Entire home

Enjoy up to 7 Homes on a private gated estate with 3 pools

Photo gallery for Enjoy up to 7 Homes on a private gated estate with 3 pools

Two individuals seated by a pool with a tropical setting, surrounded by lush greenery and a building with a tiled roof.
A spacious living area with a high ceiling, a kitchen with a refrigerator, and a dining area with a table and chairs.
A stone pathway surrounded by lush greenery and a pink flower in the foreground.
A bar area with a wooden counter, chairs, and a large decorative sculpture.
An outdoor patio with wooden furniture and a view of lush greenery.

Reviews

9.2 out of 10
Wonderful
Facing the mountains, this 10-bedroom vacation home accommodates 26 guests. It features 1 outdoor pool and a patio for relaxation. Enjoy activities like game walks, rafting, and fishing nearby, while the golf options cater to sports enthusiasts. The property is pet-friendly and situated near Crocodile Bridge and Carara National Park.

Highlights

  • Dive into relaxation
    Unwind in the top-rated pool, your perfect spot for relaxation.
  • Outdoor pool
    The outdoor pool is a refreshing retreat under the open sky - a rare gem in this area.
10 bedrooms10 bathroomsSleeps 26

Popular amenities

  • Private pool
  • On-site fitness centre
  • Barbecue grill
  • Limo or town car service available
  • Patio
  • Massages in spa

Explore the area

View in a map
Jaco, Puntarenas
  • Place, Crocodile Bridge
    ‪12 min walk‬
  • Place, Carara National Park
    ‪4 min drive‬
  • Place, Mantas Beach
    ‪31 min drive‬

Where you'll sleep

10 bedrooms (sleeps 26)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

Bedroom 2

2 Single Beds

Bedroom 3

1 King Bed

Bedroom 4

1 Double Bed

Bedroom 5

1 King Bed

Bedroom 6

1 King Bed

Bedroom 7

2 Single Beds

Bedroom 8

1 King Bed

Bedroom 9

1 King Bed

Bedroom 10

2 Single Beds

10 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Bathtub or shower · Bidet · Toilet

Bathroom 2

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Bathroom 3

Bathtub or shower · Bidet · Toilet

Bathroom 4

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Bathroom 5

Bathtub or shower · Bidet · Toilet

Bathroom 6

Bathtub or shower · Bidet · Toilet

Bathroom 7

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 8

Bathtub or shower · Bidet · Toilet

Bathroom 9

Bathtub or shower · Bidet · Toilet

Bathroom 10

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Enjoy up to 7 Homes on a private gated estate with 3 pools

Welcome to our private gated estate. There are 7 houses and 3 pools on the 20 acre gated property. Each house is fully equipped, with kitchen, private garden, bbq, and terrace with table and chairs. There is also a clubhouse for events, which has a kitchen, bar, small gym, large terrace with several tables and chairs, indoor group area, and bathrooms. In the main pool area there are tables, chairs, pizza oven, bbq, sink, and preparation area.

House, bedroom, and bed distribution:

House #1 2250 sq ft
2 bedrooms/2 bathrooms
Master=1 king bed
Guest=2 twin beds

House #2 1450 sq ft
1 bedrooms/1 bathrooms
Master=1 king bed

House #3 2250 sq ft
2 bedrooms/2 bathrooms
Master=1 king bed
Guest=1 double bed

House #4 2250 sq ft
2 bedrooms/2 bathrooms
Master=1 king bed
Guest=1 double bed and 1 twin bed

House #5 2250 sq ft
2 bedrooms/2 bathrooms
Master=1 king bed
Guest=3 twin beds (1 bunk bed)
**Private Pool**

House #6 1500 sq ft
1 bedrooms/1 bathrooms
Master=1 king bed

House #7 2250
2 bedrooms/2 bathrooms
Master=1 king bed
Guest=3 twin beds (1 bunk bed)
**Private Pool**

There is fast and reliable fiber optic internet in all of the homes and clubhouse perfect for people who need to make video calls, work, or stream their favorite shows.

Safe and inexpensive public transportation can also be found across the street. Uber and taxis can be picked up in front of the property. All of the local tour and excursion operators pick up and drop off at the property as well.

We are a short drive from Carara National Park and the Tarcolces Crocodile Bridge. The property is approximately 15-30 minutes from several beaches including Tarcoles, Playa Blanca, Jaco, and Caldera.

Each home is carefully placed, with our guests privacy in mind, on a fully enclosed fruit grove consisting of over 300 mango, star fruit, guava, guanabana, papaya, cashew, avocado, bananas, plantains, lemon, orange, and grapefruit trees. There are also several restaurants, bars, souvenir stands, markets and local fruit stands within walking distance.

Some of the amazing wildlife that ventures on and off the property include; a large troop of Mantled Howler Monkeys, butterflies, turtles, red tailed squirrels, iguanas, Coati, frogs, fruit bats, forest rabbits, Agoati, Scarlet Macaws as well as a variety of other seasonal tropical birds.

The listed price is for the 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom home. Prices depend on the number of guests and houses needed.

