Vacation Rentals by Owner

Pura Vida...'Life is Good' in Costa Rica

Guest: JC (Toronto canada)
Date of Stay: 12/01/11 Review Submitted: 01/01/12

If you really want to experience Costa Rica then Casa Sammie is where you need to stay. It is located in the fishing village of Tarcoles. Every morning you wake up to the roosters, macaws and cows not the noise of traffic. As you open the front door you will find Sammie the house dog jumping up and down eagerly awaiting his morning pet. Outside the front gate you will see Ramon across the road milking his cow. You then walk down the road to watch the fisherman mending their nets or pushing their boats out for a day on the water. If you like bird watching then the scarlet macaws were right out front of the house. At times you would see over twenty of them in the trees. It was great for taking pictures. The noise they create is something you must experience. There are a number of places around the house for morning coffee depending on how much sun you want. The pool area is absolutely beautiful with the fan palm at the far end and the plants surrounding it to create your own little oasis. The house has everything you need for a comfortable stay. It quickly starts to feel like home. At the end of a perfect day in Costa Rica you sit in the gazebo and watch the sun go down over the Pacific. To make the stay even better you have Patri ,who manages the house, to help you plan outings or just make your stay more comfortable. A must is the Hotel Vista Golfo zip lining. It was an incredible experience zipping down the mountain over water falls. It was very safe and a lot of fun. Patri made sure we were there on a day that was not overrun with people from the cruise boats. Gino and Maria live in Tarcoles and make you feel very welcome. Maria cooked us several great meals and we spent a day with Gino on his boat and hiking some local trails. We had fresh pacific lobster caught by Gino's cousin while we were exploring the rain forest which were then cooked over a fire on a deserted beach. One of the highlights of our trip! The pictures show the property perfectly. Ramon is great at keeping the pool and property pristine and Patri is a valuable resource to ensure you have an exceptional vacation. Thank you Lynn, Larry and Patri for a wonderful experience.

Owner response:Wow! What a wonderful review. Thanks so much for taking the time to write it. It certainly gives future guests an excellent idea of what to expect, as well as giving them many ideas on what to do. We also appreciate your comments on how helpful our manager Patri was, as we know we wouldn't be able to keep our guests as happy as they've been without her help. Again, we really appreciate your review and hope you'll be able to return some day. You'll be most welcome. Lynn and Larry

Recommended for:Age 55+, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Beautiful Memories,

Guest: FORE! (Stratford Ontario, Canada)
Date of Stay: 11/01/11 Review Submitted: 12/04/11

We really enjoyed out stay at Casa Sammie for the month of November. The home is exactly as we viewed it on the VRBO site, no surprises. Located in a very small fishing village it is a very unique vacation spot. The house is very clean, very comfortable and very safe. The pool and gardens are spectatular and the sun sets very memorable. The location is a little remote from the normal tourist resorts but thats what makes a vacation here so unique. You will probably want your own vehicle to explore and see the sights, although Patricia is very attentive and can arrange any trips you wish. We found having the car enabled us to do things on our schedule. November is the end of the rainy season...usually...but this year was unusual and we had a little rain every day but two. However, the sun came out every morning from 7AM to noon...some times even until 3 or 4PM, enabling us to do the things we wanted before the rain. And our time spent at the house was very comfortable even when it rained...lots of protected outdoor areas to stay dry and still enjoy your time in this paradise. The outstanding things we most enjoyed were zip lining at Los Suenos, a round of golf at La Iguana at Los Suenos, the Arenal Volcano Tour with a stop at the hot springs (take camera and swim suits) and the day at Quepos and Manuel Antonio Park. Patricia will arrange all the tours for you. For the Tour to the volcano she will ensure you get a good English speaking guide who knows the Country, the history and the area, and the guide really makes the trip since there is so much to see on the Tour. When we return, not IF, we would definitely return to Casa Sammie for part of our vacation, and probably split our time in Costa Rica between Casa Sammie and a location further north near Liberia. Casa Sammie was a great central location for seeing the sights in the south west half of Costa Rica but with the road system in the Country it is not an easy commute to the destinations further north. Our day tour to Arenal was 14 hours in total. Many thanks to Lynn and Larry for sharing their beautiful little piece of Paradise with us. Thanks to Patricia for her guidance while at Casa Sammie, to Roman our pool caretaker who was always watching over us, to Sammie our night watchdog and daytime companion, and to the whole cast of support people who do the gardening and housekeeping. It all accumulates to a wonderful experience chocked full of BEAUTIFUL MEMORIES! The Wright's from Stratford, Canada

Owner response:Thanks you so much for this fabulous review. It was very honest and gives people an excellent idea of what to expect, especially during rainy season. We hear from Patri that you really made an effort to fit into the local scene, which certainly enriches your experience and gives you a very good idea of what life is like for the people who are there year-round. Thanks again - we're looking forward to having you back! Saludos, Lynn and Larry

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, tourists without a car, pet owners, sightseeing.

