Punta Uva Beach - yes, this really is our local beach, miles more to explore...
Location: Punta Uva, Limon, Costa Rica, Central America (220 Kilometers from San Jose International Airport) View Map
Accommodations: House, 1 Bedroom + Other (See Description), 2 Baths (Sleeps 2-4)
Keywords: Private House
CASA DAKINI is an ideally located, high-quality, comfortable home, built in late 2005 - fully equipped and with gorgeous views of the Caribbean and surrounding rainforest - just a short 300 yard walk downhill to the fabulous beaches of Punta Uva and the Caribe Sur.
There are several stores and restaurants within a half mile for all your basic needs, and seven kilometers away the nightlife and amenities of the buzzy little town of Puerto Viejo. Five kilometers in the other direction at the end of the road closest to the Panama border, is the sleepy and colorful fishing village of Manzanillo.
Private, tranquil, secure and set in an acre of lush landscaping, the property is situated 200 feet above beach level, enjoying refreshing breezes, delightful views, and the gentle sound of the ocean. Innovatively designed, ecologically appropriate to the area the house is light and airy yet built for strength and the tropical climate, featuring many architectural details, and warmly decorated with Spanish tile and French stucco.
If you are planning a stay of one month or more and your group is larger than 4, we have a second cottage, EL NIDO, available on the property, with 2 bedrooms/full kitchen/bathroom built to the same high standards. For privacy and security reasons both cottages are only available in combination for same group/same time bookings - El Nido is occupied by our property manager when not in use by guests.
We are surrounded by near-virgin rainforest, and miles of exquisite beaches are a 3-4 minute walk downhill - or drive and park right next to the water at one of several spots that are nearly deserted during the week, where the sea is safe for swimming and snorkeling in the reefs just offshore. Monkeys, sloths, toucans and parrots are all regular visitors, and you will wake up each morning to the sounds of rainforest wildlife in all its glory!
The temperature in the Caribe Sur stays between 70-90 all year and, contrary to myth, rainfall is not a constant. The wettest season tends to be mid-November through mid-January and the driest mid-February to June, with usually beautiful weather in September and October when the Pacific side is rainy.*** MORE PHOTOS AND VIDEO VIA LINK BELOW!!!
We are pleased to add that CASA DAKINI has received by far the largest number of positive guest reviews on VRBO of any property in the area!
Vacation Rental Features
- Amenities
- Washer : Our cleaner can wash and dry your clothes once a week in addition to any sheets/towels/rugs needing laundering, etc.
- Dryer
- Linens Provided
- Off Street Parking
- Beds
- Queen Bed : This is a US queen-size and box springs we brought from the States... Costa Rican standard sizes are smaller.
- Twin/Single Bed (2) : 2 single beds in living room that double as a couch when not in use for sleeping.
- Convertible Bed : One single floor futon/mattress as an extra option.
- Entertainment
- Cable/Satellite TV : Basic Sky TV service but offers several English language movie/TV channels, CNN, Bloomberg, plus many Spanish language and news channels.
- DVD
- Video Library : DVD selection available on request
- CD Player
- Kitchen
- Full Kitchen
- Cooking Utensils Provided
- Refrigerator
- Outdoor Features
- Deck/Patio
- Balcony
- View/Location
- Ocean View : Possibly the only rental house in the area with a decent view of the Caribbean - makes all the difference to wake up to!
- Communications
- Telephone : We have a land-line and cell phone if guests need to make/receive calls, but they are not exclusively for guest use.
- WiFi (Wireless Internet) : We have a house USB cell network/laptop adaptor for internet service which is suitable for basic email and surfing. Wi-fi and "broadband" internet services are available locally.