This is not a hotel but a private 20-acre vacation rental with several homes. We do not offer hotel-style services (such as 24/7 staff, concierge, or daily cleaning). That’s why we’re able to offer such affordable rates and a peaceful, private experience in nature. Staff will not be present. If you would like help arranging transportation or tours and excursions during your stay you can contact me through this site after reserving. Butler and concierge service available for an additional fee.

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House Rules

Check in after 2:00 PM
Check out before 11:00 AM
default

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

Events allowed: family gatherings, birthday parties, weddings
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Pets

Pets allowed: dogs and cats less than 9 kg per pet (limit 2 pets total)
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Smoking

Smoking allowed: in designated areas
Not inside the home. No dentro de la casa

Important information

You need to know

Property # 482078vb
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
Parties and events (including family gatherings, birthday parties and weddings) are allowed on site
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a deadlock
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room

About the area

Lagunillas

Located in Lagunillas, this holiday home is in a rural area and by the sea. Marina Los Sueños and Turu Ba Ri Nature & Adventure Park are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Carara National Park and Playa Tárcoles. Discover the area's water adventures with jet skiing and kayaking nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with cycling and mountain biking.
View more Holiday homes in LagunillasOpens in a new window
Map
Jaco, Puntarenas

What's nearby

  • Crocodile Bridge - 12 min walk - 1.0 km
  • Carara National Park - 4 min drive - 3.9 km
  • Mantas Beach - 31 min drive - 22.1 km
  • Playa Blanca - 34 min drive - 23.2 km
  • Jacó Beach - 40 min drive - 36.0 km

Getting around

  • San José (SJO-Juan Santamaría Intl.) - 55 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Restaurante Los Cocodrilos - ‬9 min walk
  • ‪Restaurante El Jardín - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Restaurante Rústico Lapas - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Soda Nidia - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Steven Lisa's - ‬10 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Does Enjoy up to 7 Homes on a private gated estate with 3 pools have a pool?

Yes, this property has an outdoor pool.

How much does it cost to stay at Enjoy up to 7 Homes on a private gated estate with 3 pools?

As of 5 Oct, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Enjoy up to 7 Homes on a private gated estate with 3 pools on 11 Feb, 2027 start from S$165, 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 Enjoy up to 7 Homes on a private gated estate with 3 pools pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows cats and dogs (limit 2 total) with a maximum weight of up to 9 kg per pet.

How much is parking at Enjoy up to 7 Homes on a private gated estate with 3 pools?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Enjoy up to 7 Homes on a private gated estate with 3 pools?

Check-in begins at 2:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Enjoy up to 7 Homes on a private gated estate with 3 pools?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Enjoy up to 7 Homes on a private gated estate with 3 pools located?

Situated by the sea, this holiday home is 0.5 mi (0.8 km) from Crocodile Bridge and 2.1 mi (3.3 km) from Carara National Park. Playa Tárcoles and Jardín Pura Vida are also within 9 miles (15 km).

Reviews

9.2

Wonderful

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 32 out of 47 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 8 out of 47 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 6 out of 47 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 47 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 47 reviews

9.0/10

Cleanliness

9.0/10

Check-in

9.4/10

Communication

8.8/10

Location

8.6/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Very peaceful spot! We had the pool to ourselves and enjoyed exploring the property.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We had an amazing time houses were great swimming pools were nice couldn't go wrong I would Reserve again
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Excellent Service

Very Relaxful and Peaceful The Houses were very Clean John ( Manager ) is a Wonderful Person He was very Helpful and made my stay here very enjoyful I would definitely stay here again , when I am back in Costa Rica
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2019
Response from VrboOwner on 24 Mar, 2020
Hello Keith, Thank you for letting the vrbo community know about your stay. I am glad you got to stay in this property, enjoyed the comfort of the houses and understood what really my country is about (relax, nature, culture). John said it was such a delight to be your host, you were very respectful and clean. It will be our pleasure to host you again. Come back soon. Mi casa es su casa. All the best!
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wild Costa Rica

Some miner issues when we arrived but all was worked out within a day or two. Great place if you like the outdoors. Many animals and insects to see. Overall a great trip. Thanks to all that assisted.
Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2020
Response from VrboOwner on 24 Mar, 2020
Hello, I am glad that everything workout for you and your group. It was a pleasure to help you planning the fishing trip, chef, photographer, etc... And much more I am glad that you enjoyed and got to experience a different culture in my beautiful Costa Rica. Pura vida!
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Beautiful property and excellent service!

