AMAZING - better than the pictures

Review submitted: July 30, 2012   Date of arrival: July 10, 2012

Recent website review:
Everything in the listing is accurate. However the pictures do not do it justice. The property was spotless inside and out. The gated community in which it's located is well maintained. Everyone from the security, to the maid, to the maintenance crew were so warm, welcoming and above all helpful. The staff of Special Places of Guanacaste were very friendly as well. Jill was wonderful in answering any questions and prompt in answer all of my emails and calls. The house also has everything you're used to as far as home appliances. The house is surrounded by beautiful forests and only a 5 minute walk to the beach. The living room, kitchen, dining room and outdoor patio have an amazing view of the beach. You can even hear the waves crashing on the beach at night. The infinity edge pool has breathtaking views. There is so much to do and see and after a long eventful day it's nice to come home to a place like this. This house is also perfectly located near some of Costa Rica's most beautiful beaches and resorts but not too close that you find yourself among a crowd of tourists. I definitely would recommend this place to a friend or relative. If I ever return to Costa Rica I will definitely stay in this wonderful home again. If you're considering traveling to Costa Rica and don't know where to stay you've found the perfect vacation home. You will not be disappointed.

Marquez family

Do you find this review helpful?   Yes   No

Helpful votes: 0 / 0

Great location!

Review submitted: April 15, 2012   Date of arrival: April 5, 2012

Ok, I was a bit nervous when we first arrived and I thought it would be a bummer to be right on the main road. Turns out there is very little traffic so it was not a big deal. After exploring all the way to Tamarindo and back we were very grateful of this location. The two beaches must be know only to locals. Often we were the only people on the "white" beach so the kids had the beach and the tide pools all to themselves.

The house is lovely and well equiped. We had issues with the air conditioners in 2 rooms. One they fixed late the night we arrived, one they never fixed and I was a bit disappointed in the follow through of the management company on this point. However, it was Easter weekend so we made do with fans and did not press the issue.

Playa Potrero is small, low key and not full of tourists like some of the larger beach towns. It made for a very relaxing time.

Do you find this review helpful?   Yes   No

Helpful votes: 2 / 2

Pictures can't do it justice

Review submitted: January 27, 2012   Date of arrival: January 16, 2012

First off we were greeted by Jimmy who was the warmest most attentive guy you could ask for. He would set us up on the most fantastic adventures and was always right on the money when we needed a suggestion for a romantic dinner or a great beach at sunset. He was always there but never intrusive. He always answered the phone and ended every conversation by saying he was always there for anything we needed or if we somehow got lost while driving.

Now to the villa itself. You cannot believe the views from this place and the whole vibe of being in a great house but at the same time you are living among the locals or Ticos as they refer to themselves. Each morning was spent on the veranda enjoying the great tropical fruit available everywhere. We were usually greeted by some birds or some other wildlife that was curious. We could see some howlers monkeys in the distant tree tops as well. At night we would enjoy a spectacular sunset while we prepared our dinners in the gourmet kitchen so well equipped it made our homes seem lacking. Every kitchen tool for cooking or smoothies was there and the peninsula was so awesome to prepare food on or just to sit and write emails from. The bedrooms were spacious and very well appointed and the bed we slept in was so comfortable I almost forgot I have a herniated disc and a ton of arthritis. Truthfully I cannot say enough good about this place and it had some major competition from the place we left earlier in Manuel Antonio. It was however superior to Manuel and it didn't take us long to forget Manuel :-). As far as proximity to things it was perfect. You are a 15 minute drive to the surf, dining and shopping hot spot Tamarindo and less than two kilometers to a totally secluded little beach called Dantita where a Tico told me he lived in Guanacaste his whole life and never knew about this place. There is also a restaurant called Lola's that has the freshest food and a view second to none. I have to admit that writing this is bittersweet because I don't want to see this place get spoiled and overrun with tourists, but out of fairness to the owners and the people that took care of us at Special Places I owe this review to them. I plan on returning soon and am thankful for the priviledge of experiencing Cost Rica in it's fullness. Five stars are not enough! I can honestly say that I understand the real meaning behind the words "Pura Vida" Sam

