| Date | Rating | Comment
[Guest Comments: 22 positive, 0 negative]
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| 08/25/09 |
Positive
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Wow!!! My husband and I and our five children, ages 8 through 16, had a fantastic time staying at Casa De Ventanas August 6 - 13, 2009. The natural beauty of the rain forest surrounding the house was intoxicating. The first day our children took a walkie-talkie and plunged into the rain forest to find the nearest waterfall. What an adventure! My husband and I followed them twenty minutes later with the other walkie-talkie. What a sight! I think something grew out of every inch of soil. What a work-out! The pool in the backyard felt soooo good after all the hiking.
We truly enjoyed dodging the waves and tiny crabs at the beaches Playa Ventanas and Playa Ballena (National Park). The sea caves at Playa Ventanas were fascinating.
My favorite tour was the horseback ride to Nauyaca Waterfalls. The food and hospitality at Don Lulo's home was excellent. The kids were able to softly stroke a toucan inside a walk-in cage, and we saw two tamed Scarlet Macaws up close outside of the cage. We ate a delicious small, spiky fruit that I've never seen before. We climbed up the middle of a pounding waterfall with the help of a rope and our guide's steady hand. Then we took an exhilarating leap off a 12-foot high rock into the pool at the bottom of the waterfall. The horses were sure-footed, and a true joy to ride.
The Osa Canopy (zipline) Tour was top-notch. Before long we were hanging upside down and wizzing through the tree tops. It was better than the rides at Sea World and Fiesta Texas combined!
Nothing beats eating fresh caught tuna! The boys never caught so many ocean fish (37 each?). They fed a small village in addition to our family.
Costa Rica was so very green and lush, everywhere we looked. The views of the Pacific Ocean were breathtaking. The people we met were very pleasant, friendly, and helpful. We all got an education learning new words. The trip was a great success! Thank you, Jay! Thank you, Joan! We never would have had this opportunity without you. Thank you for opening our eyes to the beauty of Costa Rica.
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Paige Parker, San Antonio, Texas
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Homeowner Response:
I am so glad you guys had a great time Paige. Funny, but everyone's experience (including my own on each trip) is a little different, but so much the same. I hope the unspoiled mountains and sea remain that way for many, many years to come. Thanks for the wonderful comments. Jay
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| 07/06/09 |
Positive
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We have been to Costa Rica several times and this was our third year coming to Cinco Ventanas. We stayed at the Casa Ventanas for 25 days in June 2009 and absolutely loved it.
This gorgeous villa is away from high tourist areas and set in an unspoiled part of Costa Rica. It is spacious, well appointed and has everything we could have needed for our stay. In fact, the photos do not render justice to your property. For us, it outshined by far many villas we have rented before. We want to thank Jay for sharing such a great place and for the easy communication. He really does care about our comfort.
We were impressed by many other things. The ocean, jungle and mountain views from the pool deck are unbelievable. We kept our wildlife guide and binoculars out constantly and enjoyed bird watching, as well as viewing howler monkeys play nearby. Butterflies, humming birds, toucans, parrots are just some of the delights from the terrace. We were amazed how much wildlife there is around your villa.
The early morning walks for watching birds and the jungle coming alive followed by a dip in the very private and topnotch pool were one other big part of it. Overall, this property makes a great spot just for swimming, sunbathing and gazing. It's simply Pura Vida!
The local French bakery in Ojochal made the best bread we ever had in Costa Rica. The local wine and cheese shop and the groceries had unexpected gourmet food items and very good wine choices. It did contribute pretty well - along with the firefly shows and nature songs - to our magnificent evenings.
Add to these beauties the kindness of everyone we met, including the lovely couple Joan and Mau. Their thoughtfulness and friendliness help create one of our most memorable vacations in Costa Rica. Please Jay thanks them for all they did.
Let it suffice to say that we would definitively stay at Casa Ventanas again and strongly advise anyone that is thinking of coming to this beautiful part of Costa Rica to seriously consider this house as their base. Thank you again!
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Yves, NB, Canada
506.739-8977 |
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Homeowner Response:
Yves, thank you so much! I am glad you all had such a wonderful trip. I am constantly amazed by what the guests see that I have not seen in my prior trips! Jay
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| 06/03/09 |
Positive
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For anyone wanting to visit Costa Rica, this vacation home is where you want to stay. The house is beautiful, the grounds and scenery are gorgeous. There is a waterfall within an easy hike that is really serene. The home owner and property manager are friendly and incredibly service oriented.
