Vacation Rentals by Owner
Casa Del Mar - Beach Front Home - **Built Right in the Sand** [#54459] | View Property
Playa Grande
House, 3 Bedrooms, 3.5 Baths (Sleeps 11)
$225-$350/nt - $1400-$2200/wk
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Traveler Reviews (15)
Absolutely Amazing Vacation!!
Guest: Cara
(Canada)
Date of Stay: 04/07/12
Review Submitted: 04/17/12
My husband and our 8 year old daughter just returned from a week at Casa Del Mar. We had an absolutely wonderful time. The home is very clean and cleaned every day and our laundry was done for us. The beach is right in your back yard, just as the pictures show. The waves weren't too crazy, so our daughter was able to rent a boogie board and have some fun in the waves. Greg and Gabriela are wonderful people as are Nicho and Mariame (staff that take care of you every need). We did a tour to Nicaragua to see the Volcano Masaya, it was a very long day but a wonderful experience. They pick you up at 4:15 am and you return at around 10 pm. Granada was a beautiful city to see. I would without hesitation recommend this property to anyone that is looking for a private get away with 5 start class. We will be back for certain. Thanks to all the wonderful staff and owners that made this trip just fabulous.
Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, romantic getaway.
Perfect Vacation
Guest: Jasper Cane
(Middletown, CT)
Date of Stay: 01/02/12
Review Submitted: 02/04/12
Thank you so much to everyone at Casa del Mar. We had an incredible family vacation at Playa Grande.(Six adults and a one year old baby.) It is a beautiful place and we have more than 600 pictures to prove it! Everything was perfect. We not only saw the nesting Leatherback turtle (Baula), but were fortunate to encounter an Olive Ridley (Lora) nesting during the day and some sweet, tiny hatchlings of the same species make their way to the sea. Our best dinner was homemade from the kilo of shrimp that Nicho thoughtfully supplied for us. Dishes were washed, floors mopped, beds made and laundry folded! Santiago was vigilant and we always felt safe. If I have forgotten anyone, forgive me, and extend our thanks. It was a lucky day when we discovered Casa del Mar! In the early morning I had the incredibly beautiful beach to myself. The landscape is like a work of art, especially walking north, toward the rock and the adjacent beach of Playa Ventanas. In the most magical light, my eyes feasted on waterbirds, fabulous shells and turtle "crawl" tracks as if I were in my own personal paradise. The body surfing was endless, always a good wave coming, never a a bad ride! Next time, a longer stay would be the only room for improvement.
Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.
Houston family
Guest: Kip
(Tucson, Arizona)
Date of Stay: 12/19/11
Review Submitted: 01/20/12
Wow! What a great house ON an incredible beach! Our family, including two little ones (ages 1-4), had a wonderful time there. The house is right on the beach, which is wide open, clean, and peaceful. You can surf, swim, play and or relax at/on Playa Grande, which is just seconds away from your bedroom. Also, you will never have a better view doing the dishes anywhere else! Finally, the staff that works there (24 hrs. a day) are extremely kind and helpful. We can't wait to go back.
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.
Fantastic Place! Highly recommend!
Guest: Lisa
(Arlington)
Date of Stay: 11/13/11
Review Submitted: 11/29/11
We just got back from our honeymoon at Casa Del Mar! We cannot say enough good things about the place, the owners and the people who take care of you while you are there! Greg and Gabriela were extremely helpful before and during our stay. Having Internet at the house makes it very easy to ask them any questions you might have. Nicho and Miriam are the two people who take care of you while you are there. They are amazing! Nicho got us fresh coconuts and Miriam loaned us her sim card while we were there for a few days when we drove to Arenal Volcano (highly recommend). The pictures are very accurate, the beach is right out your front door, the property is extremely clean and Miriam will even wash your cloths! Everyone was very helpful (just FYI, if you don't speak Spanish, bring a dictionary so you can talk with Miriam and Nicho...it is worth the effort!). We hope to go back again!
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.
Fabulous Vacation at Casa del Mar!
