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Casa Dos Rios faces the beach, and is surrounded by established landscape

Casa Dos Rios, a Large Hand-Crafted Rainforest Beach House [#78314] | View Property

Cabo Matapalo
House, 4 Bedrooms + Detached Unit, 2 Baths (Sleeps 8-10)
$155 - $365/nt US Dollars
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Traveler Reviews (33)

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  • We had an experience of our lifetime at Casa Dos Rios!

    We had an experience of our lifetime at Casa Dos Rios!

    • Guest Chris
    • Date of stay 04/03/13
    • Review Submitted 05/06/13
    That was our second visit to Cabo Matapalo within a one-month period. Both times we booked our stay with Melanie and our experience was absolutely incredible on every level! We weren’t able to stay at “Casa Dos Rios” on our first visit. Another party already booked the house and Melanie offered us to stay at her neighbor’s house Casa Tuanis. We spent 4 wonderful days. Two weeks lately we came back to Cabo Matapalo and were able to book Casa Dos Rios. We just fell in love with that place from the first sight. One could feel how much love & efforts Melanie & her husband Kim put into it. The house is very spacious with an incredibly high vaulted ceiling. It’s good for up to 8 people. It has a very specious living room where we enjoyed ourselves day and night. An open-air setting of Casa Dos Rios creates a perfect connection with the jungle & beautiful landscaping around the house made it even more incredible. The ocean view is spectacular and you can see Pavones, a town by the longest surf break in the Central America on the opposite side of Golfo Dulce. While in the house we had a lot of fun playing different table games. I read a book lying in a comfy couch or in a hammock on the terrace. It’s great that there was a Wi-Fi in the house. My husband was able to take care of some business stuff remotely. Having Internet is pretty unique for the area as the entire town is off-grid and Casa Dos Rios is fully powered by solar. Having hot water, a fridge, internet & even electricity is a luxury add-on for rentals in Cabo Matapalo and Casa Dos Rios has it all. We loved our wonderful kitchen where one can find everything needed for cooking. We always gathered around this beautiful wooden bar table while dinner was being prepared.Bedrooms are very cozy. I had a very deep and pleasant sleep and my guess is it was because of a very comfortable mattress & an open-air settings. Multiple windows & wall openings allowed breeze to go through and keep air fresh throughout the night. We enjoyed different activities throughout the day: surfing, fishing, kayaking, boogie boarding, sunbathing, yoga, reading, photography, cooking. We were so excited to see brown Capuchin monkeys crossing the lawn in front of the house. There were pelicans, toucans, lots of beautiful scarlet macaw, green parrots and many other birds all around & in the sky.Now we constantly think of coming back soon! Thanks Melanie&Kim for your hospitality and letting us stay at your beautiful house.Christina&Vadim

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

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  • wonderful place to stay

    wonderful place to stay

    • Guest toban
    • Date of stay 02/24/13
    • Review Submitted 04/17/13
    We were two couples who had a wonderful week stay here. The casa is just like it looks in the pictures except that the pictures do not show the beautiful view you have of the ocean while still in bed in the morning. As you wake up you lift up your head and look at the sun coming up over the ocean. We never bothered to put down the window shutters as the view was so nice. As everyone says Melanie is a great cook and you definitely want to take advantage of her cooking. Besides going to Martina's for supper we walked to the Encanta la vida lodge for supper, it was a buffet on the Saturday night and was good. Also enjoyed lunch at Lapos Rios lodge, great views. We loved taking beach walks every day and then cooling off in the natural pool by the Casa, sometimes the water was a little murky here if it had rained but it was a great place to cool off. I thought we might be a little warm without air conditioning but this was never an issue. At night the fan inside your netted bed kept you very comfortable As mentioned before the swimming in the ocean in a little tricky here because you pick your way thru the rocks but the beach area itself is very nice to sit in with big trees to provide shade from the hot sun. It is a big plus being able to see the ocean from just about every room in the Casa, and the casa is beautiful inside. We did have some bugs in the evening but if you used more of an indirct light they were fine and definitely not a problem for us. We loved the Casa dos Rios , Melanie and Kim are wonderful hosts and do everything they can to make sure you have the best stay possible.

    Owner response: Thanks Patti, for this very flattering review. We know that it is because of people like you that Casa Dos Rios is a joy to own and provide for special vacations. We enjoyed the four of you and hope to see you here again some time. We appreciate you taking the time to give future guests some of your impressions. All the best to you four fine folks. Melanie and Kim

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  • Fantastic area, beautiful house,and friendly hosts equal Casa Dos Rios!

    Fantastic area, beautiful house,and friendly hosts equal Casa Dos Rios!

    • Guest Michele
    • Date of stay 02/09/13
    • Review Submitted 03/04/13
    We (two couples) stayed at Casa Dos Rios (CDR) for 10 days. The house is beautiful: 4 bedrooms, open air. It is very clean with gleaming hardwood floors, comfortable beds, fresh linens and a well equipped kitchen. We spent our time walking along the beach (at low tide) and along the road. There are 2 waterfalls nearby which are beautiful and lots of wildlife to see (toucans, macaws, 4 types of monkeys). We swam everyday, read, played cards. The evenings had a few bugs when we had the lights on but never any that bothered us. The beds had bug nets and we slept well (it does take a few nights to get used to the jungle sounds). We woke to the sound of the howler monkeys and the birds at around 530 AM so bedtime comes early. We went on the sailing trip with Kim and Melanie. It was great fun. They taught us about sailing, we went swimming and they made a wonderful lunch with cold beverages. We will do it again next year. It was a highlight of our trip and I would recommend it. Melanie prepared 5 meals for us. They we all outstanding dinners and I recommend you take advantage of her culinary skills. We also ate at Martina’s a few nights. Food is excellent, 5 minute walk. The beach at CDR is a bit challenging until you get to know it. Once you see it at low tide, you can figure it out. After we got to know it, we had no trouble and swam every day. We also took advantage of the river to cool off. On our last day we took our wine and sat in the river mouth and said goodbye to the Osa for another year. ): Melanie and Kim are wonderful hosts and friendly people. They are happy to share their knowledge of the area and will assist you any way they can (booking excursions or taxis etc). They are the kind of people who make you feel welcome and comfortable at the first hello. The Osa is a magical area. It is natural, beautiful and full of amazing wildlife. CDR is a beautiful, comfortable home to stay in, and Melanie and Kim are warm, welcoming and knowledgeable hosts. What more can one wish for?

