Our stay at Casa Baula was amazing! What a perfect location, right on the beach with private access and a pool. Our family of four really enjoyed every minute, so much so that we called my wife’s parents and had them fly down to join us. The home is extremely comfortable, several excellent restaurants close by, the checkin went very smoothly and everything including massages, a boat trip, rental cars, atvs, scooters, and multiple transfers were all arranged flawlessly by Casa Baula’s concierge Olivia (thank you again!). Annette, you have a beautiful home, thank you for sharing it with us!
Hi Micheal:
Thank you for being wonderful guests and for appreciating the work of our fabulous staff, which keeps the Casa Baula running smoothly and our guests happy. I’m delighted your in-laws were able to join you last minute after arrival, when you realized there’s plenty of space indoors and out, making it the perfect location for a multi-generational family vacation.
We look forward to welcoming you all back to the house, should the wonders of Costa Rica call you!
This place was absolutely magical! One of the best accommodations we have stayed at! The place was clean and the location perfect! We could retreat from the heat into the garden/pool and air conditioned home when it got too hot outside and in the evenings- then played at the beach the rest of the time. We cooked some meals in the well equipped kitchen and dined at one of the three restaurants within walking distance the remaining nights.We were very pleased that we were able to enjoy this home and that Annette (and family) were kind enough to share it with us.
Thank you for such a glowing review Kelly! It makes me so happy to have shared the Casa Baula with you. Thank you for being wonderful guests and please know that you are welcome to return any time.
Casa Baula exceeded our expectations! The house is beautiful! So many unique and beautiful pieces of art and furniture. Manfred the property manager is the most efficient manager and best problem solver. We highly recommend Manfred’s bakery goods! They are the best you will ever eat! The ocean is literally a short walk from the resort-style backyard. Highly recommend using the concierge services of Olivia. She set us up with surf lessons with Allan, a home-cooked meal with Chef Marcia, and a masseuse who comes to the house. The house is in a neighborhood with many delicious restaurants. We recommend Cuckoo’s Nest and Taco Star - short walks from the area. You don’t have to leave the area if you don’t want to. You will feel like you’re at your own private resort. Owner Annette has done a fabulous job all the way around!!!
Thank you so much Vicki! I’m delighted to hear you enjoyed the Casa Baula and the services of the Casa’s excellent and highly skilled staff. I of course agree the house and gardens are extra special, but it is indeed the members of our amazing staff that make it exceptional. I’ll be sure to let them know! We all look forward to welcoming you back!
Our family of five had an amazing time at Casa Baula. Annette was very responsive from the moment we booked until the day we checked out. The home and surrounding property is beautiful and very well maintained. Playa Grande is steps from the house and beyond stunning with the most amazing sunsets. Our entire stay was seamless thanks to Olivia and Manfred. We truly appreciated the authenticity of this Costa Rica home and loved the local art throughout the house. You will not regret staying at this house and can't beat the location, beach and amazing down to earth surf town! We will be back! Thank you for sharing this true gem with our family
This place is beyond 5 stars of perfection. From months before arrival, connecting with Annette and Olivia to make sure the house was ready for us and extra-curricular activities were planned, to Manfred's warm welcome, to the house itself, the location, the neighborhood...Pura Vida!!
Thank you for enjoying my home and for so eloquently sharing your great vacation experience on this site. Thank you too for being wonderful guests. I look forward to welcoming you back!
Perfect location, beautiful well loved home and gardens with every comfort. Gorgeous uncrowded beaches just steps away. Manfred is a gem, so kind and responsive.(excellent baker) We enjoyed the restaurants within easy walking distance. Don’t hesitate to book this haven. Thank you Annette!
Thank you April. I’m glad you were able to enjoy some of the delicious food available within walking distance of the house. Manfred’s pastries are the best I’ve ever had!
Wow! Thank you! My goal has always been to give my guests the opportunity to experience their Best Beach Vacation Ever. Mission accomplished! And thank you so much to you all for being wonderful guests. Looking forward to welcoming you back to the Casa Baula!
This is a fabulous home for families and playa grande is the best place to visit. Everything is as described and we can’t wait to bring our families back.