Our Vacation of a Lifetime!!

Guest: Felix and Vaun (St. Petersburg, FL, USA)
Date of Stay: 07/15/11 Review Submitted: 07/31/11

We just returned from our 2 weeks at Casa Sammie and our only wish is that we could have stayed longer!! The casa and landscape is beautiful; we spent hours upon end in the Gazebo, enjoyed the pool and people. We could not have had this special time without Patrice. She is the most gracious host and became a true friend. Whatever we asked, wanted to do; she was there with suggestions and made arrangements for us at any time. Our vacation plans included surfing; a dream to surf in the Pacific for my husband and he enjoyed the surf in Jaco. However having breakfast in the Gazebo one morning we watched as 3 horses grazed in the frontage; we decided we wanted to go horseback riding. By noon, thanks to Patrice, we had a time to go and went to a fantastic horseback riding adventure that included mud bath, waterfall, landscape...it was a special time. Zip line too, within hours we had choices of where to go and when. Thank you Patrice for everything you do to keep everyone happy; we certainly appreciated it and looked forward to seeing you when you came down our little road. This property is at the edge of the rain forest and with that said, we were blessed with good weather. Although rain it did, we did not experience rain at any time that interferred with our plans. We enjoyed going to sleep to the sounds of a real rain forest and light rain, people only dream of things like this. I would suggest to anyone that chooses Casa Sammie to take the time to visit a few places we did and were suggested by Patrice, Villa Caletas has the most stunning views!!! We had a couple of beers and ordered a light bite but you don't have to eat there to walk around and enjoy the beauty. El Coral was very good and Chepe's Bar was a regular stop for us, they make the best rice and hand made tortilla's. We bought fish from the local co-op and Chepe's rice and it made for a 5 star dinner in the Gazebo watching the sunset!! Our last night was at Tico Tico and was so lucious. We miss Casa Sammie so much and fell in love with resident dog Lizzie and loved all the resident dogs. It's so nice to go away on a vacation and have happy smiling (they do smile) dogs greet you upon your arrival. Thank you Larry and Lynn for allowing your Casa to be visited by guests and thank you so much to Patrice who made our stay personal and one that we will always remember!! We will be back :-)

Owner response:Thanks so much Vaun and Felix, for taking the time to write such a great review. We're so happy that you enjoyed yourselves & hope to have the opportunity to host you again sometime. We're very lucky to have Patricia in Costa Rica, managing things for us and taking care of our guests. Couldn't do it without her! Lynn and Larry

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, pet owners, sightseeing.

Wonderfull, fantastic!!!!

Guest: The gang! (Burford Ontario, Canada)
Date of Stay: 02/14/11 Review Submitted: 10/11/11

Thanks so much Lynn and Larry, it was wonderful meeting you Lynn. There are no words to describe the wonderful time we all had at your amazing place. The resident dogs were wonderful and very obedient, and very enjoyable. To Patrice thanks for all the wonderful service and advise, it was very much appreciated. To Gino and Maria, also thanks to you for everything it to was great, hello to all the children.To describe the place is to hard, the pictures do not do it justice, the grounds are beautiful and wonderfully kept, the scenery amazing, the animals fantastic, Mackaws gorgeous, even the sticky frog and the frog snake, wow. Villa Calenta awesome nothing like it...To many wonderful things to list them all. Once again Thanks to all and for anyone reading this go for it, it was the most amazing vacation ever!

Owner response:Sherry, we really appreciate you taking the time to write this glowing review! It was so nice to have the opportunity to meet you and the rest of your group and we're delighted that you all had such a good time. We hope to see you back sometime in the future! Saludos, Lynn and Larry

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with young children, sightseeing.

"Beautiful Non-touristy Spot"

Guest: Cindy and Dave
Date of Stay: 02/01/11 Review Submitted: 04/02/11

Thanks so much for this lovely email, Cindy and David! Lynn and Larry "Hello possible travelers to Casa Sammie in the town of Tarcoles. If you want a non-touristy spot that is still within driving distance to most anything you want to do, this is it. First, it's a wonderful, private house. The raised gazebo overlooking the ocean is perfect for sunsets. Relax with a drink or even plug in a laptop. Next, the back covered patio looks out onto the gorgeous pool. There is a grill if you want to cook some fresh fish from the fish market on the corner. The grounds surrounding the house are a well-manicured jungle, giving the house a wonderful, "outside privacy" experience. Inside the house is comfy, cozy, and well-appointed with all appliances. There are 3 residential dogs who live there too! How wonderful to go on vacation and have pets supplied also! By far the most wonderful day my husband and I had was our boat trip with Gino, a local fisherman who also takes tourists out on day trips. He took us to a private beach to see butterflies and a waterfall. Next we went to another beach for snorkeling. We topped off the day by "hand line" fishing, and all caught several red snapper. If he takes you fishing you WILL catch fish!! His wife Maria is a great cook, as well as an artist, who paints beautiful greeting cards for sale. Patri is the Property Manager, and despite her full-time job of property management and volunteer animal rescue, will be available to assist you with anything from how to speak Spanish, to where to go, or what to do, (food, activities, hikes, zip-lining, etc.),or a sunburn remedy (Milk of Magnesia!). This was our personal vacation/journey. The photos on the website are good, but to actually go to Casa Sammie is so much better." Patri replied - "Thank you so very much for the absolutely glowing review. Will certainly show it to Gino y Maria and translate the praise you have both extended to them. You were fantastic guests to have and that always makes our jobs that much easier. Your dogs are all fine and they would certainly, as we would, love to have you both back one day soon in the future. Again, our gratitude for your beautiful comments. Regards from your amiga in CR, Patri"