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

    Owner response: Hi Michele, We really appreciate the review you took the time to give us. It will be with so much joy that we welcome the four of you again for the entire month of February next year. We now have waves and the surfers are flocking to Cabo Matapalo, so we continue to be busy. Thanks for being a contributor to our success! Have a good Summer season. Melanie and Kim

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  • Tree House Treasure

    Tree House Treasure

    • Guest JennyS.
    • Date of stay 12/31/12
    • Review Submitted 01/10/13
    Casa Dos Rios is a lovely, clean beach rental.The house is as advertised and as seen in the photos. The beauty of the house lies in its simplicity and location. There is nothing more than you need, and, at the same time, all that you need is right there at Casa Dos Rios. The beds are comfy, the showers are hot, the towels are fluffy and the views and surrounding jungle are divine. We adored Melanie and Kim as they were the perfect balance between caretakers and hosts. Their advice on what to see and do, where and when to go, which tours to take- all of it was spot on. Having Buena Esperanza in walking distance is a perk that can't be beat!

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

    Owner response: Hi Jennifer , Joe and Family, thanks so much for taking the time to write a review on our home. We appreciated meeting you and hope to see you here again some time. With our large house, you could have your friends stay here with you next time and let us hire cooks for your convenience. We value your opinion, as experienced travelers. All the best! Melanie and Kim Norman, owners, Casa Dos Rios

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  • Truly Amazing!

    Truly Amazing!

    • Guest April H.
    • Date of stay 08/31/12
    • Review Submitted 09/10/12
    My husband and I recently returned from spending 5 nights at Casa Dos Rios as part of a 10 year anniversary trip to Costa Rica. The time we spent at CDR was all we hoped for and so much more! Waking up each morning to the sounds of the waves on the shore and the calls of the howler monkeys and scarlet macaws was such an amazing and surreal experience that I hope I never forget. We explored the rivers and beaches near the house and went on an amazing hike to multiple waterfalls. The hammocs were perfect for relaxing during afternoon rain showers. The house is so amazing and the yard and area around the house are beautifully maintained! Kim and Melanie were such wonderful hosts both during the planning stage of our trip and while we were there. They helped us with everything we needed and were wonderful to visit with but also gave us plenty of space. Arturo, the taxi driver that Kim and Melanie arranged to pick us up from and return us to the airport in Puerto Jimenez was very nice, even stopping to point out wildlife on the drive to the house. We took advantage of Melanie's amazing culinary skills for one dinner and we walked to a nearby resort for another dinner. For our other meals, the kitchen at CDR had everything we needed. We were certainly sad to leave Casa Dos Rios but we are already looking forward to visiting again in the future! Pura Vida!

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

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  • Family Vacation 2012

    Family Vacation 2012

    • Guest Andy B
    • Date of stay 07/28/12
    • Review Submitted 08/06/12
    If you are looking for the authentic, rustic, and off-the-beaten-path Costa Rica, then rent Casa Dos Rios. It was an adventure for our family at every step just to get there, and to get to Corcovado Park, but it was worth it, and we know that it will take years for everything that we have seen there to sink in! It was almost a trip to another planet for this family from Wisconsin, and an experience that we will never forget! The owners, Kim & Melanie, couldn't have been more helpful to us. They lined up two of the best local guides for our jungle tours, and also took us on a pretty exciting sailboat ride across Golfo Dulce. Casa Dos Rios is a work of art, too, and as a cabinetmaker, I can really say that it was an exciting and rich place to reside for the week. We also need to mention how much wildlife is at your doorstep. Howlers, spider monkeys, macaws overhead all day. It is a wonderland of rainforest wildlife! It is not to be missed!

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

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  • Colorado family

    Colorado family

    • Guest Colorado family
    • 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.

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  • our spring vacation

    our spring vacation

    • Guest V&L
    • 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.

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

    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

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  • Diamond in the rough? oh yeah...

    Diamond in the rough? oh yeah...

    • Guest The taller Vaughn ;-)
    • 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!

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

    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

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  • casa dos rios

    casa dos rios

    • Guest Ona S.
    • 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.

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

    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

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  • Costa Rica Easter

    Costa Rica Easter

    • Guest Markapedia
    • 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!

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

    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

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  • Everything we were looking for and more.

    Everything we were looking for and more.

    • Guest Nadia D.
    • 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.

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

    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

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  • Absolutely Paradise

    Absolutely Paradise

    • Guest Travellers
    • 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.

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

    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

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  • Family Vacation in Matapalo

    Family Vacation in Matapalo

    • Guest Susan
    • 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!

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

    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

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  • A Glorious Place

    A Glorious Place

    • Guest Sue
    • 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.

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  • Paradise on Earth!!

    Paradise on Earth!!

    • Guest dr mommy
    • 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.

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  • Loving it will miss yall

    Loving it will miss yall

    • Guest Sophie
    • 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.

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

    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.

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    • Guest Glenn DAVIS
    • 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
    • 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
    • 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
    • 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
    • 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
    • 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
    • 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 comment entered by owner

    • 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 comment entered by owner

    • 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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