2 Story Luxury House spectacular views central to Costa Rica tourist activities
PRIVATE WITH LUSH SURROUNDINGS. Our property is located on the outskirts of San Ramón in the quaint area of Magallanes, a mix of Tico and expat residents. Hacienda Vivace and this rental, Casita Vivace, sit at the end of a country lane on acres of semi-tropical landscape, view rolling mountains, the Gulf of Nicoya and beautiful sunsets. The Hacienda is a spectacular, home with an indoor solar heated lap pool that is shared with our guests.
Casita Vivace is a separate 2-story, 2000 sq ft house with front and rear patios, second story loft and balcony, all with fabulous views and impressive custom wood and iron work. The ground floor features a full kitchen, master bedroom, dining living room area, laundry room, and bath with indoor and outdoor showers. Loft has a queen bed, sofa bed, sectional sofa and outdoor patio, The house is fully furnished, high-speed Starlink wifi, all utilities and private parking.
STUNNING VIEWS At 3700 feet we are blessed with temperature ranging from 65 to 75F year round. On clear nights with our west view we view spectacular sunsets over the Gulf of Nicoya. The surrounding mountains display lush semi-tropical vegetation. The gardens are tenderly cared for by the owners and provide an ambiance of beauty and tranquility.
Located on the western edge of the central highlands of Costa Rica we are a non-touristy area. San Ramon is about an hour from the San Jose International Airport and a day trip to the many tourist experiences of Costa Rica such as Poas Volcano, Arenal Volcano, La Paz Waterfalls and Gardens, La Fortuna hot springs, Lake Arenal, Carrera National Rainforest, Sarchi, Beaches, Zip-Lining, Butterfly Farms, Animal Rescue Centers, Manual Antonio Biological Reserve, and many more. We can help you with arrangements to ensure you experience the best of Costa Rica.
QUAINT VILLAGE OF SAN RAMON. Located 5 minutes by car from San Ramon, a 'muy tranquilo' provincial town of 20,000 that welcomes travelers with a graceful sense of pride and slow pace of life. Known as the City of Presidents and Poets, San Ramon has been home to four Presidents and many of the literary leaders of Costa Rica. The town itself offers it all -- from restaurants, museums, supermarkets, shopping, as well as a major hospital and a University of Costa Rica campus.
Pickleball friendly with 3 venues within 5 to 10 minutes
Our prices include all fees. No hidden fees.
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Recently upgraded with AC in all rooms. modern, secure and clean house
Recently upgraded with AC in all rooms. modern, secure and clean house
This property is managed by a private host (a party not acting within their trade, business or profession). EU consumer law, including the right of withdrawal, will not apply to your booking. The cancellation policy set by the private host will cover your booking.
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is no carbon monoxide detector on the property, but there are gas appliances; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated that there is no smoke detector on the property
We should mention
A car is recommended for transport to and from this property
About the area
Santiago
Located in Santiago, this villa is in the city centre and by the sea. Shoppers can check out San Ramon Municipal Market, while everyone can enjoy the natural beauty of Juan Castro Blanco National Park and Las Cataratas de Los Chorros. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
San José (SJO-Juan Santamaría Intl.) - 51 min drive
Restaurants
El Establo - 5 min drive
Las Tinajitas - 13 min drive
El Jardín - 16 min walk
Soda Altavista - 11 min walk
Restaurante Los Leños - 3 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Does 2 Story Luxury House spectacular views central to Costa Rica tourist activities have a pool?
Yes, this property has a pool.
How much does it cost to stay at 2 Story Luxury House spectacular views central to Costa Rica tourist activities?
As of 1 Apr 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at 2 Story Luxury House spectacular views central to Costa Rica tourist activities on 20 Apr 2026 start from £68, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.
Is 2 Story Luxury House spectacular views central to Costa Rica tourist activities pet-friendly?
Yes, pets are allowed at this property. Some restrictions may apply, so please contact the property for more details.
How much is parking at 2 Story Luxury House spectacular views central to Costa Rica tourist activities?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at 2 Story Luxury House spectacular views central to Costa Rica tourist activities?
Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.
What time is check-out at 2 Story Luxury House spectacular views central to Costa Rica tourist activities?
