The House
Casa Escondida is a sustainably built jungle bungalow located one mile from world famous surf at Playa Hermosa, Costa Rica. Casa Escondida has two master suites, a full kitchen, a spacious porch overlooking the back yard, dining room, living room, utility closet with a washing machine, hot water, outside shower, and wireless high speed internet. Both master suites have one double bed, closet and a bathroom with a large shower. The house was designed with large overhangs to provide lots of shade and capture the breeze coming down from the mountains, which keeps the house cool. Casa Escondida sleeps four comfortably and also has two plush air mattresses if you need more space.
The Landscape
Casa Escondida, which means “hidden house” in Spanish, is surrounded by a garden of tropical flowers, citrus trees, papaya trees, pineapple bushes and numerous other exotic tropical plants. Floor to ceiling windows and doors allow you to experience Costa Rica’s finest flora and fauna and hear the murmur of the nearby stream. Take a stroll through the ½ acre grounds, and encounter lizards and leaf cutter ants. Be sure to keep your ears open for the distinctive call of the Scarlet Macaw. While you’re walking around, take a minute to smell the flowers and take in the wonder of our tropical garden. If you are feeling adventurous, you can walk through the neighboring teak farm and see the 100 meter waterfall that crashes to the pools below throughout much of the year, or take one of our beach cruisers for a ride to the beach. Of course, hanging on the big back porch and enjoying the mountain breeze as you relax is always an option too. After a day at the beach, put your feet up in one of our three hammocks and read a book while you sip a cold cocktail made with fresh tropical fruit. While you’re kicking back in the hammock, peer into the tree canopy above and keep your eyes open for the many scarlet macaws, toucans, butterflies, iguanas, monkeys and sloths that make their homes in the treetops. Make sure you head to the beach to watch the amazing sunsets. After a great dinner, step into the backyard and be amazed by the stars overhead and distant sound of waves crashing on the beach.
Location Location Location
Getting to Costa Rica is an easy, affordable flight from many US airports, with direct flights daily from Miami, Houston, New York, and Atlanta. Once you land in the Juan Santamaria International Airport in San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica, Casa Escondida is just an hour and a half ride from the airport. From the airport you can catch a cab, be picked up in your own personal shuttle (which we would be happy to arrange for you), or you can rent a car for a scenic ride through the jungle-covered mountains to your vacation getaway. A more budget-friendly option to get to Casa Escondida is to catch a bus, which is a bit longer of a trip (2 ½ hours+/-), but it is a great way to experience Costa Rica.
Your vacation jungle bungalow is located just a short drive over the hill from Jaco, the closest beach town to San Jose. Jaco is where you will pick up your groceries, booze and anything else you need for a great trip. With a plethora of great restaurants, grocery stores, shops and nightlife, Jaco has something for everyone. One of the best things about Casa Escondida is its convenient location to Jaco, but once you arrive back at Casa Escondida you will feel like you are a million miles from the hustle and bustle of Jaco. Playa Hermosa, the beach just one mile from your vacation sanctuary, is an idyllic beach town with miles of uncrowded, beautiful black sand beaches and palm trees. If you are hungry you can grab a cheap meal of typical Costa Rican fare from one of the small sodas, or if you’re in the mood for the most mouth watering tender tuna that you will ever taste, Las Olas is a quaint beach restaurant that serves the best.
The Surf
“Playa Hermosa and nearby Jaco is THE definitive surf mecca of the central pacific coast. This area arguably offers the most consistent year-round surf with over 3 ½ miles of steep beaches with excellent exposure to swells from almost any direction. Although this area is extremely popular, there are so many peaks up an down the beach that you are likely to find an uncrowded, head high peak at almost any time of year.” –– Surfers Guide to Costa Rica
Today’s surf report and surf cam
Exursions
If you feel like dancing, or just having a couple beers while you watch the sunset behind the regular Saturday afternoon local surf competition, then the Backyard Bar is the place to be. When you get your fill of relaxing and are ready to get your adrenaline pumping you can book an afternoon zipline/canopy tour and go racing through the jungle canopy suspended from a cable, or you can rent an ATV and go explore the areas waterfalls and trails. There are also some great guided horse tours that will make you feel like a real vaquero as you ride your horse through the jungle. About 45 minutes south of Casa Escondida is Manuel Antonio National Park and it is a must see! With its abundance of wildlife, birds and secluded coves with turquoise water it is a wonderful way to spend a day.
Come enjoy your own little piece of paradise at Casa Escondida and experience Pura Vida!
Casa Escondida 