- Other Amenities
- CASA DAKINI, approx. 850 SQFT including deck - 1 Bedroom w/queen-size bed, Living room with 2 single beds doubling as sofas (see picture) ** Ocean view from all rooms & deck, 2 bathrooms with showers plus an outdoor shower, hot water throughout, washer/dryer, indoor/outdoor kitchen bar, satellite Sky TV/DVD player/movie selection, blender, coffee-maker, ** (Second cottage available for same time/same group rental only) EL NIDO, ** Rainforest view from all rooms, 1 bathroom w/ wall-to-wall jungle views, large patio, 1 bedroom w/ quality queen-size bed, queen futon sofa-bed in living room ** TV/DVD player ** Filter system for drinking water ** Sliding glass screened doors/windows, No need for mosquito nets! ** Screened insulated roofs & louvres for air flow, No need for air-conditioning! ** 110v power/US plugs, ** Backgammon, Jenga, Playing cards *** MORE PHOTOS/VIDEO VIA LINK BELOW ***
- Suitability
- Pet Friendly
- Kid Friendly : Safe and quiet off-street location and gardens.
- Smoking Allowed : In outside areas.
- Activities
- Shopping
- Kayaking
- Sailing
- Boating
- Swimming
- Surfing
- Biking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Fishing
- Horseback Riding
- Rafting
- Hiking
- Restaurants
- Other Activities
- ** Boat/horseback to Gandoca-Manzanillo Refuge ** Dolphin-sighting trips ** Kayaking, Canoeing, Whitewater rafting, ** Hike the rainforest & along many miles of deserted beach ** Guided night hikes ** Diving & snorkeling (some of the best snorkeling in the area is in Punta Uva!) ** Tortuguero & Cahuita National Parks ** Surfing rentals/lessons (nearby Salsa Brava is world famous) ** Canopy tours ** Playa Negra Botanical Garden ** Serpentarium ** Local BriBri Indian Reservation ** Reggae night ** Aviarios Sloth Refuge Center and Bird-watching (A must for animal lovers), ** Butterfly Farm (Mariposario) - Walk next door for an amazing display of Blue Morphos!
Rate Details (In US Dollars)
CASA DAKINI - **Special** 2012 Rate, 1-4 guests = $ 100/night ~ $630 per week
Xmas:Dec.22-Jan.2/Easter *Special*: April 1-8 :1-4 guests = $145/night ~ $850/wk
CASA DAKINI + EL NIDO Standard rate all year 1-8 guests $3,500 per month
Costs are all inclusive with twice weekly maid service.
15% Discount off daily rate for bookings of two weeks+. For longer please inquire.
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.
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Credit Cards Accepted:
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Map & Owner's Profile
Oceanview - Beach 300 Yds - Unique/Comfort in the Rainforest !
Year Purchased: 2004
Why the Owner Chose Punta Uva
After traveling around Costa Rica looking for 3 months, and being generally disappointed with the level of unappealing over-development on the Pacific coast, we were greatly relieved to finally visit the Caribbean side to find what we had been looking for in the lush, unspoiled, quiet and friendly neighborhood of Punta Uva, near Puerto Viejo. We bought the property in March 2004 - from a local family who still live about 200 yards away, and although the wheels tend to move slowly in this part of the world, we were anxious to get things moving and managed to start laying the foundations for our two small houses 6 months later, designed and built for us by Costa Rican tropical architect Edgar Brenes.
The name Cantarrana refers to the whole property of about an acre, and roughly translates as The Singing Frog, because of all the frogs that appeared and hopped noisily into the foundation holes to greet us when we began the project…but don’t worry, we managed to get them out before they poured the concrete! The uphill guest-house is named Casa Dakini (Dakini is a Sanskrit word referring to the enlightened feminine spirit), and the house below it we call El Nido, or The Nest.
The Unique Benefits at this House
It says it all in the description really, but in truth, the words and pictures do not do the place or area justice - a comment many of our guests have written in the Guest Book on this page...and their words are really the best guide to what you can expect when you stay with us! Thanks for looking!
Owner's Map of Punta Uva
Although we'd like to spend more time in our home in the rainforest next to the picture perfect beaches of Punta Uva, Karen and I are still on the treadmill, although not altogether unhappy to be passing most of our days in the wine country near the town of Sonoma, California. But we've had a blast creating a lovable space and environment in Punta Uva for others to share our experience of this incredible, and until relatively recently, unknown area.