Guest: Rob
(Emerald Hills, CA)
Date of Stay: 11/06/11
Review Submitted: 11/22/11
We had a terrific family vacation at Casa del Mar. The house was just as Greg and Gabriela described it. Greg gave me lots of tips before we left and Gabriela set up a zip line, horseback ride, and river tubing day in Rincon de la Vieja. Miriam, Nicho and Santiago were there to help us any way they could-- setting up the beach chairs every morning, providing a barbecue, boogie boards, beach towels, they even did laundry for us. The house was perfect for 7 of us. And the location on Playa Grande is the best. We liked Rip Jack's, Mar Bar, and the restaurant at the Hotel Bula Bula. A trip up the estuary to see crocs and monkeys was fun--don't paddle a canoe, take a motor boat and guide. Thanks Greg and Gabriela! We'll be back someday. Pura Vida!
Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway.
5 Star Property - WOW!
Guest: Colleen S.
(Fairfax, VA)
Date of Stay: 08/01/11
Review Submitted: 08/26/11
I don't even know where to begin... Casa Del Mar exceeded our expectations! It was a beautiful and effortless vacation starting with the owners Greg and Gabriela. From our initial phone call, to a phone call during our 2 week stay, thru a follow up email when we got home, they were nothing but genuinely caring and hospitable. I could tell it truly mattered to them they we have a wonderful time. The house is exactly as represented in the photos and spotlessly clean. We loved the fact that there was overnight outside security, a safe in the house and an alarm system. Santiago the security guard not only patrolled our home over night but had our beach lounge chairs set up by sunrise every day. Our host and hostess, Niccho and Miriam, made our stay so that we wanted for nothing! Niccho helped us arrange an ATV excursion, Canopy tour and ziplining, horseback riding, and a golf outing! Miriam ensured that the house was cleaned and our laundry was taken care of daily. They even made sure the fridge was stocked with beer. : ) Miriam went above and beyond when she surprised us one night by delivering her homemade tamales for dinner! I cannot say enough about Miriam and Niccho; they truly made our visit perfect. Without hesitation I highly recommend this property.
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.
When can I come back?
Guest: Andy
(Rogers, Arkansas, USA)
Date of Stay: 07/02/11
Review Submitted: 07/08/11
Just returned from a week at Casa Del Mar (July 2-7, 2011). Can't say enough about what a great experience we had. The house is just as advertised. Very comfortable and functional. The patio space is awesome. We had all of our meals outside, enjoying the comfortable beach breeze and sounds of the ocean waves. Nicho and Miriam were very attentive to our needs, but completely unobtrusive. We felt very safe the whole time. The beach is awesome. Totally shaded by trees so you can stay out all day and get only as much sun as you choose. The break is great for surfing and boogie boarding as well as swimming. Very little beach traffic. Playa Grande has several very nice, upscale dining options. At most of our dinners, we had the places to ourselves. Hotel Catarana was our favorite. The Great Waltini's at Bula Bula was also superb. For less expensive but still incredible fare, MarBar is the place to go. We will definately be back. The owner, Greg, made me feel comfortable from the beginning, always answering questions promptly by e-mail or phone. Greg helped set us up with a canopy tour and snorkeling expedition, both of which were great. Look no further for your Costa Rica oasis. Thanks Greg, Gabriela, Nicho, Miriam and Santiago! Hope to see you soon!
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, romantic getaway, sightseeing.
Pristine Location
Guest: NorCal Voyager
(Sunnyvale, CA)
Date of Stay: 06/19/11
Review Submitted: 08/03/11
My two teenagers and I stayed at Casa del Mar the last two weeks of June while taking Spanish classes at the WAYRA Spanish language school in Tamarindo. Playa Grande is gorgeous, uncrowded and extremely clean. The beach in front of Casa del Mar is great for swimming, especially for teenagers and adults who are strong swimmers – there can be strong currents. It’s nice sand without rocks. It’s a super place to surf and/or learn to surf! We rented surfboards and bikes from nearby Frijoles Locos, and they are very generous with discounts if you rent a lot of equipment from them. We went to Tamarindo each weekday morning for our Spanish classes, which made a nice diversion. Tamarindo is very touristy, crowded and a little sleazy (especially at night), and full of young surfers from all over the world. It was fun to visit each morning when we took our Spanish classes. However, it was always nice to come back to this beautiful and tranquil house on the beach. Mostly, we walked or biked along the beach and took the water taxis across the estuary ($1 per person) to get to Tamarindo, but be careful – if you go back late the water taxis will be gone and you’ll have to spend $40 on a car taxi! We also managed to get a ride to Tamarindo a few times from a local resident, with the help of Nicho, one of the caretakers. All the caretakers, Miriam, Nicho and Santiago were super helpful and welcoming. For eating, I strongly recommend Kike’s. All the other restaurants seemed much more expensive and empty, and Kike’s was always busy with a mix of Ticos and tourists. Greg, the owner, was extremely helpful and honest about Casa del Mar before our stay. If you have any doubts before renting, give him a call.