Checkout is at 11:00 AM.
Where is 2 Story Luxury House spectacular views central to Costa Rica tourist activities located?
Located in the heart of Santiago, this villa is within 6 miles (10 km) of San Ramon Municipal Market, Parque Central and San Ramon Nonato Church. Juan Castro Blanco National Park and Las Cataratas de Los Chorros are also within 25 miles (40 km).
Reviews
9.6
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
We stayed one month in the Casita, our first visit to Costa Rica. The Casita was truly a quality structure with beautiful architectural elements. The view to the Gulf was spectacular. Our hosts, great!
Gorgeous mountain location with beautifully done landscaping that attracts lots of butterflies and hummingbirds. If you love a gorgeous view this is the place to go. We even had a visit from a group of White Faced Capuchin including a mommy with tiny baby on her back. Due to our very late arrival we decided to have the owner make us a delicious breakfast and we were not disappointed.
Guy B.
Stayed 14 nights in Nov 2019
Response from VrboOwner on 11 Aug 2023
Thank you! We really enjoyed having you stay with us and thanks for coming to our Christmas fundraiser. 36 kids will get their bags filled with toys tomorrow!
We spent 2+ weeks in this lovely casita. It looks just like the photos. Everything was designed and built to a professional's standards. The attention to detail is amazing. Hard to believe this is a rental and not someone's dream home. The place is perfect for a couple – everything you need on the main floor. Just FYI, additional sleeping options (shared) in the loft mean coming downstairs for the bathroom.
Location is great – 10-15 minutes drive from downtown San Ramon, where you can find grocery stores, restaurants, and more. Beautiful long-distance views to the coast come and go as the clouds roll in and out. You're surrounded by lush gardens. The kitchen is well equipped if you want to cook. Even includes a wide range of spices, not surprising since Andy is a chef.
The owners, Andy and Nancy, are delightful. They are extremely responsive to anything you mention. They're also a wealth of information about the area. Loved our stay here and would happily return.
HEADS UP: got an invoice on our last day for for Costa Rica taxes (not collected by vrbo) for our 15-night stay. Nice that they're being “legal” but still surprised since it was 13.5%. The other vrbo we stayed at included this tax in the nightly rate and we paid it in our reservation.
Brenda M.
Stayed 14 nights in Aug 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 11 Aug 2023
We are really sorry that you were surprised by the Costa Rica government 13% tax we are required to collect. VRBO does not include the government taxes in our customer room fees for 2 reasons: 1) If we request that VRBO add 13% tax to the room fee, they simply add calculate the added tax using ALL their fees: service fees, VRBO taxes, other fees. It ends up costing the guest significantly more in taxes! 2) We rent via 5 different global rental services. Unfortunately every service and country is different in the fees they charge and how they are paid. The result is that VRBO is the only one of the 4 that will agree to add the gov't tax for Costa Rica prior to check-in.
We tried to communicate via the VRBO site prior to your arrival but were not successful in receiving a response. However, we should have tried harder to make certain you knew about the tax once you arrived. It is in red on the first page of our Guest Guide. We brought it to your attention when you asked to extend your stay by 1 night. We definitely will by more diligent in helping our guests understand the added tax. Thank you for the feedback.
Nancy & Andy
Verified
2/10 Terrible
Kenneth C.
5 Jun 2022
Liked: Communication, location
Disliked: Cleanliness, check-in, listing accuracy
We Were Conned — DO NOT stay here
We spent one night in a bug infested, unkept place. It is a place that looks just like the photos but is not a place we would ever consider staying in, considering the following:
Flying & crawling insects all over the inside. And I’m talking dozens of insects that only an entomologist would like.
No WiFi - owner said it might have blown out nights ago in a storm.
Kitchen — no hot water.
Drain not working in the inside shower /tub. The bugs in there drown & were swirling around - gross.
Screens on windows have major gaps that let in bugs when bedroom & other windows are left open. No screen on front door. And since there’s no air conditioning, the windows should be open. We left them shut cause there were already enough bugs in there. Pulled back the sheets and my wife yelled “spider”!
Skeleton key lock on sliding glass door entry! It’s a high theft area so I would expect better than that.