Property Photos
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- Punta Uva Beach - yes, this really is our local beach, miles more to explore... - Punta Uva, Limon, Costa Rica Vacation Rental
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- Gated entrance from street - El Nido lower left, Casa Dakini above right. - Punta Uva, Limon, Costa Rica Vacation Rental
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- Casa Dakini - set in an acre of lush tropical gardens facing the sea - Punta Uva, Limon, Costa Rica Vacation Rental
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- Casa Dakini/entrance and driveway looking to sea
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- From kitchen - to deck and living room
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- Living room/extra sleeping room, second bathroom and front door
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- Master Bed and bath onto deck
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- Master bed to deck
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- Master bath, shower and additional outside shower deck
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- Kitchen
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- From deck to living and kitchen bar
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- Bathroom off Living Room
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- View to sea from deck - 300 yards/2-3 minute walk downhill to the water.
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- Rear of gardens
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- El Nido - caretakers house. Available when both houses booked for one month min.
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- Parcel map of property
Traveler Reviews (67)
Fabulous beyond belief!
Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 01/06/12
Review Submitted: 01/20/12
Your house is just lovely. We had a great time staying there and were able to accomplish many things relative to our land in Cahuita while we were there, namely paying the taxes! The architecture of your house is fantastic. It is obvious to us that much thought and consideration went into designing and building your home so that it complements the land and maximizes the fantastic rain forest and ocean view. Your architect, Edgar Brennis, designed and built our home in Rosario de Naranjo and quite honestly builds the most spectacular homes in all of Costa Rica. Cheers to Edgar for building another Costa Rican masterpiece! It was simply delightful hearing the howler monkeys each day but it was not an interference or intrusion..... They seemed to know when we wanted quiet time and somehow abided! What an amazing home you have. We especially like the open kitchen and the hammock on the deck... it is so peaceful and relaxing to hang out there... Reading, napping or having cocktails and chatting, Everything was in terrific working order when we were at Casa Dakini and everything looked just great. Kari and Pascal (caretakers) are great. Kari was very helpful to us and did a wonderful job. She had stocked the refrigerator for us with all of the things we had asked for. Your well appointed kitchen is terrific. Kari mentioned that she is a trained chef and in the future we will ask her if she would be interested in possibly being hired to cook a dinner or two for us. We look so forward to returning to your lovely Casa Dakini for another visit. It is simply fantastic! Thank you again for sharing your lovely piece of paradise with us!
Recommended for:Romantic getaway, tourists without a car, sightseeing, adventure seekers, girls getaway, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers.
awesome!
Guest: Jennifer
(Alberta, Canada)
Date of Stay: 06/22/11
Review Submitted: 08/03/11
Hi Geoff - We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Casa Dakini. Ana was awesome and we liked having her there to chit chat with and get a more local perspective of things. The house was awesome and we loved sitting on the deck and looking out at the view. The gardener showed us the sloth and her baby hiding in the trees and some of the other animals. We appreciated the gate and the slight removal from town as it made us feel safe. We would gladly stay there again on our trip back to Costa Rica! Thankyou very much for letting us use your house.
Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, pet owners, adventure seekers, girls getaway, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers.
Honeymoon-worthy!
Guest: Annie
(Ann Arbor, Michigan)
Date of Stay: 06/22/11
Review Submitted: 07/06/11
Hi Geoff, Everything was INCREDIBLE at Casa Dakini! Definitely worthy of a honeymoon :-) we did a lot of porch sitting and swimming and relaxing and enjoying the great restaurants in puerto viejo, it was hard to leave. We loved Ana as well, she was so helpful and friendly. Thanks for everything, we hope to be back someday!
Recommended for:Romantic getaway, tourists without a car, sightseeing, pet owners, adventure seekers, girls getaway, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers.
Wonderful Accommodations in La Jungla!
Guest: Angel & Tara
(Seattle, WA/USA)
Date of Stay: 04/18/11
Review Submitted: 04/28/11
Falling asleep to the cacophony of sounds of the rain forest, awaking to the sound of howler monkeys, and spending afternoons in the hammock lounging to the sounds of the waves crashing on the shore below. Fantastic views, wonderful gardens, and wildlife abound! Very comfortable and tremendous location. My wife and I would go back and stay here again in a heartbeat. Thanks, Geoff! Thanks, Ana!
