Vacation Rentals by Owner

Colorado family

Guest: Colorado family (Steamboat Springs, Colorado, United States)
Date of Stay: 04/28/12 Review Submitted: 05/08/12

We loved staying at Dos Rios. Monkeys right off the deck, surfing out our back door, comfy beds and great host. (only Kim was there when we visited). Kim was extremely friendly and helpful, but gave us our space too. Love that we could walk to Martina's bar to socialize. The location is one of the best for beginner/immediate surfers. Maru the housekeeper cooked a nice meal for us and was very sweet. Thanks so much for making are vacation great! We hope to come back.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, families with young children, romantic getaway.

our spring vacation

Guest: V&L (Ventura,California )
Date of Stay: 03/31/12 Review Submitted: 04/24/12

This was our third trip to Costa Rica, and second to the Osa. This time we went with three other couples. The house was great and Kim and Melanie really took care of us. We had our space, but they make sure that all our activities were set up. Hikes,yoga, surf camp, zip line, and a boat tour. We used the surf boards and kayak when we were at the house. Kim and Melanie cook for us one night, the dinner was great, but the pies were even better! The local restaurant is a short walk. This house worked great for us, I would highly recommend it.

Owner response:Hi Vaughn, Thanks so much for posting this review. We are continuing to have sun and scattered rain, and everything is greening nicely. You really went for the gusto in activities and in my opinion, took advantage of what this environment has to offer! We will hope to be your hosts again, and next time the pie will be gratis! We wish you a happy Spring! Melanie and Kim Norman

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

Diamond in the rough? oh yeah...

Guest: The taller Vaughn ;-) (California)
Date of Stay: 03/31/12 Review Submitted: 04/20/12

What a beautiful gem nestled in the rough and rugged Costa Rican Osa peninsula coastline! Right from the get-go, Melanie and Kim made us feel right at home with their subtle Southern charm and warmth. Having the owners on site to give guidance, make phone calls (to set up tours etc), get more salt and pepper ;-) from, was a true value not expected in staying at a vacation rental. They were there when help was asked for but never ever felt intruded upon. Peace and anonymity was spot-on. I've used VRBO many times and this is by far the most memorable experience of location (on the beach amongst a rain forest), a beautiful AND funtional house and gracious owners! When you fly in to Puerto Jimenez and grab your groceries for the week before heading to the Casa be sure to leave a night or two free from cooking to have Chef Melanie whip up a mean local seafood, local veggies/fruits dinner. AND DO NOT pass up her baking skills in the dessert pie section of her menu...glad there were 8 of of us in our group because if you had to cut that pie in less than equal parts, well let's just say that it would've ended worse than the movie Tombstone. Mango, coconut, and plumeria trees abound on the property (not to mention the other 97 species of trees I can't name) only to be visited by 3-4 troops of Howler, Cappuchin and Spider monkeys daily. Toucans, macaws and countless other bird species that put you into sensory overload fly above and around the property endlessly. The Osa is a busy place when it comes to animals, insects and flora. Such diversity seems unparalleled anywhere else in the central American region. Melanie hooked us up with 2 separate forest guides on this stay; Rodolfo and Andy. A MUST! The avg American would miss about 98% of what's hidden when you hike thru the jungle, whereas both of these men were full of insight/info on what the eye does not see let alone comprehend. The zip-lining was fun but too short, it lasted about 45-60 minutes in harness. I could've done it all day but you'd have cables running all thru the forest to pull that off ;-). The hikes, esp in the Corcovado Natl Park were full of countless birds, bugs, Boa constrictors, tapirs, more monkeys, anteaters, coatis, lizards, poison dart frogs and sweat! haha Don't be fooled, the rain forest is muggy and hot; loved it!! We loved the Costa Rican people, their country and would definitely come back...hit the reserve button on this page and commit to going! YOU WILL NOT be disappointed!

