Reviews for Manuel Antonio Vacation Rental - VRBO 72994 - 4 BR Manuel Antonio Area House in Costa Rica, Magical, Colorful, Memorable Experience

Illinois

Guest Illinois
Date of stay 03/23/13
Review Submitted 04/04/13

We absolutely loved the house. Beds so comfortable, beautiful view, spacious, more than we could have imagined. The monkeys came every day about 3:00 pm and entertained us for a couple of hours. It was a delight! We had the most wonderful service from the people who were caring for the house. No complaints whatsoever. My grandchildren loved all the wildlife. It was truly the most memorable trip I think we have experienced as I took my family and we were all together. We plan to go back. We also took advantage of some of the tours; ie zip lining, water rafting and they were absolutely wonderful as well.

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

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ANOTHER DAY IN PARADISE

Guest Suz
Date of stay 01/11/13
Review Submitted 03/04/13

Our family stayed here for the 8th time this year and it is still as amazing as ever!! We call it our home away from home and are so grateful to be able to travel to this paradise each year. The staff at the house took such good care of us- like we were a part of their family. If you want to experience paradise is a beautiful home overlooking the jungle and the ocean- this is the place to go!! Pura Vida!

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

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Fantastic Place!

Guest Joel G.
Date of stay 01/07/12
Review Submitted 02/11/12

This is our fourth time in Costa Rica and the first time at Casa Mono Congo. The house made the vacation! It is an amazing place - the pool, patios, and balconies connect you to the jungle, and the bedrooms, bathrooms, and kitchens are comfortable and luxurious. This is the PERFECT place to stay in Manuel Antonio, and we'll be back again in the future. By the way, Terry (the owner) is really nice to work with to set up the stay, and the people on-site (maid, pool-guy, house manager) were all very friendly and there to help when we needed something.

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Fantastic Vacation!

Guest Joel G.
Date of stay 01/07/12
Review Submitted 02/11/12

This is our fourth time in Costa Rica and the first time at Casa Mono Congo. The house made the vacation! It is an amazing place - the pool, patios, and balconies connect you to the jungle, and the bedrooms, bathrooms, and kitchens are comfortable and luxurious. This is the PERFECT place to stay in Manuel Antonio, and we'll be back again in the future. By the way, Terry (the owner) is really nice to work with to set up the stay, and the people on-site (maid, pool-guy, house manager) were all very friendly and there to help when we needed something.

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

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Spectacular property with an even-better view

Guest Peter G.
Date of stay 09/28/11
Review Submitted 10/25/11

Casa Mono Congo is a drop-dead gorgeous four bedroom home in Barrio Manuel antonio. Away from the most touristy hotels in Manuel antonio, but close to restaurants and markets, the location is perfect. And as it is situated on a hill, the view of the Pacific Ocean and beaches below is just gorgeous. Plenty of wildlife abounds; we saw both spider and capuchin monkeys nearly every day. The house itself has every mod con imaginable and is just impeccably comfortable. From the outdoor grill to the full stocked kitchen to the individual a/C units in each bedroom to the rooftop wet bar... Casa Mono Congo has it all.

Owner response: Peter, Thank you for choosing to stay in our home and for the great review. We hope to have you return soon to our home for another vacation. Pura vida!

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Casa Mono Congo is Wonderful!

Guest Sue
Date of stay 12/26/10
Review Submitted 01/08/11

This was the ideal vacation for our family of six. Our children, ages 17-24, had a wonderful time . It is the perfect home for adults or families with teenagers. The house has everything that you need and is in immaculate shape. The daily maid service kept things spotless and the one thing I asked for, blankets, was provided immediately. The monkeys entertained us daily, the nearby beaches were beautiful, the food incredible, and the canopy tour was one of the most exhilerating experiences that we have ever had. The house is laid out so that everyone has their own space and privacy. The top deck gave a magnificent view of the ocean and sunset and the breezes made it a perfect place for an afternoon nap. Don arranged for Jose to come in and prepare a delicious dinner one evening. Another evening he made reservations at a nearby restaurant and they cooked the fish we had caught that day. We would definately stay at Casa Mono Congo again! Pura Vida!

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

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Guest Aldworth, Ontario Canada
Date of stay 10/31/10
Review Submitted 01/07/11

Guestbook Comment: We have been here for a month. What a wonderful month it has been! Howlers, White-faced and Titi monkeys visited us all the time. Grandparents, parents, a 3 yr. old and an 8-month old, all had a lot of fun. Ziplining, walks, pool time, restaurants for lunch & dinner, rain and sun! Thanks for a beautiful house, great staff and a terrific month!

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Guest Cottrell-Gentry, AR USA
Date of stay 07/28/10
Review Submitted 01/07/11

Guestbook Comment: This week has been incredible. For the first time, my family and I have lost track as to what day it is. We could not have asked for a better vacation. Thank you for allowing us to share your home.