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, girls getaway, sightseeing.
Vacation Paradise
Guest: Joan
(Mill Valley, CA)
Date of Stay: 12/19/10
Review Submitted: 12/30/10
We just spent a magical Christmas week at Casa del Mar. This house is fantastic: it's comfortable, well equipped and literally on the beach. And what a beach! Playa Grande is the perfect vacation spot with gentle waves, very few people and miles of white sand to walk on. Plus, the house comes staffed with the most accommodating people who take care of your every need -- from dishes, beds & laundry, to anything else you can think of. I recommend Casa del Mar without hesitation, and look forward to the time when I can return with my family for another vacation in paradise...
Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children.
Once again, excellent!!!
Guest: Camaleon
(Miami)
Date of Stay: 08/21/10
Review Submitted: 08/30/10
This is the 2nd time I've stayed in Casa del Mar and again I can not complaint of the service, quality and location of the house... They are all great. I've rented homes in latin America, The US, and Europe through Vrbo, yet Greg and his wonderful staff made our stay a true vacation. From Miriam (hsk) to the security guard you feel safe and taken care of. The house sits literally on the beach, our lounge chairs were set on the white sand before we awoke, and the house was maintained everyday of our stay. If you are visiting Tamarindo or any of the beaches near by, I would recommend Casa del mar in Playa Grande... Tamarindo is only a 15 min drive, and to be frank the beach in Tamarindo does not come close to Playa Grande... This is the perfect location to get both sides of Costa Rica, the party in Tamarindo and the relax quiet nature of CR. The price is extremely competetive and you will get twice as much from any hotel room. I've stayed in plenty of hotels in Tamarindo and Flamingo as well prior to finding Casa del Mar. Enjoy.
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.
Beautiful Beach
Guest: Isa & Alex
(Miami Beach, FL)
Date of Stay: 08/07/10
Review Submitted: 08/21/10
Playa Grande is beautiful and this location is spectacular. There are only a few homes along this beach and although some tourists drive here, it is still feels very secluded and private. The homes are very close to the beach, the pictures clearly show the view from the terrace. It was not really a luxurious accommodation but the home itself was comfortable, particularly the bedrooms. I wish we had known there was no air conditioning in the kitchen/family room area, it was only in the bedrooms, which limited how much time we spent there (along with the couches which were not very comfortable). We spent most of our time outside enjoying the beach and the shade provided by the trees which is definitely the highlight of this area. There were several restaurants just down the street (El Huerto & Kike's Place) which were good and easy to get to. The staff was very nice and provided laundry service and cleaned up the house twice a day. They also set out beach chairs for our use every morning all ready to use for the morning coffee. Wish there had been some hammocks on the property or beneath the trees - that would have been bliss! Playa Grande is definitely a recommended stop for beach lovers.
Recommended for:Families with teenagers, families with young children, romantic getaway, sightseeing.