Owner response:Thanks so much, Landon, for this review. You really describe this experience well and will be a great help to future guests. We loved meeting all eight of you and really do enjoy our jobs in this hospitality business. I wish I could send you one of my lemon merangue pies from here! Please come again, we will make one for you, gratus! Our current guests are just two ladies, but they are happy campers and we love meeting each new guest. All is well here in the rainforest. Have a great spring and summer in California. Pura Vida, Melanie and Kim

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

casa dos rios

Guest: Ona S. (Camarillo, Ca )
Date of Stay: 03/31/12 Review Submitted: 04/18/12

Casa Dor Rios was a wonderful open-air home right next to beach. The property was well-maintained and clean with the owners living on close to the house on the property. They were very accommodating to our needs and arranged activity tours and travel to places we wanted to see. There is a small cantina down the road from the house which makes it very convenient to eat dinner out. Lots of wildlife was seen around the property too (monkeys!) This is a great place to stay while visiting Cabo Matapalo.

Owner response:Dear Ona and Friends, the eight of you were a perfect fit for this 4 bedroom home, and you really took advantage of the offerings for activities and education in the rainforest! Thanks for your positive feedback and your choosing our home for your one week vacation. We love it when a group allows our assistance and appreciates this environment as you all did. Please be our guests again in the future. Pura Vida, Melanie and Kim

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

Costa Rica Easter

Guest: Markapedia (Oxnard, California)
Date of Stay: 03/31/12 Review Submitted: 04/14/12

A great vacation for us in the Osa. The house was a wonderful location for our group to stay with ample space to sit and relax between adventures. The kitchen allowed us to prepare meals as well as act as a center for our evening card games. We truly had an amazing time at this property and an adventure that will not be forgot any time soon. Melanie's meal and desert were a great way to wrap up our stay- them were some good pies! Thanks to Kim for informing us about Texas rules horse shoes!

Owner response:We really enjoyed your group and we thank you for your review. Casa Dos Rios was built with a group like yours in mind. We appreciate your choice in a vacation home and we will stand ready to be your hosts again, so keep us in mind for your friends and relatives who would like a group get-away. And I love making pies, so thanks for hinting about that to future guests. In fact, if someone inquires, then later rents our house, mentioning your name or the group name you wrote under, we will make a pie for them during their stay here! And I will certainly make one for you when you return! warm regards, Melanie and Kim

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

Everything we were looking for and more.

Guest: Nadia D. (Waterloo, Ontario)
Date of Stay: 03/12/12 Review Submitted: 03/21/12

After hours researching our first trip to Costa Rica, Casa Dos Rios was exactly what we were looking for. A beachfront property surrounded by the rainforest. The house is well appointed and comfortable with wildlife all around. I wanted our 3 daughters to see monkeys and they sure did - all 4 types. Melanie and Kim were very gracious hosts, always at the ready to book tours, restaurants and provide helpful advice. Even though we had our privacy, I can't say how much I appreciated having them on the property with us. My kids loved exploring the beaches, collecting shells and cooling off in the river. The bar located 1 min from our door was handy for those nights when I didn't cook dinner. The food was wonderful and the farmers market on Friday night was a great way to meet local vendors and other travelers. Melanie is a wonderful cook and I recommend having her cook dinner for you. It was hard to leave and we hope to return. Thank you Melanie and Kim for an unforgettable experience.

Owner response:Dear Nadia, Brian and Girls, We really appreciate the great review. We also really enjoyed getting to know your great family and sharing our home with you. We got a good photo of the five of you and will send it to you today. It is for families like yours that we built Casa Dos Rios. Thanks for being our guests and we really look forward to your next stay with us. Sending warm regards and a big Thanks! Melanie and Kim

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

Absolutely Paradise

Guest: Travellers (Canada)
Date of Stay: 03/01/12 Review Submitted: 03/21/12

We stayed at Casa Dos Rios for 1 week, you really are in the Jungle. Everyday we experienced sightings of wildlife, toucans, sloth, howler monkeys and much more. The view of the Ocean was breathtaking and the hospitality was great. We would recommend Casa Dos Rios to everyone.

Owner response:Thanks so much for your positive feedback. We enjoyed your group and hope to see you here again. This late in March we are still getting loads of sunshine and blue seas. With warm regards, Melanie and Kim

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

Family Vacation in Matapalo

Guest: Susan (Boston)
Date of Stay: 01/18/12 Review Submitted: 03/22/12

My husband and four children and I had an amazing vacation in your beautiful home. The pictures do not do the house justice. It is simply gorgeous - open air, spacious, and tree house like, up on the second floor. We loved our nature explorations and the remote feel of the area. Just perfect for those who really want to get away and relax. Hope to see you again soon!!!! Many thanks!