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Guest Shaff-Kovar, WA USA
Date of stay 04/02/10
Review Submitted 01/07/11

Guestbook Comment: What a fabulous vacation this has been! Casa Mono Congo has the comforts of home and then some. It was indeed special to be visited by all the monkeys and watch their antics as they play around the pool. Waking up to the sound of howlers, ziplining, kayaking in the mangroves, seeing dolphins and snorkeling – what special experiences! Don was helpful arranging tours, making reservations and giving his best recommendations. Judith was lovely and our night guard so helpful. Would love to return one day and would certainly recommend this wonderful home to our friends. Pura Vida!

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Guest Thompson, WI USA
Date of stay 02/13/10
Review Submitted 01/07/11

Guestbook Comment: We will miss this slice of heaven! What a great place to vacation. Enjoyed EVERY single second of trip. Made many lasting memories with all our friends. Monkeys are fun to watch but they can make a mess. Staff was great and very pleasant and helpful. Thanks so much.

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Guest Green, WI USA
Date of stay 02/13/10
Review Submitted 01/07/11

Guestbook Comment: As I sit here on the edge of the patio, I’m trying to store all the beauty & warmth to last me the next several months in Wisconsin. It has been an incredible vacation. What a piece of paradise! Mono Congo was perfect and we thank you for all you did for us. We certainly hope to be back soon. Cheers & Pura Vida!

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Guest DelGozzo, NJ USA
Date of stay 12/04/09
Review Submitted 01/07/11

Guestbook Comment: We had an awesome time! Our sunset cruise was fabulous. We saw dolphins & loved swimming in the coves. The canopy tour was great & we would do it again. We will miss our monkeys!

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Guest Hausman, TX USA
Date of stay 07/16/09
Review Submitted 01/07/11

Guestbook Comment: Beautiful place – monkeys were great! Wonderful people Pura Vida. Thanks for everything.

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Guest Crosby, NY USA
Date of stay 05/24/09
Review Submitted 01/07/11

We have had such an amazing experience down here! It was everything we hoped & more. Not only is this the perfect place to relax, but there are so many different things to do. We had a great time on the canopy tour. The 7AM tour is the best time to go. Chris did the jet ski tour while I was at the spa & he had a blast. We enjoyed the frequent visits from the monkeys. They are so much fun to watch. I woke up this morning to find toucans outside the window. So cool! We really enjoyed all the different restaurants as well. Agua Azul seemed to be the place we frequented the most. Nice people, good food & great drinks. The view is nice as well. A thousand “thank yous” for this wonderful experience. We can’t wait to come back!

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Guest Martin & Mary Jo
Date of stay 05/02/09
Review Submitted 05/02/09

LIFETIME EXPERIENCE! Our family recently spent a week at Casa Mono Congo. We are a group of 7, ages 19 to 63. The experience was beyond description. We had looked at many homes online, and we definitely made the best decision. This beautiful home is everything advertised and more. Casa Mono Congo has absolutely the most breathtaking view in Manuel Antonio. It rests in the rain forest, with an unbelievable ocean view from the third floor terrace. We were visited on the pool terrace by a huge family of Titi Monkeys, and a Sloth played in the tree above the house. In addition we were visited morning and evening by Howler Monkeys, some carrying their babies as they ate and played in the overhead branches. There are no better hosts than Terry and Pete, and Thomas, the house manager truly bends over backward to make sure your trip is perfect. We had their chefs prepare dinner for us one evening, and our only regret was not doing it more than once. We pre-ordered the menu and every course was incredible! We hope someday to return to Manuel Antonio and Casa Mono Congo. Somehow a little piece of Costa Rica stays with you. Do yourself a favor. Come here and make memories. PURA VIDA!!

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Guest Gerber
Date of stay 04/15/09
Review Submitted 04/14/09

Pete & Terry, This house is spectacular! The views, the wildlife and the house Casa Mono Congo was just awesome. The canopy tour was an adventure of a lifetime. We enjoyed the peaceful tranquility of sitting and listening to the many sounds of nature here. The many different birds and the call of the mono congo itself! Loved watching the monkeys playing in the trees and was fascinated by the sloth. Thank you for allowing us this wonderful experience and the creation of memories for a lifetime.

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Guest Axelrod/Ottati
Date of stay 04/07/09
Review Submitted 04/06/09

We had a great stay at Casa Mono Congo. The house is spacious and the view gorgeous. We enjoyed the pool (especially the kids!) and all the different patios. We saw lots of monkeys and some sloth. Our favorite activities were Manuel Antonio National Park, canyoning and the mangrove tour. We would definitely love to return and would stay at Casa Mono Congo without hesitation (and recommend it o our friends. Thank you!

