Cliff side Costa Rican home with private pool surrounded by wildlife Reviews, Deals & Photos 2025

Q: Is Cliff side Costa Rican home with private pool surrounded by wildlife pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

Q: Where is Cliff side Costa Rican home with private pool surrounded by wildlife located?

Nestled on the beach, this Cuajiniquil vacation home is within a 10-minute walk of Pitahaya Beach and Playa Cementerio. Playa Azul and Playa Coco are also within 3 mi (5 km).

10/10 Excellent

Michael B.

Jun 6, 2023

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

Amazing place!

Stayed 6 nights in May 2023

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10/10 Excellent

Jorge G.

Jul 18, 2023

Amazing as always

3rd time booking this unique property! Magical as always! Found everything I needed and had a great time.

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8/10 Good

Jeff P.

Dec 9, 2023

Secluded getaway

Casa Don Marcos is a perfect place to get away from it all. It has great Ocean views and you have the beach pretty much to yourself. The pool is awesome and is cleaned daily. Just be aware of the tides, which restricts your comings and goings from the property. Also as most of the reviews state you will need a 4X4 vehicle with high clearance. I would definitely stay here again.

Stayed 9 nights in Nov 2023

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2/10 Terrible

Patrick M.

Jan 5, 2023

Misleading Listing and BUGS - BE VERY CAREFUL!!

The good: The location is spectacular (once you get there). The bad: The listing is extremely misleading. It says a 4x4 is required and you must cross the beach, which sounds idyllic. Unfortunately we discovered that what it doesn't say is you must also cross a river (and river crossings are not allowed by rental car agreements). The river is no joke especially after it has rained. You then must go through a very narrow passing in the forest. And, you need to know that access to/from the house is cut off by the tides (approx 2 hours on either side of high tide). The bugs are very bad, as the house is not properly sealed. The gap under the front door, for example, is about an inch. Think of it more like a cabana. We had a great deal of food ruined by ants. There were a variety of insects throughout the house - kitchen, bathrooms, bedrooms. Pretty gross. There is also black mold in one bathroom (which we sent a picture of to property management, and were advised they just couldn't find the right color paint to cover it up!). We were scheduled to stay for two nights but left after one. Needless to say we were extremely disappointed. We have tried to resolve the issue with property management and Vacasa, allow them to update the listing so it's more honest, and avoid leaving a negative review, but have been equally disappointed in the customer service. Bottom line is please beware if you're considering this location. Know that access is difficult, nature is inside and customer service with Vacasa is poor. We recommend you look elsewhere. If you do book this house, we recommend booking through Airbnb.

10/10 Excellent

Lorel C.

Nov 13, 2021

Liked: Cleanliness, communication, location, listing accuracy

Disliked: Check-in

Amazing Views, Relaxing Stay

Too many good things to say to list them all. The house was as pictured, very simple but just about all you need for a stay. The pool was well maintained. Our favorite thing was the solitude. We saw less than 10 people on the beach all week, making the stay very private. The beach crossing to get to the house was an adventure at high tide. Definitely recommend a larger 4x4 if possible, crossing the estuary in our RAV4 was difficult at times. Download the tides for Playa Pitahaya and aim to not arrive/depart at high tide. The grounds have grown up a bit since the pictures were taken and the ocean/sunset view is more obstructed from the house/porch than shown. The only real complaint would be with the communication. We were contacted by at least 4 different people that said they represented the property, which was super unusual. Even Vacasa, which seems to manage the property, did not have the correct name for the person that is locally managing the house, which is Zak. At one point we were sent a link by text message (by someone named Leah, who is not listed with Vacasa as a property manager) and told to click on it to download an app for future communication. That seemed very sketchy and although now realize it was probably legitimate, all of these details should be included in the house information on the VRBO listing. We also couldn’t get specific directions or contact information until the day of travel, we had a little anxiety that we didn’t receive it before our early AM flights and that we wouldn’t be able to view that information once we landed in CR. It all worked out but I was worried right until we pulled up that it may be a scam. Zak was very prompt and timely with responses, we appreciated his assistance with the beach crossing. All in all, an amazing week, but would prefer to avoid all of the communication/travel anxiety for future stays.