Owner response:Thanks so much for your kind words. Your family was so easy to enjoy. We fulfill a life's purpose when a family like yours leaves with such fond memories and gives such glowing praise to our home and our efforts. We look forward to being your hosts again in the future. All the best! Melanie and Kim

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

A Glorious Place

Guest: Sue (Ottawa - canada )
Date of Stay: 12/17/11 Review Submitted: 01/05/12

This place is a little piece of heaven - jungle and ocean right at your door - fabulous bird watching at the end of the lane - lovely rivers to bathe in - helpful hosts - magic mornings full of monkey calls - flocks of parrots - and the sound of the sea. We will definitely go back to Casa Dos Rios - it was perfect

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

Paradise on Earth!!

Guest: dr mommy (SC)
Date of Stay: 08/11/11 Review Submitted: 08/31/11

Never before have we had such a wonderfully enjoyable vacation!! The house was beautiful and each night we were lulled to sleep by the sounds of the crashing surf. Our mornings began with the cacophany of Rainforest animals waking up-howler monkeys, macaws, and all of the myriad of other birds. Our days went quickly by playing in the surf, kayaking, hiking, swimming in the nearby waterfall and enjoying mud masks by the river. We could have enjoyed these at many local rentals, but no other would have provided the hospitality of Kim and Melanie!! We felt as if we were leaving old friends as we made our departure. Melanie's meals were phenomenal and both have a wonderful knowledge of the area. They were accurate in their tour recommendations for Everyday Adventures and Changing Tides Tours and also took us for a wonderful day of sailing on the Golfe Dulce aboard their sailboat Sorrento. We could not have asked for a better vacation!! Thank you, Melanie and Kim!!!

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

Loving it will miss yall

Guest: Sophie (South carolina)
Date of Stay: 08/11/11 Review Submitted: 08/28/11

Great will miss u all so much I loved costa rica and Cas dos rios and can't wait till next time love y'all love Sophie.

Owner response:Sophie, You are such a darling girl. It is so thoughtful, and uncommon for a nine year old, to have given us this review. We know how much you loved our home and this wild and wonderful area, and we look forward to seeing you and your family here again some time. Meanwhile, enjoy the great education you are getting by traveling, and being home-schooled! We see how much character and world wisdom you are getting from these things. Much love back at ya! Melanie and Kim Norman, owners, Casa Dos Rios.

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

Guest: Glenn DAVIS (St. Augustine, FL.)
Date of Stay: 05/18/10 Review Submitted: 05/18/10

Just got back from my second stay at Casa Dos Rios. A dream house in a dream location. You don't have to leave the house to see three types of monkeys and Scarlet Macaws, and all sorts of wildlife. The surf was great and right in the front yard! You can do as much as you like, surf, hike, fish, yoga or as little as you like. This is Costa Rica!

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Guest: Rusty Calder (Manhattan Beach, CA)
Date of Stay: 04/14/10 Review Submitted: 04/14/10

We had an absolutely great time at Casa Dos Rios. It was a wonderful experience. Cabo Matapalo is a beautiful place with lots of wildlife, great hiking, and surfing. I was sad to come home. Kim and Melanie were extremely helpful with anything we needed and all around good people. The only thing that was possibly questionable was Kim's horseshoe throwing skills, ha ha. Overall, it was a wonderful experience.

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Guest: Holly & Todd (Chicago, Illinois)
Date of Stay: 03/15/10 Review Submitted: 03/15/10

We would recommend Casa Dos Rios to anyone who wants to experience true Costa Rican living in a beautiful, relaxing environment. It was the perfect setting for our vacation. Just a short way off a slightly beaten path, Cabo Matapalo is visitor-friendly without being too touristy. We were able to truly experience the tropical rainforest and the local lifestyle. Casa Dos Rios provided the perfect balance of tropical living with some modern luxuries, like indoor plumbing and a refrigerator. We loved that it was nestled in the rain forest right on the beach. We had an ocean view on a very private setting. The local wildlife visited daily. We saw howler monkeys, capuchins, and mccaws right from the porch. To top it all off, Kim, Melanie and Maddie were fabulous hosts. They made sure we had everything we needed, gave us great advice on tours and activities and handled all of the details if we wanted to set anything up. Casa Dos Rios MADE our vacation and we will go back whenever we can.