And no, we did not ask for nor were we offered a discount for the non functional items. We stayed one night although we paid for six nights & moved ourselves to the Marriott in San Jose, about 40 minutes away. Inconvenient but the Marriott is safe, clean and has a/c, hot water and WiFi.
If I could sue the owners I would.
Kenneth C.
Stayed 6 nights in May 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 11 Aug 2023
Andy and I were taken aback by the angry and unfounded comments from this guest couple who stayed at Hacienda Vivace following 3 previous stays with wonderful reviews from their family relatives. One relative stated “the place was clean, beautiful setting, and wonderful hosts…I can’t wait to come again”. Another relative commented “the views from the upstairs balcony and down stairs were amazing! House was cozy and had what we needed. Andy and Nancy were gracious. We will definitely stay there again when we visit our daughter” (and they did).
IT IS CRITICAL FOR US PERSONALLY, OUR REPUTATION AS HOSTS, AND FOR FUTURE GUESTS THAT WE RESPOND TO THE UNFOUNDED MISINFORMATION PROMOTED BY THIS PARTICULAR GUEST COUPLE.
When they checked into the Casita, they announced that, even though they had paid for 6 nights and were visiting family, they intended to stay only 2 nights and then move to the more exclusive La Fortuna Baldi Hot Springs Resort, a considerable distance away.
EIGHT HOURS LATER, THEY APPEARED AT OUR FRONT DOOR, HANDED US THE KEY AND SAID THEY WERE LEAVING BECAUSE “WE ARE SIMPLY USED TO MORE HIGHER-END ACCOMMODATIONS”. THEY REFUSED TO DISCUSS FURTHER AND SAID, “EVERYTHING IS FINE, WE HAVE FOUND OTHER ACCOMMODATIONS, WE ARE ALL TAKEN CARE OF. GOOD-BYE.” THEY MENTIONED NONE OF THE FOLLOWING ISSUES DURING THE 8 HOURS THEY WERE IN RESIDENCE NOR WHEN THEY LEFT ABRUPTLY.
1. COMMENT: “Bug infested, unkept place. Flying & crawling insects all over the inside.”
OWNER RESPONSE: False. The Casita was professionally cleaned the day before the guests arrived. To say that it was “unkept” is bizarre; it was immaculate. Yes, we have bugs in Costa Rica, but certainly not what was described.
2. COMMENT: “No WiFi - owner said it might have blown out nights ago in a storm.”
OWNER RESPONSE: False. We informed the guests that the week prior to their arrival, we lost our router due to a lightning strike to our roof. However, we replaced it the next day and our password protected high-speed WiFi/Internet was working fine.
3. COMMENT: Kitchen — no hot water.
OWNER RESPONSE: False. The entire house has very hot water with great water pressure and is served by one system. It would be impossible for only the kitchen to lose hot water.
4. COMMENT: “Drain not working in the inside shower /tub. The bugs in there drown & were swirling around - gross.”
OWNER RESPONSE: False. The drains were not clogged the day prior to their visit, nor were they clogged the day they depar
The casita is extremely comfortable, well appointed and very clean. The view from the comfy swinging chairs on the porch is stunning - gorgeous sunsets every night. We loved the location in San Ramon - away from heavily populated tourist areas yet close enough to Montevere, Arenal and La Fortuna for day trips. So many wonderful authentic cultural day trips to explore in San Ramon. Good resturaunts and easy access to grocery and produce shopping. And one of the best features of the property are the hosts - Nancy and Andy. Lovely people and always available to help if needed. And there were multiple times they helped us out . Highly recommend this property.
The views from the upstairs balcony and down stairs were amazing! House was cozy and had what we needed. Andy and Nancy were gracious and even invited us to a lunch with homemade pizza on Christmas. Surrounding neighborhood was pretty with kind neighbors that we enjoyed making friends with. We will definitely stay there again when we visit our daughter.
My husband son and I stayed at Andy and Nancy's Casita Vivace and had a wonderful and relaxing time! They were very warm hosts. The house was well appointed and had everything that we needed. I can say it was by far one of the best vrbo stays that we have had. I highly recommend!
The property is excellent for a relaxing stay. The great location and welcoming responsive hosts made it easy to get around. Beautiful views all around with amazing sunsets! We had a great time.