Do you find this review helpful?   Yes   No

Helpful votes: 1 / 1

Wonderful place in a tropical Paradise

Review submitted: January 19, 2012   Date of arrival: December 19, 2011

We had a great time in Costa Rica in December. The house has everything you need - The view, pool, walking distance to local beaches, and all the modern amenity and appliances you have in the us and more. The house is secluded and nested up on a hill, which gives it a priceless view, specially from the swiming pool area. It is, however, also quite close to the local beach. Every day we walked to the beach to play with water/sand, and fly kites. We rented a car, so some days we drove to other beaches for lunch, and on our way home, we would pick up local fruit and vegetables to cook for dinner. Eating out and driving around is very convenient around there with a few folks speaking or understanding English. We had a really good time and will definitely go back to the beautiful house or recommend to others.

Do you find this review helpful?   Yes   No

Helpful votes: 1 / 1

Beyond Our Expectations

Claire T. ()
Review submitted: December 8, 2011   Date of arrival: November 19, 2011

When we first looked at the pictures and read the description of Bella Vista del Mar at Playa Potrero, we had high expectations and ,happily, those expectations were exceeded! The location of the town-home is perfect. It sits up on a hill overlooking a beautiful bay with islands in the distance. The terrace is a wonderful place to watch the sunset, but then so is the infinity pool that looks out over the bay. What a peaceful place. The home is not far from the beach so it's just a short walk to the water. The path to the water splits about half way there and you can go to a pretty bay with great tide-pooling opportunities or a smooth-sand beach which was fun for body surfing. On one of our walks to the beach we were greeted by a family of howler monkeys with three babies in the trees above our heads. We went to the beach everyday to swim, body surf and fish. We often stayed until sunset because we couldn't tear ourselves away from the pink, orange and golden skies. The home itself is also lovely. The kitchen is truly equipped for cooking and we had several dinners at home eating the fish we caught. The rooms are lovely, too, but we spent most of our time on the balcony staring at the view. We were also impressed with the staff and management team of Special Places which manages the town-homes. From security, to the housekeeping service, to the concierge, everyone did their best to make sure we had all we needed. The folks at Special Places made reservations for us for several our excursions, including sport fishing, zip-lining, a birding safari and a sunset cruise. Their recommendations for which tours to take and which to skip were right on. (By the way, don't miss the sunset/snorkeling cruise on the Hibiscus!! It was the perfect finale for our week-long stay.) We're already plotting our return to Bella Vista del Mar.

Recommended for: adventure seekers, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers, girls getaway, sight seeing, romantic getaway

Do you find this review helpful?   Yes   No

Helpful votes: 0 / 0

Lovely holiday in Costa Rica

Snowbird (saint catharines, ontario, canada)
Review submitted: June 14, 2011   Date of arrival: November 10, 2010

My family had the opportunity to stay in this lovely home on our first holiday in Costa Rica. We decided to have a family reunion in Costa Rica, so we rented two homes in this beautiful complex. It was fantastic to be able to have several homes close together but have our own space. We all visited back and forth between both homes which was a perfect setup. I highly recommend this home for family reunions. This particular house was just perfect for us. Most of my siblings are 70+ so we weren't up for a lot of adventure. We spent a great deal of time visiting on the large patio that looked out over Flamingo Bay. It was a great spot to watch the spectacular sunsets. We walked to the beach most days for a swim. The water was so refreshing and we had the beach to ourselves. We saw lots of different birds and occasionally caught a glimpse of the monkeys. The house itself has all the comforts of home and has a very nicely stocked kitchen. Maid service twice a week was included which was a nice treat. We felt very pampered! The bedrooms were spacious and nicely done. I shared the upstairs bedroom with one of my siblings and slept in one of the bunk beds. I have to admit I wasn't too thrilled with the idea of sleeping in a bunk bed (thought I was done with that years ago), but it turned out to be very comfortable and roomy. We opened the windows at night and it was great to be lulled to sleep by the sound of the ocean. The pool was gorgeous with a view that can't be beat! The house is situated on a hill so it would be a bit difficult for someone with physical disabilities to easily get around. There were several very nice restaurants close by that served delicious seafood. To my surprise, all the restaurants are open-air. We took several sight seeing tours which were wonderful. If you get a chance, go to Lola's in Playa Avellanas. That was beautiful! Overall we had a fantastic stay in this lovely home. It was so wonderful to get away and relax. We would love to go back!