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Guest Perdue/Pederson
Date of stay 03/17/09
Review Submitted 03/16/09

This is a wonderful place to stay. We saw and thoroughly enjoyed the howlers, the white-faced capuchins and the squirrel monkeys, especially the moms with babies. How adorable and the squirrel monkeys in and out of the pool and wrestling on the patio floor.We’re off to Manuel Antonio National Park but I can’t imagine anything better than what we’ve had here.Neville down on the beach to the left took us out snorkeling yesterday and we’re going back there today. The night watchman is so nice and even helped us with and sometimes did our laundry. Maid, pool and gardening services were all very good too. This home is a perfect place to stay!! Thank you.

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Guest Ivicevich
Date of stay 02/28/09
Review Submitted 02/27/09

Just wanted to thank you guys for providing first class accommodations and staff for our family vacation. This was our third trip to Costa Rica and it was without a doubt our best trip to date, and your house played a large part in our enjoyment. Cant say enough about the view, relaxing atmosphere, and the monkeys! Casa Mono Congo will definitely be a part of our future visits to Costa Rica. Thx Again.

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Awesome House

Guest Nerad
Date of stay 02/21/09
Review Submitted 03/05/09

Pete & Terry, Just wanted to thank you guys for providing first class accommodations and staff for our family vacation. This was our third trip to Costa Rica and it was without a doubt our best trip to date, and your house played a large part in our enjoyment. Cant say enough about the view, relaxing atmosphere, and the monkeys! Casa Mono Congo will definitly be a part of our future visits to Costa Rica. Thx Again, Darren

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

Owner response: We appreciate our return guests and currently have an over 20% return guest rate with some guests returning as many as 5 times. We look forward to your return stay at Casa Mono Congo.

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The Perfect Getaway!

Guest Lahryn
Date of stay 02/11/09
Review Submitted 04/06/09

Casa Mono Congo was a dream come true. We rented both this house and Casa Geminis for our wedding party. Some of our family/friends stayed in each house and they were both perfect. We loved the open air living space, the modern kitchen, and the large glass windows to watch the monkeys playing in the trees. Thomas was absolutely amazing. He catered to every request, did a great job planning our activities, and taking care of any problems we had. The cook was amazing as well. The dinner she cooked for our reception was delicious. Everyone was raving (and still is) about how fantastic the meal was. She also made the cake, which was superb. We enjoyed the daily monkey visits, definately seeing the mono titi monkeys most often but also we also saw the white faced monkeys almost daily, and heard the howler monkeys the first and last mornings we were there. The houses were comfortable, cleaning ladies were fantastic, absolutely everything was great. Thank you for all of your help and for welcoming us into your wonderful homes. I woudl also like to add that the little breakfast and lunch place about halfway up the hill was so good! The two men running it were very friendly and we ate there nearly every day. We had purely positive experiences with everyone we met and cannot wait to visit again. I woudl recommend this house to anyone looking for a beautiful vacation home. We had guests ranging from age 4-65 and they all had a wonderful time. The children loved playing in the pool and the adults relaxing on the patio watching the wildlife.

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

Owner response: Congratulations to Brent & Lahryn on their marriage. We are very pleased to have been able to provide a location for this event and accommodations for their family & friends. We look forward to their return and appreciate their offer to be referrals for future wedding parties.

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Absolute Paradise

Guest breganoc
Date of stay 01/24/09
Review Submitted 03/06/09

I have been fortunate to travel to over 25 countries and numerous warm weather destinations and by far Costa Rica and Casa Mono Congo is my favorite. The home is situated at the end of a small lane and is literally in the jungle. We have stayed two times with our family and friends (4 adults 4 Children) and look forward to a visit again next year. The home is beautifully decorated with a modern kitchen that opens up to a huge terrace where you can enjoy morning coffee and and afternoon swim. The view from the terrace is incredible overlooking the stunning blue Pacific Ocean. The bedrooms and ammenities are actually better than described. Flat screen TV's in each room, a wonderful 3rd floor terrace for relaxing; it is simply an amazing spot. The staff is exceptional from daily maid service to the house manager Thomas who can arrange anything you want, including canopy tours,fishing expeditions, a chef for daily meals; the service is the best! Oh I haven't mentioned the animals.. A typical day includes a wake up call and visit from the howler monkeys, when we stayed in January a pair of Toucans would show up every day on a tree right next to the house. They would usually stay for about 45 minutes then return in the late afternoon. The afternoons about 4pm was when every day with the exception of one the white faced or squirrel monkeys would visit the back terrace. Not just one but sometimes as many as 30. Moms with their babies etc for all of us it was an amazing experience. During the day we were very active. The beach of course (you must visit Manuel Antonio Park at least once pay for the guide it's worth it) but we also went offshore fishing, snorkeling, horseback riding, rode atv's in the mountains, and did the canopy tour. Also the Sunset Sail was very nice. The restaurants within walking distance of the home are fantastic. For breakfast Cafe Milagro is the best. For happy hour and dinner there are many many choices. Our favorites all with in walking distance are Agua Azul, Barba Roja, La Maraposa, Si Como No and if you are hearty the Blue Marlin and Kapi Kapi. Cabs are very easy to get if you would like to explore beyond walking distance but you really don't need to. The public beach at Manuel Antonio is also very nice go almost to the end and Pamela rents cabanas and umbrellas( she is the one to get she will take care of you all day) Like I said Casa Mono Congo is my favorite in the world enjoy!!!