Très bel endroit .
Très propre et bien équipé.
Propriétaires aimables qui nous ont invité à prendre un jour dans leur superbe villa.
A recommander sans faute. La température est plus fraîche a San Ramon que sur le bord de la mer et on est a environ 1 heure de Puntarenas.
Nous avons adoré notre séjour dans cette maison.
Excellent Location, Climate was Pleasant in January
Property was in an excellent location, close to restaurants, bars and downtown San Ramon. The climate was pleasant, really no need for air conditioning in January. There was a constant breeze blowing through the casita, we were thankful for that since there are no air conditioning units in the casita.
Terry V.
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2020
Response from VrboOwner on 11 Aug 2023
Thank you for the wonderful review! Just to clarify for future guests, we do not use air conditioning in the Pacific Highlands, i.e. greater San Ramon. Our temperatures are consistent throughout the year: in the mid-seventies during the day and sixties at night. Many think it is "the ideal" place to live in Costa Rica. December through April is our summer or "dry season," while May through November is our winter or "green season." In the Casita we have a large fan that cools 2 stories as needed.
The property and people were great! The views every morning and evening were just beautiful. We were looking for a relaxing week and it was exactly what we found there. The location is close to excellent grocery stores and restaurants, so you could eat in or dine out! We will visit again!
Nancy and Andy were terrific hosts! They started as landlords and quickly became friends! The casita is amazing and cozy and stocked with everything you need to make life simple. Don’t miss time in the swings on the porch!
Bobbi W.
Stayed 182 nights in Apr 2019
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Greg M.
26 Mar 2019
Sleeping In The Clouds
Casita Vivace is wonderful. Spacious rooms, incredible view of the valley below all the way to Punta Arenas - which is an hour's drive away. Nancy and Andy are caring and attentive hosts. If you are staying in the San Ramon area, you must choose this property! Arrive during daylight, though.
Greg M.
Stayed 28 nights in Feb 2019
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Dawn P.
21 Nov 2018
Pristine accommodations with a breathtaking view!
Enjoy this spacious and comfortable Casita while you explore the Costa Rican terrain. You will be warmly welcomed by your hosts Nancy and Andy, who accommodated our every need. Have coffee while taking in the view from the hanging porch chairs, greet the locals while you stroll the neighborhood, relax and read a book while lounging on the second floor sectional, and enjoy an outdoor shower at the end of the day. We had such a great time, we didn't want to leave!
Dawn P.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2018
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Kathy R.
14 Sept 2018
Best house in six weeks!
This house was extremely clean with the amenities North Americans are used to. Plenty of hot water with a great outdoor shower. Andy and Nancy are gracious hosts who helped us explore the San Ramon area. Do not miss Andy’s cooking. We are already planning our next trip. You will not regret renting this house.
Kathy R.
Stayed 10 nights in Aug 2018
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Paula P.
26 Jun 2018
Lovely home with every thing we needed
The property was clean and everything was in good working order. The kitchen is fully equipped for cooking meals. The home is very practical with just enough space for a family of 4-6. The owners are very welcoming and accommodating. Most of the attractions we did was about a 45 minute drive away with one being 2 hours away. The views are amazing!
Paula P.
Stayed 10 nights in May 2018
Verified
10/10 Excellent
MaryLou H.
4 May 2018
Amazing vacation
Andy and Nancy are fantastic hosts - they provided us with lots of information and guidance - where to go, what to do!! Sunset drinks/ party invite was sooooo nice - ceviche, watermelon slushies and red wine and of course the unbelievable sunset. The casita is fully equipped with everything for a perfect vacation - even an outdoor shower and a bathtub does it get any better than that? Nancy and Andy have thought of everything. We will be back!
MaryLou H.
Stayed 27 nights in Apr 2018
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Verified traveller
29 Jan 2018
Great stay
The casita was wonderful, clean and well-appointed. Upscale appliances, comfy furniture, and the second story loft was a great place to hang out. The outdoor shower was Wonderful! Even with our drop-in gecko. LOL
We were so pleased to be invited to a sunset cocktail party at the big house where we met other ex-pats, locals and enjoyed good conversation and GREAT ceviche (thanks, Andy!)
