed in costa rica. this is a jungle home, in a nature preserve, packin in your luggage across the creek to the property for us just added to the adventure, we arrived at night, so was extra fun for our party. i dont know how anyone could not be satisfied with this property. we all hated leavin and cant wait to gett back. thank you Kathy for a excellent vacation, enjoyed by all.

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

  Owner response: Thank you so much Joe for the excellent review. I was worried with 12 persons about pleasing all, but it worked!

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

• Definitely Paradise!

  Definitely Paradise!

  • Guest picmx
  • Date of stay 09/30/12
  • Review Submitted 11/01/12
  The view of the ocean is amazing! The house is comfortable and well stocked (i.e. blender, cd player, books, fridge, stove, microwave, toaster oven. Lots of air flow keeps it cool and the views from the porch are sooo relaxing. Lots of wildlife around the house. Howler monkeys, sloths, toucans, Morpho butterflys. Love this house! Stay there twice a year and never consider looking anywhere else. A must see!

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

  Owner response: Thanks to my favorite, re-returning guests!

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

• What a Find!

  What a Find!

  • Guest justice d.
  • Date of stay 09/23/12
  • Review Submitted 10/03/12
  I had the responsibility to find a rental house for our group to stay in, given the task, I couldn't have find a better rental to please everyone! We arrived late at night, yet were still greeted with a friendly welcome. The house is nice, clean and tidy. We spent alot of time sitting on the front deck and listening to the waves on the beach. we walked to town everyday and met some very friendly local folks. Activities we participated in were jungle trip, zip lines and fishing. The fishing guides were great and we enjoyed their company immensely. We also had Chena come in and cook for us a couple of nights and felt so special with the great food and service. We highly recommend this home for anyone who likes the outside, "get away from the crowds" type of location!

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

• Beautiful Vacation!!!

  Guest comment entered by owner

  Beautiful Vacation!!!

  • Guest Melissa Messere
  • Date of stay 09/03/12
  • Review Submitted 09/30/12
  My friends and I had a great time in this beautiful home right on the beach! We can't think of one negative thing to say, except it wasn't enough time to experience all there was to offer. The house was very clean and as comfortable as our own. The caretakers were friendly and helpful. Fishing, rafting and private dinner parties were arranged by them without difficulty or much expense. We would feel fortunate to be able to return to this home in the future!

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

• Great time! A little TLC needed...

  Great time! A little TLC needed...

  • Guest Jason K.
  • Date of stay 08/18/12
  • Review Submitted 09/03/12
  Overall the stay was excellent, with a few things I'd like to point... Cons: - There is a stream and at least for the week while we were there, it was un-crossable by a car. That meant that on arrival and departure, we had to drag our suitcases down the path and then through the stream. Not ideal. - The house is a good 12 minute walk to the closest store and bar/restaurant. This isn't a huge issue and you do get used to it, but again it means crossing the stream, getting your feet wet and dirty and potentially lugging heavy groceries or water back to the house - On arrival there was nothing in the house for us in terms of supplies or water. It would have been nice to have had some water for arrival! The water cooler was filled on day 2. - The sheets are gross. I didn't expect 5 star by any means, but come on - holes, damp and large stains aren't really acceptable. - On arrival there were 3 light bulbs burned out that needed replacing. A bit annoying on the first night not to have light in the bedroom. Fixed day 2. - The gas on the stove ran out the second night when we went to cook dinner. Luckily, the caretaker was still up and was able to sort it but still, you'd think they'd check this before a new guest gets there. - Bus runs 4 times a day to/from Puerto Viejo which has restaurants and bars and generally much more to do. Cab is $16-$20 US. - The caretaker's kids will come and go as they please onto the balcony of the house. We were generally okay with this, but if that bothers you then there might be an issue. - Downstairs bathroom is not great. In general upstairs is overall much better, though still basic. Pros: - House is 50 metres exactly from the beach. This was awesome and we spent lots of time on the front balcony, drinking, eating and enjoying the waves. - There were monkeys in the trees almost every day! - The 'pool' (in the ocean) by the house was great and we were in there every day! - People walking by were clearly envious of the location of the house. - Fresh avocados and coconuts everyday from the super market! - Get Cheyna to sort out shrimp or fish and a lobster dinner cooked by her and her friend is a must! I don't want to dissuade people from coming here as our group of 7 had a truly amazing time. I could have stayed much longer and am ready to return. A little TLC is all that's needed to make this a really great house.