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

Owner response: This vacation was the 3rd time this family has brought friends with them and stayed in our home. We appreciate their love for Costa Rica's wildlife and beauty. We hope to see them back again very soon.

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Guest Wilson
Date of stay 01/03/09
Review Submitted 01/02/09

What a wonderful home you have here! From the moment we walked in through the front door, we felt that we were in a glamorous abode fitting for anyone wanting to feel pampered. If we were to choose the one thing we loved most about Casa Mono Congo (not an easy task!) it would have to be the seemingly non-existent transition from the inside to the outside, providing a truly exotic and memorable experience!

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Luxury in the jungle!

Guest JonathanWW
Date of stay 12/27/08
Review Submitted 03/27/09

A group of friends and myself stayed at Casa Mono Congo over New Years 2008/9 and we couldn't have had a better time. Fantastic! The house is a dream. It is designed like a small hotel so it's great for groups......with plenty of room to be on your own, if desired, or cook up a fantastic dinner together in the fully equipped kitchen. A grand central staircase anchors the house and a great main room opens up to the terrace and pool area. Gorgeous! Big beautiful bathrooms, flat screen televisions in every room, safes for your valuables, air conditioning....and the house is beautifully situated to appreciate all the wildlife including daily visits by playful monkeys all around the pool. The house manager Thomas took great care of us and it was a pleasure to deal with Terry who couldn't have been more helpful in setting up the rental. Can't wait to go back. Jonathan, Toronto

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

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Guest Guggenheim
Date of stay 12/26/08
Review Submitted 12/25/08

We loved it. The location was perfect, just a few minutes walk up to the main road, where you could take a 5 minute bus ride to beach or the town of Quepos, you could also walk to a small market, bank or several small restaurants. the house was immaculate, a total pleasure to come home to at the end of each day's excursions. we awoke every morning to the sound of toucans and monkeys- and we saw them every day. in fact, one afternoon our bedroom balcony was full of squirrel monkeys playing around right in front of us, there were toucans every morning by our bedroom and Capuchin monkeys everywhere. The house was really nice, the chefs that were available to the house at an extra cost were very kind and provided wonderful dinners. The house was very modern, and the bedrooms were on 3 different floors (and one bedroom suite was outside the main house, connected by an outside patio door), so I would not recommend the house for families traveling with very young children. We were two families, with kids ranging from 9 to 18, and it worked out great, but I wouldn't try to go with kids much younger than that, since it has lots of open areas/not child safe for the younger ones. It would also be, of course, wonderful for just adults. We did not have a car, our daily excursion companies would pick us up and return us each day, and we could bus or taxi for $5 to beach or town, so a car really was not necessary. We would absolutely stay here again if we are lucky enough to get to Costa Rica again!

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Guest Glaser
Date of stay 12/26/08
Review Submitted 12/25/08

We came with our 13 year old and 9 year old sons, and with our cousins and their 17 & 15 year old boys and this was the BEST family vacation we’ll ever have. It was magical with this beautiful house, wonderful services, rooms, great chefs & Thomas made sure everything was perfect! We had monkeys & toucans visit every day and we just had the best time & we’ll remember it forever!We will absolutely recommend Costa Rica & Casa Mono Congo to everyone we know. Thank you for giving us such an amazing time! Best regards

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family trip to casa mono congo was great!

Guest lorig.
Date of stay 12/19/08
Review Submitted 01/06/09

We loved it. the location was perfect, just a few minutes walk up to the main road, where you could take a 5 minute bus ride to beach or the town of quepos. you could also walk to a small market, bank or several small restaurants. the house was immaculate, a total pleasure to come home to at the end of each day's excursions. we awoke every morning to the sound of toucans and monkeys- and we saw them every day. in fact, one afternoon our bedroom balcony was full of squirrel monkeys playing around right in front of us, there were toucans every morning by our bedroom and capuccino monkeys everywhere. the house was really nice, the chefs that were available to the house at an extra cost were very kind and provided wonderful dinners. the house was very modern, and the bedrooms were on 3 different floors (and one bedroom suite was outside the main house, connected by an outside patio door), so i would not recommend the house for families travelling with very young children. We were two families, with kids ranging from 9 to 18, and it worked out great, but i wouldn't try to go with kids much younger than that, since it has lots of open areas/not child safe for the younger ones. It would also be, of course, wonderful for just adults. we did not have a car, our daily excursion companies would pick us up and return us each day, and we could bus or taxi for $5 to beach or town, so a car really was not necessary. we would absolutely stay here again if we're lucky enough to get to costa rica again!