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Casa Sammie

Guest: Nancy (Denver)
Date of Stay: 01/21/11 Review Submitted: 02/01/11

I don't know what I could add to my review that others haven't already said, but we all agreed that we had a fantastic time. We loved Lizzie, Jackson and Sammie, the resident dogs, and they took excellent care of us. Patri was always available for information and assistance. We spent hours in the gazebo-catching the ocean breezes, enjoying the sunsets, eating and reading. It was almost torture to extricate ourselves from the gazebo to walk into town for dinner. We had dinner at Chepes Bar twice and lunch at the "soda" cooperative twice. Both had great fresh fish and inexpensive meals. The "soda" in town was a big disappointment; the food was okay but the prices were twice what they should have been. I also felt that the taxi ride to The Coral restaurant a couple of miles down the road was very expensive. The food at the restaurant, however, was very good. Overall, Casa Sammie was paradise and I would return in a minute. Thank you Lynn and Larry for all of your hard work making Casa Sammie such a delightful vacation home.

Owner response:So glad to hear of your experience at Casa Sammie. Cheers, L & L

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

Will miss Casa Sammie!

Guest: Gayley (Goderich, Ontario, Canada)
Date of Stay: 11/13/10 Review Submitted: 11/24/10

The property and grounds are beautiful and very well maintained. Patri was very helpful and I don't know what we would have done without her, certainly we would not have seen so much of the beautiful Pacific Coast of Costa Rica. The people in the village couldn't have been more kind or made us feel more welcome. Gino offered a beach tour by boat and we visited w waterfalls and glorious sandy beaches. At the end of the day we dined on lobster dived for from the boat and ate at Gino and Maria's home, she is an awesome cook. The Canopy Tour at Adventure Park was something we will all never forget. I recommend a trip to Hotel Villa Caletas to view the sunset and dine in a 5 star resort with 3 star prices. I certainly hope to return here one day.

Owner response:We're delighted that you had such a good vacation. Thanks for taking the time to add this lovely review to our site!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, girls getaway, tourists without a car, pet owners, sightseeing.

Paradise Found

Guest: Beverly P. (Alabama)
Date of Stay: 09/23/10 Review Submitted: 11/08/10

The pictures and descriptions at the web site were dead on. The Gazebo was wonderful for sitting and relaxing every morning and evening. We always felt safe - especially with the watch dogs (Lizze, Jackson and Sammie) on alert! Patri was a wonderful hostess and assisted with any needs. All the recommendations (Chepes, Sea food co-op, etc.) were exceptional. Thanks for the wonderful vacation and memories!

Owner response:Thanks so much for this wonderful review. We're so pleased that you enjoyed our small slice of paradise! Lynn & Larry

Recommended for:Age 55+, tourists without a car.

Gread Place and Great Owners

Guest: lpalma (Chicago)
Date of Stay: 08/27/10 Review Submitted: 09/09/10

due to unforseen circumstances, we had to cut our trip short but if you want a real taste of Costa Rica with the food and town people this is the place to stay. If you have a car you can easily visit the more tourist locations that are 15 minutes away. Very comfortable felt right at home. Very private place. with no one to bother you. highly recommend it. Thank you for making our first trip to Costa Rica an extremely please one!!! Hope to see you again sooner than later...Leslie and Alex!! from CHICAGO!!!

Owner response:Thanks Leslie & Alex. We were sorry that you weren't able to stay for your full time but hope to see you back in the future.

Recommended for:People with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, pet owners.

Amazing Trip

Guest: deborah (Sunnyside, New York)
Date of Stay: 08/12/10 Review Submitted: 09/03/10

My entire family had a fantastic time at Casa Sammie. I highly recommend this house for your next trip to Costa Rica. Patri, the property manager is amazingly helpful and nice. We loved everything about the house, from it's charming location in Tarcoles to the beautiful loving dogs at the house. We miss the dogs terribly. On the trip was my mother, my husband, and his parents. We cooked most nights at the house, buying fresh caught fish from the fish cooperative just down the road. It was amazing how quickly we felt at home there. The pool and grounds were very well maintained and felt like a private bit of paradise. We would definitely stay at Casa Sammie again. Thanks for all the amazing memories Casa Sammie- we miss you!!