Upon arrival, the property manager met us and showed us through the house. The gave us their contact number in case we had any questions. We did call them a them a couple times during our week stay since we had never been to the area, we needed a little help in directions etc., The property owner also called to check on us and provided his contact information. All in all, we felt so well taken care of. We recommend Costa Rica and this house to everyone. |
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Lorri Renaud, San Antonio Texas
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| 04/01/09 |
Positive
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We had an incredible time at Casa de Ventanas! The house is great! We had plans to stay at a different house in the area and found that it did not live up to its description on VRBO… We found an internet café in Uvita and got back on to VRBO… we saw the listing and a quick call to Jay (the owner of Casa de Ventanas) and he got us in to this wonderful house last minute! Joan and Mau, the property managers were attentive and welcoming and really went the extra mile to help make our stay fabulous. The house itself is perfectly laid out for a group (we had 5 people) with the master set aside on its own wing and the other bedrooms also set off from the living room area to create a nice amount of privacy. The widows and screen doors were also and major plus… we spent every night with the doors open and the screens shut… falling asleep to the sounds of frogs and the jungle and awoken by the monkeys in the trees at dawn… perfect. The view and the pool and the cabaña and the waterfall and the hike and the BBQ and the monkeys and the toucans and the “everything else”, meant that there was some days we didn’t even leave the property… Very relaxing.
When we did leave the house, the nearby beaches, snorkeling trips and restaurants were all great. We have been to Costa Rica many times, but this was our first trip to the Ojochal area and we simply fell in love with it!! We will be back! Many times, I imagine!
Thank you, Jay, Joan and Mau!
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Steven Bailey, California |
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Homeowner Response:
Glad it all worked out Steven. I hate to see anyone not enjoy the beautiful "Costa Ballena". We really do care about our guests, and all of these comments make the effort worthwhile. Pura Vida. Jay
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| 03/22/09 |
Positive
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| We had a wonderful week at Casa Ventanas. The home was very clean and well kept and the locals who cared for the place were very friendly and helpful. The owner, Jay, stayed in touch and offered useful answers to questions during our preparation for the visit. The view was fantastic from the home and it was nice and private. The waterfall described on the website was wonderful for the kids. They were able to play in water without getting fried in the sun. Absolutely a super vacation site! |
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Rick & Michele |
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| 03/13/09 |
Positive
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Hi Jay;
Wanted to take this opportunity to add a few comments regarding our stay at the Uvita residence. We had a wonderful stay for sure.
This was our sixth year of coming to the area. We have stayed at several different locations over the years, but your vaction home was the best! We had all the ammenities, including phone and wireless internet. The decor was beautifully done, and made for such a pleasant and luxurious stay. We enjoyed the pool each and every day as the weather was perfectly hot every single day. That was especially nice for us as we had left -40 and lots of snow!
The area around Uvita is beautiful and has beaches that are truly amazing. It is hard to believe or describe the beauty until you actually experience it. The Costa Rican people are always helpful and kind. In the six years we have explored the area, we still haven't had enough time to do all we would like. Each year there is always something new opening up, or starting out along the coastal area. Thank you for your recommendations of where to eat and what to see. There was nothing we were disappointed with.
We found cooking our meals at night on the bbq and star gazing was great fun. The constellations were not always easy for us to find as they are in different locations than we are used to - but part of the fun to try and discouver. Good thing we didn't have to navigate around the globe with our knowledge!
The on-site property management people were excellent. We had great service and wouldn't hesitate to recommend to others.
Thanks again Jay for all your help with facilitating a most enjoyable holiday. We expect we will be in touch soon.
Cheers,
Murray & Pam
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Murray & Pam Acton, saskatoon, sk |
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Homeowner Response:
Thanks Murray! We're actually 1km north of Ojochal....so technically not Uvita. But who's counting! I am so glad you guys had a great time. I feel the same way you do each and every one of my trips down to the "Costa Ballena". Thanks for staying with us, and we look forward to your return trip.
jay
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| 02/25/09 |
Positive
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We consider ourselves truly lucky to have spent eight great days at Casa de Ventanas in February. There were six of us (three couples) and after a fairly busy week of travelling around Costa Rica we were ready for some R & R and this was the perfect location. We felt that we could do as little or as much as we wanted. Just to spend the day at the house, watching birds and animals, listening to the howlers and the chicharras, sunning by the pool, swimming, reading or having a little siesta was a real treat. And those were the quiet days! We loved the walk from the house down to the waterfall and the swimming ponds. This is truly a very special spot. It is so quiet and peaceful. We had a picnic lunch and a refreshing swim there one day. It was a great way to cool off from the heat of the day, and we found some really neat frogs, and a sloth on the hike back up to the house. We also enjoyed walking up the road to the mountain top for the view out over the ocean. Now that is good exercise!