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

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Guest Selwan
Date of stay 07/20/08
Review Submitted 07/19/08

What an amazing time! We have fallen in love with Costa Rica. This vacation felt like pure luxury. From the hot stone massage at Spa Uno to the ziplining through the rain forest to lounging on the beach with full service or the day trip on a catamaran with snorkeling and an open bar! We love our friends the monkeys especially the one we named Stumpy (he had no tail!). All the local restaurants were great and the people couldn’t be nicer. Casa Mono Congo is a special place that we dread to leave, but can’t wait to return to ASAP! Pete & Terry, thank you so much! We had the time of our lives. Thank you for your generosity.

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Guest Crosby
Date of stay 07/20/08
Review Submitted 07/19/08

Sally, Shelley, Erin & Hunter could not have had a better vacation. Why did we wait so long to visit? Work – that’s what – but you can bet we won’t wait that long again! Much needed rest and relaxation. The view is spectacular from the house. Having our morning coffee and watching the ocean – listening to the howler monkeys and just observing nature at its best is the best way to start one’s day.The 4 of us braved our fears and did the Canopy tour and we’re fortunate enough to experience it while I rained on us. What a rush! We decided to do the dolphin boat rip, but Shelley got extremely seasick and had to be taken back to shore via the raft motor boat. Not the experience we had hoped for – but an experience indeed. By the end of the week our butts and calves were pretty used to the slep back up the hill. The first couple of days were, let’s say exhilarating. All of the restaurants were excellent – good food and drinks and friendly people wherever we went. We loved Agua Azul. They let us sit at a table for 5 hours and ate and drank. Thank you so much for this wonderful vacation – we are truly grateful. Next time we’re bringing the rest of the family – sans Shelley’s mom who’s walker isn’t conducive to these elements. We will be back for sure and we’ll talk this up to all of our friends as a must do!

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Guest Jeffries
Date of stay 06/21/08
Review Submitted 06/20/08

We just returned home from a week at Casa Mono Congo. We are a group of 7 aging from 19 to 63. Anyone considering a visit to this area could not find a more fantastic home for their vacation. It has the perfect location and views not to be outdone anywhere in the area. We were thrilled when we were visited by a family of Titi Monkeys on our terrace. We also had sloth in the trees above us and Howler Monkeys talking to us every morning and evening. There are no better hosts than Terry and Pete, and Thomas the House Manager will see to your every need. We had their chefs prepare dinner for us one night, and it was absolutely the best meal of the entire trip. We sent the menu in advance and every course was incredible. We wish we had done it more than once. This home lives up to everything advertised and more. We hope someday to return. Somehow a little piece of Costa Rica stays with you. Do yourself a favor, come here and make memories.

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Lifetime Experience

Guest Martin & Mary Jo
Date of stay 06/14/08
Review Submitted 06/26/08

We just returned home from a week at Casa Mono Congo. We are a group of 7 aging from 19 to 63. Anyone considering a visit to this area could not find a more fantastic home for their vacation. It has the perfect location and views not to be outdone anywhere in the area. We wre thrilled when we were visited by a family of Titi Monkeys on our terrace. We also had sloths in the trees above us and Howler Monkeys talking to us every morning and evening. There are no better hosts than Terry and Pete, and Thomas the House Manager will see to your every need. We had their chefs prepare dinner for us one night, and it was absolutely the best meal of the entire trip. We sent the menu in advance and every course was incredible. We wish we had done it more than once. This home lives up to everything advertised and more. We hope someday to return, Somehow a little piece of Costa Rica stays with you. Do yourself a favor...come here and make memories. PURA VIDA!

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

Owner response: Martin & Mary Jo were a delight to "work" with as we helped them plan their family vacation to Manuel Antonio. They kept Casa Mono Congo a secret from the rest of the family until their arrival. What better way to spend a family vacation than all together in one big home instead of divided up into small hotel rooms! We hope to see you and your family back again soon.

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Guest Greenhill
Date of stay 03/30/08
Review Submitted 03/29/08

After leaving 10+ inches of fresh snow on Easter morning, we began our journey from Chicago to Quepos. We flew in from San Jose and landed at Quepos airport. After a long day of travel, we arrived at our beautiful jungle paradise, Casa Mono Congo. The house is beautiful, the views breathtaking (even though we agree some trees need to be cut down to fully enjoy the view). We were all jolted out of bed the first morning at 4 AM by a welcome from our friends, the howler monkeys. Had many wonderful experiences – bus rides, deep sea fishing (caught a sail fish!), Spa Uno, Jungle Canopy (a must do experience). Sunset Sail Dinner Cruise (lots of fun), walk on the beach & Jet Skis (great time). The white face monkeys loved to drink out of the pool and cool their tails & hands off. The squirrel monkeys provided lots of entertainment, chasing & playing with each other. They were very friendly and provided lots of memories. The babies were adorable, hanging on to the moms for dear life as they swung from tree to tree. All the staff was wonderful. The food prepared and served by Marisol & Israel was exceptional. We do suggest NOT walking to the Blue Monkey. It is much further than it appears. Renting a car makes the hill much more tolerable (especially after a few “happy juices”). A great time had by all!! Good times, good friends, great memories!!