Andy and Nancy offered a wealth of information and sightseeing ideas and were genuine and excellent hosts. Their three little dogs were delightful as well.
We experienced no issues with our internet connection; a problem reported in the past but that has been fully corrected with strong, fast service.
Folks should be aware that there is not a television set in the casita - this was not an issue for us, given the beautiful scenery, multitude of birds and beautiful sunsets.
We highly recommend this wonderful property.
Verified traveller
Stayed 8 nights in Jan 2018
Response from VrboOwner on 11 Aug 2023
Thank you Jane and Jeff. It was a pleasure getting to know you. We hope to see you again next year in Magallanes and in a couple of years as residents of CR.
Archival
10/10 Excellent
Dietmar W.
27 Dec 2017
Perfect location with a birds eye view included
The hosts Anday and Nancy are very attentiv and offer a nice holiday home for couples and families near San Ramon. Perfect location to relax aside of the daily hustle and bustle or to write a book...:-)
Dietmar W.
Stayed 27 nights in Nov 2017
Response from VrboOwner on 11 Aug 2023
We enjoyed having you and your family stay with us for the month. You were wonderful guests. Happy New Year and we look forward to seeing you again in a few weeks.
Archival
10/10 Excellent
jesika K.
24 Jul 2017
Great
It is a beautiful place!!!
jesika K.
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2017
About the host
Hosted by Nancy Sperry and Andy Robinson
Andy and Nancy are a retired married couple from Santa Cruz, California. Andy is a former cabinet designer and Nancy a former Silicon Valley marketing executive. We designed and built the spectacular 5,000 square foot, contemporary Spanish Hacienda Vivace and 1800 square foot Casita over the past 3 years. Our architect fondly refers to it as "Andy and Nancy's art project".
We are active members of the community having established "Friends of Hacienda Vivace." We do community outreach projects and monthly fundraising events for organizations such as San Ramon scouts/girl guides, local orphanage, children's cancer foundation, local music school instrument donation program, and more. We also host events such as Oktoberfest, Christmas Madrigal, and St. Patrick's Day.
Why they chose this property
After looking at Bali, Thailand, Philippines, Mexico and Panama, we felt that Costa Rica had so much more to offer us. The country is incredibly beautiful, travel is easy, and the people are wonderful. There are many micro climates to suit individual needs and an abundance of things to do. In 1949 the country abolished their army and invested all their money into education and health care and, today, have a well educated, healthy and happy population. Recent surveys show that Costa Ricans are one of the happiest people in the world. Costa Rica has a very low crime rate compared to other countries in Central and South America. They also have a longer life expectancy because of the lifestyle they live - Pura Vida!
The Pacific Highlands where we live is the heartland of Costa Rica with truly awe-inspiring coastal and mountain views, stunning sunsets, year-around weather in the seventies, historic culture, and wonderfully warm people. And San Ramón is the ideal central location for us to easily go to the airport, beaches, volcanoes, rainforests, and hot springs as well as cultural attractions like San Jose's Little Theater Group and the infamous Teatro Nacional.
What makes this property unique
Hacienda Vivace will give you the chance to experience the real Costa Rica and ‘Pura Vida’ lifestyle, while enjoying the modern luxuries of a beautiful North American style home. We're located at the end of a private country lane on a working plantation that overlooks the Bay of Nicoya. You can bask in the early morning sunshine with your coffee on the back patio, contently sit and enjoy the view in the hanging basket chairs on the front porch, take a swim in the pool in the afternoon, and enjoy evening cocktails and sunset on the upper balcony.
Pick up fresh fruit and vegetables at the weekly outdoor market in historic San Ramon just 5 minutes away, drive to one of the local waterfalls and splash in the pools, visit an orchid garden or sugar cane factory, or launch a day of site seeing to volcanoes, the beaches, zoo, animal rescue center, one of many hot springs, canopy tour, or an evening at Teatro Nacional for symphony or ballet.
Another unique benefit to staying at Hacienda Vivace is the food! We serve a hearty breakfast upon request, and If you are interested in experiencing local cuisine without leaving your patio, you can take advantage of the Hacienda’s private chef. Whether you are looking for typical Tico fare or a gourmet dinner, the Hacienda’s experienced chef comes highly recommended.