Owner response:Thank you so much, Deborah. We're very pleased that you enjoyed yourselves and also that Patri was so helpful. We certainly couldn't do it without her. Hope you'll be able to return someday!

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A true "Tropical Oasis"

Guest: charlene (Spring Hill, Florida)
Date of Stay: 08/02/10 Review Submitted: 09/18/10

Casa Sammie was a beautiful "Tropical Oasis." I especially enjoyed lounging in the pool - absorbing the sounds and sights of the variety of birds and wildlife surrounding me. This serene environment was critical since my son got very sick on our stay and had to be hospitalized for half our trip in Clinica Biblica, San Jose. Thanks to Patri, the local doctor, and some beautiful, caring neighbors, he received the right care and treatment. Despite my son's illness, we were able to enjoy surfing in Jaco, Esterillos, Hermosa, and Playa Bejugo. The 4 hour ATV tour by Adventures in Jaco was amazing - beautiful views of Hermosa, Jaco, an amazing waterfall, pueblos, and a Costa rican lunch at a local restaurant. Looking foraward to returning to Costa Rica again to continue our trip to Manuel Antonio and the Isle of Tortuga. Thank you again Patri for all your love, support, and care in dealing with my son. Words cannot express my gratitude! Adios, From Florida

Owner response:Thanks so much for submitting this lovely review, Charlene. We're very happy that you enjoyed most of your stay and hope that your son has completely recovered. Patri has always come through for our renters and we're so fortunate to have her. Lynn & Larry

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, families with young children, pet owners, sightseeing.

We want to go back! And we didn't want to leave!

Guest: Pat (Holly MI US)
Date of Stay: 07/27/10 Review Submitted: 08/08/10

Pictures do not do this place justice! It was amazing. The pool in the back with magnificent garden, and birds, the different foliages, the gazebo with a breeze blowing, and you could sit up there even if it rained! And then the ocean! Right in the front yard!!! We spent a week there. Everyone was wonderful and we saw lots of birds and wildlife. Everything was clean, beautifully maintained, and near many wonderful sights. We loved the Mangrove Birding river tour, the waterfall and gardens, the boat ride up the coast with Gino and Mario, visiting Haco, and going up the mountain for a drink with a view of the sunset! The property manager was able to keep us busy and took care of us the entire week, making sure we got where we needed to go. And the resident dogs! We loved them and didn't miss our K9 family at home quite as much because of them! We'll be back!! Thank you!

Owner response:Thanks for the great review, Pat! We'd love to have you back anytime. Lynn & Larry

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

Casa Sammi

Guest: kiesling (Kitchener. Ontario, Canada)
Date of Stay: 04/27/10 Review Submitted: 05/17/10

We had a wonder holiday at Casa Sammi. A very relaxing place made more enjoyable by the wonderful help of Patri who was always available for our innumerable questions .Ramon and Franki kept the pool and garden immaculate but did it all very "invisibly " so that our family time was very private. Our family of six adults and one 5 month old were well cared for and felt very protected with the help of Liz, Jackson and Sammi!!! Peter enjoyed a day fishing with Gino and his wife Maria cooked up the "catch" to provide us with a great meal . Maria also paints beautiful cards of the local birds. Many thanks to Larry and Lynn for sharing there home & truely a home away from home. All so convienent for local sight-seeing but so lovely to relax in our own "space". Olwen & Peter

Owner response:Thanks for the great review, Olwen & Peter. We're so happy that all went well & that you enjoyed yourselves in beautiful Costa Rica and especially at "Casa Sammie"! Lynn & Larry

Recommended for:Families with young children

THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES

Guest: Classical Gas (Belwood, Ontario, Canada)
Date of Stay: 01/30/10 Review Submitted: 03/03/10

From the moment we arrived until we left one month later, we knew we had found a little bit of True Paradise. The home was everything that was advertised and more. The grounds were cleaned daily as was the pool. We ate star fruit from the trees on the property, and waited with anticipation for the bananas and pineapple to ripen. The gardens are beautiful, with flowers of every colour and description. We spent countless hours in the pool. The resident dogs, Jackson and Lizzie were our companions for our daily excursions on the beach. The gazebo was our favourite place of refuge with several hours spent relaxing from the heat of the day. We watched cruise ships and other vessels make their way up the coast, a wonderful spectacle at night as they glide past with lights shimmering off the water. The almond trees that are in Tarcoles and surrounding the property are feeding grounds for the Scarlet Macaws which come in early morning and late afternoon to feed. The property manager was very helpful, assisting us with transportation and reservations to the hotel and thermal waters at Arenal volcano. She also made dinner reservations at Villa Caletas, a 15 minute drive from the house. Villa Caletas is a fine dining facility. Plan your meal to coincide with the sunset, as the Villa sits high above the Pacific Ocean. Chepes Bar in Tarcoles was also a great place to eat local fare. We would recommend Carara Restaurant as another fine place to eat. Trips to Carara Park and Manuel Antonio Park were spectacular. Many indigenous animals were spotted on the trails such as green and black poison dart frogs, two and three toed sloths, nesting scarlet macaws and white faced monkeys to name a few. Other adventures enjoyed nearby were zip line excursions and bike riding. We caught the local bus to Jaco Beach and Orotina to visit the open air markets and shops. We would highly recommend this home as a great place for a family to enjoy Costa Rica as it really is, in all its beauty.