Stayed 7 nights in Nov 2021

8/10 Good

Carlos

Mar 30, 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication

Great place to stay. Just the las 500 meters to the property you have to go on the beach sand and with high tide you can’t exit on summer. In winter will be worst.

Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2024

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10/10 Excellent

Andrew S.

Feb 11, 2023

Casa Don Marcos

It was exactly what i was looking for...peaceful, remote, and the view is priceless. Leah, Michael and David were excellent and always responsive.

Stayed 9 nights in Jan 2023

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10/10 Excellent

Michelle and Paul F.

Aug 15, 2022

Great getaway

This home was a great way to get away from the day to day and really vacation. Leah, Mike and David were all super hosts and communicated very well and quickly anytime we needed anything. It’s not the easiest place to find or get to - but that is part of the adventure. You’ll definitely want 4 wheel drive if you are there in the rainy season. The property was beautiful. The pool and the view are amazing. The wildlife is all around you. There are great little restaurants in the neighboring beach towns within 10-15 mins of the property. We would recommend this place to anyone looking to do something a little different than your typical beach vacation.

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10/10 Excellent

Cristian J.

Aug 10, 2022

Great location

We loved to stay at Casa Don Marcos. Just getting there is an adventure. The view is amazing. The pool and gardens are beautiful. We had all we needed to relax and enjoy the tranquility and privacy of the place

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8/10 Good

Katherine W.

Apr 30, 2022

Slice of Paradise

Amazing location. Private. Beach only access. Lots of wildlife. Beaches on both sides. Gorgeous sunsets with constant perfect breezes. Cool restaurants and little towns up and down the coast. Bring everything that maybe needed as far as food, shampoos, etc. What a gem! Great place to slow down and enjoy the moment! Big thank you to David, Michael and Leah!

10/10 Excellent

Deb w., Saint Louis

Apr 4, 2022

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

Just like the pictures

First, this is an amazing place and we will surely go back. The hosts Michael and Leah could not have been more helpful and responsive, along with the caretaker down the hill David. The view was spectacular, the stars at night in the sky were unlike anything we have ever seen. With that we will be better prepared for our next visit. We were 4 hours late arriving due to travel delays, which meant a rush to the house to cross the beach before dark. Our rental was a Subaru Outback, which I thought would be adequate. Next time I will know to rent a 4x4 truck, We only got stuck once and Michael pulled us out, but the crossing is harrowing, there is a reason there is a tide chart in the house, it's because the day we tried to cross at full moon high tide only a sliver of beach was left that we got stuck on. The beauty of this house is it's off the beaten track, so know the nearest groceries are an hour away on rough gravel roads, unless you go in town to the mini-super with very limited selection. Know you can not go out at night, the beach crossing would be impossible in my view, however that was fine with us it was so beautiful we didn't want to go out. Also, because of the isolation we went 3 days without water (no fault of the hosts, was city-wide outage) and had daily electric outages. It was an inconvenience, but we jumped in the pool each day and had jugs of water to flush the toilets. So, bottom line is you have trade-offs for the isolation, which is worth it to us. Casa Don Marcos is a special place, however probably not for everyone. We know next time to rent a truck and arrive a day early to be able to stock up on necessities and not be in a panic.

Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2022

10/10 Excellent

JOANN S.

Mar 30, 2022

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

a wonderful place!

quiet and isolated, but not too far from a town for groceries or a restaurant or the fish market in san juanilla. you DO need a 4WD to get there and recommend a pickup truck rather than a Rav4. it was a perfect setting for a relaxing get-away. appeared well-kept and maintained. the pool was wonderful and kept clean by david each day. leah was helpful with a prompt answer to every question. everything we needed was there - glasses, dishes, silverware, pots & pans, utensils, microwave, stove top, toaster oven and grill. the ocean view and sunsets were incredible. we woke every morning to the monkeys howling. the ride there was a bit long and the gravel road for the last half wasn't great - but it was worth it. beds were comfortable and thank goodness for the air conditioning at night. would love to go back.