We stayed here for a couple of days prior to going to Jaco Beach. Loved it - the grounds and pool area were beautiful and the villa we stayed in was like a small home furnished with higher level linens and towels. The concierge - Siney - is wonderful and makes you feel truly at home and is able to arrange anything you need. Very gracious with her time and efforts; she greeted us with homemade sangria when we arrived. Highly recommend.
Response from VrboOwner on 24 Mar, 2020
Hello Mrs. H, I really appreciate the review. Reviews are the only way the owner knows I am doing my job, so a review like yours means a lot. I enjoyed getting to know you and your family and I hope all of you are able to make it back down to Costa Rica soon. Take care and say hi to your family for me, Siney C.
Archival

8/10 Good

Pure vida

Siney's villa was the most serene place I have ever stayed at. She greeted my girlfriends and I with sangria, and showed us around the beautiful property. It is very quiet area about 30min from Jaco beach. You hear the howling monkeys at night, beautiful birds chirping, and the sky at night is so clear and amazing. I recommend this property for a couples getaway, family reunions, or anyone that just wants to get away! The area is safe and secluded, and siney is available anytime you need!
Response from VrboOwner on 24 Mar, 2020
Dear Zaileen, We really appreciate your review regarding the property. We are happy that you and your girlfriends enjoy your stay with us and that you enjoyed Costa Rica as much as you did. Eco Luxury Homes promise to keep on it's quality services & even trying to upgrade the level of service in coming days. You will certainly feel better in your second visit. We hope to see you one day again. Pura Vida!
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Great great time

My husband, 2 children, and I rented a two bedroom home. Home and property were lovely. Close to beaches, attractions, airport, shops, and markets. Staff was great especially Siney and John. They answered all of our questions and helped us organize several tours. We would highly recommend especially for the price. Places in downtown Jaco weren't as nice and more than double/triple the price. Thanks for a fantastic time.
Response from VrboOwner on 24 Mar, 2020
Thank you for staying with us and taking the time to write a review. It was nice having you and your family. I am glad all of you enjoyed your stay and our services. John and I enjoyed the fresh fruit cocktails and smoothies as well as the pizza your husband made. Hope to see all of you again.
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Spring in Costa Rica

I just spent a week at Villas Del Ray and had the most wonderful relaxing time. The grounds areMother so beautiful. Each morning I awoke to the melodic songs of the birds. I then took a walk on one of the trails and picked my own fresh breakfast of mangos, bananas, star fruit and cashew nut fruit, delicious! (Who knew that a cashew nut grew on such a juicy, interesting textured fruit?) I relaxed in the beautifully decorated villa and took advantage of the free DVD rentals. I spent each sunset in the pool or enjoying drinks on the patio, lovely. It was truly a fantastic way to enjoy the beauty, delicacies and natural tranquility of Costa Rica. I will definitely be returning.
Response from VrboOwner on 24 Mar, 2020
Hello Mrs. D, Thank you for the great review. We really enjoyed having all of you. Hopefully next time you visit the papaya trees and pineapples plants will have larger fruits on them. I am glad you and your family enjoyed the property and rental car we arranged. I didn't receive a call, so I am sure you made it to the airport without any problems. It should have been easy with the directions I gave you. I hope to see all of you again and please send my regards to your family and friends. Take care, Siney C.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

WHAT A FABULOUS WAY TO SPEND 10 DAYS!!!

We were a group of 14 family members ranging in age from 1 to 63. My husband and I along with some of our adult children, their spouses and grandchildren. I cannot tell how much we enjoyed our stay... everyone was thrilled with our time Villas del Rey!! John (the manager) was wonderful, the houses and property are enchanting!! We stayed in houses 1, 2, 3 and 5, all of them are beautifully decorated with lovely gardens and numerous different types or fruit trees! We especially enjoyed the orange, grapefruit and lemon trees which were loaded with ripe fruit! The mango trees which are all over the property were also loaded with fruit but they need another few weeks to ripen! Siney, who is the normal manager was out of the country while we were there so sadly we did not get to meet in person, she was however, extremely help with our many questions about excursions, local attractions, where to get groceries and so much more! I can not thank you enough for all that you did and arranged for us!! John went above and beyond with our group while we were there and even after we left he search for and found my daughter-in-laws rings that were lost while making pizzas in the pizza oven!! Thank you John!! We took over the clubhouse several times for family dinners and used the amazing BBQ and Pizza oven which was amazing with such a large group, it was so nice to all be able to sit together and enjoy a meal! All in all this was a fabulous trip that none of us will ever forget!! We highly recommend this if you want to be immersed in nature and to enjoy the peace and tranquility of this little peace of heaven!! Love to you all and your families... hopefully we will see you again!!
Stayed 10 nights in Mar 2019
Response from VrboOwner on 24 Mar, 2020
Dear Lisa, Thank you for your review. It is such a pleasure specially after a busy week to read how people enjoy this property as much as I do. It is charming, unlike any other place I have been in or out Costa Rica. We are happy to be part of your lovely vacation, since it includes so many members of your family and know that you got to connect with each other surrounded by nature and privacy. Thank you all for leaving the houses in clean conditions, your consideration was very much appreciated. Guests like you keeps us in this business. John the manager enjoyed talking to you and look forward to your return! Pura vida from my beautiful Costa Rica!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful for large groups