Owner response:Thanks so much for taking the time to submit this glowing review. It does a wonderful job giving future guests a picture of what a stay at "Casa Sammie" will be like. We'd love to have you return and remember, repeat guests receive a 10% discount! Lynn & Larry

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

Wonderful spot to vacation in CR

Guest: Sheryl Breadner
Date of Stay: 12/23/09 Review Submitted: 01/07/10

Hi Lynn & Larry, Just wanted to drop a line to say thank you for a wonderful spot to vacation in CR. Your home is located perfectly for travel to different adventures. Tarcoles is definitely a quaint little fishing village and we just thoroughly enjoyed everything. The fish from the co-op was so good I think we ate it 4 nights. All the dogs in the neighbourhood have great personalities. We had lots of relaxing time by the pool to catch a tan that was pretty much impossible to get this past summer. Lizzy is very cute and I'm sure her name was given appropriately.... a very good lizard guard! Sammie is the most polite dog I have ever met. No way was she coming into the house. Two steps in for a treat and that's as far as she would go. The blender was a very useful piece of equipment as I used it daily to whip up the frozen drink of the day. Your Tiki hut is absolutely gorgeous and this is where we ate all of our fish dinners and played Euchre nightly. The scarlet macaws are also absolutely gorgeous and how lucky were we to be able to watch them daily flying over us (not to mention squawking.....they all sound like old married couples). We could have easily named them as well, after some of our squawking friends, but instead we just laid back and enjoyed all the vacation sounds. A thousand pictures of them later, I think we captured a few good ones to frame. Thank you for recommending the Vista Golfo zip lining. It was one of the best things (we all agreed) that we could of done in CR. Last but not least Patri was wonderful to have around and very helpful. She joined us a couple of times for the drink of the day or a glass of wine (sometimes both). Thanks again to both of you for sharing your CR home with vacationers such as ourselves who don’t always want the all inclusive vacation. Simple put it was wonderful!!! All the best for 2010. Mary Lynn, Sheryl, Jo & Sue

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Guest: Pat McNalley (Atlanta Ga)
Date of Stay: 08/12/09 Review Submitted: 08/12/09

We had a wonderful time at Casa Sammie. We , a family of 2 adults, 3 kids, 10,5,5, and 2 adult friends,visited after a whirlwind week at Tortugero, Tropicales Jungle Lodge on the Pacuare River. CS was a wonderful place to relax and enjoy small town Costa Rica, put in some time at your beautiful pool, enjoy some fresh fish and fruit right off the tree. The kids loved it, and after a week in the forest, it was REALLY nice to be able to wash the jungle funk out of our clothes! Patri was a great help with car rental and general information. Thank you for making your home available for us!

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Guestbook comment

Guest: Luis in Boston (Boston, Massachussets)
Date of Stay: 08/08/09 Review Submitted: 09/02/09

Larry, Lynn thanks for having us at Casa Sammie, the web site, pictures and videos are very close to what your house is all about, Patricia and her crew are very good at keeping the house, pool and grounds in great shape, also very good at responding when there was a need ( she even has people that can help if transportation is needed and is safe) so you felt there was someone there you could trust. It is also a good place to be close to ammenities but away from the noise of Jaco. So many things to do around that it was difficult to make decisions but it was always nice to come back home at Casa Sammie and be welcome by Sammie and the gang ( Negro & Lizzie). I will come back next time that we go to Costa Rica and would recommended to anyone looking for a place to make your own for a few days.

Owner response:Thanks for the great review Luis! You're welcome to come back any time and, as a returning guest, will receive a 10% discount. Lynn and Larry

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

Truly Beautiful

Guest: theregers (Flower Mound, TX)
Date of Stay: 07/29/09 Review Submitted: 08/12/09

Casa Sammie is just as it is pictured on the web (surreal). Sammie, Lizzy and Neigro welcomed us home each day and kept guard for us each night, we will miss them. The house is nicely decorated and has a well equipt kitchen. The pool was always refreshing and the entire property is well mantained. Thank you Lynn & Larry for a wonderful stay. JRR

Owner response:Thanks John! We're really pleased that you and your family had a good time. Lynn & Larry

Recommended for:Families with young children, romantic getaway.

