If you’re going to rent a place in Costa Rica that’s on the beach, make sure it’s actually on the beach! Villa Central, one of three gorgeous villas in Caballitos del Mar, is as close to the beach as you can legally build in Costa Rica, yet the jungle and gardens that surround it provide privacy and intimacy with proximity. Villa Central has a gorgeous tiled pool that wraps around the expansive terrace, and it’s where you’ll spend most of your time. Outdoor dining allows you to hear the ocean and smell the salt spray regardless of the water, with large eaves if it rains, and an overhead fan for comfort. The kitchen is close at hand through large sliding glass doors, so the chef doesn’t feel left out of the conversation, or the views.
The three large bedrooms all have A/C and two have ensuite bathrooms, but you’ll end up opening the screened windows so you can let the sound of the ocean lull you to bed. The upstairs bedrooms even have private balconies where you can watch the waves and check the tide. All linens and towels, for pool and bath, are included. There’s also a large living room, and dining area downstairs, surrounded by native plants, palm trees, and some primary forest trees that are 100’ tall.
One of the reasons the south Pacific coast is so popular is the town of Dominical, a quiet surf town with great restaurants and convenient stores. Villa Central is only 5 minutes away from Dominical by car, or when the tide is out, it’s a gorgeous 20 minute stroll on the beach. Known for having great surfing, Dominical also has a broad beach that extends out 100 yards or so during low tide. Walk to breakfast, or grab a drink at sunset, without having to get in a car to get someplace.
There’s only one type of tourism in Costa Rica, and that’s ecotourism. Villa Central is truly central to the wide variety of excursions that allow you to explore this renowned area. North about 45 minutes is Manuel Antonio National Park, and south about an hour is the gateway to Corcovado and the Osa Peninsula, one of the most biodiverse places on earth. The concierge service at our property manager’s office can hook your family up with horseback rides to waterfalls, ziplining, birdwatching safaris, kayak torus of mangroves and sea caves, and river rafting. It’s all good, and it’s only a phone call away.
Villa Central is one of three identical villas on the same property, so if you have a large family (or a class reunion), you can rent two or three villas at the same time for up to 25 people. No one gets short changed since the villas are identical and all have gorgeous pools. Contact yougethere.com for more information on renting more than one villa.
Caballitos del Mar and the three villas are about 3 hours from Juan Santamaria Int’l Airport in Alajuela (San Jose), and renting a car is easy. All roads are paved and you won’t need a big four wheel drive to navigate mountain roads: the driving is straightforward and any rental car can handle it.
There’s a lovely Tico couple that lives on the property, and they can provide light housekeeping services, and they keep the pools and gardens in primo condition.
Villa Central: convenient to the things you want most, and secluded for privacy. The perfect combination of Pura Vida.
Guests Reviews
The house itself is spacious and comfortable; we loved the air-conditioned bedrooms after days filled with adventures and tours. The grounds are beautifully maintained, and we all enjoyed sitting outdoors and watching interesting birds and lizards. The private pool was an absolute highlight... it's far bigger in person than it appears in the pictures. The beach, a mere 30-second walk about the back door, was absolutely spectacular. During low tide, Dominical was a 25-ish minute walk on the beach. The property managers and on-site caretakers were friendly and helpful. When we return to Costa Rica, I will absolutely be looking to book this property again!
The home was very well equipped with kitchen supplies, beach towels, bath towels and plenty of seating. This was by far the cleanest VRBO I have stayed in. The staff/housekeeper went above and beyond to make sure our stay was pleasant. The home is close to the beach but we didn't swim in it because of the rip tides. The pool was amazing and perfect for our kids. The 3 houses are very close which would be great for families or friends staying close by. We loved the iguanas that hung around the pool.
Check-in times are between 4:00 PM and 8:30 PM.
Check-out times are between 5:00 AM and 10:00 AM.