We truly loved our trip! Siney went above and beyond to help with planning, organizing, recommendations and helping us to create the perfect event. We were celebrating our wedding with 27 people aged 2 - 70. The excursions were wonderful and the vendors that Siney recommended were fantastic. The wedding dinner from her caterer was the best meal of the trip! The property was well maintained and each house was set up nicely. The individual houses were larger than I expected. The atmosphere of the estate was exactly what I envisioned - Truly a rustic jungle estate. We saw monkeys, tons of lizards, large iguanas, parrots flying overhead and large bugs. The estate gave a sense of adventure, being in nature and enjoying the jungle! It is not a shiny beach rental, much more rustic and modest, and that was what we wanted. The clubhouse kitchen leaves some to be desired but is functional and worked for our group. We prepared dinner and rented tables so that we could eat there together as a group every evening. Upon arrival we were informed that the WiFi was not working in the area. While we understand it is out of the owner’s control, it would have been nice to know ahead of arrival so we could have had an alternative solution in place. Be sure to note the size of the estate. To get to the further houses it was a 15 or 20 minute walk. It worked fine for us but be sure to put people who can do the walk on the further houses. Driving on the estate is super challenging due to narrow, gravel roads. We left our vehicles at the front gate and walked between houses. The pool area was great and we made a ton of memories playing there. The crocodile boat tour was better than expected. Zip lining was exhilarating and truly enjoyed our guides from that company. The Poas Volcano, La Paz Waterfall and Animal Refuge was breathtaking and a great variety of activities. Tortuga island was so fun but the boat ride to and from the island was about 2 hours each way so got long for small children and grandparents. Overall, it was a great place for us to celebrate! The service from Siney was exceptional leading up to the trip and John was accommodating once we were there. I would definitely recommend for those who are looking for something off the beaten path, budget friendly and unique. It was an once in a lifetime trip that we will cherish. Thank you Siney and the staff for making our time so special!
Stayed 6 nights in Feb 2020
Response from VrboOwner on 24 Mar, 2020
Thank you Kelly for taking the time to post your review, I love reading this kind of experiences, that's when I know that we accomplished our goal, it was a pleasure to planning your wedding with you. I wish you the best!!! Also, delighted you find it budget friendly and unique. Take care and hope to host you and your family again.. Pura vida from Costa Rica, Siney
Verified review

4/10 Poor

OK for the price (at the time)

We booked a one bdrm, but were upgraded to a 2 bdrm provided we moved for a night while facility was booked for others. Units were clean, beds comfortable, linens and towels excellent, staff was friendly. The most important parameters. The units are advertised having internet. The house instructions refer to routers in each unit. Only at the clubhouse. Ran several speed tests, results between .06 and .3 Mbps, with nobody around. I was trying to maintain business at home, sketchy. The property is "pinned" on VRBO within view of the Crocodile bridge. It's actually 6-7km from there. If your vacay is biased towards Jaco or beaches, add that in. The kitchen facilities should be considered "bare bones" at best. Both units had glass mugs, coffee cups, plates, soup bowls, a few pans. No more. We bought our own wine glasses. Things such as salad bowls, oven gloves, coffee filters, casserole dishes, pot lids, can openers in one unit, tongs are non existent. The BBQ is a rusty grate set into the back wall. Hasn't been used in forever. We've rented a several dozen properties, most all have things left behind by previous tenants. Not here. Salt/pepper, oil, cling film, alum wrap, condiments, nothing. We're not looking for a handout, but it gets you started when you arrive and you pay it forward (I left scotch). The 1 bdrm was definitely not pleasant. The "living room" was a 6'x9' area in front of the fridge with a TV, coffee table and 2 Al patio chairs. Luxury. The patio furniture consisted of 2 collapsible wood slat lawn chairs. The shower was a hand held wand. Temp was either cold, tepid or off. A/C didn't work in the living room. Driveway was a short, rutted path where you had to climb, go right and do a U-turn to go left. The 2 bdrm units are said to be 2200 sq ft. I paced the areas. The unit is approx 1300 sq ft. There's 4-6' of concrete apron around the perimeter. The living room in the 2 bedroom is very compact. The pictures of the main clubhouse/pool show chaise lounges and umbrellas. Not so. Desultory fixed back patio chairs in various states of repair. I could go on, but space is limited. Overall, the property is tired. For the price, the place is OK. No more/no less. But the issue is more a case of "lipstick on a pig". Represent the property as it is, but don't embellish it. We see the property currently listed on VRBO at a higher price as a new, unreviewed listing. Somebody is going to be disappointed.
Stayed 9 nights in Feb 2019
Response from VrboOwner on 24 Mar, 2020
When you first arrived you had the option of staying in the one bedroom, one bathroom 1450 sq ft home (the home you paid for) for the duration of your stay or stay in an upgrade, two bedroom, two bathroom 2250 sq ft home for all but one night when that home was already reserved. You asked to stay in the two bedroom home and move, which was fine, but a considerable amount of work for my staff because we had to clean the homes 3 times for your stay. Please note YOU asked to stay in the two bedroom homes instead of the smaller home for your entire stay. There were 3 other groups staying with us at the same time (one reserved the 2 bedroom home you moved out of for 1 night) and some excerpts from their reviews include: 5-star (from the same 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom home you stayed in) "We love bed the cabin and grounds. The host was most friendly and available. We had a lovely stay!" 5 star- "This villa was quite the jungle feel ! Amazing space beautiful just to open your bedroom door and see the nature life. We had amazing stay here. Our host was very welcoming accommodating with our needs and close by. Recommend a car or Uber to go to jaco beautiful town a lot of things to do. Would definitely want to come back thanks again for the experience!!!" & 5 star- "Evrething was good" I do not think you should write such a negative review and say the homes are "pigs with lipstick" only because you were moved from one home to the other, which was your choice. 3 separate groups, who stayed while you were at the property, wrote 5 star reviews on this site and others. I really don't understand why you would want to damage my establishment after everything we tried to do to accommodate you and make your stay as enjoyable as possible. I offered you a larger home, at no extra cost, for all but one night of your stay and because you didn't get it for your entire stay you wrote a negative review. We really try hard to make every guest's stay enjoyable, but when guests do things like this it makes me think we shouldn't have upgraded you in the first place.
Verified review