Guest: Debbie137 (Buda, Texas)
Date of Stay: 07/28/09 Review Submitted: 07/28/09

Casa Sammie is well-situated for ziplining, for birding, for crocodile viewing and for an incredible fish market in walking distance. Patricia is a treasure indeed and her advice and planning made all the difference in our trip. Do not miss the sunset at Villa Caletas. Or the day visit to Tortuga Island in the Bay of Nicoya.

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Guest: Angelique Aman-Bowman (Cumberland, MD )
Date of Stay: 05/19/09 Review Submitted: 05/19/09

My husband, two children(age 10 &11)and I , along with my brother-in-law and sister-in-law and their son(age 3), ventured to Costa Rica in April '09, and we found Casa Sammie to be an outstanding experience for our family. The house, itself, was clean and comfortable. Additionally, the pool was wonderful and was checked daily. We enjoyed going on daily walks through the small village, and we found the local people to be welcoming after a few Hola's! We took a couple of excursions that Patrice, house manager, recommended, and we found them all to be satisfying to our entire family(3 year olds are not always the easiest to please, but Patrice always took this into consideration.) In addition, Patrice would book the excursions which helped to save us money(Always a good thing) She was very friendly and went out of her way to make us feel comfortable. We did venture out to Jaco Beach, but we found the peace and quiet of sitting by the pool or strolling on the beach to be more of our kind of vacation. Jaco Beach has a lot to offer, and it is quite close, but it is not our cup of tea. The quick walks down the street for fresh fish, fruits and veggies were just the ticket for us. Also, if you are there on a Friday or Saturday, make sure to have pizza from the restaurant near the center of town. It was excellent! Next year, we are planning another trip, and we look forward to returning to Casa Sammie. Thanks so much for sharing this wonderful place with us!

Owner response:Thanks for the great comment, Angelique! We'll look forward to having you back.

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Guest: Paul107 (Dover, NH)
Date of Stay: 05/07/09 Review Submitted: 05/07/09

This was our choice for a 1 week of bliss in Costa Rica. What a great spot and the house had all the ammenities we needed. There were 4 of us and it was very comfortable. A rental car was set up for us and any activities we were interested in as well. Highly recommended! You will not be disappointed.

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Wonderful time with the family!

Guest: Angelique Bowman
Date of Stay: 04/15/09 Review Submitted: 12/20/09

My husband, two children(age 10 &11)and I , along with my brother-in-law and sister-in-law and their son(age 3), ventured to Costa Rica in April '09, and we found Casa Sammie to be an outstanding experience for our family. The house, itself, was clean and comfortable. Additionally, the pool was wonderful and was checked daily. We enjoyed going on daily walks through the small village, and we found the local people to be welcoming after a few Hola's! We took a couple of excursions that Patrice, house manager, recommended, and we found them all to be satisfying to our entire family(3 year olds are not always the easiest to please, but Patrice always took this into consideration.) In addition, Patrice would book the excursions which helped to save us money(Always a good thing) She was very friendly and went out of her way to make us feel comfortable. We did venture out to Jaco Beach, but we found the peace and quiet of sitting by the pool or strolling on the beach to be more of our kind of vacation. Jaco Beach has a lot to offer, and it is quite close, but it is not our cup of tea. The quick walks down the street for fresh fish, fruits and veggies were just the ticket for us. Also, if you are there on a Friday or Saturday, make sure to have pizza from the restaurant near the center of town. It was excellent! Next year, we are planning another trip, and we look forward to returning to Casa Sammie. Thanks so much for sharing this wonderful place with us!

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 04/01/09 Review Submitted: 04/15/09

My grandfather, boyfriend and I just spent a week at Casa Sammie. After living in Costa Rica for nearly 3 years I can honestly say it was one of the best experiences we've had here! The house was so charming and comfortable with all the amenities (even that most-important blender for pina coladas!) The pool was a big hit and a quiet, private paradise. Patricia was absolutely wonderful, very friendly and so helpful with all our needs, and relaxing in the gazebo watching the beautiful sunsets was a great way to begin an evening. We highly recommend Casa Sammie to both visitors to Costa Rica and to Ticos wanting to escape the busy Central Valley. Pura Vida!

Owner response:Thanks Jaime! It really helps to have a recommendation from someone who actually lives in Costa Rica.

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 03/01/09 Review Submitted: 03/11/09

We are a French family with three kids aged 7 to 14, and we've been living in Casa Sammie for 2 months. Casa Sammie is a wonderful place to stay. The small village of Tarcoles is a very typical fishermen village, and the people are really nice. It's very close to the park Carara and the "Crocodile-bird" tour. We also recommend the market in Orotina every Friday morning. The house is really neat, with a great swimming pool in a tropical garden, and an upper deck from where we can sea the sunset on the sea while eating. All the services provided are very good, for a short or long stay, it's a perfect choice. Caroline and Laurent Pura Vida!