Recommended for: adventure seekers, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers, girls getaway, sight seeing, romantic getaway

Do you find this review helpful?   Yes   No

Helpful votes: 0 / 0

Lovely holiday in Costa Rica

Snowbird (saint catharines, ontario, canada)
Review submitted: June 14, 2011   Date of arrival: November 10, 2010

My family had the opportunity to stay in this lovely home on our first holiday in Costa Rica. We decided to have a family reunion in Costa Rica, so we rented two homes in this beautiful complex. It was fantastic to be able to have several homes close together but have our own space. We all visited back and forth between both homes which was a perfect setup. I highly recommend this home for family reunions.

This particular house was just perfect for us. Most of my siblings are 70+ so we weren't up for a lot of adventure. We spent a great deal of time visiting on the large patio that looked out on Flamingo Bay. It was a great spot to watch the spectacular sunsets. We walked to the beach most days for a swim. The water was so refreshing and we had the beach to ourselves. We saw lots of different birds and occasionally caught a glimpse of the monkeys. The house itself has all the comforts of home and has a very nicely stocked kitchen. Maid service twice a week was included which was a nice treat. We felt very pampered! The bedrooms were spacious and nicely done. I shared the upstairs bedroom with one of my siblings and slept in one of the bunk beds. I have to admit I wasn't too thrilled with the idea of sleeping in a bunk bed (thought I was done with that years ago), but it turned out to be very comfortable and roomy. We opened the windows at night and it was great to be lulled to sleep by the sound of the ocean. The pool was gorgeous with a view that can't be beat! The house is situated on a hill so it would be a bit difficult for someone with physical disabilities to easily get around.

There were several very nice restaurants close by that served delicious seafood. To my surprise, all the restaurants are open-air. We took several sight seeing tours which were wonderful. If you get a chance, go to Lola's in Playa Avellanas. That was beautiful!

Overall we had a fantastic stay in this lovely home. It was so wonderful to get away and relax. We would love to go back!

Recommended for: adventure seekers, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers, girls getaway, romantic getaway

Do you find this review helpful?   Yes   No

Helpful votes: 0 / 0

Amazing Vacation in Paradise

SD Girls (San Diego)
Review submitted: June 9, 2011   Date of arrival: February 5, 2011

I went to Costa Rica for the first time this February with my girlfriends. We walked into this beautiful home and immediately knew that we were going to have the time of our lives. The house was really nice and had everythng you could possibly want. We sunbathed almost every day at the beach which was an easy walk through the canopy of trees in front of the house. The pool was awesome with an amazing view of the coastline and the ocean.... Cocktails by the pool or on the patio quickly became our daily ritual. We spent our mornings hanging out on the veranda and then took off for the beach or our adventure of the day. There are beautiful flocks of bright green parrots that fill the tree in front of the house. We could also hear the howler monkeys that hung out in the trees below the house and occasionally caught a glimpse of them. There are alot of great little places to eat close by - Sol y Mar was our favorite right down the street. Had to go for cocktails and tacos at Las Brisas, this cute little hole in the wall bar on the beach near their home. We did quite a few little adventures that were close by including horseback riding, zip lining through the jungle and snorkeling. Honestly we couldn't have had a more amazing stay. The house was perfect, it was in a beautiful gated complex and there was so much to do nearby. You got such a wonderful taste of the authentic Costa Rica. We had no problem with the roads. Many are two lane with the occasional potholes but overall in good shape...it just added to our fun adventure. We cannot wait to go back again!!

Recommended for: adventure seekers, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers, girls getaway, sight seeing, tourists without a car, romantic getaway

Do you find this review helpful?   Yes   No

Helpful votes: 1 / 1

The most relaxing vacation we have ever taken!