  Owner response: All reviews are taken seriously by us. The last two reviews were made by two individuals who stayed in the house within two weeks from another. Just before their arrival, the area received record rainfalls and winds that caused a tree to crash through the roof causing leaks into the house. Result: ruined furniture causing a mildew odor and ruining our good linens! These items have been replaced. The same rainfalls caused the usually high water in the creek which made crossing an inconvence , which is mentioned in the house discription. Renovations are planned for the lower unit and bathroom this fall. Staying in this home is an adventure, it is not, and never will be a resort type dwelling simply because of it's unique location. It is not for everyone, but all guests have agreed that it is a beautiful location and full of nature!

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

• A "Different" Type of Vacation Experience

  A "Different" Type of Vacation Experience

  • Guest Thomas
  • Date of stay 08/09/12
  • Review Submitted 08/20/12
  We are experienced travelers (over 12 trips to the Caribbean) and have stayed at the more pristine, all-inclusive resorts and VRBO rentals. On the positive, we enjoyed our stay at this property (41631). The beach truly is very close, and the waves sound wonderful at night. There is lots of wildlife, and we did see many howling monkeys around the property, and heard them at night. The beaches are beautiful, especially as you get closer to Pueto Viego. The property manager Chena is helpful and knows a lot about the area. She can easily get fresh seafood for you. The nearby town of Puerto Viejo is very interesting - lots of young partiers, and older burnt out reggae dudes. Very fun to walk around especially in the evenings. On the negative - the house is not very new (the photos must be older), and was not very clean upon arrival. The linens were okay but the pillows need replacing. The top floor as average, but the bottom floor was musty, not very clean and the bathroom really needs an overhaul. The front door lock is tricky and needs replacing. Yes, the entrance to the house is unusual and most cars can make it across. However, we experienced a heavy rain our first night, and in the morning, we had to quickly get both cars out of the area to park off site due to the rising creek. And, even with no rain, the two high tides can keep you from crossing - you really need a four wheel drive to stay at this place. Moving cars and parking them offsite is a bit of a pain. Often times you'll park at the end of the state park, and the house is about a 1/4 mile walk. In summary - with some upgrades and level-setting with renters, this vacation spot will meet your expectations.

  Recommended for: Adventure seekers, families with teenagers.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

• Beachfront getaway

  Beachfront getaway

  • Guest Jodi B.
  • Date of stay 05/09/12
  • Review Submitted 06/13/12
  After a few day travel through the heart of Costa Rica our family of six was so excited to get to the beach. Unfortunately due to fatalities on e two lane highway our arrival was delayed. Chena was so wonderful she was not sure we would be able to get to the home due to the tide, but she made arrangements for us in case it did not work out. We got in at midnight, Chena got out of bed and got us to the house. You would have thought it was early evening at how gracious she was to us. Everyday Chena came to check on us and our needs, and we had she and mammie cook for us every night! It was amazing. What wonderful women. It was great to get to know them. Our 4 children loved getting to know the neighbor kids, and the setting was gorgeous. The trail into the refuge was a very enjoyable hike. The beach directly in front of the house was private, there was a tide pool perfect for kids to play in, and for those who want to be o. The beach, but not Iin the water, but do not want to roast there are plenty of areas shaded by the trees. The house was very pleasant, and in my opinion much nicer than anything else in the area. You must know though that you are traveling to an area that is not a huge tourist destination, there was no a/c, although in the rooms with ceiling fans this was not a problem. Internet would have been nice, although we were able to walk to the funky pizza hostel and get it and not having helped to feel more removed from life. Kathy went above and beyond to help us prepare for our trip, and even checked in on us after our trip to see how things had done. If Manzanillo is your destination, this is the home to stay in. Our family made memories that will last a lifetime!