There is so much to do in this area of Costa Rica that you can be fully occupied every day if you wish. The men went fishing one day with Aldea del Rio and caught enough mahimahis for three deliscious suppers. (And they did all the cooking, too) The women went horseback riding with Rancho La Merced, just north of Uvita. The first time we did the ride up to the waterfall, which we enjoyed so much that we went back another day to do an early morning ride on the incredibly beautiful Playa Hermosa. If you like riding we would really recommend the Playa ride as they have excellent horses and if you have experience you can take them for an exhilerating run on a beautiful deserted beach.
And the beaches are not to be missed! We particularly liked Playa Ventanas and had way too much fun with the boogie boards and the surf. I think I still have sand in my ears.
The Casa has all the amenities you need, and is so roomy and spacious that you can have as much privacy as you wish.
We did visit a few of the recommended restaurants in the area and they did not disappoint. But I think that we more enjoyed cooking supper and eating in the rancho. It is hard to beat that ambience. The sky at night was brilliant with stars and so very clear. There is no light pollution here.
Thank you Jay for your suggestions of what to do (the contact list on the phone is more than helpful)and for being so enthusiastic about this wonderful region in Costa Rica, and for providing so much info on your website and in advance. And Joan and Mau were there to ensure that you have no worries when you are at the house. We were so glad that we had picked this location and our only regret when we left was that we couldn't spend three or four more days. |
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Joy & Murray, Regina, SK, Canada |
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Homeowner Response:
Sounds like a great trip Joy. Why do the guests always see and experience more than I do? Jay
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| 01/21/09 |
Positive
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Hi Jay:
Point for feedback...
- The satellite internet was a major plus. Being there over Christmas made us a bit homesick but relief was just an email or a phone call away (on Skype).
- The place is laid out beautifully for both families and couples sharing, with each having a separate wing. It provided for lots of privacy and the three baths are a big plus. We loved the design and how the focus is on the pool and the view with all that glass. The outdoor gazebo is also a stroke of genius - we spent almost all of our time out there and never ate a meal inside even when it rained.
- We loved the sound of all the wildlife especially early in the morning and at twilight when the monkeys were so vocal and the birds all chirping cheerily away. We saw howlers almost every day and toucans and parrots and a red-headed woodpecker and morpho butterflies by the dozen.
- We loved the incredible quiet and remoteness of both the Casa and the surrounding countryside. Starry, starry nights were so enjoyable in an area so unaffected by pollution
- Thanks for recommending Aldea Del Rio in Sierpe. We were able to set up a day trip with them to Osa and Corcovado. We had the exclusive use of a boat and guide for the day and had a remarkable hike in the jungle. The young Tico guide was extremely knowledgeable and his English excellent.
- The restaurants were excellent and at least two were world class (Citrus and Exotica). We had a great time at Gringo Mike's Saturday evening pizza buffet. We also went often to Mike's (AKA Joe's, his son) for breakfast - amazing breakfast pizza and all kinds of fancy coffee's. And for New Year's Eve we went to a party at Ron y Adies in the village - fellow Canadian ex-pats.
- The Saturday morning market at Uvita was a great place to get fresh fruit and vegetables and all kinds of home-baked treats.
- We were pleasantly surprised by the selection of wines that Lucie had at her Licoria at the foot of the mountain (another Canadian, eh?)
- we found a source of fish so fresh that it was just out of the boat next to Gringo Mikes. We often bought snapper and shrimp and brought it home for supper.
The Trapp family lodge near San Jose Airport was a great little oasis in the dodgy area around the airport
- Playa De Ventanas must be everybody's idea of where they would like to be if marooned on a tropical island. The caves were unique and the beach virtually empty most of the time.
Jay, I could go on and on, but I think you get the picture...we're hooked on Costa Rica and this is due in no small way to the wonderful accommodation we received at Casa De Ventanas. A million thanks for providing us with so much useful information. We won't hesitate to pass on our exceptional enjoyment of the Casa to friends and family and wish you every success in your endeavours with it.