Stayed 9 nights in Mar 2022

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10/10 Excellent

Robert V.

Mar 2, 2022

Most Peaceful Location!

We absolutely loved our stay at Casa Don Marcos. If you are looking for a private, peaceful location, it can't be beat. Ocean on three sides, a private pool and a comfortable house with a fully equipped kitchen. When we first arrived, we both thought it was even more beautiful than the pictures showed. There are birds and howler monkeys to see (and hear!) and long walks on the surrounding beaches. It was by far the most relaxing holiday we've ever had. We went grocery shopping in Nosara on our second day and then just cooked every night for dinner. It seemed like the easiest thing to do. We have already booked a return visit next year - a first for us, as we usually like to try new places. Highly recommended for a peaceful, relaxing vacation.

10/10 Excellent

Joanell T.

Feb 1, 2022

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

A HIDDEN GEM

My friend and I have been so enjoying our time here at Casa Don Marcus. What a hidden gem! The area is just magical, the home is perfect, the location exquisite and the people are wonderful. We could not have stayed at a more perfect place to call home for a few weeks. This is a special place that will nourish you, body, mind and spirit.

Stayed 14 nights in Jan 2022

10/10 Excellent

Shay G.

Dec 27, 2021

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

Beautiful place, would love to come back

I don't usually write reviews, but this place was just amazing. Getting there was an adventure, you have to drive on the beach and that is somewhat stressful. Over we arrived though the house is beautiful, situated just above the ocean with a nice grass lawn and a pool. The property is maintained well and zak was a perfect host, always helpful and positive, super available. This being Costa Rica, there were a few things like water and power out occasionally but those cleared in an hour or less. There was a problem with the water heater that took a few tries to fix but again zak was wonderful. Will definitely try to stay here again next time we are in Costa Rica.

Stayed 6 nights in Dec 2021

10/10 Excellent

Kosha C.

Nov 29, 2021

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

Do not wait

Do not pass go. Do not collect $200. Just go and stay at Casa Don Marcos. This house exceeded all expectations. The customer service was impecable (Leah and Zak are impressive, to say the least. And David…I was ready to bring him back with us to the US). The stay was incredible. From start to finish, we felt taken care of. We even had a “not enough cash on hand, do I have time to get to the nearest ATM?” issue and Leah handled it and helped me without batting an eye. We truly felt taken care of. And the house! Omg. The pool. The seclusion. The feeling of home. The beach. Literally, I don’t know if we can go anywhere without our own private pool anymore. This property and this management group spoiled us. And we are grateful for it.

Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2021

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10/10 Excellent

Ana Gabriela B.

Nov 28, 2021

A piece of heaven in earth

I loved everything, the location, the house, the pool, all was beautiful and perfect

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10/10 Excellent

Kim R.

Aug 21, 2021

Amazing Destination!

This setting and the people have been amazing to us. We made some friends along this journey too. The view is beyond spectacular! This is a must do again for us. The roads are definitely rough here but well worth it. A must have at this Casabis a 4x4 for getting around. Leah and her team have been the best we could ask for and we appreciate everyone who made this trip so enjoyable for us. We will miss all the pups who we met and I in particular will miss my little Pelusa! Pura Vida!!!

Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2021

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10/10 Excellent

Oliver P.

Aug 2, 2021

Schönes Haus in traumhafter Lage!!!