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Guest Sartain
Date of stay 03/23/08
Review Submitted 03/22/08

Night #1 3:30 AM. What in the world? If we didn’t already suspect what howler monkeys sound like, we’d have thought that this is Jurassic Park: The Reality Show. The monkeys revealed themselves at 5:30 AM. There is not much else I would wake a sleeping 5 year old for! Not in the world! But this was worth it. The only thing better so far was the breakfast prepared by Marisol & Israel or maybe the Canopy Safari or perhaps 4 kids dancing in the rain on the veranda for the sheer joy of it!

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Guest Krueger
Date of stay 02/02/08
Review Submitted 02/01/08

Costa Rica – Pura Vida! Had a great time – how could anything else be possible? The monkeys were a hit and the birds provided hours of entertainment. Your staff is top rate. Marisol’s dinner was superb. A beautiful setting – we appreciated the attention to detail. Thanks for providing an opportunity for such a great vacation!

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Guest Harper/Petzing
Date of stay 12/04/07
Review Submitted 12/03/07

Just wanted to let you know that we had a GREAT time in Costa Rica. Casa Mono Congo was amazing and I couldn't imagine staying anywhere else. Everyone was great... Eugenia did a great job... Herminio was too funny. Jim speaks pretty fluent Spanish and couldn't understand a word the little man said! We met tons of fun people... we would go over to Big Ruby's for Happy Hour. We made great friends with some of the people staying there and we loved the bartender Paolo - he was so sweet. Our favorite restaurant was Agua Azul - and by the end of our stay - Paige (the owner) was giving us hugs and kisses as we came in! It was so fun! We went to Playitis maybe 3 or 4 days.... one day - we mistimed the high tide and it was treacherous coming back over but we made it unscathed! We spent most of the time on the main beach which was fine, and just as much fun. Overall - the weather was great, the only day that we didn't have any sun was the day we went white water rafting, so that was totally fine. The Canopy Safari Tour was a blast too! As for restaurants... we had Thanksgiving dinner at Plinio and it was excellent. We also went to El Avion (across from Big Ruby's) and we thought that was really good. Had breakfast either at Paul's Place or Cafe Milagro and liked them both a lot. One night was had drinks and appetizers out on the deck at Barba Roja for the sunset - that was nice. We also made a few runs to the market in Quepos during the week - so we cooked a few breakfasts/lunches. We ate at Si Como No one night. That was really good too. Everyone had a great time!

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Guest Brewster
Date of stay 03/26/07
Review Submitted 03/25/07

Thank you so very much for use of your beautiful home. Wow! Our days began with beautiful sunrises and coffee on the deck followed by days filled with fun and adventure with our 4 teenagers. There were no “I’m bored” comments which is a miracle unto itself! The beach was wonderful and the monkeys delightful. Our meals at the house were absolutely delicious and we are leaving much heavier than we came. Thank you, thank you, thank you!! We love Costa Rica and will be back. Gratefully,

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Guest Huelle
Date of stay 02/18/07
Review Submitted 02/17/07

I have to start before we arrived. Pete and Terry worked with us over the phone and Internet. We felt “taken care of” from this point forward. Not only does this home meet the representations on the Internet, it exceeds the quality of accommodations found in many areas of Mexico, Central & South America. To have A/C, TV, views, private pool and modern furnishings in this area was so relaxing and enjoyable. We, like the previous visitors, found the proximity to nature to be rewarding and religious. Thomas was great, as was the other staff. But, we would have enjoyed more privacy. Thank you for sharing this home, your great taste and your knowledge of Costa Rica. This place is off the hook! I saw monkeys every day and was lucky enough to see sloth on one occasion. Keep your eyes peeled, she is up there. The surf was low, so I didn’t get to surf. That is my only complaint. I will be back very soon.

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Guest Sheppard
Date of stay 12/30/06
Review Submitted 12/29/06

I know now that I truly have found heaven on this earth. This country, town and house are unbelievable. Waking up early every morning and sitting on the upper deck in silence was my favorite part. The sounds of the jungle are all the music that is needed. Daily, we saw the howler monos, titi monos and the white-faced monos. We managed to see a sloth on the move one day in the tree right off of the pool (The one everyone thinks should be cut down to enhance the pool deck view). The low impact to the jungle from this house is great though! Great job. Our party was great adventurers. We rappelled at Arenal, white water rafted, zip lined, took a private catamaran tour and did some hiking. All were fantastic. We have to come back for the hot springs, and we will. The staff at the home were all fantastic. Liseth had the house looking like the day we arrived every day. Not an easy task with 4 young adults/teenagers. Liseth and her sister Lilly cooked three amazing dinners for us and we had the most amazing appetizers of chicken, fish & beef. They did it all first class. Thomas was fantastic. We had a problem with the house water and he was right on top of it. The restaurants around were all great but I liked our chefs the best. We had some fun evenings at Barba Rojas. The young ones befriended the bartenders and could not get enough of the place. Casa Mono Congo we will see you next year.