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 01/01/09 Review Submitted: 01/26/09

Casa Sammie is now at the top of our list for accommodations in Costa Rica. We have stayed at aparthotels, beach resorts, and beach bungalows and Casa Sammie is the best. It was clean and we felt as if we were at home immediately. We loved the pool and the large yard. The gazebo was a great added touch. Watching the scarlet macaws in the almond trees was a thrill. The location was very good, with the Pacific almost a stone's throw away and the little river nearby. The little village was nice and secluded, but Jacó was close enough for an easy visit. Patricia was very helpful and never far away. I would welcome a direct inquiry via email.

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 01/01/09 Review Submitted: 01/02/09

We recently returned from an absolutely great 2 weeks at Casa Sammie (Dec 6-18/08). Weather was great, sunny and hot with very little rain. What makes Casa Sammie such a great vacation destination? First is the backyard pool, which is well kept (good job Ramon) and very private. No sharing the pool with dozens of other people as you would at a resort hotel. A night swim under a full moon is not to be missed. Second is the new raised gazebo. The breeze and view are excellent. Breakfast in the gazebo at 7am wearing only shorts made an Ontario winter seem very far away. Third is the abundant bio-diversity you see every day in Costa Rica and also around Casa Sammie. Banana trees in the backyard and a profusion of tropical plants throughout the yard (some are plants that you struggle to keep alive in a pot in your house back home). Then there is the iguana sunning itself on the pool deck, geckos on the house walls and birds everywhere. Lastly, and by far the greatest thrill, is seeing scarlet macaws while they munch on almonds in the almond trees directly across the road. Though macaws make quite a ruckus at times they are very quiet while they eat. If you hear or see bits and pieces falling from the almond trees then there is sure to be several scarlet macaws having lunch. Grab your binoculars or camera for a good close up view. Another great advantage to Casa Sammie is the number of outings within easy travel distance. Patri, the property manager, is very helpful in arranging your adventures away from Casa Sammie. Here are our top adventures from our stay: 1. Zipline adventure at Hotel Vista Golfo (2 hour drive). Road north from the main highway to the hotel is an amazing uphill trip. Be sure to do the horseback ride to the start of the zipline. 2. Canopy tour at Villa Lapas (15 minute drive). This adventure is a guided hike down a mountain side and across suspension bridges at tree canopy level. Our guide spoke English well and had good knowledge of Costa Rican ecology. Lunch at Villa Lapas was excellent. 3. Cruise to Tortuga Island - Calypso Tours (use the transportation provided by the tour company). Don't miss this adventure if you like snorkeling and an excellent lunch on a white sand beach. 4. Manuel Antonio Park (2-3 hour drive). The hiking trails and beaches are spectacular and the whiteface monkeys at the main beach are immensely entertaining. Getting there can be half the fun, I am sure you will long remember your drive across the old railroad bridge at Parrita. 5. The Jungle Crocodile Safari at the end of the main road north in Tarcoles is the best way to see crocodiles up close. Be sure to dine at the small family run restaurant in Tarcoles near Hotel Carara and across from the police station. Lunch and souvenir shopping at the Crocodile Bridge restaurant is also great. As you can see, a stay at Casa Sammie provides rest and relaxation and/or grand adventure which will make for a memorable vacation!!

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 12/01/08 Review Submitted: 12/03/08

I stayed with my kids (ages 4, 6, & 9), wife and mother and we really enjoyed it. The house was nice and comfortable and the kids especially enjoyed the pool and having Animal Planet on the TV. The adults appreciated the gazebo, sunset views and especially the scarlet macaws. The town of Tarcoles is small and walkable and I felt it was a good experience for my kids to see what a non-tourist town was like. Just to set expectations, it isn't a neat and clean town (although the house and property certainly were) but we didn't feel unsafe. I would definitely recommend it, especially if you plan to enjoy Carara and want to get to see average life for many Costa Ricans.

Owner response:Thanks Jonathan! We try to encourage guests who want to see the "real" Costa Rica and how the average person lives.

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 10/01/08 Review Submitted: 10/13/08

We just returned from a too short,5 day vacation to "Casa Sammie" (10-8 to 10-13-2008). Patri is a wonderful host with so much knowledge of the ares & assistance when needed. Her employees were excellent in taking care of the pool & property. I looked forward to seeing Ramon every morning just to say, Ole. I could have stayed at the house everyday enjoying the pool and peace & quiet, but we had to play the tourist game. We went Zip-lining, drove to Jaco & Quepos and turned on to many roads just to see where they would take us. Every day was a different adventure. There is so much to do in Costa Rica that 5 days went by too quickly. We'd like to see Northern Costa Rica on the next trip and have already decided to stay at "Casa Sammie" again and just take a 1 day/night trip to the north. If you just stay in "Tarcoles", we highly recommend the Crocadile tour, fresh fish & shrimp at the corner market, Steve & Lisa's restaurant, & having a beer with the locals at Chepes bar. All of our expieriences were fun & memorable and we will go back. KEITH & KAREN MATTIS & family from Texas, California, & Pennsylvania.