Die Anfahrt ist eine kleine Herausforderung, aber das Haus mit seiner absolut wunderschönen Lage und die phänomenale Aussicht auf zwei wilde Strände entschädigt für alles! Man könnte den ganzen Tag nur auf der schönen Veranda sitzen ( oder in der Hängematte liegen oder im Pool sich treiben lassen) und auf den Pazifik blicken! Georgina und David waren sehr freundliche Hausverwalter und mit Michael haben wir eine unvergessliche Bootstour an der Küste entlang gemacht!! Schade war nur, dass in einem Schlafzimmer die Klimaanlage nicht funktionierte und es dadurch nachts sehr heiß war. Aber ansonsten alles top!

10/10 Excellent

Britt C., Alma, Michigan, USA

Jul 7, 2021

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

A true escape

Casa Don Marcos is a wonderful, quiet home overlooking two beautiful, empty beaches with longer beaches just up the coast. We spent three weeks in June at the home and loved every minute of our time there. Zach and Mike were great to work with, and David and Georgina (and Peluca) took care of everything we asked but also gave us all the privacy we wanted. There are a few amenities in nearby Marbella (small grocery store, a "soda", and a restaurant), but much more a bit further out in either direction. Of all the homes we have stayed in during our vacations in Costa Rica, this one was the perfect combination of quiet, clean, inviting, and beautiful surroundings and sunsets (the posted photos cannot do the house justice!). I would recommend not only a 4x4 (which is required), but perhaps not the smallest one: the lower clearance of the Toyota Rave we rented was occasionally a problem. Pura Vida!

Stayed 21 nights in Jun 2021

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10/10 Excellent

Celina H.

Jul 5, 2021

Paradise

Zak and Pelusa “ the dog” made our vacation superb!

Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

May 31, 2021

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

Off the beaten path

Amazing. Simply Amazing! Zak, the Vacasa Property Manager was fantastic. Excellent communication. Which is what you need if you're going to stay at casa Don Marcos home in Marbella. You MUST have a 4x4 vehicle. The only way in is driving a short distance across the beach. And Zak led me across the beach to Casa Don Marcos and WOW!!! Stunning. Breathtaking. One of the most beautiful places I've ever stayed. You are situated on a bluff, right on the ocean. The view is amazing. The sound of the ocean, the crashing waves, the howler monkeys, the birds, the cicadas, and the thunder are what I'm really going to miss. It's a magical place. There is a staircase to the roof! So you can go up to the top of the house for a spectacular view. Bed was very comfy, kitchen has everything you need, plenty of towels and an outdoor shower to rinse off the sand. You are a 3 minute walk from your own private beach. I'm not kidding. I saw a couple of locals during my 9 night stay that came to fish. When the tide goes out, all of the black rock is exposed and there are tons of tide pools to explore. No snorkeling here on this little beach. But I found lots of beautiful shells and had the place to myself. For groceries, you can walk to Marbella, about a 25 minute walk where there is a small store that has a little of everything. David, the care taker, keeps the leaves out of the beautiful pool and takes great care of the property. When you're driving to Casa Don Carlos, the last 11 miles is a dirt road. So if you're looking for a resort, to be pampered, to eat at fine restaurants, this is not the place for you. It's tropical, there are bugs, ants, lizards, crab that you'll encounter. If you leave food out, you'll have ants. If you want to leave the world behind, this is the place for you.

Stayed 8 nights in May 2021

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10/10 Excellent

Hillory F.

May 18, 2021

Beautiful View

This place was great. The view is amazing and the staff was very helpful. You need a 4x4 to access but worth the adventure.

Stayed 2 nights in May 2021

10/10 Excellent

Kristin H.

Mar 28, 2021

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

Rural perfection

I hesitate to write this, this place is spectacular. The location is perfect, the beaches are lovely and the pool was super clean and well maintained. The owner and team (Zak) manager this property wonderfully. We felt safe and hated to leave.

Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2021

10/10 Excellent

John B.

Feb 24, 2021

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

One of a kind awesomeness

Can’t wait to return. The place was spectacular and Zak made sure we enjoyed every minute. Pura vida!

Stayed 9 nights in Jan 2021

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Cliff side Costa Rican home with private pool surrounded by wildlife

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