6/10 Okay

Liked: Cleanliness, communication
Disliked: Listing accuracy

Nice place, but could be better

It was not clearly expressed that this is a community with a shared community pool. We had a group of 15 people, 8 of them being girls (18 year old young adults) that had been raised in an orphanage for abused girls. When we arrived at the location, we were greeted by another guest using the pool. He expressed that they were very unorganized. After being shown the 4 houses that we would be using, we discovered that we were several beds short. Through poor communication they finally brought us several air mattresses. It wasn't the ideal situation, but after it was all said and done the place worked out for the night. The pool is nice, the ambiance of the whole community is nice. Although, it is a one lane dead end road throughout, which make turning around and passing other cars extremely difficult. The 1 bedroom house that my husband and I stayed in had no warm water in the bathroom (I hate cold showers), so he brought me pans and bowls of hot water from the kitchen. hahaha. But the other houses seemed to have hot water.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 28 Feb, 2022
Hello Dennis, This listing title says 1-7 homes on a private gated estate. Before you reserved we sent each other several emails and messages. In the first email I explained the homes distribution, bedrooms and beds available and you said... it works for us. We were not expecting you bringing extra people to be accommodated in air mattresses, but yet the ladies that work at the property were happy to help. The hot water was checked and after a power outage the breaker was turned back on. It works! Regards, Siney
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, listing accuracy

Isolated but nice

Positive points: excellent internet, +/- quiet place, gated community, nice swimming pool with nice temperature. A bit "in the middle of nowhere". Less positive: The place is nice, gives a bit the impression abandoned because of a minimum maintenance (but acceptable). The houses lack of luminosity. The clubhouse can be noisy, but depends on who else is staying there.
Stayed 5 nights in Jan 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Birthday celebration

My family and I decided to give my sister a surprise 50th birthday party. After a week search I came across this property, and I was a little worried maybe someone in the family wouldn't be please with my choice but my decision was made mainly because of the location and it could accommodate a large family and give us the privacy we wanted. To my surprise everyone was please, we had a great time it was a fresh contact with nature. From the very beginning the owner responded to all my emails and questions promptly he help us out with necessary letters we needed for transportation (because of the Covid19 restrictions in traveling in Costa Rica). Marina the care taker went above and beyond in helping us. Im sure looking forward to returning for a longer stay.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 13 Aug, 2021
Hello Pamela, Thank you for sharing your and your family experience with the public. We are pleased knowing that you all loved the property. Marina was so happy to host you, she mentioned how wonderful group you were. You made her week! Thanks again Pamela and we hope to see you soon. Pura vida from wonderful Costa Rica, Siney K.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Restful and Relaxing

Great facilities, friendly staff (John the manager is 5 star!). Very secluded and quiet, yet shopping, sodas, and restaurants are nearby. Fresh fruit off trees daily. We would return in a heartbeat.
Stayed 24 nights in Jan 2020
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Everything was fine except there is no wifi in the rooms

Good peoples
Response from VrboOwner on 24 Mar, 2020
Dear Kemmal, Thank you for your feedback, I'm glad you liked the property. It's a pleasure to read that guests understand what my beautiful Costa Rica is about. We are improving our internet service, getting fiber optic install through the property. Looking forward to seeing you in the near future!!!
Verified review

6/10 Okay

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location

Tarcoles, Costa Rica- Villas Del Rey

My Family rented 3 Villas. This was an unique and fun experience for all of us despite the issues we encountered. We felt that the rugged roads should be better maintained. We experienced some plumbing and electrical problems, however John addressed problems in a timely manner. i feel that management was not ready to accommodate 11 guest at one tme for a week vacation. John did a great job assisting us with our issues. Inadditon, the owner was available to answer emails and questions right away. The overall should be rated "5" but because of the issues we encounter we downgraded the rating to "3". We want to thank management for allowing us to experience our first Cost Rica Vacation at your Villa. the suggested tour people and transportation guy were nice and awesome people. We had a blast on all tours and arrived home safely. Thank you Costa Rica none of my family members got sick. Finally, we were disappointed because of the absent of wifi in our vila.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2019
Response from VrboOwner on 24 Mar, 2020
Thank you for taking the time to write a review. I would like to give a few details to any future guests regarding your review. You state that the review would have been 5 stars if not for several "issues". The issues one of your older guests had with one of the homes were: 1. They did not know how to work the TV. The input button was incorrectly pressed by the guest so as to view a DVD and they could not get the TV back to the satellite setting. 2. The guest accidentally turned the air temperature up instead of down, so the house was not getting cooler. 3. The oven/stove clock was not set, so the guest felt the oven was broken when in fact the oven/stove worked fine. On the first day you emailed me 3 separate times regarding these "issues" and the manager was at the house each time within 15 minutes to help. Everytime the manager went over to solve the issues he was told that they would be seeking a refund or else a bad review would be given. I would like to point out that very few vacation rentals have on-site managers to help with small things like this. This property is a family run establishment we built to support our large family. It hurts my faith in people when they purposefully try to discourage other guests from staying with us because of no fault of ours. These issues were only in one of the 3 houses you rented because the other guests in your group were able to properly work an air conditioner, television with satellite TV, and oven clock.
Verified review