Pura vida!
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Don and Susan Clarkson, Waterdown Ontario Canada |
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Homeowner Response:
Thanks for the kind words Don. I think you have a very unique perspective given a 4 week stay at the house. I am glad you guys had such a wonderful stay. Jay
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| 10/20/08 |
Positive
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Our bunch really enjoyed our stay at Casa Ventanas in mid-August! The property and house are perfect for three couples or a family group.The landscaping is very attractive and atracts a wide variety of wildlife We had regular visits of toucans,parrots,a wide variety of bird species and butterflies,together with a sloth and several howler monkeys.We were there at the early part of the wet season,so had rain showers every afternoon from about 4-6 pm.They always came at a perfect time for a nap before dinner.
The beach is a short 10 minutes away and very attractive.We were surprised by the quality of the two European restaurants in "town"---excellent dining!
We had a great time and plan to make a return visit! |
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Dudley Oldham, Houston,Texas
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| 09/02/08 |
Positive
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August 4-10, 2008
We were looking for a place to stay which would offer us isolation from the "tourist" sections and a chance to see an abundance of wildlife on our own time. We wanted to be off the beaten path and your home provided us with exactly what we wanted plus more.
We loved coming home, after spending our days out, to the efreshing pool. The hike, from your place, to the waterfall was a lot of fun. We do recommend reading the book with information first...LOL. As we didn't, and on our first hike down we stopped at the fallen tree and thought we couldn't get to the waterfall. We soon discovered we should have gone around the fallen tree. Absolutely beautiful and peaceful!We enjoyed listening to the Howler monkeys each day and night. We were able to see them on your property. We saw them at the bottom of the driveway just hanging out and we saw them on the move through the trees around the property. Your Rancho was an excellent addition! We sat under it each morning just admiring the endless sounds of animals/insects and the water rushing down the creek. It is a great place to sit and bird watch too (numerous Tanagers, Finches, and Hummingbirds). We even moved the chairs to sit under the tree, by the Rancho, to admire the gorgeous Chestnut-Mandible Toucans and the Firey-Bellied Aracaris. On our way, back and forth to the house, we were able to see: the Morpho Butterfly (also at the house), Green Iguana (a huge one in the middle of the road), Coati Mundi (at the house as well - in the tree next to the Rancho), Road Side Hawk and the Oropendola Nests (hanging nests). We ventured through the "neighborhood" to go into town. That was quite a ride, especially getting to drive the 4X4 through the creek. We also had stopped at the top of the mountain at the "lookout point" - gorgeous view on a clear day. We also stopped in to see Naomi & Steve at their house(talk about another fabulous view)! We ate at the restaurants everyone else had seemed to had eaten at -Exotica, Citrus, Boca Coronado, La Fogata, La Mancha, Cafe Iguana, La Cusinga, Talapia Farm, and the Ceviche place before Playa Ventannas. We woud recommend them all. I do have to say, La Cusinga was an unforgettable experience. We really experienced eating in the Rainforest with a rainstorm (at no extra charge...LOL - the lightning was magnificent out over the ocean). The restaurant in the states, Rainforest Cafe, does no justice to what we experienced! Playa Ventannas was nice. We really liked going into the caves at low tide. We also went to Playa Tortuga (recommended by Naomi & Steve) around 2:30-3:00 pm twice. We saw six Scarlet Macaws one day and twelve the next time we went. The vibrant colors of the Macaws were extraordinary to see up close without having to use binoculars! We were that close! We couldn't have asked for a better experience! We felt as we were part of Costa Rica and not just a typical tourist. Thanks again...Pura Vida!
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Bonnie & Jason, Palm Beach Gardens, FL
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Homeowner Response:
Thanks Bonnie and Jason. Glad you guys had such a wonderful time. The southern zone is a perfect fit for guys like you. Your attitude is the one essential to a great trip to a still unspoiled natural area. Regards, Jay
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| 08/05/08 |
Positive
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Jay,
Thanks for sharing your wonderful home with us. It was great waking up in the morning to the sounds of the jungle. We had rain on most days but only for short amounts of time. The remoteness and peacefulness made it extra special. We stayed up late at night just to sit in your beautiful back yard and enjoy the quiet. We had a great time with all your recommendations - The canopy tour with Hacienda Bura, and the horseback tour to the falls. We took a mangrove tour with Jaime tours which was exciting and then tried to visit his treehouse and the Tilipia Farm but the road got washed away. We loved eating at Citrus. It was our favorite. Exotica was great too and Lucy was a very pleasant host. We barbequed at the house twice after shopping at La Corona and the food was just like we would grill at home. We also fished with Jay out of Sierpe and caught a bonita. Not the best day, but tons of fun. We saw howler monkeys, sloths, macaws, bats, toucans, crocodiles, racoons, iquanas and I am sure lots more that I did not know the names of. The stream and waterfall below the house was beautiful too. And, the pool was enjoyed by young and old, every free moment we had.