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• Plenty For Everyone!

  Guest comment entered by owner

  Plenty For Everyone!

  • Guest George
  • Date of stay 03/21/12
  • Review Submitted 05/15/12
  We just got back and catching up with things at home. We really enjoyed our stay in your home in Costa Rica. It was great for our group of 8 as there is such a variety of things to do. Plenty for everyone. The house was very comfortable for our group of 4 couples. The kitchen was well equipped. We loved cooking in, but we also had Chena and Mommie cook us a fabulous dinner. The caretaking family was very nice and gave us a good feeling of security. They were very responsive to our needs, and we hired them to clean the house a couple of times. Anyway, we would love to come again. Thanks for sharing your house with us.

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• Amazing beach rental!

  Amazing beach rental!

  • Guest picmx
  • Date of stay 02/27/12
  • Review Submitted 03/18/12
  We have stayed in various places from Puerto Viejo to Manzanillo, on the beach and in the jungle, and this place is the best by far! Comfortable with beautiful views, it has the best of both worlds. Jungle at your back door and beach out your front door. We spend hours just sitting on the porch staring at the ocean, watching the hummingbirds and morpho butterflies play. Just a few steps away is a swimming hole, waves for surfing, a reef with great snorkeling, hiking trails through the jungle and the town of Manzanillo where you can get supplies or just hang out with the locals (playing dominos, softball, soccer or just hanging out under the almond trees with a cold one). We stay here twice a year and think of this as our home away from home. Kathy (the owner) is great as are the caretaker's family. we love them all. Pura Vida!

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

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

• Pura Vida

  Pura Vida

  • Guest Amanda G.
  • Date of stay 02/16/12
  • Review Submitted 02/25/12
  I've only just gotten back from a one week stay with friends in Manzanillo and I just cannot rave enough about this location...I can still hear the roar of the ocean on the front porch. The house is in close proximity to hiking trails through the refuge and incredible stretches of sandy, sparsely populated, beaches. We saw tons of wildlife (including sloths and howler monkeys in the back yard and an octopus in a tide pool at night), had perfect weather, and lounged on the sand while sipping Tampico and Rum. The bus runs from Manzanillo to anywhere you could want to go if you get restless relaxing, so you can explore without a rental car, and (if you're adventurous and athletic like my crew) there are bikes for rent in Puerto Viejo 8km away that are perfect for getting around. Viejo has great night life and excellent drink specials. In response to the last reviewer, I have to say it sounds a bit exaggerated. While the house doesn't exactly hold up to the luxury the pictures suggest, it is still open, airy and comfortable. Being in the location it is, I imagine some things are unavoidable. The layout is excellent, and the upstairs got quite a bit more use than the down. The downstairs bathroom drew a few complaints, but nothing substantial. We were given a good supply of water, towels and kitchen utensils, which isn't always the case in rentals. The caretakers whose house is on the property were extremely friendly and respectful. The children were out playing, but we all thought they were adorable and I couldn't have been happier about it. Unless you actually dislike children, I can't imagine why they would be a bother! There were quite a few tourists (maybe a dozen a day) and hikers walking past on the trail, but it was far enough off that they didn't bother us at all either. And as for Kathy (the owner) she was helpful, friendly and respectfully distant. She only came around when we needed her, and was very quick to help us out when we needed her. I would/will go back to stay there in a heartbeat, and would recommend it to anyone. Our only suggestions; 1.) Kitchen staples like salt, pepper, and cooking oil would be nice. 2.) Maybe some new bedding or extra pillows, although they weren't bad, I like thick blankets and my husband likes big pillows. 3.) It would be awesome if bikes were available for rent right along with the house, even for an extra fee. That way you wouldn't have to go out to Viejo to get them.