Best place to stay in Playa Grande
Guest: Craig
(Clearwater, FL)
Date of Stay: 06/12/10
Review Submitted: 06/22/10
I spent a week at this house with my family and another couple and it was the best place I've stayed in years, if not ever. It appears that only 5 or 6 houses are directly on the beach like this one for a hundred miles in either direction. It exceeded our expectations. The staff was very nice and accommodating. As my son would sing, "Miriam's the best!" The surf right in front of the house was unreal. I would wake up at 5:30am and be standing tall on a wave at 5:35am. There are tidal pools to the right about 200 yards away that we would spend hours at looking at the marine life. You can rent bikes at the local surf shop, Frijoles Locos, for $7 a day. By the way, this surf shop is great. The owners are super nice. We rode the bikes about 20 minutes south to Bula Bula and hopped a water taxi for $6 over to Tamarindo. There are plenty of places in Tamarindo for food and drinks, including a grocery store and banks. You won't find much in Playa Grande, which to us, was refreshing. DO NOT EAT AT LAS TORTUGAS!! This was the closest restaurant to the house just at the end of the road. It is awful and overpriced. Rip Jack Inn had the best food, but a bit expensive. Kike's is decent all around. Your best bet is picking up groceries and grilling out at the house. Howler monkeys visited us on the last day right outside the house. I couldn't believe it. The coconut palms off the back porch provided fresh milk for my run drinks daily :-) Go to Casa Del Mar is you want to truly get away and live ON the beach. I wish I was there now!
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.
Casa Del Mar Review
Guest: Bruce
(Upstate New York)
Date of Stay: 02/01/10
Review Submitted: 06/17/10
If you want beach front, this is THE place. When they say "built in the sand", that is exactly correct. This is not "beach view" or "near beach" or any other such nonsense. The house itself features comfortable sleeping for six, a nice kitchen, a safe for your belongings, courteous staff, owners right next door, security for your car, and security for your person. Costa Rica has some theft crime, but not here. The house next door to the one we stayed in, owned by the same people, is absolutely gorgeous, and it can house up to more than 10 people in luxurious surroundings. We have been to many Carribean islands over 25 years, and this place is as nice a villa as I have ever been in, and for a lot less money. The description is correct and accurate, the pictures accurately reflect the appearance, the property is immaculate, the owners are extremely nice and I have already recommended it to others.
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.
As close to the waves as you can legally live
Guest: Kelly family
(South Jersey)
Date of Stay: 01/02/10
Review Submitted: 07/17/10
This was our 3rd year staying at Casa Del Mar and each has been as nice as the last. Playa Grande is the northern most beach with surf that has housing for rent (Witch's Rock & Ollies Point are by boat). From here if you want to venture to other breaks south of Playa Grande, there are 6 within 25 miles. But, usually there is plenty of surf right out your front door. The owners go out of their way to make your stay relaxing, but the staff is by far the reason we returned year after year. Mirium & Mitchell take such good care of you, you won't want to leave. We usually BBQ on the front porch w/ waves breaking as you cook. Two nice sized patio sets on the veranda for all your meals. Please be respectful of keeping lights low at night for the nesting Leatherback turtles. If this is your first time to Costa Rica, I can assure you that once you stay at Casa Del Mar, you'll be returning again. Other activities besides the beach are not too far away. Rincon Volcano & waterfall are 1-1/2 hrs and definitely recommended. They also have a very nice canopy tour/zipline. Walk 1-1/2 miles south on the beach toward Tamarindo & you can either take a water taxi across to Tamarindo or hire them for a nice boat tour into the mangroves. If you want rest & relaxation right at the waters edge, this property can't be beat.
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, families with young children, romantic getaway, sightseeing.
Unbelievably Affordable Paradise
Guest: Vanessa
(Los Angeles)
Date of Stay: 10/15/07
Review Submitted: 01/25/11
Another couple and we were staying at the Tropicana in Tamarindo right before we moved on to Playa Grande and Casa del Mar. What an improvement! The location was perfect and the house was very nice and comfortable and extremely affordable for four adults. I'd only stayed in hotel rooms on vacations before, so this was a real eye-opener. The following year, we stayed at Casa del Mar again. You cannot find a better location. There is no trickery in these photos. The beach is literally right there. I'm glad to read in another review that Miriam is still working there. She's the best! She hooked us up with a fisherman who stopped by with just-cleaned Tilapia and Shrimp. The day before we left, we went out shopping, and when we returned, she'd stopped in and washed all our clothes! I can't tell you how nice it was to go home without a mountain of dirty laundry for once. I didn't notice it represented in the pictures, but apart from the two bedrooms on the first floor, there is a loft overlooking the kitchen where three more could sleep. Also, although Playa Grande is very residential and quiet, there is a Pali supermarket about 10 minutes drive away, and the Ripjack restaurant is about 10 minutes walk south from the house. I highly recommend staying at this property.
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children.