Thanks again. |
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denise, san antonio texas
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| 08/02/08 |
Positive
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We stayed at Casa De Ventanas in June. We had 11 days of total relaxtion. We were first excited by the wonderful website and the pictures we saw but when we got there it was so much more than what we had expected. The pictures don’t do the place justice. The views are breathtaking. You feel like you are one with nature. We would go to bed every night around 8 or 8:30 and wake up in the early morning with the sun to the sound of howler monkeys and birds. It was not until the 10th day that we finally saw the howler monkeys in person up by the road at the gate and they did not disappoint. There was a whole family of them. They sat there for a long time as we just stared at each other and took pictures and video. They are very personable and seemed to enjoy us as much as we enjoyed them.
We traveled with our 3 children, one of which was just 3 ½ months old, and my mother-in-law. The house was very comfortable and had everything we needed. The pool was also great. If we wanted to cool off but did not want to trek down to the beach it was perfect. The waterfall is well worth the short hike. It is like a private utopia that we will never forget. Steve and Naomi are great people. Steve told Mike about some great surfing spots and even let Mike and our 11 year old son borrow 2 body boards and a surf board. He even gave us a phone number of a surf instructor. Their dogs Zimba and Bones came over and visited as well. Since we are animal people it was great. Zimba stayed for the better part of a day once.
We ate at many of the recommended restaurants. We found Exotica to be great. We loved the owners and the food was fabulous. We also liked Citrus. We went to the Talapia farm and we could have caught fish all day. We were the only people there when we went so we talked to the family that runs it. Even though their English is limited we learned a lot about each others lives. The fish that we caught was prepeared while we went to enjoy the waterfall across the street. The meal was great and inexpensive. The newer grocery store in Uvita was wonderful. They have many of the foods we are used to in the states and of course all types of Costa Rican delights. The chicken was fresh from the farm and the people were nice.
We traveled to Hacienda Baru as suggested and did the canopy tour which was fabulous! We had 2 guides and learned much about the wildlife and plants of the rainforest. We saw a few 3-toed sloths and toucans. We also went to ReptileLand in Baru and got to see a boa constrictor having babies. That was pretty cool, even though I can’t say I like snakes.
The best part of the vacation was that there was no phone, no traffic, and no interruptions. It was 11 days spent in heaven and a trip we won’t soon forget.
Thanks for the memories, Jay! The Petersens
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Darcy and Mike Petersen, Erie, Colorado
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Homeowner Response:
Thanks for the kind words Darcy. Glad you guys had such a wonderful trip.
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| 07/30/08 |
Positive
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| We stayed 8 fabulous nights at Casa de Ventanas. We had two families with preschoolers and babies and loved our time. Definitely contact Aldea del Rio for a trip to Corcovado if you're interested in an intense day of outdoor adventure. We even saw whales! Hacienda Baru has some nice hiking as well. The beaches were beautiful. We ate out at Exotica multiple times and were so pleased. Make sure you have a 4 wheel drive vehicle and plenty of mosquito repellant. The monkeys, Toucans and Aracaris are amazing at the house. If you're looking to break up the trip from San Jose, check out San Geraldo de Dota -- halfway between. We stayed at Dantica and it was fabulous, saw numerous Quetzals there. Beautiful country, less touristy. This was our 3rd trip to Costa Rica and we agreed we liked this region the best and will be returning. |
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Alicia, Rockville, MD |
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Homeowner Response:
Thanks Alicia! You are an incredible photographer. Your photos will be on the site and become art in the casa. The Corcovado is the real deal, and the green season adds a bit of rain down there (and hence the mosquito issue!). Glad you guys had such a wonderful experience. 4wd is imperative. Exotica is truly world class dining. I am inbound next month with 4 boogie boards for the beach. Thanks for the positive feedback!