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Guest: Chris & Craig Patten (Vista, CA)
Date of Stay: 08/08/08 Review Submitted: 08/08/08

Casa Dos Rios is truly a most wonderful and special setting. After gazing for months at the beautiful photos on the website in anticipation of our trip, we were pleasantly surprised to find that it exceeded our expectations! The house is so lovely, with warm wood throughout, large open windows to the tropical garden, and a very comfortable layout. We loved the view of the beautiful ocean just beyond the garden, and the sound of the waves. And, we so enjoyed seeing and hearing all the wildlife that came through the garden--all 4 kinds of monkeys, scarlet macaws, squirrels, a coati, two different hawks, hummingbirds, frogs, lizards, hermit crabs, leafcutter ants, blue morpho butterflies, and even fireflies at night! The Osa is a magical place and Casa Dos Rios is the perfect home from which to enjoy it!! We can't wait to return!!

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Guest: Janet & Rod Rhoades (Bellingham WA)
Date of Stay: 03/28/07 Review Submitted: 03/28/07

Casa Dos Rios by far is one of, if not the best house on the Osa Peninsula. This was our 4th visit to Costa Rica and we have stayed in a variety of amenities all offering their own touch and style of Costa Rica. BUT we must say that this house is absolutely perfect for everyone. This trip included my parents who are in their late 70's as well as our daughter and her twin 7 year olds. The spaciousness of the house allowed everyone to live comfortably and provided just the right amount of privacy. We took advantage of two fishing trips, snorkling, surfing and a waterfall hike, all arranged by onsite managers: Gretchen & Oldemar. Each event was memorable for all family members. The twins even got up on their surf boards. I could go on and on about the beauty of the house, the perfect setting and the great food but the fact that we are returning should be testimony enough as to the quality of this vacation! Rod & Janet Rhoades Kelly, Hannah & Angela Rhoades Keith & Jean Ash

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Guest: Reid Dennis (New Orleans, LA)
Date of Stay: 02/21/07 Review Submitted: 02/21/07

This was the most amazing vacation we have ever taken. All 4 of the monkey species passed by the house daily. The chi chi's trusted us enough to leave their small ones behind in a tree right next to Casa Dos Rios while the adults foraged. The howler alarm woke me up in time to photograph some anmazing sunrises. Probably the most memorable event was being within the middle of a pod of Spotted Dolphins during the "swim with the dolphins" tour. We also saw a spectacular display by a huge group of Macaw's playing in a tree. Surfing was fun as well as hikes up the rivers in the area. Accomodations were perfect for a paradise excape "off the grid". We'll be back!

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Guest: Julie & Darrel Peeples (Olympia, Washington)
Date of Stay: 01/21/07 Review Submitted: 01/21/07

Our family of 6, 2 adult sons and their partners and this very lucky Mom and Dad, spent a memory making Christmas holiday together at Casa Dos Rios. It only took a few days to feel at home and relaxed. We woke up with the sunrise streaming into our bedroom as the howler monkeys announced a new day in paradise. With a fresh cup of Tico coffee, brewed in the traditional Costa Rican way and with binoculars in hand, it was a contest to see who would spot the first wildlife of the day. Renting a vacation home from the owners was a very positive and personal experience. We always felt well cared for by Gretchen and Oldemar the onsight caretakers. Their willingness to lend a hand and share their knowledge of the area was invaluable. Since we are not resort people, we felt very lucky to stay in a place that allowed us to experience the local culture and life more as residents then like tourists.

