Casa Escapada Close to Beaches and Nature in Ojochal

LOCATION  

Calle Principal, Ojochal, Puntarenas, Costa Rica, Central America (30 minutes north to Dominical, 20 minutes south to Palmar Sur).  We are on the Main Street in Ojochal less than a five minute drive from the Costanera Highway--about 1 kilometer or 1/2 mile.

LA ESCAPADA

La Escapada is our home away from home located on the southwestern coast of Costa Rica in a little village called Ojochal.  On some maps it is still called Tortuga Abajo.  We consider it our little piece of paradise that we are happy to share when we are not here.  There are numerous reasons why we consider it our paradise.  Costa Rica is a very peaceful country and because of that their resources do not go into the military... they have no military.  Their priorities are education and health care.  They have the highest literacy rate of all third world countries and their health care is on par or better than the United States.  And let me not forget the vast array of interesting and unusual plants and animals... and spectucular beaches.  You will notice that I did not list infrastructure as a priority and, if you visit, you will experience their lack of transportation infrastructure first hand.

HOW TO GET THERE

It is a 4 hour drive from San Jose through the Sierra de la Muerte, a beautiful mountain range, or 4 hour drive or bus ride on the coastal route (a much easier drive) or a 40 minute flight from San Jose to a local airport in Palmar Sur.  There are numerous car rentals in San Jose or you can take a van and rent a car when you arrive.  You can also take public transportation which goes conveniently from San Jose to Uvita (three hours) which is only a short taxi ride (10 minutes) to Ojochal or continue to Ojochal on the bus and get off at the Ojochal sign.

We have had our little piece of paradise for about ten years.  It is very comfortable, well kept and with the following amenities--refrigerator, gas stove, running water, hot water shower, fans in all rooms and on covered terrace, washing machine with solar dryer (clothes line), phone, fast speed internet and linens provided. It has two bedrooms (each with a double bed), bath, kitchen, living room with two daybeds/sofas and outside living area (terrace) with hammock. You will find it well kept, clean and with beautiful gardens.  We have a manager who will take care of any problems you might encounter while you are there.

There are numerous beaches around Ojochal, and they are very beautiful.  Visiting all but one of them requires a brief car ride.  These are all easily reachable by bus which passes about every two hours. The other, Playa Tortuga, you can walk to but requires strict attention to the tides as you can only wade through the river at low tide to get to it. Most of Costa Rica’s Pacific coast has very strong currents with dangerous rip tides, which is quite perfect for most surfers.  Not being surfers we picked this southern region of Costa Rica because of the calm water and ability to swim safely.  For those who are interested in surfing Domincal, a reknowned surf town, is only 30 minutes away.  Another plus to our beaches is the lack of people.  They are very secluded and without lifeguards, food concessions or any amenities –just you and nature.  At Playa Uvita you will be able to walk to a little settlement with restaurants and gift shops.  If you’re looking for a more populace area then Manuel Antonio is a nice trip and it is about one hour north on the newly paved section of the Costanera “Highway”. 

Because Ojochal is still relatively undeveloped (though that is changing), there is a large selection of wild animals.  You will hear the monkeys in the jungle early in the morning, the parrots flying overhead as the sun comes up and sets, and the vast array of other animals that live in the jungle.  At various times of the year the Toucans visit what we call the “Toucan Tree” to eat the seeds, giant iguanas are often seen sunning in the nearby trees and sometimes you will see monkeys nearby.  My favorite early morning visitors are the large blue irridescent Morpho butterflys that lop along their flight path right by and through our terrace.

There are also many other activities close by like snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking, boating, rafting, canopy tours (zip lines) etc.  The information office in Uvita (about 10 minutes to the north) can direct you.  Another nice trip is to the Osa where you can drive (or take the bus) to Sierpe... then take the water taxi to Drake's Bay.  Here you will find Corcovada National Park--the Amazon of Costa Rica.

Ojochal has a vast selection of fabulous international eateries, authentic French bakeries, local supermarket, excellent wine and liquior store and fresh seafood is readily available.

green season (May through Nov)  1 week-$200  2 weeks-$400  1 month-$350

high season (Dec thru April)  1 week-$350  2 weeks-$600 3 weeks-$700 1 month-$775

Stays of one month or more do not include electric and internet/telephone which depends on your usage but is usually around $65/mo..  Once you decide to book your dates I will require a $200 deposit to hold it.   When you arrive at the house it will become your security deposit which will be returned to you when you leave if there is no damage.  I will require half of the rental fee 60 days before your arrival and the other half when you arrive.  If you cancel 60 days prior to your arrival date you will receive your full deposit back but less than 60 days only half will be returned to you.

For stays more than one month a lower price will be negotiated.