Gorgeous Pool + Gardens Steps from the Beach--Ideal Group or Family Getaway

About Erinn Bell

We are from Canada where my husband was a carpenter/contractor. We have combined the endurance of Canadian building standards with the beauty of local tropical hardwoods and other artistic touches to create a house that is suited to the Carribean, comfortable, bright and clean. This project brought us to Costa Rica part time for a few years, but we fell in love with the area and now live here year-round. One of the main reasons we've stayed is the food. Foodies of the world should be put on notice, this is a destination for all who love to eat! Some of my favourite meals: Chicken tacos (2x1 Tuesdays) and a super cold cerveza at Tasty Waves Cantina, Ceviche from Nema, Falafel Pita from Pita Bonita, Tenderloin in Green Peppercorn Sauce or sesame crusted tuna with sriracha mayo from Pura Gula, Cappuccino and Pumpkin Chocolate muffin from Caribbean's Coffee House, anything on the menu from Bread and Chocolate, the mediterranean sandwich at Como En Mi Casa, vegetarian eggs benny at Gypsea Cafe. That's just the international flavour...the local cusine you can experience at sodas like Selvin's , Tamara's, Miss Lidia's is phenomenal. Try a whole grilled red snapper with all the fixin's, chicken is caribbean sauce, or 'rondon' seafood soup. Wash it down with a mojito or a pinacolada and you'll know you're in paradise.

Why Erinn Bell chose Cantón Talamanca

Playa Chiquita is a special place. International flavour blends here with an established local population to create a funky and colourful community - and it is a real community of friendly and creative people. For us the beach is a real draw. Playa Chiquita beach is sheltered by an off-shore reef making it a kid-friendly place to swim. From a series of sandy coves to the coral fringed pools that decorate the points you have your choice: swim, snorkle, wade or wallow. We like to walk the long lonely stretches of beach from here at Playa Chiquita to Manzanillo (2 hours), ending the day with a legendary seafood platter at Maxi's Restaurant. When I first saw our lot I knew we'd hit the jackpot. Tall trees, lime trees, clusters of flowers and sunny open spaces make an ideal spot for birds, sloths and butterflies to drift, fly or hang about. I feel most at home when I'm lounging on the deck, drinking my mojito with limes fresh from my trees and eating fresh cut salsa with wild cilantro picked from my own yard.

What makes this House unique

With 8+ restaurants/cafes, a grocery store, clothing store, yoga centre, Wednesday/Saturday farmers market, chocolate art cafe and bakery a flip flop away, Playa Chiquita is a small but vibrant village. Our favorite restaurant is Gypsea Cafe...awesome fusion food and rum and homemade cola that is divine. The road from here to Manzanillo (14km round trip) is so peaceful in the morning that we often go for runs, heading out before 7:00 so that we rarely even see a car. Boot camp or marathon training would be great goals to strive for here. The warm air keeps you loose and limber. If you want external motivation for fitness there are yoga classes, swimming lessons for the kids, and a professional personal trainer or a salsa instructor, all happy to add you to their clientelle. Then you can end your day with on-site massage. We have it all on this little half-kilometre stretch of road!