Casa Baula exceeded our expectations in every way. The house sits just steps from one of Costa Rica's most beautiful beaches. We could walk from our door to the sand in under 30 seconds. Waking up to ocean sounds and watching sunsets from the property made this trip unforgettable.The location in Playa Grande was perfect for our family. It's a laid-back surf town with excellent local restaurants, casual food trucks, and great coffee spots within walking distance, but without the heavy tourist crowds. We loved the quieter, more authentic beach town vibe. Tamarindo is accessible when you want more restaurant options or nightlife.The house itself was immaculate and well-equipped. The washer/dryer was essential for a beach vacation with kids, and the whole-house water filtration system was a thoughtful touch. The pool and outdoor spaces were perfect for relaxing after surf sessions and beach days.Olivia, our concierge through ONDA, made everything seamless. She arranged surf lessons right on our beach, booked our estuary wildlife tour, coordinated our car rental delivery, and was incredibly responsive to all our questions. Her local knowledge and recommendations made our trip.Playa Grande delivered everything we wanted: pristine beach, great waves, and a perfect balance of tranquility and accessibility. We're already planning our return trip.Highly recommend Casa Baula.
Thank you so much Seth for taking the time to write such a comprehensive review and for your appreciation of the many "Extras" at the Casa Baula. You were wonderful guests and the staff of the Casa Baula looks forward to welcoming you guys back!
Absolutely loved our vacation - the home was beautiful and the grounds were amazing. We made friends with the iguanas and monkeys and had endless walks on the beach!
Thank you!!
Thanks so much Penny. Your review made me smile as we too love all of our garden jungle friends. We even have names for some of them! And of course there’s always our monkey friend Trix, supervising play over the ping pong table ;).
My wife and I spent two weeks at Casa Baula and loved it. Nothing better than being right on the beach! The house was also very comfortable and had everything we needed for a relaxed stay. We definitely will want to return.
Thanks so much! We are happy after several inquiries, we finely had availability and were able to get you two in to the Casa Baula. We of course look forward to welcoming you back!
My wife and I had a great stay. The property was just as advertised and we really enjoyed the privacy and ease of access to the beach. The property manager was easily available and brought over fresh baked goods. The owner and concierge were very helpful in recommending and scheduling activities during our stay. We will definitely consider coming back in the future.
Thank you Matt. So glad to hear you and your wife enjoyed your time at the Casa Baula. Despite being a large home and property, it can be a wonderful space for a party of just 2! I look forward to welcoming you back!
We were a party of 6 (3 generations ages 13-76). Thank you so much for all the thought and details that have gone into the beach front paradise! It felt like we had a boutique hotel all to ourselves! We have stayed at many VRBOs over the years and have never had the luxury of someone greeting us at the door with a tour - Thank you, Manfred! The concierge, Olivia, was so instrumental in helping us with car rental, surf lessons on the beach behind the home, dinner reservations and booking excursions. You have spoiled us! Definitely treat yourself to Manfred’s baked goods! We had 9 howler monkeys visit us in the back yard during our last morning. We took in every sunset on the beach and could hear the waves crashing from inside the house - it felt like we had paradise to ourselves. We spent hours boogie boarding, playing ping pong, bocce ball and corn hole. The pool was a welcome respite from the midday heat. Playa Grande is one of the cleanest beaches we have seen. Instead of driving to Tamarindo, suggest you walk the beach and take the 2 boat ride. Driving to Tamarindo and parking is tedious. Or enjoy the couple of local restaurants in the neighborhood (definitely Mar Azul). We hope to visit again one day but maybe during the “green season. Thank you to everyone to made our trip so special!
Thank you for recognizing the wonderful staff of the Casa Baula! From our amazing driver crew that meets you upon arrival at the airport, to our concierge and property manager who prepare before your arrival and assist throughout your stay, to our cleaning staff and gardening crew who always keep the house and gardens looking their very best, each staff member takes a tremendous amount of pride in their jobs and they work seemlessly together to ensure you and your family have your best beach vacation ever. Thank you for being great guests and we all look forward to welcoming you back!
Perfect location, close but outside of the crowds in tamarindo.
The house itself is well appointed and very comfortable. The neighborhood is just perfect, with some dining choices nearby even during the rainy season. Sunsets were stunning! We will return for sure.
Everything about our weeklong trip to Costa Rica was perfect. This house topped it off. It is such a unique and special place. We loved all of the art and the location was unbeatable.
From the moment we walked through the door we knew this was a special place. The care and love that was poured into the home is evident in every detail. Thank you Annette and Manfred for an incredible week with our family.
Exquisite ,perfect ,unbelievable could fill this entire page with adjectives ..The pictures do not do this place justice at all From the layout to the art work down to the finest detail ..Outdoor space is Paradise Fabulous support staff we loved Olivia the concierge ..She can help with anything …Hope we can come back again
Thank you for sharing your home with us. It’s the perfect match of location and amenities. Every detail in the home was fun to view and the waves in the backyard were unbeatable. The pool was the perfect location for us parents to relax during children’s nap times. Pura Vida!