Review submitted: June 7, 2011   Date of arrival: November 9, 2010

My husband and I are busy self-employed professionals who really needed some "down" time and found it in this little corner of paradise. After a long flight from California, we found our way from Liberia airport in a four wheel drive vehicle by way of a mostly two lane highway/road, until the last five miles or so over a gravel and dirt road, to a small gated community with a gorgeously decorated and well-appointed air conditioned hacienda in the little town of Potrero. We quickly settled in to a routine of having our morning pot of Costa Rican coffee on the covered veranda overlooking the bay and across to the town of Flamingo, listening to birds of all types and the elusive howler monkeys, and watching flocks of green parrots streak from one tree to another. We usually took a log morning swim at the black sand beach only a few minute's walk from the house, and then found lunch a short drive away, our favorite being a little taco stand right on the beach in Potrero where we had the freshest fish tacos. Venturing out from the house, we made our way to Flamingo and Brasalito for shopping and sight seeing and a chance to practice our broken Spanish, although all of the Ticos (native Costa Ricans) we met spoke English very well and were most patient with our efforts at Spanish. An afternoon siesta was a must, as was watching the sunset from the infinity pool and hot tub above the house. We had dinner out most nights and enjoyed wonderful seafood everywhere, usually fresh snapper caught just that afternoon by local fishermen. Gelato from the Italian Village was our evening treat before we retired for a long and restful night's sleep, to be awakened in the morning by neighbor's rooster greeting the day. After only a few days we were on Costa Rica time and came home refreshed with memories to last a life time. This is our second trip to this little corner of paradise and we plan to visit again next fall.

Do you find this review helpful?   Yes   No

Helpful votes: 1 / 1

Best Vacation Ever !!

Review submitted: May 9, 2011   Date of arrival: March 11, 2011

We had the best time at your retreat in Costa Rica! – Best vacation ever. We loved your accommodations – it was perfect for us and our three teenage daughters. Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful home. We had absolutely everything we needed. The people were so nice, we loved being right in the culture…Potrero was perfect. Great balance of adventure, beach, culture, restaurants, eating in your lovely kitchen, meeting people from all over the world, and cherished family time…not to mention the pool- talk about a view! We were also very impressed with the security you have. The guys working the gate and making the security rounds at night provided an added measure of comfort being in a foreign country. It was truly the best vacation we have ever been on as a family! Your home was the focal point of our stay- perfect. It is cold, snowy and busy here in Minnesota…..We want to go back!!!!!
Thanks so much,
Daniel and Family

Do you find this review helpful?   Yes   No

Helpful votes: 8 / 8

Wonderful Trip

Review submitted: May 9, 2011   Date of arrival: March 23, 2011

What a wonderful trip..full of adventure! As soon as we arrived at our beautiful rental home in Flamingo Bay, our boys disappeared…go figure. Found them at the beach. We spent four days at this wonderful rental home overlooking the coastline. We had two almost private beaches right next to the house. One beach had bigger waves so the boys never left that beach. The rental home had everything for an infinity pool, a first class kitchen…actually the entire house was fantastic – as good as any 5 star! We heard a strange barking noise the first night…turns out there was a group of howler monkeys right outside the house. We saw them the next day. We weren’t sure that we ever wanted to leave this place! Did I mention that the food was AMAZING! And you can drink the water! Can’t wait to go back! Jim G

Do you find this review helpful?   Yes   No

Helpful votes: 7 / 7

Best Vacation Ever.....

Review submitted: September 14, 2010   Date of arrival: July 15, 2010

This was our 1st vacation to Costa Rica. When we walked into this beautiful townhome, we couldn't believe it was even more stunning than the pictures portrayed. It was perfect for us and our 3 daughters (ages 21,17,16). I enjoyed my coffee and breakfast on the veranda every morning listening to the waves, monkeys and birds. It truly is a paradise. The management company couldn't have been nicer. They recommended a tour guide (Alex) who spent 4 different days with us. Our plan was to spend 9 days in CR...we alternated between an adventure day and a beach day...we always had a day of R and R and sun before our next adventure. We had maid service twice while there. She even unexpectedly did our laundry. We felt very safe in this lovely gated community and in the town of Portrero. I highly recommend this property. Thank you Jill and Jim for sharing your lovely home with us.