6/10 Okay

overall it was okay, but there was some big missteps

First, your estate is beautiful. However, it was not adequately prepared for my group. Although John was trying to do his best, I think. He is just not capable to receive 16 guest at once. The houses are not cleaned adequately. Unfortunately, two women who I paid along myself spent the entire day Friday cleaning, sweeping the houses. It took us hours and that's not what I paid for. Your cleaning crew just does the minimum and did not clean the houses properly the first time, which is why after we cleaned and they came back, they cleaned and then it was better. The ants in some of the houses is unacceptable. It could be easily resolved. Next, Anibel was extremely nice and helpful, but she was not prepared for the menu that you had since December. For some of the meals, she was just looking at the menu and did not understand what to do. I spent much of my time, explaining to her what to do. Your staff of 3 was not prepared and capable to receive 16 people. Meals were not prepared on time and I had to pay for help with my friends to go in the kitchen to wash the dishes and help prepare everything. That was not what I paid for. If you agree to cater, you have to know what that means and how many people and the type of people that can do the job. Your staff, although very nice, just could not do the job. I didn't get what I paid for because I had to work along with 2 other women, to support them. I also had to change some of the meals so they can make things that were easier for them. If I had known that they could not prepare all the meals, I would not have selected your location. Overall, it was very hard on me the entire weekend. Plus, it seems that you don't communicate enough with John. there were a few things that he was not aware of in terms of planning for the group. It was not fair to me or to him as well, actually. Your staff worked so hard to do their best and I think it was also unfair to them that you didn't prepare them for the weekend. Other than those issues, which were major, because I spent most of my time helping your staff and cleaning, etc. you are very responsive and helpful. I just don't think your staff has the capacity to cater and receive a large group and because of that, my group suffered.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2019
Response from VrboOwner on 24 Mar, 2020
I have found many reviews for your Black Butterfly Journeys trip to Costa Rica at my property and all of them are very positive. Excerpts from the reviews include; “The Costa Rica Renew Your Mind, Body and Soul Retreat was beyond what I imagined it would be.” “The weekend was magical, profound and so much fun.” “In a word, it was transformational.” “Overall, the retreat was truly magical.” We have had weddings at the property for 50-60 guests and never had issues with the staff, chefs, masseuses, or photographers. It takes a cleaning crew with gardeners several days to prepare all 7 of the homes. Before guests arrive another group goes into the homes to prepare the beds and recheck everything. You arrived the day the crew was rechecking all of the homes and promptly started sending emails, over two hundred in a 4 day span. 24 hours before your guests arrived you sent me photos of 6 leaves at the pool area and some dust in one of the homes that hadn't been prepared yet and demanded it be cleaned immediately. I promptly hired three additional workers to assist you with anything you needed. Then, out of nowhere, you started making changes to everything that you pre-planned. You requested additional courses and snacks for the paid, finalized, and very specific vegan menu you sent to myself and the chef months before. You only wanted mason jars and not glasses for your groups drinks. The manager and chef had to go out at 4am for the new items and mason jars to return in time to prepare breakfast. I later I found out that you gave all of your guests the mason jars as a parting gift. It seemed as though you were trying receive extra services free of charge. At the last minute you added 4 guests, from 12-16, with no intention to pay for the addition meals. You asked me find and hire a photographer for 1 to 2 hours to take several photos. You asked her to stay for almost 6 hours and refused to pay for the extra time. Per your request I arranged for 2 masseuses to give 16 separate massages at prearranged times. Two separate times you had them come to the property when no one was there. You demanded the massages or your money back even though the masseuses spent their time waiting for you. People in Costa Rica and other third world countries may not make as much money as in first world countries, but that does not mean that you can treat them as inferiors. These self employed entrepreneurs work very hard and should be paid for their time like everywhere else.
Verified review

8/10 Good

Great place to relax and have a quiet time in the middle of the tropical forest.

Great place to relax and have a quiet time in the middle of the tropical forest.
Verified review

8/10 Good

privacy in the jungle

The house was modern and spacious. The homes are pretty spread out, but most of them were not occupied during our stay, which made it very private. Beautiful view from pool area and pool itself was very nice. Johnny, the care taker was very welcoming and made sure we had everything we needed. Would definitely recommend visitors have a rental car because it is not near a city center.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2018
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Wow! You will literally be in an area of enchantment!