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Guest Boudreaux Group
Date of stay 05/28/06
Review Submitted 05/27/06

Our stay at CMC has been absolutely wonderful! Everything from the comfortable accommodations to the waking up with monkeys.Our family of 8, ages 11 – 77, came here to celebrate our two oldest children’s graduation from college. Everyone was comfortable, had great experiences on the tours and loved the “Tico” lifestyle. Grandma – age 77 – enjoyed the adventure as well as our 11 year old daughter who delighted in the sloth hanging about, birds, lizards, frogs, butterflies and the plants all about us. The beaches and Manuel Antonio attracted the “20s” age group. I could go on and on.I especially want to thank Pete and Terry for their open and honest representation of CMC. We have traveled frequently and found places disappointing. CMC was just like you described and we have been more than delighted in this fantastic accommodation. The staff has been great. Thomas is always available for questions. Thank you for a wonderful Costa Rican experience!If you are around, do the canopy tour. The ATV tour was fun but a bit disappointing for the price. Make sure to go on a turn and eat lunch. That’s the best food everywhere.What a wonderful week of solitude and serenity with my children, grandchildren and friends – celebrating the college graduation of Travis and Alicia. View was wonderful, sounds surrounding of birds, monkeys and animals of the habitat. Experience of a lifetime for me.

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Guest Lopes Group
Date of stay 03/18/06
Review Submitted 03/17/06

OMG We just love that hill! Don’t forget your flashlights at night!We are a bunch of 8 late 30 to early 40 year olds from New London, Connecticut. We travel together often and all of us agree, this is a magical, inspiring, magnificently beautiful place!!! We were in complete awe. The first evening when the monkeys came we became children again, and the first time we heard the howlers? Forget about it, we were all running around from deck to deck. Truly incredible!Manuel Antonio National Park is spectacular! Bring your camera! There are beach chairs and umbrellas on the main beach and inside the park is natural shade from the palms. High tide is vicious so if you want calmer swimming, get a hold of the tide chart and look for low tide. If you’re a surfer? Go for it!ATV “Adventure Tours” was a complete bust. Although the company claims they rarely have such problems, we were promised 8 single ATVs and had to double on 4. 20 minutes in, 1 of the 4 broke down, another had a bad axel and finally one caught on fire. They are all very beat up. Although it was fun, find another company.The canopy safari tour was a “life changing” experience and an absolute must while you are here. The staff there is great! The picture they sell afterwards are worth the investment. They give you about 500 photos on CD. Half of which are beautiful shots of the country – sunsets, animals, flowers, etc.We can’t say enough about the house staff. They are all very friendly and professional. Thomas was right there anytime we needed him. We will definitely be back for years to come! Have fun!

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Guest Arkwright Group
Date of stay 03/11/06
Review Submitted 03/10/06

We had a magnificent time!! The staff are efficient, warm, friendly and helpful. Pete, it was so great to meet you and learn about life in this lovely country. We’ll keep in touch.Thomas was so great even though we woke him up on a Sunday!! The chefs were delightful and formidable cooks.Thank you, thank you, thank you. Our week at CMC was nothing short of spectacular. A casa with everything including the great cooks Nery and Lilliana. Do yourself a favor and hire them ( we did 3 times) The facility and staff are 5 star.Peter, great meeting you and we do hope our paths will cross again. Special thanks to Thomas, Priscilla, Ervin and the great night guard. We found the Costa Rican people to be great. The Manuel Antonio National Park to be all that. Love the beaches and the shops at the beaches. Look forward to returning and will miss CMC.

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Guest White Group
Date of stay 03/03/06
Review Submitted 03/02/06

Our group of 8 friends had a great time at this house! We had so much fun at the house it was hard to leave everyday for activities and sight seeing. The ATV tour was a blast and a great way to see the countryside. We were covered in dust afterwards and enjoyed a great breakfast! A guided tour through Manuel Antonio National Park was amazing. We saw three toed sloth, cool birds and lizards. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable about Costa Rican history and wildlife.The canopy tour is a must do while in Costa Rica! We were all swinging from thee trees like little monkeys! Back at the house the monkeys came out in full force around dinner time. Howler monkeys kept their distance but talked a lot very early in the morning. The beaches inside and right outside Manuel Antonio National Park were perfection. The ocean was calm, clear and warm. The beach vendors supplied muchas cervesas for us while lounging in beach chairs under the canopy. Absolute paradise!Drive one hour north to Jaco for dark sand beaches and surfing. Scuba diving isn’t Costa Rica’s best offering. Lots of fun but poor visibility. The pool at CMC is too cold and shaded by trees. Maybe on our next visit a few branches will be cut to expose the beautiful view at poolside. Food and coffee in Costa Rica re wonderful. We did not have a bad meal the entire time we were here! Some of our favorite restaurants were the Pizzeria, Rico Tico and Agua Azul. We loved watching sunsets and sipping cocktails at the Avion. Thomas was very helpful setting up tours and transportation to and from the airport. We enjoyed staying here so much that we are certain to return again. Thank you so much for a dream vacation!