The house and where it is located is amazing! So be able to walk out the backyard to the beach was absolutely lovely! Olivia, the concierge, connected us with an excellent surf instructor who came right to the house. Being able to relax at the house and then go be active at the private like beach area was fantastic. The house had all the amenities we needed and more. We are so thankful for the lovely week we were able to enjoy at this beautiful location.
The pictures do not do the home justice. The location was great . From booking to the property manager to the concierge I could not have been treated better. The food at the restauraunts in the neighborhood is good and it is within walking distance and a short ferry ride to town.
I will be staying there again.
Everything that Annette promised about this property proved to be true. The house is steps from a beautiful, in crowded beach. Amazing sunsets, surfer watching all day. The grounds were immaculately manicured, and so peaceful. Just an overall amazing experience!
From start to finish, our stay at Casa Baula was first class. The house was well furnished. Our family enjoyed several games of Surf Monopoly, Extreme Jenga and watching movies from the hundreds of DVDs. Dad surfed every morning and we watched the sun set together as a family every evening. Great restaurants and activities nearby. We will be back!!
Thank you so much Kent. Always delighted to hear when families enjoy the many activities we provide. Due to Covid, it’s been awhile since we’ve had any guests in our home, so your review is especially appreciated. We look forward to welcoming you back. Thanks again! Annette
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Dennis and I both grew up on California beaches and have traveled the world enjoying a variety of beach cultures. Dennis and my 25-year-old son, Luca, love to surf. I love to boogie board and walk the beach, in search of the perfect seashell. When we unexpectedly (See Story Below) found ourselves on Playa Grande, we knew our search for the perfect beach had finally concluded! We love Playa Grande and can't wait to share it with you. One of our greatest pleasures is listening to happy people who can't stop talking about their amazement at the beauty and solitude of Playa Grande and the wonderful experiences they shared with family and friends in our home.
We first visited Costa Rica, in 2004, with absolutely no intention of buying anything, except a few souvenirs. We were chatting with our hotel manager and he mentioned two American real estate agents who would pay for a round of golf if you toured a home. Dennis was up for both adventures so off he went for a round of golf. That afternoon, we all piled into the real estate agent's tiny car and headed off through the cow fields. I have to admit, I was a little apprehensive about exactly where these American guys were taking us! When we finally arrived at the house, we fell in love with the home's tropical colors. Then, we walked through the backyard and onto the beach. We were sold, hook line, and sinker, as they say. It was the ONLY house we looked at!!! We have never regretted our impulsive decision and our love for this amazing country grows stronger with every visit. For several years after we bought, we would drive to other beaches along the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica in search of a finer beach. After 4 years we stopped, and we thank our lucky stars that we own a home on the most perfect beach in Costa Rica! We are located in Palm Beach Estates which despite its proximity to Tamarindo is the far more private end of the beach. BOTTOM LINE...You will have the incredible beauty and wonder of Playa Grande all to yourself! You will see very few people, on your “private” 3.5-mile beach, throughout the course of a typical day! We love to talk about Costa Rica, so give us a call.
WHY PLAYA GRANDE? The magnificence of this beach is incomprehensible to most Americans. Miles of white sand, seashells, and 84-degree average water meets tropical jungle, & not a soul around.
THERE ARE A SMALL NUMBER OF HOUSES DIRECTLY ON THE BEACH WHY SELECT OURS? There are even fewer homes on the beach that rent to 6 or less, without sharing the property. You’ll have our Entire Property to yourself! We also don't consider our family home to be a rental. It is our home! We are very proud of comments we've received from repeat visitors to Grande, as well as Grande Locals, stating our home is the best-appointed house on Grande. From our swimming pool & lush gardens, the gourmet kitchen, to entertainment for all, including a collection of over 200 DVDs, puzzles & games galore, ping pong, badminton, bocce, & a Soft Top surfboard. The office library is stocked with a large collection of books on Costa Rica, the seashore, the ocean, & the jungle, a wide variety of 'Beach Reads', and a comprehensive collection of books by Spanish Nobel Laureate writers. There is a smaller children's library in the third bedroom. Each room is beautifully decorated with original works of art & FULLY EQUIPPED with everything you could possibly desire for your best beach vacation ever.
WHY NOT THE NORTH END? Most travelers to Costa Rica are looking for less crowded beaches & waves. Surfing the North End of Grande tends to be crowded. As you move south, the waves are often as consistent, but it's far less crowded, meaning you may actually get more waves and there's no need to share the waves. When a northern swell hits Grande, the waves in front of the house have all the qualities of a PERFECT WAVE! Our home’s location behind the mangrove makes for a more peaceful and private, sanctuary-like setting. You certainly won't be bothered by people selling trinkets or wanting to borrow beach chairs or using the showers, while you are enjoying an outdoor massage on the patio