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

• Lower your expectations for privacy and condition.

  Lower your expectations for privacy and condition.

  • Guest Jeff
  • Date of stay 01/28/12
  • Review Submitted 02/06/12
  The location of this home is beautiful and part of it is as it appears in the photographs. What you don't see is the little things like exposed wiring, broken ceiling fans, lights that don't work properly, dull kitchen knives, and hard, uncomfortable beds1. The first floor is not illustrated as well, this is because it is not at all as nice as the second floor. The first floor has problems as well. In one bedroom, sand falls from the ceiling when the ceiling fan is turned on, yes sand! We couldn't understand how this could happen. Also the 1st floor shower and bathroom are quite dismal and the sink has no hot water. The washer advertised is not available unless you count paying the caretaker to do it for you. A little TLC and upgrading could turn this place back into the beautiful home it appears to be. Privacy is a big problem. First and foremost, the caretaker's cottage is located approximately 15 feet from the main house. It doesn't block your view much but the caretaker has small children who are adorable but quite noisy in the early morning. The house is open air so you hear every squeal and sound. Another issue is there is a lot of foot traffic in front of the house and beside it with people heading out on the main trails into the surrounding national park and the beautiful beach nearby. The biggest problem we had was a major construction project in part of the first floor. The owner was actually staying in a portion of the first floor while we were there. The owner stated that she was unable to get local accommodations on the weekend we arrived due to heavy holiday tourism by local Costa Ricans. However she continued to stay the rest of the week after the locals went home. To her credit she did give us a partial refund but it didn't really make up for the lack of privacy and noise. She also offered a second week free but we were unable to stay and were not really interested due to the conditions. We feel that it was poor planning on the part of the owner for these activities to be occurring during our stay. We definitely would not consider renting this property again. This being said, the local property manager Chena is fantastic and very helpful, the beaches are beautiful, Manzanillo is charming and there are lots of great things to do in the surrounding area, unfortunately relaxing on the front porch or afternoon naps are not among the available activities.

  Owner response: The property suffered damage during a recent storm and needed unplanned repairs. The guests were offered the option of staying at another nice accomadation or take a discount on the rent. They chose the discount. After a week of NO complaints, the night before they departed they requested more money to be refunded. I felt that the previous agreement should have been honored and refused to pay. Had I given in to the additional money demand I am sure I would not be subject to a bad review today. We have provided accomadations to an Olympic Gold Medalist, Country Western Singer Gary Allan and other wonderful guests for 8 years without one bad review. Our mattresses are purchased from a company that provides good, hotel quality mattresses. All rooms have functioning fans. The foot paths go along the beach and can be busy on the weekends. We are happy to share the park wit them. We work hard and are very proud of our home and the people who work for us. We are not perfect, knives may get dull, but can be replaced. Our home is priced very reasonably for an oceanfront home. We have adopted a policy of not being pressured to pay someone extra money to avoid a bad review. I am sorry these guests felt their vacation was not up to their standards, they did, however, set the standard by making the decision to stay at the house while the repairs were made. It is unfortuante that they are obviously displeased with that decision.

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

• All the comforts you need WITHOUT THE TOURISTS!

  All the comforts you need WITHOUT THE TOURISTS!

  • Guest nicholas s.
  • Date of stay 12/16/11
  • Review Submitted 01/09/12
  The accommodation was very comfortable with a well furnished and well situated house. Having a porch to relax on while sipping on good CR rum during the evenings while looking out to sea through palms trees should say it all. Gena and company were all very conscientious and always wanting to ensure we were happy at all times. Jungle tour with Tino ....a guide who knows his stuff, fishing with Muche, zip-lining were all organized by Gena and are all highly recommended .... no need to research, just ask Gena. And then there's Gena and Mammi's cooking ... lobster prepared by a hilarious pair followed by dinner on the rear porch while listening to evening jungle sounds!