Owner response:Thanks so much Angel for the kind words Angel...it was a pleasure to have you both stay with us and share the joys of the Caribe Sur!
Recommended for:Romantic getaway, tourists without a car, people with disabilities, sightseeing, pet owners, adventure seekers, girls getaway, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers.
Thanks again for Casa Dakini
Guest: Heather
(Oakdale, California)
Date of Stay: 04/01/11
Review Submitted: 04/24/11
It was amazing, fantastic and beautiful. A million thanks for allowing us the opportunity to stay at Casa Dakini. The beaches were beautiful, the house clean, comfortable and perfect!! We had to laugh every time we drove our rickity (200,000 miles on the odometer) geo tracker rental in liue of using horrible curse words. We will never complain about american roads again!! Seriously though it was such a relaxing trip. We got to watch and listen to a group of Howler monkeys quite closely just off the deck. We saw a green and black poison dart frog by the house while rinsing off sandals, bugs bugs and more fabulous bugs, but casa dakini is great about keeping them outside where they belong! Thanks again and again, we would like to go again in a year or two and take our kids.
Recommended for:Romantic getaway, tourists without a car, sightseeing, pet owners, adventure seekers, girls getaway, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers.
Great views, great time!
Guest: Ben
(Hagerstown, Maryland)
Date of Stay: 03/20/11
Review Submitted: 04/05/11
Thank you very much for your kindness and letting us use your house! It was a great time, beautiful vistas and definitely enough space even for four guys... and we loved puerto viejo and punta uva.
Recommended for:Romantic getaway, tourists without a car, sightseeing, pet owners, adventure seekers, girls getaway, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers.
A Perfect Location!
Guest: Katy
(Seattle, Washington)
Date of Stay: 03/06/11
Review Submitted: 03/16/11
Hi Geoff, Just wanted to let you know that we had a wonderful stay at the house this past week. It was the perfect house, perfect location, and Ana was very sweet. We really liked the area and we didn't do much -- enjoyed breakfasts on the deck, rented bikes for 4 days from Lucy the neighbor down the hill and rode to the different beaches. Surfed and sunned. Went to Cahuita one day, and that was the farthest. Thanks again for letting us stay in your lovely home. Even with 4 adults, we didn't feel crowded at all!
Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, pet owners, adventure seekers, girls getaway, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers.
Just loved it all!
Guest: Len
(Grand Rapids, Michigan)
Date of Stay: 02/01/11
Review Submitted: 02/11/11
Thanks Geoff, We had a wonderful time at the Casa. We loved the place, the view, the privacy, the lovely casa, the monkeys, the nearby restaurants, the stunning beach,and Manzanillo. Loved the ambiance of the whole area and would return again!
Recommended for:Romantic getaway, tourists without a car, sightseeing, pet owners, adventure seekers, girls getaway, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers.
We want to come back!
Guest: Joanne
(Ottawa, Canada)
Date of Stay: 01/03/11
Review Submitted: 02/11/11
Our HOLIDAY WAS THE BEST! Your home is amazing and the location is fabulous. Ana, is such a dear, we both would have liked to take her home with us. We have recommended your accommodations to several friend as well. Thanks again Joanne and Robin
Recommended for:Romantic getaway, tourists without a car, sightseeing, pet owners, adventure seekers, girls getaway, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers.
A wonderful trip...
Guest: Rob
(Alberta, Canada)
Date of Stay: 12/26/10
Review Submitted: 01/11/11
Hi Geoff, We are back home in the great white north and had a wonderful trip, despite the rain that spoiled the ocean view....but the Casa worked out good and we really enjoyed all of the wildlife encounters around the house. Ida was a wonderful host and took care of us. Thanks again! Rob and Juanita
Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, pet owners, adventure seekers, girls getaway, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers.
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Vacation Rentals by Owner Listing #70785
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