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Guest Bentz Group
Date of stay 02/11/06
Review Submitted 02/10/06

There is not enough words to describe your house and always Costa Rica is my 2nd home. I appreciate your hospitality and we will see you next year (Owner Note: Bentz Group has booked house for Feb 2007).

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Guest Zorn & Regan Group
Date of stay 02/04/06
Review Submitted 02/03/06

This house is the life! There have been 3 types of monkeys visiting us here at this house. There has been white faced monkeys, howler monkeys and squirrel monkeys. There is a very pretty view. Also, the elevated beds are cool and very relaxing. When I first saw this house, I thought to myself… how strange it is purple and orange. Then when I looked inside, I had one word to say… “WOW”Hope we stay here again.

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Guest Conta Group
Date of stay 01/29/06
Review Submitted 01/28/06

We could not have been more impressed with the house! It created one of the best vacations ever. We’ve recommended your property to other tourists and we will certainly plan another vacation here. It is hard to leave! Your staff was wonderful. They did a great job. Thanks to all.Thoroughly enjoyed the house and grounds. Each day we could see monkeys (2 kinds) in the trees by the pool. This was awesome. Enjoyed the pool daily with plenty of sunshine each day. We are planning our next vacation year to your wonderful property (Owner Note: They are booked for Jan 2007).The staff – Thomas, Priscilla and others were very gracious and made the house just that more enjoyable. We will definitely be back. Thanks to everyone.

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Guest Marquis Group
Date of stay 01/21/06
Review Submitted 01/20/06

When your grandmother who is 90 and an adventurer of the most insistent kind wants to go on vacation to Costa Rica, there are not many things that will keep her from it. It doesn’t hurt to have the company of those she has influenced. We are here because the spirit of wonder (or sometimes wander) has already been passed down to the daughters and granddaughters.Sarah and her friend Joe found this casa for the rest of the family on one of their previous trips to this country. Perhaps the aura of hospitality was all too much of a lure for them and is now so for us. This country is a place of natural beauty and ecological awe, but most of all it is of its people. We are grateful for all of the people who have shared their experiences with us to make a grand frame in our memories.While we were here we saw choruses of toucans on the first day, many (perhaps all) monkey sightings from our deck, birds to tell us when the sun is up, sloth hanging around on the top of the driveway and across the valley (east), sunset echoes from the “crows nest”, dinner cooked by Marisol.We also had great fruits and food every day. There are more, many more. I don’t know that things will transpire so that we are able to return to CMC but we will recall that this has fostered our curiosities so further travel is inevitable

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Guest Rayner Family
Date of stay 01/02/06
Review Submitted 01/01/06

Thoroughly enjoyed our stay in your lovely home. Thomas was very helpful. Thank you for sharing Casa Mono Congo.

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Guest Spadaro Family
Date of stay 12/26/05
Review Submitted 12/25/05

Dear Pete & Terry We had a wonderful time here at our stay at Casa Mono Congo. Your house is much more than we could have ever imagined. It's not only beautiful, but very comfortable and it makes us feel like we're at home. We love your adjustable beds and would never get up in the morning if the monkeys didn't wake us. Seeing those adorable animals outside our patio doors is just unbelievable. They're amusing and so fun to watch. You've been very nice and helpful to us. Thomas has been wonderful too! We appreciate the opportunity we had to stay here and would highly recommend your house to anyone. We will remember this trip for many years to come. We hope to see you again next year. Thanks again!

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Amazing

Guest Hunter
Date of stay 04/08/01
Review Submitted 05/12/11

This was our second visit to Casa Mono Congo. I can't imagine any better place to spend the week in Manuel Antonio than CMC. The house is beautiful and the location is perfect. The pool and upstairs outdoor area are amazing. Everything you could want or need is all right there. We can't wait to get back!

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

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Magical, Colorful, Memorable Experience [#72994] | View Property

Traveler Reviews (49)

Illinois

Illinois

ANOTHER DAY IN PARADISE

ANOTHER DAY IN PARADISE

Fantastic Place!

Fantastic Place!

Fantastic Vacation!

Fantastic Vacation!

Spectacular property with an even-better view

Spectacular property with an even-better view

Casa Mono Congo is Wonderful!

Casa Mono Congo is Wonderful!

Awesome House

Awesome House

The Perfect Getaway!

The Perfect Getaway!

Absolute Paradise

Absolute Paradise

Luxury in the jungle!

Luxury in the jungle!

family trip to casa mono congo was great!

family trip to casa mono congo was great!

Lifetime Experience

Lifetime Experience

Amazing

Amazing