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Guest: Tim and Susan L.
Date of Stay: 09/16/06 Review Submitted: 09/15/06

Words and photos are dismal failures at describing this place. It is, of course, a spectacular setting – with helpful taxi drivers, friendly caretakers and beautiful landscaping. But what we cannot stop talking about is the house that Kim built and Melanie outfitted – perfect in every detail – so well conceived. I could go on and on but will wait to do so in person. You have created a wonder and thank you.Susan L.Kim & Melanie, This is really fantastic. The design, construction, decoration and attention to detail. You guys really did an incredible job of it and should be very proud of what you’ve accomplished here. Tim L.

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Guest: Mary, Tom, Percy, Jack and Juliet
Date of Stay: 08/01/06 Review Submitted: 07/31/06

Having built our own home in California, we know what it takes to create a place like this. You have been meticulous down to the very last detail... even the trim on the shutters and Casa Dos Rios sits so perfectly in its environment. What a triumph.We had a fabulous time – you looked after our every need. Thank you.

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Guest: Emma and Conrad
Date of Stay: 08/01/06 Review Submitted: 07/31/06

Fell completely in love with the Osa Peninsula and were privileged to stay at this beautiful, breathtaking location. Casa Dos Rios caters to all needs; everything thought through to the last detail. Well done Kim and Melanie for such a lovely, lovely place. We will both take home very happy memories and hope to return sometime soon. Thank you so much!

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Guest: Bil & Bell
Date of Stay: 07/25/06 Review Submitted: 07/24/06

“... charming, loving, a siesta for the soul, Casa Dos Rios is a place to refill , refresh and re-create…”

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Guest: Ben, Becky, Hunter & Allie
Date of Stay: 07/01/06 Review Submitted: 06/30/06

Once again the Osa called us back and we came! And again we were lost in the beauty of the Osa, the music and the moment.The surf lessons with Oldemar (“Pollo”) were a blast! You can teach and “old dog” a new trick. Andy’s nature walk was very informative about the area. Caught fish out front Costa Rica style while the kids played for hours in the waves and streams. The “howlers” alarm clock at 4:30am was perfect for my husband that checked the waves early.Thank you Melanie and Kim for sharing this beautiful home with our family, so we could relax, recharge and fill up on down time!

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Guest: Rick & Linda
Date of Stay: 06/07/06 Review Submitted: 06/06/06

Casa Dos Rios is perfect for our family vacation! Plenty of room for the grandson, daughter and son-in-law, son and ourselves. This is our 4th trip to the Osa, the first to Casa Dos Rios.Younger folk enjoyed surfing lesson, tree climb and waterfall repelling. Older folk liked the view, breeze and ocean water, even braved a hike up the Carbonera.The “howler” alarm clock is unique!

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Guest: Marcia and Ned
Date of Stay: 05/16/06 Review Submitted: 05/15/06

We had first visited Costa Rica in 2003 with a trip to Puerto Jimenez during a very rainy week in late October. We were captivated with the Matapalo area even then. On 3 successful trips we explored other areas of Costa Rica, and also a trip to Panama, but decided to return to Matapalo which had stayed in our hearts. This is truly a very special place and I feel so at home here, that it does not seem so much a vacation, but a haven indescribable, so comfortable and soul restoring. Everything is amazingly easy and in tune. The house is just perfect, it has a tremendous feeling to it. Both Ned and I have enjoyed each day more than the last. There is a beautiful rhythm to the days and the area is truly magical! We hold this visit as one of the most special and would love the opportunity to return in the near future. Thank you for you and your managers wonderful hospitality!

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Guest: Robert and Kara,
Date of Stay: 04/20/06 Review Submitted: 04/19/06

“Casa Dos Rios was the perfect setting for our January honeymoon. We had so much fun exploring the area, and the onsite caretaker was a perfect host, making sure we were comfortable and helping us book excursions. We saw more wildlife while relaxing on the porch than most Costa Rica vacationers see throughout the whole country. Our only regret is that we couldn’t stay longer at Casa Dos Rios.”

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Guest: N/A
Date of Stay: 04/17/06 Review Submitted: 04/16/06

Our family had a very enjoyable time at casa Dos Rios. The house was everything we hoped it would be. Everything went very smoothly and according to plan. We had a great time. Thank you very much for helping us set up our vacation. The kids will always remember it.

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