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| 05/09/08 |
Positive
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| We had an absolutely wonderful time. The house is great. The view is amazing, the pool is awesome. Would definately stay here again. You will definately need a 4 wheel drive vehicle for this trip. For anyone thinking of driving from San Jose, plan on at least a 5 hour drive on winding roads. The country is absolutely beautiful. |
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Karen, Mike, Chris, Jen, NY and Florida |
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| 05/02/08 |
Positive
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| This was our first trip to Costa Rica, 4/08. We read the descriptions on the web pages, followed the links, and talked to the owner. It was one of the best vacations!! I think the reason it was so successful was due to the information the owner has posted. It has all the local resources that eliminates some of the "tourist traps", and allows a person to experience a local Costa Rican atmosphere. I would highly recommend that if anyone is interested in this property to take the time to review the information on the web page and follow the recommendations of the owner. The best thing was the comfort of the house, it felt like roughen it in the jungle but with modern conveniences. |
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Ellen & Mike , NewYork |
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| 04/23/08 |
Positive
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| We just left Casa de Ventanas 4/19/08 to make the last adventure down the most beautiful mountain - Cinco Ventanas near the quaint village of Ojochal. The house has all the comforts of home with A/C, fully equipped kitchen, comfortable beds, refreshing pool, and the view from the pool was extaordinary! The sunsets were unforgettable, but my favorite time was relaxing in the Rancho, under the fan, and watching butterflies and the family of 6 toucans come by to feed in the nearest tree 3 or 4 times each day. The sounds of the jungle were very soothing. The food was wonderful whether we cooked at the house or at out at Exotica, Citrus, the Twisted Toucan, or Rico Verde near Dominical. The beaches each held a different and beautiful view, and the local fruits were delicious. A big thank you to property managers Naomi and Steve for their special touches, recommendations,and hospitality. Don't miss the Talapia lunch and swimming at their waterfall - and be sure to get a 4-wheel drive vehicle for your adventure. Hope to go back to see more butterflies, birds, and monkeys. |
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Cindy Hughes, Houston, Texas |
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| 04/15/08 |
Positive
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| Casa de Ventanas is truly paradise found! The secluded setting, abundance of wildlife and amazing ocean view set this home apart from others in the area. We were up every morning at the crack of dawn simply because we couldn't get enough of the surrounding beauty and sense of harmony and peace. Jay's caretakers, Steve and Naomi, live up the mountain and are a wonderful source of information. They helped us choose our activities and directed us to many wonderful restaurants, including Exotica (our favorite) and Citrus. We loved going to the Tilapia Farm for lunch, and walking across and taking a dip under the unique waterfall across the street while our lunch was cooking. If you are looking for the real Costa Rica and want a place that has yet to be overrun with tourists, this is the place! |
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Blake Jones, San Diego, CA
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Homeowner Response:
Thank you Blake. I agree with you, the restaurants in the area are wonderful. Thanks for the kind words and come back and see us again! Jay
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| 04/09/08 |
Positive
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We absolutely loved our stay. We don't live too far away from Ojochal but wanted to relax for a few days... and this house was perfect for it... very quiet and peaceful spot, great ocean view, super comfortable beds...
You really feel like you are in PARADISE... lots and lots of beautiful birds that you can see all day long, howler monkeys will wake you up in the morning... Just a great getaway...
Check out Citrus and Exotica in Ojochal (GREAT food) Las Terrazas at Uvita (spectacular viewS) and Confusione in Dominical (GREAT Italian food). |
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Andrea, San Jose, Costa Rica
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Homeowner Response:
Thank you Andrea. I have always felt the only job of the casa was to allow for the comfortable enjoyment of an incredible place on this earth. Glad you enjoyed your stay. Thank you for the kind words. Jay
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| 03/24/08 |
Positive
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We had a glorious time. Lots of birds and you have a monkey trail to the west of the house across the driveway. They (6 to 9) put on a good show between 6:30 and 7 am on Wednesday.
Erica had very good food and prices; Citrus was tasty.
My youngest daughter learned to surf with the Green Iguna surf folks in Dominical. I was a failure, but they are very nice people.
Hacienda Baru has a nice canopy tour and nature walk that we all enjoyed.
The folks at Mystic Dive center were not very helpful with their snorkeling expeditions.
Beautiful country...very relaxing house...you might supply a better map!
and, the hotel Aeropuerto is a nice old hotel with good food. Great suggestion!