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

• Family Adventure

  Family Adventure

  • Guest Marc and Kelly
  • Date of stay 07/30/11
  • Review Submitted 10/21/11
  We had an incredible time at the beach house! The listing was accurate and we enjoyed being just steps from the Caribbean Sea. We have three young children so beach time was perfect for all of us....we enjoyed snorkelling, hiking through the park, and collecting sea shells and observing ocean life! The property was well-kept and maintained well. We did think there would have been a washer at the house, and there was not. So if this is still on the site, updating that might be helpful. But we survived! One thing we were surprised by was the "creek" that we had to cross to get to the property....it was actually the inlet of the sea! We arrived later in the evening and the tide was pretty high, so needless to say, once we drove in to drop off our things, we didn't drive again anywhere until we left! But it didn't stop us from wallking into town for groceries and dinner a few nights at Maxies. Wildlife delivered as promised too! We returned from the beach one day to find a three-toed sloth climbing above our staircase to the house. We woke each morning to the howler monkeys in the forest behind us (the kids got used to them by the end of our stay!) Also great was the authentic meal we enjoyed from Chayna and Mommie....what a feast! Watching them cook it up was entertainment too. Great ladies! We really enjoyed our beach time, overall an incredible, natural experience. Thanks for the beautiful home away from home!

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

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

• Paradise was found!

  Paradise was found!

  • Guest Jules
  • Date of stay 06/17/11
  • Review Submitted 06/27/11
  We had a great vacation here, siting on the balcony behind the house gives you a great view of the jungle, sitting on the balcony in front of the house give you a beautiful view of the ocean. We have traveled alot and this is the most beautiful beach in the world! We river rafted, zip- lined, swam in a beautiful water fall and just relaxed on the great beach. The house is roomy and comfortable, we loved the beautiful wood the house is made out of. Bring your binoculars you can watch the monkeys for hours.The owner was very helpful with a detailed list of what to bring and the photos do not do the house justice. We loved the restaurant, El Refugio Grill, good food for vegetarians and meat eater, very pretty too. We will return to both! .

  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: 3/3

• Paradise....That's What I'm Talking About!

  Paradise....That's What I'm Talking About!

  • Guest Kamikaze
  • Date of stay 08/19/10
  • Review Submitted 09/03/10
  My Wife and I, as well as our three kids, had a great time visiting Costa Rica. It had a lot to do with staying at this property located in Manzanillo. The property is not easy to find (w/o directions and a guide for the last 1/2 mile). But I have to tell you...once you get there, it was worth the drive. The beaches in Manzanillo and close proximity city of Puerto Viejo are all very nice, with one beach having very calm waves and another having large waves with strong undercurrents. Kayaking, hiking, Monkey watching, and Zip lining are all either at your door step or a short drive away. My family likes adventure and that's what we got with this vacation. For those that want to get away, have some privacy, and enjoy a Rain Forest adventure, this is the place to stay.

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

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

• Definately Paradise!

  Definately Paradise!

  • Guest picmx
  • Date of stay 10/20/09
  • Review Submitted 11/19/09
  We go to Costa Rica twice a year and have stayed here both times this year. We will be trying to book it again for next year. VERY clean and nice house with the perfect location for relaxation and beauty. My favorite place by far. Loved sitting on the front deck and watching wildlife or reading. Just make sure you have a 4-wheel drive vehicle and you'll have a great vacation. The location of the house is such that you get great breezes off the beach and can listen to the surf rolling in at night. Absolutely beautiful house and property with a lovely beach just footsteps away. Can't wait to go back.

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

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

• Beautiful Vacation Home in the Jungle

  Beautiful Vacation Home in the Jungle

  • Guest Kevin
  • Date of stay 07/17/09
  • Review Submitted 03/17/11
  This is a great little home located in the rain forest. It was clean, well maintained and cutely decorated. It is located in a quite little, tropical town located on the water. On our visit we did the local jungle, dolphin, zip line, chocolate tours. We also visited the sloth rehabilitation center and rented horses. All tours were fun and inexpensive. My son rented a surf board and took surfing lessons at a nearby beach. I would highly recommend you visit the local Italian restaurant. It was incredible. All the food at Maxi's (the local bar) is also great. I recommend the fish and lobster. I would highly recommend this house to anyone who wants to get away from the normal tourist traps. It is nice, quite and there is plenty of local activities to keep you busy.

