My husband, parents and two teenage children recently stayed at Bahia Pez Vela and absolutely loved the place. The split-level villa was light and airy with great views overlooking the beach. Every morning we awoke to the interesting sounds of the howling monkeys and a variety of birds. Almost every day, we snorkled right off the beach and saw hundreds of fish as well as eels on both sides of the cove. Although I had read that snorkeling equipment could be rented one cove over at the Playa Ocotal Beach Resort, I was glad we had brought our own gear with us.
Neil and Verda gave us very detailed information about restuarants and activities in the area. We found all of their recommendations to be excellent, including Papagayo Pura Vida, Father Roosters, La Caveja, the Congo Trail Canopy Tour, massages on the beach and our fishing charter company. Captain Raffi was booked, so his brother Captain Fausto took us fishing. We caught sailfish, mahi and amberjack. On the way in, Fausto called Papagayo Seafood Restaurant in Coco to arrange for them to prepare some of the fish we had caught........delicious and great fun.
Bahia Pez Vela is very private and safe with 24 hour security.......only the people staying in the forty or so villas have access to the beach. The office staff is excellent -- friendly, competent and helpful in every way. The other guests we met were friendly and well-traveled. Our villa was a two minute drive down the hill to the beach.......we could have walked, but the walk back was quite steep. Our villa had a pool right down the street and another pool was down by the beach along with the Papagayo Pura Vida Restaurant. Be sure to try the mahi sandwiches for lunch.
Every evening we enjoyed the sunset while sitting on the large comfortable patio. Our trip could not have been more restful or enjoyable. Already several of our friends want to go to Bahia Pez Vela, and we look forward to returning.
One last thought.....we flew into San Jose; in the future, we will fly into Liberia. We don't want to lose any time at Bahia Pez Vela by driving or flying to and from San Jose.