Do you find this review helpful?   Yes   No

Helpful votes: 8 / 8

Such a great time

Review submitted: January 31, 2010   Date of arrival: November 5, 2009

We had such a wonderful time in your home. You have thought of everything to make your home so comfortable. We thoroughly enjoyed sitting on the patio, hanging out by the pool, taking walks on the beach. It was such a relaxing vacation...I think I read two books in a week! Thak you for sharing your beautiful home. We will definitely be back! Al and Tami

Do you find this review helpful?   Yes   No

Helpful votes: 4 / 4

A piece of Paradise

Review submitted: January 31, 2010   Date of arrival: May 3, 2009

What can I say....this is my third time staying in this fabulous home!! Every time I leave, I have to plan my next stay. This home is fantastic. The owners have thought of everything to make my stay perfect. It is very nicely decorated, the kitchen has absolutely EVERYTHING you could want. The ocean views are incredible. I have spent so many evenings watching the sunset from the patio, cocktail in hand. I never grow tired of it! It is so peaceful here. The beds are so comfortable, even the bunk beds (which nicely fit a large adult by the way). Thanks for the fabulous memories! Wayne

Do you find this review helpful?   Yes   No

Helpful votes: 4 / 4

What a vacation!!

Review submitted: January 31, 2010   Date of arrival: June 15, 2008

My girlfriends and I stayed in this awesome home for two weeks this summer. Wow, what a GREAT time!!! The house was amazing. We had so much fun....chillin' by the pool, sipping cocktails and watching beautiful sunsets on the patio..Definitely a trip to remember. We will definitely be coming back!

Do you find this review helpful?   Yes   No

Helpful votes: 4 / 4

Paradise

Review submitted: January 31, 2010   Date of arrival: February 20, 2008

We stayed at this townhome and had the best time!!! The views are stunning and the view from the pool is breathtaking. The house has all the comforts needed. It's truly feels like a "home away from home." It is perfect for a family or just someone trying to get away and bask in the sun! There are great "must see" beaches within walking distance. The pool is beautiful for those who aren't keen on the beach. We had a fantastic time. Thanks for sharing your home.

Do you find this review helpful?   Yes   No

Helpful votes: 4 / 4

Best family vacation ever!!

Review submitted: January 31, 2010   Date of arrival: June 10, 2009

Bringing our kids, age 25, 22 and 19 on this action packed vacation full of adventure was a great idea. We did the zip lines, ATV tour, horseback riding, surfing, hiking, swimming and more. The house is beautiful and comfortable with every modern convenience. We ate at fantastic local restaurants. Our favorite was Sol y Mar, a short walk from the house. Luna Rosa is a short drive and Sugar Beach is a wonderful resort just down the road with a restaurant overlooking the ocean. We were able to find itens in the nearby markets to grill on the patio as we watched the sun sink into the Pacific Ocean. Wehn we needed to relax we went to the infinity pool or sat on the patio and gazed at the beauty beneath us. We have never met friendlier people than the tour guides and local merchants. The dollar is excepted everywhere. The house was absolutely fantastic. There is something for everyone. Book this home today and make sure you do two weeks, one is not enough. Wow!! We will be back

Do you find this review helpful?   Yes   No

Helpful votes: 4 / 4

The perfect home away from home....

Review submitted: January 31, 2010   Date of arrival: February 10, 2009

We (two couples celebrating our 40th anniversaries together) spent 4 nights of our three week Costa Rican stay here, and we could not have asked for a more appropriate "grand finale." Early morning coffee on the pation and sunsets from the fabulous pool and beach were real treats. The spacious home has every possible amenity - lots of space, comfortable beds, a fabulous kitchen, security system, and very welcome laundry facilities - that were SO appreciated! We even enjoyed books and games provided. We took full advantage of the notebook of restaurants and suggested activities. A lot of thoughtful effort was but into this. One member of our group really enjoyed visiting (even with limited Spanish) with the local neighbor family accross the road from the townhome. Having our own car was definitely a plus for exploring the area. Thank you for sharing your home! Paul, Barb, Bart and Erika - now back to snowy Pagosa Springs

Do you find this review helpful?   Yes   No

Helpful votes: 4 / 4

Beautiful Home and Location

Review submitted: January 31, 2010   Date of arrival: January 15, 2009

We stayed in this house (2 couples) for 8 nights and each day was better than the one before. Everything about the property is fantastic. The kitchen is amazing. We love to cook and it was fully equipped with everything you might need. The bedrooms and bathrooms are large and beautifully done. The view from the pation is stunning. It's very close to the beach. The only drawback is for people either elderly or mobibility problems as the home is set on a hillside and has stairs and a few hills.

Do you find this review helpful?   Yes   No

Helpful votes: 4 / 4