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

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

• Get away from it all!

  Get away from it all!

  • Guest Tom, Gale and Kyle
  • Date of stay 03/16/09
  • Review Submitted 04/14/09
  We were looking for an area in Costa Rica where you could get a feel for the "real" Costa Rica, not an Americanized resort. We found the perfect place. I had some doubts about driving through the creek to get to the house, but it was no problem at all. From Limon, we continued driving straight down the coast until we got to Maxi's restaurant and had the bartender call Chena. She met us on her bike and we followed her along the beach and through the creek to get to the house. Everything in Kathy's very informative letter was exactly as she described it. The front and back porches on the upper level were great. The hammocks on the large porch on the lower level were perfect too. We spent time there watching the ocean, wildlife, reading and talking. We didn't miss television or a computer at all. The beach and the ocean were right there and were beautiful. Some mornings, we were the only ones on the beach as far as we could see. It is a short walk on the beach to Manzanillo. Maxi's had very good food and cold cerveza. The grocery there had everything we needed. The mangoes and pineapple were delicious. The Costa Rican coffee was great. We drank the water from the tap and used water from the tap to make coffee all week and had no problems. There is a small French restaurant in Manzanillo that served really good crepes for breakfast. Other restaurants that we enjoyed that were between Manzanillo and Puerto Viejo were El Refugio grill that was owned by some folks from Argentina. The food was great. La Pecora Nera was fabulous, the folks were from Tuscany. Shawahanda Lodge (or something close to that) was beautiful and good but a little pricey. We had Chena and Mommie cook for us one night at the house and it was great. Chena arranged a jungle canopy tour for us and it ended up being really fun. There were 15 zip lines and at the beginning was more than I bargained for, but after a few tries I got better at it and it was fun. Puerto Viejo is a funky little surfer town that we enjoyed. At night, the ocean is so close it just lulls you to sleep. All the people we met in Costa Rica were very friendly and nice. We rented a car in San Jose from CR car save and Michael met us at the airport and drove us to our hotel that night. He provided great service. Can't wait to go back!

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

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 7/8

• The pictures don't do it justice...

  The pictures don't do it justice...

  • Guest buggyjj
  • Date of stay 02/19/09
  • Review Submitted 03/17/09
  I stayed in this house in February 2009. This was the third vacation home I've rented in Costa Rica, and by far it was the nicest. The pictures really don't do it justice at all. The kitchen is huge and very well stocked. All five bedrooms are quite spacious and the bedding was neat, clean and replaced in mid-week. The back balcony, not shown in the pictures, was great for sitting at the table for dinner and enjoying the sounds of the insects and birds. The front patio was the perfect view of the ocean through the palm trees in the front yard. Watch out for falling coconuts though...they hit the ground HARD! We woke up each morning to the sound of Howler monkeys as they passed by the house. The caretaker was very helpful and was available for anything we needed. She booked our day trips for us. There is lots to do here. You can go snorkeling (coral reefs all over the place), guided jungle tours(don't go without a guide, you will get lost for sure), dolphin tours (we saw lots of them), surfing, swimming. All of that is available right in Manzanillo but if you want to make a day trip there's volcanoes and zip lines. The local restaurant and grocery store is about a 15 minute walk away. The food at Maxi's restaurant is absolutely fabulous! Try the fish fillet, it was delicious. The owner, Kathy, was also very helpful. She sent us a bunch of information on how to get there and what to expect in Costa Rica and she was totally accommodating to all of our questions. This was an absolutely beautiful property and I wouldn't hesitate to stay there again.

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

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 12/13