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mark
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Homeowner Response:
OK Mark, I've already got the map updated! Glad you guys enjoyed your stay. Jay
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| 03/24/08 |
Positive
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| Fell in love with the area many years ago, despite the fact of knowing the whole Country, this is my favorite place, and Casa de Ventanas just makes it a lot easier to enjoy the beauty of nature in a truly comfortable environment. Definitely will recomend to friends and family. |
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Fernando, San Jose
(506) 83806510 |
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Homeowner Response:
Thank you Fernando. It is really wonderful to hear a life long resident of your beautiful country feel the same way about the area as I do. Welcome back anytime! Jay
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| 04/08/07 |
Positive
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| I agree 100% with the comment previously posted. My family had a wonderful holiday at Casa de Ventanas. We have lived in Costa Rica for seven years and have traveled around the country extensively. This area is an undiscovered jewel with its beautiful beaches, fantastic restaurants and teeming wildlife. As yet it is unspoiled by over commercialised tourism and we hope that it stays this way. The house itself is beautiful, comfortable, well-equipped and clean. The view from the pool is breathtaking and it was magical to sit and watch the toucans flying around in the early morning and late afternoon. We are already planning a return visit. You will not regret staying here but do make sure you come in a 4x4 vehicle. |
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Elizabeth, San Jose, Costa Rica |
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Homeowner Response:
Thank you for the kind words Elizabeth. We hope it stays this way as well. The house remains a work in progress for us and more updates are planned at the end of May. We will continue to do all we can to make sure our guests have a wonderful experience in this incredible environment. Jay Friedman and his partners.
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| 03/29/07 |
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| How fortunate for us to be the first guests of Casa de Ventanas, under the care of the new owners. We had an amazing stay. The house is beautiful and very well maintained. The lady, Naomi, managing the property is fantastic to deal with and helped make our vacation even more special. The view from the pool deck is spectacular. We really enjoyed the walk down the path into the rainforest with the waterfall. Ventanas beach is the warmest water I have ever swam in and the view back up the mountain is quite a sight. Ojochal is a lovely little village with many fantastic little restaurants. The zipline past Dominical is not to be missed (Haciendas Baru - ask for Juan Carlos). Make sure you get a 4x4!! Just beyond Casa de Ventanas, a little further up the mountain is the most beautiful view of the coastline, breathtaking. I could go on for hours of all the sights and sounds, (howler monkeys howling) but go experience it for yourself. You certainly will not be disappointed with Casa de Ventanas or Ojochal. It truly is paradise. |
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Anonymous, Halifax, N.S. |
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Homeowner Response:
Thank you! I am so glad your family had a great time. We are striving to make it better with every passing month. Our goal is for families to enjoy the magic that is southern Costa Rica.
Jay Friedman and his parnters.
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| 03/12/07 |
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Guest Comment Entered By Homeowner:
Welcome to Casa de Ventanas. We are in the process of updating the house throughout 2007. We have tried and will continue to try to provide a wonderful vacation experience for your family. The area of Costa Rica from Dominical to Ojochal is truly magnificent. The mountains crash down to the sea and the outdoor activities in a 25 mile radius are outstanding. The house and grounds provide their own constant entertainment. There are three troops of resident howler monkeys and toucans daily visit the trees surrounding the house. Keep the binoculars handy! The dining experience in Ojochal is not to be believed. Exotica is outstanding french cuisine and reservations are necessary. French is a common language in this little village. La Paracela on the way to Dominical is another favorite. Across the highway from La Paracels is La Macha. Try it for some authentic Tico cuisine. Finally, just south of Ojochal is the Boca Coronado. This little restaurant is Tico but run with a french accent!
Not to be missed is a trip to Hacienda Baru just north of Dominical for a canopy zip line tour. Similarly, do not miss Don Lulo's horseback trip to Nauyaca Falls. It is located in Plantanillo, just 5 minutes north of Dominical on the road to San Isidro.
Finally, spend plenty of time at Playa Ventanas, just 1km north of the entrance to Cinco Ventanas. Park your car in the private area and pay 75cents/hour to have your car watched. Short palm tree lined walk down to the beach. Do not miss it. It is closed Wednesday.
For the surfers, Playa Ventanas has a small beginner's surf break if the tide is coming in. The real surfing takes place at Dominical beach, 25 minutes to the north.
Enjoy your vacation and tell us what we can do to make it better!
Jay Friedman and his partners.
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