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 09/01/08 Review Submitted: 09/05/08

We just wanted to say thank you so much for the wonderful stay at Casa Sammie. It was absolutely perfect from the early morning Macaw sightings right through to the spectacular sunsets over the water. Patricia couldn't have been more helpful setting up activities and helping us with restaurant suggestions. We highly recommend the horseback riding right down the road and finishing the day with a meal at Steve 'n Lisa's. Anyone who wants a little taste of Heaven should consider staying at Casa Sammie!!!

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Guest: Nahla and Family (Waterloo, Canada)
Date of Stay: 08/01/08 Review Submitted: 08/25/08

Dear Lynn and Larry, Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful home with us. It offered a wonderful balance of privacy while still being able to feel a part of the neighborhood in Tarcoles. The locals were charming and respectful and made a great effort to speak English when we struggled in our broken Spanish! We enjoyed eating at the many small places close to your home and loved the traditional fare they served. Casa Sammie was also central to many of the tourist attractions and was certainly a beautiful refuge when we wanted to stay in and enjoy what the property offered. We just had to step into the front or back yard to hear and see the many species of birds, not to mention frogs, bats, lizards and crabs. They were all very charming and unobrtrusive. We wanted our children to get a true taste and appreciation of the Costa Rican culture and we certainly achieved that in a fun, safe and exciting setting. Thanks again.

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Wonderful experience

Guest: broker (London, ON Canada)
Date of Stay: 07/31/08 Review Submitted: 08/19/08

We loved our stay at Casa Sammie only wish we could have stayed longer. The house is very comfortable, clean & private. The pool & gardens make this area special. The presence of the Scarlet Macaws in the morning & evening added greatly to our enjoyment. Everything was as described, including views from the gazebo. Sammie & Lizzie did a wonderful job of guarding the property at night. We found it very easy to get around Tarcoles without a car as we enjoy walking to experience the ambience. We walked to Villas Lapas for the canopy zip line tour & Skywalk. It was great to be so close to the river and a nearby marsh for birdwatching and to be able to purchase fresh fish from the co-operative. We enjoyed breakfast at Hotel Carara, fresh bread from the bakery & groceries from the mercado beside the bakery. Patricia, Ramon & the gardener do a wonderful job of looking after everyones needs. We will be back in the near future. Thank you for a wonderful experience.

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.

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Guest: K.M. (Alberta, Canada)
Date of Stay: 05/01/08 Review Submitted: 05/16/08

Hi Lynn and Larry; I wanted to let you know how much we enjoyed our trip. When people ask us what the highlight of our trip was, I always say, “The place we stayed”. You have managed to make your property into a little paradise. It is obvious that you have spent a lot of time and effort making your place so special. Every day was a treat as we walked around the yard, inspecting all the flowers and plants. It was such a privilege to share space with that huge tree in the centre of the yard. We were enthralled by all of the lizards, crabs, toads and other creatures that hang out around the pool. Of course, we became fast friends with the one large female lizard that lives under the pool and comes out to bask every morning. We loved the Macaws and all of the other birds and the little bats that slept in the coconut tree. My husband and I slept in the bodega, and we loved it. There were many times when we would wake up and go for a swim in the middle of the night. The tiles you picked out for the pool are lovely. And the new lanai you just added is also lovely. What a great place to sit to get a little breeze and read a book or just gaze out at the ocean. Casa Sammie was as private as I had hoped. We loved our place near the end of the road. Ramon is great and you are so lucky to have Patricia. She was always available to answer questions and look into anything for us. She was professional but very personable, as well. She has a lot of connections and knowledge of the surrounding areas. We have a special bond with her because of our mutual love of animals. Sammie is so cute with her little tail that wags so fast. We got such a kick out of her and King patrolling the area with Ramon. We have fallen in love with Costa Rica. Don’t be surprised if you find us as your “neighbours” sometime in the future. Tarcoles is about the pace we like, by the ocean but not too touristy.

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casa sammie

Guest: blossom (Sangudo Alberta)
Date of Stay: 12/01/07 Review Submitted: 01/22/08

My husband and I just got back from staying here,we loved it, the house was very clean and comfortable,the pool was very nice ,lots of privacy,the only thing that I would say that I found uncomforable was the bed,it was very hard,other than that we had a wonderful time,you do need a car to get around,the beech is rocky,but the sunsets are unreal got lots of pictures,also Patrica the lady that looks after any of your needs was so nice and very helpful,she went above and beyond the call of duty,we are planning to go back next winter and bring the kids,we would book this home again.

Owner response:We've changed the mattress since this review, so hopefully future guests will find it more comfortable!

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