My family of 18 stayed in the 6 villas offered and the privacy available to everyone was very much appreciated. Ages of my family members ranged from 13 to 78. I’m lucky to have such active parents who were okay with walking between villas and club house. On day two, three of us opted to rent vehicles to tour the country ourselves. We also experienced the public transportation which is easily accessible from the villas, Uber and taxi services. Accomadations were great and John was very resourceful. The Jardin souvenir shop right across the street was extremely convenient and offered a great variety of items the multiple shops around the country has to offer. The two nearby walking distance restaurants were great! We also opted to buy a few groceries at the nearby town Orotina. If you’re looking for a place that offers an escape...this is it! I read from other reviews about the howling monkeys on the property and so was forwarned about their dawn activities. To tell you the truth they made the stay so much more surreal! Thank you Siney!
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2018
Verified review

6/10 Okay

The property is a very private, gated, with a road that runs thru it that's very narrow and rough.

Very nice accommodation, tho no wifi or TV 1st 2 days; got moved (down graded), tho got closer to the pool. Otherwise it was a very long, uphill walk to the pool. Pool area nice, not enough loungers. The place is remote, quiet, the howler monkeys aren't, but they're not always there. Busy highway just outside the property, with some restaurants and food stands nearby. The description says there's a stocked pantry, but there wasn't even salt and pepper, or coffee filters. In summary, a quiet jungle like property, nice house.
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2018
Response from VrboOwner on 24 Mar, 2020
Thank you for taking the time to write a review. When you originally reserved you requested a "very private home" specifically "surrounded by nature and not other guests". There are 2 homes on the property where the Howler Monkeys like to congregate and we placed you in one of those homes. After the first night you mentioned to the manager that you and your husband were unable to walk. We cleaned and moved you to the other 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom home at no additional cleaning charge to you. Both homes are the same size, design, and have the same accomodations, but one is easier for guests who have trouble walking. You were not downgraded, but by request moved to another home that is exactly the same. There are new working flat screen TV's with satellite in all of the homes. Like many new televisions there are several inputs for DVD players, satellite/cable, cameras, gaming systems and other electronic equipment. As the manager mentioned to you upon arriving the televisions have to be on the satellite option for the TV's to receive the signal. If the TV is on the DVD or another input option you have to switch back over to satellite to watch TV. We ask that guests convey their concerns as soon as possible, so my staff and I can explain and remedy any issues. When you mentioned that you and your husband were not able to walk we moved you. The manager and I didn't know you were having issues with 2 different TV's until 2 days after you arrived. As soon as you mentioned the satellite to the manager he went down, explained the TV input settings, and left the TV working. I reviewed the listing and it does not state that there is a stocked pantry. In the reviews you may have noticed that sometimes other guests leave items like salt, pepper, and even beer and alcohol. I wanted to address what you mentioned in the review because we do not provide fresh pantry items for every guest. If we included these items for every guest, even the ones who don't plan on using them, it would increase the nightly price for everyone. Since there are several markets within a short walk where guests can purchase these items we do not provide them. By doing this it allows us to charge less and pass any savings on to our guests. Thank you again for the review and we hope you have a wonderful 2018.
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Tropical wedding

A beautiful exclusive place to have a wedding. Everyone bent over backwards to make our wedding something we will always remember. From all of our 26 guests staying in seperate large houses on the property to beautifully catered meals. We didn't have to do a thing or worry. All was well organized and the owners even had a surprise firework show for the evening of the reception. Thank you all so much for everything and we WILL see you again in 2018.
Response from VrboOwner on 24 Mar, 2020
Thank you for allowing my staff and I to plan your wedding and for taking the time to write a review. It was a pleasure attending to you and your guests. We look forward to having you stay with us again. Congratulations and we wish both of you nothing but the best in your future endeavors.
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Privacy in Paradise

As a world traveler I know what to expect according to the country I will visit, but this property exceeded all my expectations, spacious ultra luxury houses with high end appliances, amazing walk out, tropical facing terraces. Very friendly manager. Big thanks to amazing staff John and Marina big helpers during our stay in Costa Rica, with such a big family we had a lot of questions. They both would go above and beyond and work with you on special requests such a tours and planning a chef dinner night for 20 people. The houses were Very clean Upon our arrival we were greeted by Johnnie an amazing guy with huge smile on his face, huge heart and great personality. We booked 6 houses in this Paradise, he saw we had kids and helped us as much as He could making our experience memorable. We had unforgettable experience from A to Z I am very pleased with this property in general, I read the last review and I don't understand how people go to different countries and act this way (as an American is embarrassing), I don't know what this person is talking about. If you are looking for privacy, comfort and the real Costa Rica experience this property in the central Pacific area is #1 by far with best prices. Happy family, best vacation!!! Thanks to Marina and John for making unforgettable stay and memories. Will definitely visit this property soon.
Response from VrboOwner on 24 Mar, 2020
Hello E. family, Thank you for taking the time to write such a great review. It is not always easy to get guests who enjoyed their stay to write a reviews. From pizza and drinks at the pool to showing you around town we really enjoyed your families company and truly consider all of you our friends. I also wanted to let you know that John and Marina couldn't stop saying nice things about all of you. They asked me several times to thank you for the gift you left each of them. I know for a fact you made their week. I can't thank you enough for being kind and generous to both of them. From the moment you contacted me you were always friendly, polite, and very prompt in responding to emails. It made it much easier for us to help plan your vacation, tours, excursions, and meals. As I mentioned before you never had to worry about asking us questions. That is what we are here for. We hope to see you again whether in Costa Rica, the United States, or anywhere else your travels might take you. Take care, please send our regards to your entire family, and give the kids a hug from me (their drawings are on my refrigerator)
Archival

6/10 Okay

The property was nice but BE CAREFUL!!!

The property was very nice and centrally located, across the street from good food and within short distance to Jaco Beach. When I reserved the property, I reserved it for 10 guests. Without making an effort to clarify what type of accommodations were needed, our party was only offered nine beds and forced to pay for an additional house upon arrival. John's, the "property manager's" claim was that he thought it was 5 couples sharing beds and so he only offered nine beds, 4 of which were twin beds. The issue really wasn't with paying for the additional house, it was the tactics used to force your hand. In order to pay for the property, you have to pay outside of VRBO.com which VRBO states should be reported. When I arrived to the property and had to book another home, John told me that he would only accept cash or PayPal. That would eliminate any ability to dispute the added and unfair charges through my credit card company. The entire party was uncomfortable and was contemplating staying elsewhere. We were given a significant add'l charge and paid approximately one third of that cost for the first night. I told John that we would go through all of our options and decide if we would stay the duration. He was nice enough to allow it but his behavior afterward made us all uncomfortable. He knocked on my door very EARLY in the morning asking me to sign something. He went to another house and knocked on the door with some unnecessary request, again very early in the morning while we were still asleep. More than once he used his personal vehicle to block the exit. The first time he did it, he wanted to be paid for the extra nights. However, he used to vehicle to block the exit at least two more times and it was quite uncomfortable as we were made to feel confined until he moved his vehicle. His behavior made me so uncomfortable that we left one night early. While the property was nice, management made me very wary. For that reason, I will not stay there again. Also, the wi-fi only works well if you sit RIGHT next to the hot spot in your house. Otherwise you have to walk by the clubhouse. If the wi-fi worked the taxi driver would no need a key to get in the gate. I have seen other reviews of this property and whenever there is an unfavorable claim, management responds with a long and passive-aggressive reply. Regardless of the reply, if I had paid through VRBO or My credit card, I would certainly have disputed the additional unfair charge.
Response from VrboOwner on 24 Mar, 2020
Thank you for staying with us and for taking the time to write a review. I am glad you enjoyed the homes and property. When guests book through vrbo they pay a fee/commission to VRBO and are then prompted to pay for the home via PayPal or direct bank deposit. This is VRBO's policy not mine. VRBO will not allow non North American or European owners to accept bookings directly through VRBO. Please complain to VRBO and hopefully they will change their policies and start to accept payments through there site for owners living outside North America and Europe. It would be much easier for myself and future guests if VRBO accepted payments. I contacted VRBO about your reviews false statements of not reserving through VRBO and since you did in fact reserve through their site you are entitled to write a review. According to VRBO's supervisor the reviews do not even need to be factual. The requirement; 90% of the review much be about the property, factual or not. With regards to the manager blocking the front gate guests are not allowed to give the front gate and house keys to anyone not staying at the property. You signed our guidelines which specifically states this. I instructed the manager to get the keys back from the drivers and undesirable acquaintances you brought back to spend the nights with your group. These people are not trustworthy and it is too easy for them to make copies. Our guests and my families security is of the utmost importance. I have a 2.5 year old daughter and will not allow anyone to compromise her security or the security of other guests, especially vrbo's policies or guests that do not fillow the most basic of rules.

About the host

Hosted by Siney Calvo

Host profile image
Born, raised, and educated in Costa Rica. I love my country and I know you will too. Traveled the world and there is no place like Costa Rica. Come stay and enjoy our people, customs, and cuisine.
I adore the sit around the large terraces and guard the amazing sunsets in the property– I practically live on it! You can contemplate at the mountains; watch the stars illuminating the dark sky. There is something about the Eco Luxury home that makes me relax. You can’t be there and not relax. I feel rooted and grounded there, closer to nature and at peace spiritually. I enjoy picking the fruits from the large variety of trees and when is the season, I admire the mangos and its beautiful colors decorating the property and attracting all kinds of wildlife.
There's a lot to do here to get back to nature!


Please email me if you have any questions or if you would like to know about our seasonal specials.

Why they chose this property

I was tired of living in the city and dealing with traffic and people all the time. I just wanted to get away. I found this property in 2004 and I loved it. I built everything from the ground up and I know that you will enjoy your stay as much as I enjoy having you.

What makes this property unique

I have never been to any place like this property. We have the most beautiful sunsets I have ever seen. The property is right outside the city of Jaco and I fell in love because I always felt safe and I didn't have to worry about neighbors, noise, or anyone bothering my family and guests.

Languages:

English, Spanish, Portuguese
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